Boosting electrochemical nitrogen fixation by mesoporous Rh film with boron and sulfur co-doping

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has been regarded as one of the most promising alternative strategies for nitrogen fixation, and the design of efficient NRR catalysts is the critical factor. Herein, boron and sulfur co-doped mesoporous Rh film on Ni foam (B, S-mRh/NF) is developed for electrochemical ammonia synthesis. The boron and sulfur co-doping, the B, S-mRh/NF, can inhibit competitive hydrogen evolution reaction effectively. Owing to binder-free mesoporous structures, binder-free characteristic, and multicomponent alloy, the B, S-mRh/NF displays a high NH3 yield of 11.88 mg/h/cm(2) at -0.1 V and Faraday efficiency of 38.42% at -0.05 V in neutral electrolyte. This work offers an effective strategy for the rational design of nonmetal-doped porous Rh electrocatalysts with self-supported structure, which would be highly potential for the electrochemical ammonia synthesis. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A boron and sulfur co-doped mesoporous Rh film catalyst on Ni foam (B, S-mRh/NF) has been developed for electrochemical ammonia synthesis. The catalyst effectively inhibits competitive hydrogen evolution reaction and achieves high NH3 yield in neutral electrolyte, showing great potential for electrochemical ammonia synthesis.