ZrB<sub>2</sub>as an earth-abundant metal diboride catalyst for electroreduction of dinitrogen to ammonia
Qingqing Li, Yonghua Cheng, Xiaotian Li, Yali Guo, Ke Chu
Abstract
ZrB2 is first explored as an earth-abundant metal diboride catalyst for highly efficient nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). The synthesized ZrB2 nanocubes exhibited a highly attractive NRR performance with an NH3 yield of 37.7 μg h-1 mg-1 and a Faradaic efficiency 18.2% at -0.3 V (RHE). Theoretical calculations unraveled that active Zr centers enabled the effective activation of the N2 molecule via a unique tetranuclear side-on mode and concurrently impeded hydrogen evolution by restricting H+ adsorption.
Topics & Concepts
CatalysisAmmonia boraneAmmoniaAmmonia productionEarth (classical element)MetalAlkaline earth metalInorganic chemistryRare earthMaterials scienceChemistryChemical engineeringMetallurgyOrganic chemistryHydrogen productionEngineeringMathematical physicsPhysicsAmmonia Synthesis and Nitrogen ReductionHydrogen Storage and MaterialsMuon and positron interactions and applications