Effects of AuCuB Catalysts with Porous Nanostructures on Electrosynthesis of Ammonia

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has been regarded as an attractive approach for ammonia synthesis under ambient condition, and it is critical to develop efficient catalysts with facile nitrogen adsorption and activation for NRR. Herein, we report the construction of metal–nonmetal AuCuB porous nanostructures (AuCuB PNSs) as highly active electrocatalysts for NRR via a one-step process, and the interconnected porous structure and boron doping provide sufficient active sites and enhanced nitrogen adsorption energy for electrocatalytic NRR. As such, the AuCuB PNSs possess a high NH3 yield (13.2 μg h–1 mgcat–1) and Faraday efficiency (12.78%) in neutral media, as well as excellent stability. This work provides a valuable strategy for rationally designing B-doped metallic electrocatalysts with desired compositions, which behave as high-efficiency catalysts toward electrochemical ammonia synthesis.