Boosting Electrocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis via Synergistic Effect of Iron-Based Single Atoms and Clusters

Abstract

Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to ammonia (NO₃RR) is gaining attention for low carbon emissions and environmental protection. However, low ammonia production rate and poor selectivity have remained major challenges in this multi-proton coupling process. Herein, we report a facile strategy toward a novel Fe-based hybrid structure composed of Fe single atoms and Fe₃C atomic clusters that demonstrates outstanding performance for synergistic electrocatalytic NO₃RR. By <i>operando</i> synchrotron Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and theoretical computation, we clarify that Fe single atoms serve as the active site for NO₃RR, while Fe₃C clusters facilitate H₂O dissociation to provide protons (*H) for continued hydrogenation reactions. As a result, the Fe-based electrocatalyst exhibits ammonia Faradaic efficiency of nearly 100%, with a corresponding production rate of 24768 μg h^-1 cm^-2 at -0.4 V vs RHE, exceeding most reported metal-based catalysts. This research provides valuable guidance toward multi-step reactions.