Open AccessThree‐Phase Electrolysis by Gold Nanoparticle on Hydrophobic Interface for Enhanced Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction
Author(s) -
Zhang Junchang,
Zhao Bo,
Liang Wenkai,
Zhou Genshu,
Liang Zhiqiang,
Wang Yawen,
Qu Jiangying,
Sun Yinghui,
Jiang Lin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202002630
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , faraday efficiency , cyclic voltammetry , electrochemistry , electrolysis , contact angle , chemical engineering , electrolyte , yield (engineering) , nanoparticle , phase (matter) , redox , reversible hydrogen electrode , materials science , chemistry , inorganic chemistry , electrode , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , working electrode , engineering , metallurgy
Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) provides a facile and sustainable strategy to produce ammonia (NH 3 ) at ambient conditions. However, the low NH 3 yield and Faradaic efficiency (FE) are still the main challenges due to the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, a three‐phase electrocatalyst through in situ fabrication of Au nanoparticles (NPs) located on hydrophobic carbon fiber paper (Au/o‐CFP) is designed. The hydrophobic CFP surface facilitates efficient three‐phase contact points (TPCPs) for N 2 (gas), electrolyte (liquid), and Au NPs (solid). Thus, concentrated N 2 molecules can contact the electrocatalyst surface directly, inhibiting the HER since the lowered proton concentration and overall enhancing NRR. The three‐phase Au/o‐CFP electrocatalyst presents an excellent NRR performance with high NH 3 yield rate of 40.6 µg h −1 mg −1 at −0.30 V and great FE of 31.3% at −0.10 V versus RHE (0.1 m Na 2 SO 4 ). The N 2 ‐bubble contact angle result and cyclic voltammetry analysis confirm that the hydrophobic interface has a relatively strong interaction with N 2 bubble for enhanced NRR and weak electrocatalytic activity for HER. Significantly, the three‐phase Au/o‐CFP exhibits excellent stability with a negligible fluctuation of NH 3 yield and FE in seven‐cycle test. This work provides a new strategy for improving NRR and simultaneously inhibiting HER.