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The advancement of efficient electrocatalysts toward the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is critical in sustainable ammonia synthesis under ambient pressure and temperature. Manipulating the electronic configuration of electrocatalysts is particularly vital to form metal–nitrogen (MN) bonds during the NRR through regulating the active electronic states of sites. Here, in sharp contrast to stable 2H MoS2 without metal chains, MoMo bonding in metastable polymorphs of MoS2 bulk (zigzag chain in the 1T′ phase and diamond chain in the 1T″′ phase) is discovered to significantly increase intrinsic electron localization around the metal chains. This can enhance the charge transfer from the adsorbed nitrogen molecule to the metal chains, allowing for boosted NRR kinetics. The electrochemical experiments show that the NH3 yield rate and the faradaic efficiency of the metastable 1T″′ MoS2 rich with abundant Mo–Mo bonds are about 9 and 12 times above average than those of 2H MoS2, correspondingly. Theoretical simulations reveal the high local electron density surrounding the MoMo chains and sites can promote π back‐donation, which is beneficial for increasing nitrogen adsorption, strengthening the MN bonds, and reducing the cleavage barrier of the triple NN bond.

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is key to renewable energy technologies such as water electrolysis and metal–air batteries. However, the multiple steps associated with proton‐coupled electron transfer result in sluggish OER kinetics and catalysts are required. Here we demonstrate that a novel nitride, Ni2Mo3N, is a highly active OER catalyst that outperforms the benchmark material RuO2. Ni2Mo3N exhibits a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at a nominal overpotential of 270 mV in 0.1 m KOH with outstanding catalytic cyclability and durability. Structural characterization and computational studies reveal that the excellent activity stems from the formation of a surface‐oxide‐rich activation layer (SOAL). Secondary Mo atoms on the surface act as electron pumps that stabilize oxygen‐containing species and facilitate the continuity of the reactions. This discovery will stimulate the further development of ternary nitrides with oxide surface layers as efficient OER catalysts for electrochemical energy devices.

Porous Co 3 Mo 3 N can act as a multifunctional electrocatalyst for OER, ORR, and HER -Co 3 Mo 3 N performs better than precious metal catalysts -Cobalt oxide-rich activation surface layer is shown to aid OER activity -Better ORR and HER performance of Co 3 Mo 3 N is due to Co and Mo d-states ll www.cell.com/the-innovation

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The synergistic effect of ternary chromium-titanium nitride significantly promotes photocatalytic hydrogen production of cadmium sulfide.

Metal-support interaction strongly influences the catalytic properties of metal-based catalysts.Here, titanium nitride (TiN) nanospheres are shown to be an outstanding support, for tuning the electronic property of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles and adjusting the morphology of indium sulfide (In 2 S 3 ) active components, forming flower-like core-shell nanostructures (TiN-Pt@In 2 S 3 ).The strong metal-support interaction between Pt and TiN through the formation of Pt-Ti bonds favours the migration of charge carrier and leads to the easy reducibility of TiN-Pt, thus improving the photocatalytic atom efficiency of Pt. The TiN-Pt@In 2 S 3 composite shows reduction of Pt loading by 70% compared to the optimal Pt-based system. Besides, the optimal TiN-Pt@In 2 S 3 composite exhibits H 2 evolution rate 4 times that of a Pt reference. This increase outperforms all other supports reported thus far.

A new means of producing MOF derived TMN materials, which in conjunction with suitable dyes, offer high-efficiency and low-cost avenues for making photocatalysts for hydrogen production.