Enabling the electrocatalytic fixation of N to NH by C-doped TiO nanoparticles under ambient conditions.

The conventional Haber-Bosch process for industrial NH production from N and H is highly energy-intensive with a large amount of CO emissions and finding a more suitable method for NH synthesis under mild conditions is a very attractive topic. The electrocatalytic N reduction reaction (NRR) offers us an environmentally benign and sustainable route. In this communication, we report that C-doped TiO nanoparticles act as an efficient electrocatalyst for the NRR with excellent selectivity. In 0.1 M NaSO, it achieves an NH yield of 16.22 μg h mg and a faradaic efficiency of 1.84% at -0.7 V the reversible hydrogen electrode. Furthermore, this catalyst also shows good stability during electrolysis and recycling tests.