Advanced Non-metallic Catalysts for Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction under Ambient Conditions

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of nitrogen into ammonia under ambient conditions is a potential strategy for sustainable ammonia production. At present, one of the main research directions in the field of electrochemical nitrogen fixation is to improve the current efficiency and ammonia yield by developing efficient nitrogen reduction catalysts. To optimise the selectivity and catalytic activity of nitrogen reduction catalysts more efficiently, herein, we systematically summarise the progress of research on nitrogen reduction catalysts in recent years and present some general catalyst design strategies. Considering that it is difficult for metal-based catalysts to balance the competitive reactions of nitrogen activation and hydrogen evolution, we discuss in detail the advantages and application prospects of non-metallic catalysts in electrochemical nitrogen fixation. Moreover, both the design strategy of surface or interface defects, and how this atomic-level control of functionalisation helps to promote selectivity and catalytic activity are also discussed by theoretical and experimental electrochemistry. On this basis, we also discussed the future development direction, opportunities and challenges of nitrogen reduction electrocatalysts.

Keywords: ammonia synthesis; electrocatalysis; hydrogen evolution; nitrogen reduction; non-metallic catalysts.