Au nanowire modified with tannic acid for enhanced electrochemical synthesis of ammonia

Abstract

Electrochemical N2 reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions provides sustainable and green pathways; meanwhile, efficient electrocatalysts are strongly required. In this work, we report an interfacial active site strategy to improve the electrocatalytic NRR performance by modification of Au nanowire (Au NW) surface with oxygen-rich tannic acid (TA). Benefiting from their ultrafine one-dimensional nanowire architecture and the TA-modified metallic interface, the TA-Au NWs effectively facilitate the adsorption and activation of reactants. The TA-Au NWs exhibit a large NH3 yield rate (15.71 μg h−1 mg−1cat.) and a high Faraday efficiency of 14.83% at −0.3 V (vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode) in a N2-saturated 0.1 M Na2SO4 with an excellent electrochemical durability. This work provides a general surface modification strategy to fabricate highly active NRR electrocatalysts.