Development of highly active catalyst for the synthesis of ammonia via electrochemical dinitrogen reduction (e-NRR) is of immense challenge. We report the modification of metallic Ag with inorganic phosphate to...

Electrochemical dinitrogen reduction (NRR) has riveted substantial attention as a greener method to synthesize ammonia (NH 3 ) under ambient conditions. Here, B, N-containing carbon catalysts with a discrete morphology were synthesized from the metal−organic framework-ionic liquid (MOF-IL) composite for NRR in a neutral electrolyte medium (pH = 7). Morphologydependent activity is witnessed, wherein C-BN@600 with a nanotubular morphology is able to achieve a high NH 3 yield rate of 204 μg h −1 mg cat −1 and an F.E. of 16.7% with a TOF value of 0.2 h −1 at −0.2 V vs RHE. Further, a rigorous protocol is put forward for true NH 3 estimation by tracing/eliminating any source of contamination in catalysts, electrolytes, or gas supply via ultraviolet−visible (UV−vis) spectroscopy, gas-purification methods, and isotope labeling experiments. Density functional theory predicts BN to be the favorable active site for N 2 adsorption with a reduced energy barrier in the first reduction step and sequential stabilization of the B−N bond by an adjacent carbon atom.

The electrocatalytic decomposition of H2S is a promising technology for H2 production as well as for targeting environmental pollution. But due to the lack of low-cost and efficient electrocatalysts, this technology for H2 production is not being explored much. Moreover, the highly toxic and copious waste H2S released from industries is rarely encountered in the scientific domain. Herein, we have designed a highly efficient electrocatalyst, i.e., CoCd­(x:y)­S n , as an anode catalyst for sulfide oxidation reaction (SOR). This optimized catalyst could drive the anode reaction at an onset potential of 0.25 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which was 1.27 V lower than that required for the water oxidation reaction. Moreover, we have achieved 98% H2 Faradaic efficiency with remarkable stability of 120 h. Thus, this method paves a path to high-value utilization of hazardous waste H2S and demonstrates its great potential for hydrogen production and sulfur toward sustainable energy applications.

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Electrochemical N2 reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient temperature and pressure is an environmental-friendly method for N2 to NH3 conversion. Nevertheless, the overall energy input can be reduced by replacing sluggish...