Ag nanosheets for efficient electrocatalytic N-2 fixation to NH3 under ambient conditions

The industrial-scale NH3 production still heavily depends on the Haber-Bosch process which demands not only high energy consumption but emits a large amount of CO2. Electrochemical fixation of N-2 to NH3 under ambient conditions is regarded as an eco-friendly and sustainable approach, but stable and efficient electrocatalysts are demanded for the N-2 reduction reaction (NRR). In this work, we report our recent finding that an Ag nanosheet acts as a high-performance NRR electrocatalyst at room temperature and pressure. Electrochemical tests in 0.1 M HCl reveal that such a catalyst achieves a high Faradaic efficiency of 4.8% and a NH3 yield rate of 4.62 x 10(-11) mol s(-1) cm(-2) at -0.60 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), rivaling the performances of most of the reported aqueous-based NRR electrocatalysts. Additionally, the Ag nanosheet also shows excellent selectivity, strong long-term electrochemical stability and durability.