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Electrocatalysis of N 2 to NH 3 by HKUST‐1 with High NH 3 Yield
Author(s) -
Cao Yueming,
Li Peipei,
Wu Tengteng,
Liu Meiling,
Zhang Youyu
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemistry – an asian journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1861-471X
pISSN - 1861-4728
DOI - 10.1002/asia.201901714
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , catalysis , yield (engineering) , ammonia , electrochemistry , ammonia production , reversible hydrogen electrode , materials science , selectivity , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , electrode , working electrode , metallurgy , organic chemistry
Electrolytic ammonia synthesis from nitrogen at ambient conditions is appearing as a promising alternative to the Haber‐Bosch process which is consuming high energy and emitting CO 2 . Here, a typical MOF material, HKUST‐1 (Cu−BTC, BTC=benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate), was selected as an electrocatalyst for the reaction of converting N 2 to NH 3 under ambient conditions. At −0.75 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, it achieves excellent catalytic performance in the electrochemical synthesis of ammonia with high NH 3 yield (46.63 μg h −1 mg −1 cat. or 4.66 μg h −1 cm −2 ) and good Faraday efficiency (2.45%). It is indicated that the good performance of the HKUST‐1 catalyst may originate from the formation of Cu(I). In addition, the catalyst also has good selectivity for N 2 to NH 3 .