High-Performance N2-to-NH3 Conversion Electrocatalyzed by Mo2C Nanorod

The synthesis of NH3 is mainly dominated by the traditional energy-consuming Haber-Bosch process with a mass of CO2 emission. Electrochemical conversion of N-2 to NH3 emerges as a carbon-free process for the sustainable artificial N-2 reduction reaction (NRR), but requires an efficient and stable electrocatalyst. Here, we report that the Mo2C nanorod serves as an excellent NRR electrocatalyst for artificial N-2 fixation to NH3 with strong durability and acceptable selectivity under ambient conditions. Such a catalyst shows a high Faradaic efficiency of 8.13% and NH3 yield of 95.1 mu g h(-1) mg(cat)(-1) at -0.3 V in 0.1 M HCl, surpassing the majority of reported electrochemical conversion NRR catalysts. Density functional theory calculation was carried out to gain further insight into the catalytic mechanism involved.