Double-Phase Heterostructure within Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>–CuS Quantum Dots with Boosted Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction
Yuyao Ji, Qiang Hu, Wendong Cheng, Xingquan Liu
Abstract
The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) gives us an interesting pathway for N 2 –NH 3 . However, due to the high bonding energy and strong dipole moment of N 2 molecules, it is still a great challenge to achieve efficient NRR at normal temperature and pressure. Herein, Fe 2 O 3 –CuS quantum dots (QDs) are synthesized with interface engineering, and it is reported that Fe 2 O 3 –CuS QDs act as a highly active catalyst for NRR with high selectivity. Under neutral conditions, the Fe 2 O 3 –CuS QDs achieve a large NH 3 yield of 35.67 μg h –1 mg cat. –1 and a high Faradaic efficiency of 10.6%. The Fe 2 O 3 –CuS QD double-phase heterostructure provides more active sites for N 2 activation, which is conducive to enhancing the NRR activity. This work gives us a new idea for designing NRR electrocatalysts and also brings new afflatus for preparing other biphase heterostructures in quantum dots.