DyF3 : An Efficient Electrocatalyst for N2 Fixation to NH3 under Ambient Conditions.

Abstract

NH3 synthesis by the Haber-Bosch method is regarded as the dominant method in industry. Such a process is energy-intensive, accompanied by a large amount of CO2 emission. Electrocatalytic N2 reduction is a sustainable avenue for NH3 production at ambient conditions. However, it needs a catalyst to boost the N2 reduction reaction. Here, we demonstrate that DyF3 is an efficient electrocatalyst. In 0.1 m Na2 SO4 , DyF3 attains a large NH3 yield of 10.9 μg h-1 mg-1 cat. at -0.45 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode, with the corresponding Faradaic efficiency of 8.8 %. Furthermore, this catalyst exhibits high electrochemical stability.