Perspectives on electrochemical nitrogen fixation catalyzed by two-dimensional MXenes

• Published in: Materials Reports: Energy 2022-02, Vol.2 (1), p.100076, Article 100076
• Main Authors: Guo, Tiezhu, Zhou, Di, Zhang, Chuanfang (John)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2D materials; Ammonia synthesis; Electrocatalysts; Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR); MXenes
• ISSN: 2666-9358; 2666-9358
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matre.2021.100076

Ammonia is the most basic raw material in industrial and agricultural production. The current industrial production of ammonia relies on the Haber-Bosch process with high energy consumption. To overcome this shortcoming, the development of electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis under moderate conditions is considered as a potential alternative technology. The two-dimensional (2D) MXenes family has been proved promising as electrocatalysts, but from the currently available literature, it is hard to find a systematic review on MXenes-catalyzed ammonia synthesis. So in the present review, we summarize the key perspectives on that topic in recent years as well as outline, from a prospective view, strategies of catalyst design. We analyze in detail the methods for preparing high performance MXenes-based catalysts and the corresponding underlying mechanisms, and also discuss the criteria and potential challenges, expecting to provide inspiration for the development of efficient MXenes-based route to electrochemical ammonia fixation. [Display omitted]