Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation to ammonia: Advances, challenges and perspectives. A mini review

Ammonia (NH3), a significant source of hydrogen and one of the principal constituents of fertilizer, has always been a compound of great interest and importance. However, the standard Haber–Bosch process for the synthesis of ammonia requires high temperature and high pressure, so researchers have re...

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Main Authors: Liangyu Ma, Yijun Li, Yuanhong Xu, Jie Sun, Jie Liu, Tianming Wu, Xiaoteng Ding, Yusheng Niu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2021-04-01
Series:Electrochemistry Communications
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1388248121000862
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author Liangyu Ma
Yijun Li
Yuanhong Xu
Jie Sun
Jie Liu
Tianming Wu
Xiaoteng Ding
Yusheng Niu
author_facet Liangyu Ma
Yijun Li
Yuanhong Xu
Jie Sun
Jie Liu
Tianming Wu
Xiaoteng Ding
Yusheng Niu
author_sort Liangyu Ma
collection DOAJ
description Ammonia (NH3), a significant source of hydrogen and one of the principal constituents of fertilizer, has always been a compound of great interest and importance. However, the standard Haber–Bosch process for the synthesis of ammonia requires high temperature and high pressure, so researchers have recently focused on producing ammonia from nitrogen via a green and pollution-free method by employing the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) under mild conditions. However, compared with industrial-scale nitrogen fixation, the yield of electrocatalytically produced ammonia is currently too low, so new catalysts with better performance are sought. Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are promising catalysts for nitrogen reduction, owing to their unique electronic structure, large specific surface area, and low cost. In this paper, the NRR mechanisms are discussed and recent progress in using TMDCs in artificial nitrogen fixation is critically reviewed. We also consider strategies that could improve the performance of TMDCs for nitrogen fixation, with an emphasis on interface engineering and defect engineering. Finally, the existing limitations are discussed and the prospects for obtaining catalysts with better selectivity and higher catalytic performance are considered.
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spelling doaj.art-a3b819dfe7f248aa8ff878ddf3eda2422022-12-21T17:13:24ZengElsevierElectrochemistry Communications1388-24812021-04-01125107002Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation to ammonia: Advances, challenges and perspectives. A mini reviewLiangyu Ma0Yijun Li1Yuanhong Xu2Jie Sun3Jie Liu4Tianming Wu5Xiaoteng Ding6Yusheng Niu7Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaCorresponding author.; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaAmmonia (NH3), a significant source of hydrogen and one of the principal constituents of fertilizer, has always been a compound of great interest and importance. However, the standard Haber–Bosch process for the synthesis of ammonia requires high temperature and high pressure, so researchers have recently focused on producing ammonia from nitrogen via a green and pollution-free method by employing the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) under mild conditions. However, compared with industrial-scale nitrogen fixation, the yield of electrocatalytically produced ammonia is currently too low, so new catalysts with better performance are sought. Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are promising catalysts for nitrogen reduction, owing to their unique electronic structure, large specific surface area, and low cost. In this paper, the NRR mechanisms are discussed and recent progress in using TMDCs in artificial nitrogen fixation is critically reviewed. We also consider strategies that could improve the performance of TMDCs for nitrogen fixation, with an emphasis on interface engineering and defect engineering. Finally, the existing limitations are discussed and the prospects for obtaining catalysts with better selectivity and higher catalytic performance are considered.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1388248121000862Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenidesElectrocatalytic nitrogen fixationElectrochemistry
spellingShingle Liangyu Ma
Yijun Li
Yuanhong Xu
Jie Sun
Jie Liu
Tianming Wu
Xiaoteng Ding
Yusheng Niu
Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation to ammonia: Advances, challenges and perspectives. A mini review
Electrochemistry Communications
Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides
Electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation
Electrochemistry
title Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation to ammonia: Advances, challenges and perspectives. A mini review
title_full Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation to ammonia: Advances, challenges and perspectives. A mini review
title_fullStr Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation to ammonia: Advances, challenges and perspectives. A mini review
title_full_unstemmed Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation to ammonia: Advances, challenges and perspectives. A mini review
title_short Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation to ammonia: Advances, challenges and perspectives. A mini review
title_sort two dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation to ammonia advances challenges and perspectives a mini review
topic Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides
Electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation
Electrochemistry
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1388248121000862
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