Electrocatalytic Reduction of N2 to NH3 Over Defective 1T′-WX2 (X=S, Se, Te) Monolayers

Defects in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) can serve as active sites in catalytic reactions. In this work, by means of first-principles calculations, the catalytic activities of WX2 (X=S, Se, Te) monolayers in the 1T ' phase with both vacancy defects (missing chalcogen atoms, V-X(d)) and antisite defects (replacing chalcogen atoms with W atoms, (X)A(d)) were evaluated for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). Results showed that all these defective catalysts had great potential toward electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis by exhibiting low limiting potentials (U-L). Over 1T '-WTe2@V-Te(d), 1T '-WS2@(S)A(d), 1T '-WSe2@(Se)A(d), and 1T '-WTe2@(Te)A(d), the corresponding U-L values were -0.49, -0.21, -0.19, and -0.15 V, much smaller than that of the benchmark catalyst, the Ru (0001) surface (U-L=-0.98 V). Furthermore, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was inhibited. 1T '-WX2 monolayers with the antisite defects showed better NRR activity than those with the vacancy defects because of the smaller steric hindrance at the former. Results suggest that the steric effect at the active surface sites should be utilized to develop better catalysts.

Automated summary

In this study, the catalytic activities of defective WX2 monolayers in the nitrogen reduction reaction were evaluated using first-principles calculations. The results showed that catalysts with antisite defects exhibited better performance and could be used as a basis for developing improved catalysts.