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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Elsevier
2021-04-01
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Series: | Electrochemistry Communications |
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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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format | Article |
id | doaj.art-a3b819dfe7f248aa8ff878ddf3eda242 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1388-2481 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-24T05:23:22Z |
publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
publisher | Elsevier |
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series | Electrochemistry Communications |
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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