Modulating Lewis acidic active sites of Fe doped Bi2MoO6 nanosheets for enhanced electrochemical nitrogen fixation

Abstract

Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) for artificial ammonia synthesis under mild conditions has been considered as a promising alternative to the conventional Haber–Bosch method. The highly desired efficient NRR still faced with the mulriple challenges of adsorption and activation of N2 and limited Faraday efficiency. Here, Fe-doped Bi2MoO6 nanosheets fabricated by one step synthesis exhibits high NH3 yield rate of 71.01 μg·h−1·mg−1 and Faraday Efficiency of 80.12%. The decreased electron density of Bi in collaboration with Lewis acid active sites on Fe-doped Bi2MoO6, jointly enhance the adsorption and activation of Lewis basic N2. Benefited from surface texture optimization and the superior ability of N2 adsorption and activation, the increasing density of effective active sites greatly improve the NRR behavior. This work provides new opportunities for developing efficient and highly selective catalysts for NH3 synthesis via NRR.