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Title: Evaluating Ru-RuO2 @BN as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for the Nitrogen Reduction Reaction and the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Journal Article · · ACS Applied Energy Materials

Electrochemical approaches toward clean energy production have been the focus of significant attention. Here, the nitrogen (N2) reduction reaction (NRR) and the hydrogen (H2) evolution reaction (HER) offer a promising method for producing NH3 and H2, respectively. Nevertheless, practical obstacles that must be overcome in creating optimal catalysts are the sluggish kinetics and low selectivity of NRR and HER. Herein, we report on the synthesis of a Ru-RuO2-decorated boron nitride (BN) catalyst that shows excellent activity toward NRR. A rate of NH3 formation (VNH3) of 16.8 μg h-1 mg-1 and a corresponding Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 52.9% were noted at a potential of −0.5 V in 0.1 M HCl. However, the HER activity of Ru-RuO2@BN was found to be highly suppressed in 0.1 M HCl and did not yield a reasonable overpotential value. Thus, the capability of this material toward NRR suggests its viability as a promising catalyst for clean NH3 production.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division (CSGB); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0012704; SC0022199
OSTI ID:
3022503
Report Number(s):
BNL--229519-2026-JAAM
Journal Information:
ACS Applied Energy Materials, Journal Name: ACS Applied Energy Materials Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 9; ISSN 2574-0962
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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