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Metal nitride nanosheets enable highly efficient electrochemical oxidation of ammonia

Publication ,  Journal Article
He, S; Chen, Y; Wang, M; Nuomin, H; Novello, P; Li, X; Zhu, S; Liu, J
Published in: Nano Energy
February 1, 2021

Ammonia has been recognized as a promising hydrogen mediator as it reduces the expense of the long-range transportation of hydrogen. However, methods to extract hydrogen from ammonia require improvements to decrease the overall cost. Ammonia electrolysis provides a convenient method to attain a low-cost hydrogen production. Here, we report that nickel-cobalt nitride nanosheets can achieve high electrocatalytic activity for the ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) in non-aqueous solutions. The AOR onset overpotential of NiCo2N nanosheets is 0.55 V, which is about 0.25 V lower than that of the Pt/C electrocatalyst. Our ultraviolet–visible and mass spectroscopy studies reveal that NiCo2N nanosheets bypass the formation of the soluble metal-amine complex and preferentially oxidize ammonia to environmentally friendly diatomic nitrogen with a Faradic efficiency of over 90%. Theoretical simulation further indicates that the downshift of metal d-band on NiCo2N nanosheets surface helps retain a long-lasting electrocatalytic activity. Overall, this work introduces a new family of active and stable electrocatalysts for AOR that is based on earth-abundant transition metals, heralding the feasibility of using ammonia as a hydrogen mediator in hydrogen-based applications.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Nano Energy

DOI

ISSN

2211-2855

Publication Date

February 1, 2021

Volume

80

Related Subject Headings

  • 4018 Nanotechnology
  • 4016 Materials engineering
  • 3403 Macromolecular and materials chemistry
  • 1007 Nanotechnology
  • 0912 Materials Engineering
  • 0303 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
 

Citation

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He, S., Chen, Y., Wang, M., Nuomin, H., Novello, P., Li, X., … Liu, J. (2021). Metal nitride nanosheets enable highly efficient electrochemical oxidation of ammonia. Nano Energy, 80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105528
He, S., Y. Chen, M. Wang, H. Nuomin, P. Novello, X. Li, S. Zhu, and J. Liu. “Metal nitride nanosheets enable highly efficient electrochemical oxidation of ammonia.” Nano Energy 80 (February 1, 2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105528.
He S, Chen Y, Wang M, Nuomin H, Novello P, Li X, et al. Metal nitride nanosheets enable highly efficient electrochemical oxidation of ammonia. Nano Energy. 2021 Feb 1;80.
He, S., et al. “Metal nitride nanosheets enable highly efficient electrochemical oxidation of ammonia.” Nano Energy, vol. 80, Feb. 2021. Scopus, doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105528.
He S, Chen Y, Wang M, Nuomin H, Novello P, Li X, Zhu S, Liu J. Metal nitride nanosheets enable highly efficient electrochemical oxidation of ammonia. Nano Energy. 2021 Feb 1;80.
Journal cover image

Published In

Nano Energy

DOI

ISSN

2211-2855

Publication Date

February 1, 2021

Volume

80

Related Subject Headings

  • 4018 Nanotechnology
  • 4016 Materials engineering
  • 3403 Macromolecular and materials chemistry
  • 1007 Nanotechnology
  • 0912 Materials Engineering
  • 0303 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry