Interface engineering of MoS2@Fe(OH)3 nanoarray heterostucture: Electrodeposition of MoS2@Fe(OH)3 as N2 and H+ channels for artificial NH3 synthesis under mild conditions.

[Display omitted] The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrogen (N 2) to ammonia (NH 3) has broad prospects for green and sustainable NH 3 production. Due to the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) performance of transition metal compound may be restricted with low yield rate, we develop transition metal interface engineering to improve the eNRR performance. Although the edge of MoS 2 catalyst is active, the MoS 2 (0 0 1) surface is inert for N 2 electroreduction. Through the hydrothermal and electrodeposition methods, Fe(OH) 3 as N 2 and H+ channels coated on MoS 2 nanosheets array (MoS 2 @Fe(OH) 3 /CC) is synthesized. Such catalyst exhibits excellent eNRR performance in 0.1 M Na 2 SO 4 with high Faradaic efficiency (2.76%) and NH 3 yield rate (4.23 × 10−10 mol s−1 cm−2) at − 0.45 V (vs. RHE). This work may provide a new electrocatalyst synthesis pathway for artificial N 2 fixation. Density functional theory calculations show that electrodeposition Fe(OH) 3 can accelerate eNRR process rate of MoS 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]