Abstract
The synthesis of NH(3) is mainly dominated by the traditional energy-consuming Haber-Bosch process with a mass of CO(2) emission. Electrochemical conversion of N(2) to NH(3) emerges as a carbon-free process for the sustainable artificial N(2) reduction reaction (NRR), but requires an efficient and stable electrocatalyst. Here, we report that the Mo(2)C nanorod serves as an excellent NRR electrocatalyst for artificial N(2) fixation to NH(3) with strong durability and acceptable selectivity under ambient conditions. Such a catalyst shows a high Faradaic efficiency of 8.13% and NH(3) yield of 95.1 μg h(-1) mg(-1) (cat) at -0.3 V in 0.1 M HCl, surpassing the majority of reported electrochemical conversion NRR catalysts. Density functional theory calculation was carried out to gain further insight into the catalytic mechanism involved.