Cu<sub>3</sub>P nanoparticle-reduced graphene oxide hybrid: an efficient electrocatalyst to realize N<sub>2</sub>-to-NH<sub>3</sub> conversion under ambient conditions
Runbo Zhao, Qin Geng, Le Chang, Peipei Wei, Yonglan Luo, Xifeng Shi, Abdullah M. Asiri, Siyu Lu, Zhiming Wang, Xuping Sun
Abstract
Industrial NH3 synthesis mainly relies on the Haber-Bosch process operated under harsh conditions. Ambient electrochemical N2 reduction offers an eco-friendly and sustainable pathway for NH3 synthesis, but its implementation depends on efficient electrocatalysts. Here, we report that a Cu3P nanoparticle-reduced graphene oxide (Cu3P-rGO) hybrid serves as an efficient electrocatalyst toward NH3 synthesis. Tested in 0.1 M HCl, Cu3P-rGO exhibits a large NH3 yield of 26.38 μg h-1 mgcat.-1 and a high faradaic efficiency of 10.11% at -0.45 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode, with high electrochemical stability. Theoretical calculations reveal that Cu3P can efficiently catalyze NH3 synthesis.