Strongly coupled molybdenum phosphide@phosphorus-doped porous carbon derived from MOF used in N2 electroreduction under ambient conditions

Developing highly efficient and affordable non-precious metal electrocatalysts toward nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is an important step for economical production of ammonia. Molybdenum phosphide@phosphorusdoped porous carbon (MoP@PPC) octahedron is synthesized through a metal-organic framework-assisted strategy characteristic by controlled carbonization and phosphidation. The purpose-synthesized MoP@PPC octahedron acts as a high-performance NRR electrocatalyst toward N-2 electroreduction in 0.1 M HCl under ambient conditions. The MoP@PPC exhibits a high NH3 yield rate of 28.73 mu g h(-1) mg(cat)(-1). and Faraday efficiency of 2.48% at -0.3 V versus RHE. The enhanced NRR performance of MoP@PPC electrocatalyst can be attributed to the synergistic effects of P-dopant, porous carbon and stable MoP nanoparticle. This study reveals the unique potential of non-precious metal electrocatalyst derived from metal-organic frameworks for NRR.

Automated summary

The study developed a highly efficient and cost-effective non-precious metal electrocatalyst, MoP@PPC octahedron, synthesized through a metal-organic framework-assisted strategy. The catalyst showed good performance and high ammonia yield rate in nitrogen reduction reaction, attributed to the synergistic effects of P-dopant, porous carbon, and stable MoP nanoparticle.