Synergistic Enhancement of Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Over Boron Nitride Quantum Dots Decorated Nb2CTx-MXene

Electrochemical N-2 fixation represents a promising strategy toward sustainable NH3 synthesis, whereas the rational design of high-performance catalysts for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is urgently required but remains challenging. Herein, a novel hexagonal BN quantum dots (BNQDs) decorated Nb2CTx-MXene (BNQDs@Nb2CTx) is explored as an efficient NRR catalyst. BNQDs@Nb2CTx presents the optimum NRR activity with an NH3 yield rate of 66.3 mu g h(-1) mg(-1) (-0.4 V) and a Faradaic efficiency of 16.7% (-0.3 V), outperforming most of the state-of-the-art NRR catalysts, together with an excellent stability. Theoretical calculations revealed that the synergistic interplay of BNQDs and Nb2CTx enabled the creation of unique interfacial B sites serving as NRR catalytic centers capable of enhancing the N-2 activation, lowering the reaction energy barrier and impeding the H-2 evolution.

Automated summary

A novel hexagonal BN quantum dots (BNQDs) decorated Nb2CTx-MXene (BNQDs@Nb2CTx) has been explored as an efficient NRR catalyst, which shows optimum NRR activity, high Faradaic efficiency, and excellent stability, outperforming most of the state-of-the-art NRR catalysts. The synergistic interplay of BNQDs and Nb2CTx creates unique interfacial B sites serving as NRR catalytic centers, enhancing N-2 activation and impeding H-2 evolution.