Bi nanodendrites for efficient electrocatalytic N2 fixation to NH3 under ambient conditions

Abstract

Electrochemical N2 reduction has emerged as a sustainable and eco-friendly route for the artificial synthesis of NH3 under ambient conditions, but active electrocatalysts are needed to drive the N2 reduction reaction (NRR). Here, Bi nanodendrites are reported as an efficient NRR electrocatalyst for N2 to NH3 conversion with excellent selectivity. In 0.1 M HCl, this catalyst achieves a large NH3 yield of 25.86 μg h-1 mg-1cat. and a high faradaic efficiency of 10.8% at -0.60 V and -0.55 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode, respectively, with high electrochemical durability.