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  • Synergizing Fe 2 O 3 Nanoparticles on Single Atom Fe‐N‐C for Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia at Industrial Current Densities
Title: Synergizing Fe 2 O 3 Nanoparticles on Single Atom Fe‐N‐C for Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia at Industrial Current Densities
Abstract The electrochemical reduction of nitrates (NO3−) enables a pathway for the carbon neutral synthesis of ammonia (NH3), via the nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR), which has been demonstrated at high selectivity. However, to make NH3synthesis cost‐competitive with current technologies, high NH3partial current densities (jNH3) must be achieved to reduce the levelized cost of NH3. Here, the high NO3RR activity of Fe‐based materials is leveraged to synthesize a novel active particle‐active support system with Fe2O3nanoparticles supported on atomically dispersed Fe–N–C. The optimized 3×Fe2O3/Fe–N–C catalyst demonstrates an ultrahigh NO3RR activity, reaching a maximum jNH3of 1.95 A cm−2at a Faradaic efficiency (FE) for NH3of 100% and an NH3yield rate over 9 mmol hr−1cm−2. Operando XANES and post‐mortem XPS reveal the importance of a pre‐reduction activation step, reducing the surface Fe2O3(Fe3+) to highly active Fe0sites, which are maintained during electrolysis. Durability studies demonstrate the robustness of both the Fe2O3particles and Fe–Nxsites at highly cathodic potentials, maintaining a current of −1.3 A cm−2over 24 hours. This work exhibits an effective and durable active particle‐active support system enhancing the performance of the NO3RR, enabling industrially relevant current densities and near 100% selectivity.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2107534
PAR ID:
10559094
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Advanced Materials
Volume:
36
Issue:
27
ISSN:
0935-9648
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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