Atomic coordination environment engineering of bimetallic alloy nanostructures for efficient ammonia electrosynthesis from nitrate

Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO 3 RR) to ammonia has been regarded as a promising strategy to balance the global nitrogen cycle. However, it still suffers from poor Faradaic efficiency (FE) and limited yield rate for ammonia production on heterogeneous electrocatalysts, especially in neutral solutions. Herein, we report one-pot synthesis of ultrathin nanosheet-assembled RuFe nanoflowers with low-coordinated Ru sites to enhance NO 3 RR performances in neutral electrolyte. Significantly, RuFe nanoflowers exhibit outstanding ammonia FE of 92.9% and yield rate of 38.68 mg h −1 mg cat −1 (64.47 mg h −1 mg Ru −1 ) at −0.30 and −0.65 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode), respectively. Experimental…

• CU
  City University of Hong Kong

  Awards: 9680301, 22005258, 9610480
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 52072400, 51991344, 52102320, 22175148, 22005258, 52025025
• UG
  University Grants Committee

  Award: 21309322
• ST
  Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality

  Award: JCYJ20220530140815035