Catalyst-Support interactions enhanced electrochemical nitrogen reduction on Au/ZrO2. (10th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wei, Jiankun; Jing, Yidan; Zhao, Zelin; Fan, Zhengwen; Liang, Zijia; Huang, Junling; Wu, Han; Xie, Zhizhong; Liu, Dan; Qu, Deyu; Tang, Haolin; Li, Junsheng
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 381(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-10
• Subjects: Electron transfer -- Au -- ZrO2 -- Electrochemical nitrogen reduction; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138222
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Highlights: Au/ZrO2 is synthesized with a MOF templated method. Electron transfer from ZrO2 to Au enhances ENRR activity of Au. Au/ZrO2 shows a high ammonia yield at a low overpotential of -0.25 V. Abstract: Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) is a promising supplement to the existing Haber-Bosch process due to its mild reaction condition and high theoretical efficiency. However, rational design of efficient ENRR catalyst remains to be the key challenge for the future development of practical ENRR process. In this work, we propose a strategy to enhance the performance of ENRR catalyst by catalyst-support interactions. This strategy is verified with Au/ZrO2 catalyst. Both experimental and theoretical investigations show that electron is transferred from ZrO2 substrate to Au. Such an electron transfer process modifies the electronic structure of Au, which enhances the ENRR activity HER performance of the Au active components. Benefiting from the catalyst-support interactions, the optimal Au/ZrO2 catalyst shows a high ammonia yield of 54.84 μg h −1 mg −1 Au .