High yield selective electrochemical conversion of N2 to NH3via morphology controlled silver phosphate under ambient conditions. Issue 38 (12th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gupta, Divyani; Kafle, Alankar; Kaur, Sukhjot; Mohanty, Prajna Parimita; Das, Tisita; Chakraborty, Sudip; Ahuja, Rajeev; Nagaiah, Tharamani C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 10:Issue 38(2022)
• Page Start: 20616
• Page End: 20625
• Publication Date: 2022-09-12
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d2ta04155c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Ag3 PO4 having cuboidal morphology is shown to have a superior activity and stability towards the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction for ammonia production by effectually suppressing the HER. Abstract : Development of a highly active catalyst for the synthesis of ammonia via the electrochemical dinitrogen reduction reaction (e-NRR) is an immense challenge. We report the modification of metallic Ag with inorganic phosphate to obtain Ag3 PO4 as an effective electrocatalyst for the e-NRR in alkaline media under ambient conditions. The designed Ag3 PO4 catalyst can effectually suppress the HER. The e-NRR activity was improved by fine-tuning the morphology by a template free one-pot synthesis. The synthesised Ag3 PO4 having cuboidal morphology is shown to have superior activity and stability towards the e-NRR witnessed from a high faradaic efficiency of 26.67%, yield rate of 456.75 μg h −1 mgcat −1 and TOF value of 0.46 h −1 at a positive potential of 0 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M KOH. Careful examination of any N-contaminants present in catalyst/electrolyte/gas-feed is carried out by UV-vis spectroscopy and gas-purification methods prior to e-NRR measurements to eliminate any false NH3 production. Also, the true source of NH3 production is confirmed by means of 15 N-isotope labelling experiments via 1 H-NMR spectroscopy.