Novel Mn–Bi–S hybrid mesoporous nanosheets as an efficient electrocatalyst for nitrogen reduction reaction

Abstract

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction (NRR) is a green and sustainable way to synthesize ammonia. However, how to construct electrocatalysts with excellent activity, selectivity and stability toward NRR remains a huge challenge. Herein, Mn–Bi–S hybrid nanosheets were successfully fabricated via dealloying and chemical vapor deposition. The result shows that the obtained Mn–Bi–S achieved high activity and selectivity with a high NH₃ yield rate (21.56 μg h⁻¹ mg⁻¹) and an enhanced faradaic efficiency (73.36%) at −0.3 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ electrolyte. The mesoporous Mn–Bi–S hybrid nanosheets exhibit large surface area and efficient electron transport capability, which provides more active sites and regulates the trapping and activation energy of N₂, thus further improving the ammonia synthesis performance of the catalyst. This work develops an intriguing synthesis strategy of multi-elemental hybrid mesoporous electrocatalysts with excellent activity, selectivity and stability in the field of NRR.