Multicomponent TiO<sub>2</sub>/Ag/Cu<sub>7</sub>S<sub>4</sub>@Se Heterostructures Constructed by an Interface Engineering Strategy for Promoting the Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Reaction Performance
Lei Zhang, Pengyu Liu, Weizhe Chen, Yang Liu, Zhiliang Liu, Yanqin Wang
Abstract
The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (ECNRR) is a sustainable and environmentally friendly method for NH3 synthesis under environmental conditions relative to the Haber–Bosch process; however, its low selectivity (Faradaic efficiency (FE)) and low NH3 yield impede the progress. Herein, benefiting from the application of the interface engineering strategy, a multicomponent TiO2/Ag/Cu7S4@Se-CC heterogeneous electrocatalyst with a unique structure was successfully fabricated, generating a unique sandwich structure by using a Ag layer as an electric bridge intercalated between TiO2 and Cu7S4, in which the optimized catalyst can accelerate the electron transfer efficiency. Moreover, through the electronic structure adjustment, an electron-deficient region was constructed, which can inhibit the H2 adsorption but enhance the N2 adsorption, thereby improving the selectivity and the catalytic activity. Significantly, the FE and NH3 yield of TiO2/Ag/Cu7S4@Se-CC reached 51.05 ± 0.16% and 39.16 ± 2.31 μg h–1 cm–2, in which the FE is among the highest non-precious metal-based NRR electrocatalysts in alkaline electrolytes reported. This study provides insight into the rational design and construction of NRR electrocatalysts for electrocatalytic applications.