Electrocatalysis of N2 to NH3 by HKUST-1 with High NH3 Yield

Graphical HKUST-1 (Cu−BTC, BTC=benzene-1,3,5 tricarboxylate) was selected as an electrocatalyst for the reaction of conversion N 2 to NH 3 under ambient conditions. At −0.75 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, it achieves excellent performance with high NH 3 yield (46.63 μg h −1 mg −1 cat. or 4.66 μg h −1 cm −2 ) and Faraday efficiency (2.45%). Electrolytic ammonia synthesis from nitrogen at ambient conditions is appearing as a promising alternative to the Haber-Bosch process which is consuming high energy and emitting CO 2 . Here, a typical MOF material, HKUST-1 (Cu−BTC, BTC=benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate), was selected as an electrocatalyst for the reaction of converting N 2 to NH 3 under ambient conditions. At −0.75 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, it achieves excellent catalytic performance in the electrochemical synthesis of ammonia with high NH 3 yield (46.63 μg h −1 mg −1 cat. or 4.66 μg h −1 cm −2 ) and good Faraday efficiency (2.45%). It is indicated that the good performance of the HKUST-1 catalyst may originate from the formation of Cu(I). In addition, the catalyst also has good selectivity for N 2 to NH 3 .