Carbon nanotube-based bimetallic nitride Co3W3N for electrocatalytic synthesis of ammonia under ambient condition

Cheng Jiang, Hu Guo, Ling Hui Li, Tao Wang, Xiao Li Fan, Li Song, Hao Gong, Wei Xia, Bin Gao, Jian Ping He

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A kind of cheap carbon nanotube-based double transition metal nitrides Co3W3N/CNTs composite was prepared by hydrothermal and subsequent heat treatment under ammonia. By adjusting the proportion the of pre oxidation of CNTs and precursor CoWO4 and ammonia heat treatment temperature, the Co3W3N in uniform load on the surface of the CNTs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) test results showed that the catalyst particles evenly dispersed on the surface of CNTs, due to oxidation CNTs for the good dispersion growth of precursor. The Co3W3N particle size on the CNTs was about 20 nm, which was significantly smaller than that of unsupported Co3W3N (100 nm). The electrochemical tests was carried out in a N2 saturated 0.01 mol·L-1 H2SO4 solution under different potential, and the material achieved the highest ammonia production rate and Faraday efficiency at -0.3 V, which reached approximately 12.73 μg·h-1·cm-2 and 13.59%, respectively. Under the same conditions, the ammonia production rate and Faraday efficiency of pure phase Co3W3N were only 1.08 μg · h-1 · cm-2 and 1.76%. The Co3W3N/CNTs sample showed excellent NRR (nitrogen reduction reaction) performance because of the Co3W3N as the active site and the synergistic effect of Co3W3N and CNTs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)467-474
Number of pages8
JournalChinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry
Volume36
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ambient condition
  • Cobalt tungsten nitrides
  • Electrocatalysis
  • Nitrogen reduction reaction

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