Metal carbides M2 C (MXenes) with two-dimensional (2D) structure have been indicated as promising materials for N2 fixation, with the activity being related to edge planes. Here, it is instead demonstrated that the transformation from a 2D- (nanosheets) to a 3D-type nanostructure (nanoribbons) leads to a significant enhancement of the N2 fixation activity due to the formation of exposed Ti-OH sites. A linear relationship is observed between ammonia formation rate and amount of oxygen on the surface of Ti3 C2 MXene.
Keywords: MXenes; N2 fixation; metal carbides; nanoribbons; nanosheets.
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