Niobium oxide/MXene heterostructure for simultaneous production of ammonia and energy via rechargeable Zn-N2 battery system
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: A high-stable Nb 2 O 5 /Nb 2 CT X heterostructure as electrocatalytic N 2 reduction reaction (ENRR) catalyst is fabricated. It enables a Zn-N 2 battery system with a high-power density of 1.25 mW cm −2 and a continuous net NH 3 production capacity. Aqueous Zn-N 2 batteries with unique configuration are of potential for simultaneous N 2 electroreduction and electricity generation, in which the electrocatalysts are critical for improving the NH 3 yield and the energy efficiency. Herein, a heterostructure Nb 2 O 5 /Nb 2 CT X with abundant exposed Nb active sites and tuned electron density has been synthesized by in situ formation and anchoring of Nb 2 O 5 nanoparticles on the surface of Nb 2 CT X MXene, which shows an enhanced N 2 adsorption/activation capacity. The heterostructure Nb 2 O 5 /Nb 2 CT X was used as the cathode of Zn-N 2 battery that can deliver a peak power density of 1.25 mW cm −2 in 1.0 M KOH and can continuously produce NH 3 with a yield of 3.62 μg h −1 mg cat −1 . The NH 3 formed in the battery system can be easily collected as a net product without circulating the electrolyte. Moreover, the Nb 2 O 5 /Nb 2 CT X has a long durability, evidenced by 70 h of operation at −0.4 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, which is the highest among the MXene-based electrocatalysts reported thus far. This work may provide a new methodology based on Zn-N 2 battery for sustainable and large-scale NH 3 production with minimal energy consumption.
Source: Journal of Energy Chemistry
Authors: Xinyu Dai, Wei Zhang, Ying Sun, Zhenyi Du, Zhanliang Tao, Jingang Wang, Wenhui Fang, Xuehan Xing, Yang Chen, Hui Li, Hao Zheng, Jieshan Qiu, Tianyi Ma
Language: English
Subfield: Catalysis
Field: Chemical Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,750
Funders: Australian Government, European Commission, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Cooperative Research Centres, Australian Government Department of Industry, Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province, Australian Renewable Energy Agency, Taiyuan University of Technology, Department of Education of Liaoning Province, Australian Research Council
Awards: 二维过渡金属硫化物中金属活性位的调控设计及其电催化二氧化碳还原反应研究, G1281206498, Rechargeable lithium carbon dioxide battery - catalyst design to prototype , G2983721056, G328339869, Engineering vanadium oxide-based cathode for aqueous ammonium ion batteries, Monolithic Solar Thermal Photocatalytic Membrane for Hydrogen Production, G6099613681, Sustainable Electrolysis via Functional Hybrids for Ammonia Production, ARC Research Hub for Intelligent Energy Efficiency in Future Protected Cropping, G74262681, G7664159534, G7765776526, Perovskite-Based Ferroelectrics for Solar Fuel Production, G8623496746
OpenAlex ID: W4405531471