Ambient Electrosynthesis of Ammonia on a Core–Shell‐Structured Au@CeO2 Catalyst: Contribution of Oxygen Vacancies in CeO2
File version
Author(s)
Cui, Z
Han, M
Zhang, S
Zhao, C
Chen, C
Wang, G
Zhang, H
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
Electrosynthesis of NH3 through the N2 reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions is regarded as promising technology to replace the industrial energy‐ and capital‐intensive Haber–Bosch process. Herein, a room‐temperature spontaneous redox approach to fabricate a core–shell‐structured Au@CeO2 composite, with Au nanoparticle sizes below about 10 nm and a loading amount of 3.6 wt %, is reported for the NRR. The results demonstrate that as‐synthesized Au@CeO2 possesses a surface area of 40.7 m2 g−1 and a porous structure. As an electrocatalyst, it exhibits high NRR activity, with an NH3 yield rate of 28.2 μg h−1 cm−2 (10.6 μg h−1 mg−1cat., 293.8 μg h−1 mg−1Au) and a faradaic efficiency of 9.50 % at −0.4 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.01 m H2SO4 electrolyte. The characterization results reveal the presence of rich oxygen vacancies in the CeO2 nanoparticle shell of Au@CeO2; these are favorable for N2 adsorption and activation for the NRR. This has been further verified by theoretical calculations. The abundant oxygen vacancies in the CeO2 nanoparticle shell, combined with the Au nanoparticle core of Au@CeO2, are electrocatalytically active sites for the NRR, and thus, synergistically enhance the conversion of N2 into NH3.
Journal Title
Chemistry - A European Journal
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
25
Issue
23
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Chemical sciences