Multi‐Site Electrocatalysts Boost pH‐Universal Nitrogen Reduction by High‐Entropy Alloys

Abstract

Abstract Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has been an important area for many scientists. However, high voltage requirements, low NH 3 yield, and poor stability remain the biggest challenges for NRR. Here, novel high‐entropy alloys RuFeCoNiCu nanoparticles with small size (≈16 nm) and uniformity, prepared in oil phase at atmospheric pressure and low temperature (≤250 °C) are reported for the first time and are applied to NRR. According to the experiments, there is a high NH 3 yield at a low overpotential. It has a surprising NH 3 yield of 57.1 µg h –1 (11.4 µg h –1 cm –2 ) at 0.05 V versus RHE in 0.1 m KOH, and the corresponding Faradaic efficiency reaches 38.5%, which is the electrocatalyst with the highest NH 3 yield at the voltage of 0.05 V versus RHE reported so far. Similarly, the material also exhibits excellent electrochemical properties in other electrolytes such as 0.1 m Li 2 SO 4 , 0.1 m Na 2 SO 4 , and 0.1 m HCl electrolytes. Besides, after the 100 h test, only slightly diminished in activity. Theoretical calculation shows that Fe surrounded by alloy metals is the best site for N 2 adsorption and activation. Co‐Cu and Ni‐Ru couples show an excellent capacity to surface hydrogenation at a low overpotential.