Surface Valence State Effect of MoO_{2+ x} on Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction.

ABSTRACT: The valance of Mo is critical for FeMo cofactor in ambient ammonia synthesis. However, the valence effect of Mo has not been well studied in heterogeneous nanoparticle catalysts for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) due to the dissolution of Mo as MoO₄ ^2- in alkaline electrolytes. Here, a MoO_{2+ x} catalyst enriched with surface Mo⁶⁺ is reported. The Mo⁶⁺ is stabilized by a native oxide layer to prevent corrosion and its speciation is identified as (MoO₃ )_n clusters. This native layer with Mo⁶⁺ suppresses the hydrogen evolution significantly and promotes the activation of nitrogen as supported by both experimental characterization and theoretical calculation. The as-prepared MoO

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9036006 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature