Pore-Size-Tuned Pd Films Grown on Ni Foam as an Advanced Catalyst for Electrosynthesis of Ammonia

Electrochemical ammonia synthesis is considered as an alternative sustainable method to the traditional Haber–Bosch process because of the reduced energy consumption and mild operation conditions. The key is to design efficient electrocatalysts for facile adsorption and activation of nitrogen. Herein, a nanoporous Pd film with a tunable pore size has been in situ grown on Ni foam (nPd/NF) via a micelle-assisted replacement method using NF as a reductant and substrate, where polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) and 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene serve as a pore-forming agent and a swelling agent, respectively. Combining the continuous large nanoporous structure and self-supported properties, the obtained nPd/NF exhibits excellent catalytic performance for ammonia synthesis with a high NH3 yield of 18.27 μg h–1 mgcat–1 and a faradaic efficiency of 10.36% in 0.1 M Na2SO4. This work provides a fascinating route for the rational design of self-supported porous noble metals with a tunable pore size for effective electrosynthesis of ammonia.