Single-Boron Catalysts for Nitrogen Reduction Reaction
Chuangwei Liu, Qinye Li, Chengzhang Wu, Jie Zhang, Yonggang Jin, Douglas R. MacFarlane, Chenghua Sun
Abstract
Boron has been explored as p-block catalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) by density functional theory. Unlike transition metals, on which the active centers need empty d orbitals to accept the lone-pair electrons of the nitrogen molecule, the sp3 hybrid orbital of the boron atom can form B-to-N π-back bonding. This results in the population of the N–N π* orbital and the concomitant decrease of the N–N bond order. We demonstrate that the catalytic activity of boron is highly correlated with the degree of charge transfer between the boron atom and the substrate. Among the 21 concept-catalysts, single boron atoms supported on graphene and substituted into h-MoS2 are identified as the most promising NRR catalysts, offering excellent energy efficiency and selectivity against hydrogen evolution reaction.