DyF3: An Efficient Electrocatalyst for N2 Fixation to NH3 under Ambient Conditions

Abstract

NH3 synthesis by the Haber–Bosch method is regarded as the dominant method in industry. Such a process is energy-intensive, accompanied by a large amount of CO2 emission. Electrocatalytic N2 reduction is a sustainable avenue for NH3 production at ambient conditions. However, it needs a catalyst to boost the N2 reduction reaction. Here, we demonstrate that DyF3 is an efficient electrocatalyst. In 0.1 m Na2SO4, DyF3 attains a large NH3 yield of 10.9 μg h−1 mg−1cat. at −0.45 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode, with the corresponding Faradaic efficiency of 8.8 %. Furthermore, this catalyst exhibits high electrochemical stability.