Enabling the electrocatalytic fixation of N(2) to NH(3) by C-doped TiO(2) nanoparticles under ambient conditions

The conventional Haber–Bosch process for industrial NH(3) production from N(2) and H(2) is highly energy-intensive with a large amount of CO(2) emissions and finding a more suitable method for NH(3) synthesis under mild conditions is a very attractive topic. The electrocatalytic N(2) reduction reaction (NRR) offers us an environmentally benign and sustainable route. In this communication, we report that C-doped TiO(2) nanoparticles act as an efficient electrocatalyst for the NRR with excellent selectivity. In 0.1 M Na(2)SO(4), it achieves an NH(3) yield of 16.22 μg h(−1) mg(cat.)(−1) and a faradaic efficiency of 1.84% at −0.7 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode. Furthermore, this catalyst also shows good stability during electrolysis and recycling tests.