Lattice‐Confined Single‐Atom Fe1Sx on Mesoporous TiO2 for Boosting Ambient Electrocatalytic N2 Reduction Reaction

作者：Chen Jiayin; Kang Yikun; Zhang Wei; Zhang Zhenghao; Chen Yan; Yang Yi; Duan Linlin; Li Yefei; Li Wei

来源：Angewandte Chemie, 2022, 134(27).

DOI：10.1002/ANGE.202203022

• Lattice-Confined
• Mesoporous TiO2
• N2 Reduction Reaction
• Nanoconfinement
• Single-Atom Catalysts

Mimicking natural nitrogenase to create highly efficient single‐atom catalysts (SACs) for ambient N2 fixation is highly desired, but still challenging. Herein, S‐coordinated Fe SACs on mesoporous TiO2 have been constructed by a lattice‐confined strategy. The extended X‐ray absorption fine structure and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra demonstrate that Fe atoms are anchored in TiO2 lattice via the FeS2O2 coordination configuration. Theoretical calculations reveal that FeS2O2 sites are the active centers for electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). Moreover, the finite element analysis shows that confinement of opened and ordered mesopores can facilitate the mass transport and offer an enlarged active surface area for NRR. As a result, this catalyst delivers a favorable NH3 yield rate of 18.3?μg?h?1?mgcat.?1 with a high Faradaic efficiency of 17.3?% at ?0.20?V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode. Most importantly, this lattice‐confined strategy is universal and can also be applied to Ni1Sx@TiO2, Co1Sx@TiO2, Mo1Sx@TiO2, and Cu1Sx@TiO2 SACs. Our study provides new hints for the design and biomimetic synthesis of highly efficient NRR electrocatalysts.(#br)S‐coordinated Fe single‐atom catalysts on mesoporous TiO2 have been constructed by a universal lattice‐confined strategy. This catalyst shows a unique nanoconfinement effect for the mass transfer and maximizes the active sites to mimic nitrogenase for ambient electrocatalytic N2 reduction reaction.

• 单位
  复旦大学; 聚合物分子工程国家重点实验室