Au Sub‐Nanoclusters on TiO2 toward Highly Efficient and Selective Electrocatalyst for N2 Conversion to NH3 at Ambient Conditions

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 29; no. 17
• Main Authors: Shi, Miao‐Miao, Bao, Di, Wulan, Ba‐Ri, Li, Yong‐He, Zhang, Yue‐Fei, Yan, Jun‐Min, Jiang, Qing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 03.05.2017
• Subjects: Activation energy; Ammonia; Atomic structure; Au sub‐nanoclusters; Bonding strength; Carbon dioxide; Chemical bonds; Chemical reactions; Chemical synthesis; electrocatalyst; electrochemical N2 reduction; Fixation; Fossil fuels; Fuel cells; Materials science; Nanoclusters; nitrogen fixation; Reduction (metal working); Selectivity; size‐effect; Titanium dioxide; Titanium oxides; Vanadium; Water splitting

As the NN bond in N2 is one of the strongest bonds in chemistry, the fixation of N2 to ammonia is a kinetically complex and energetically challenging reaction and, up to now, its synthesis is still heavily relying on energy and capital intensive Haber–Bosch process (150–350 atm, 350–550 °C), wherei...