Enhanced electrocatalytic performance of TiO 2 nanoparticles by Pd doping toward ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions.

The traditional Haber-Bosch process in industry to produce NH 3 leads to excessive CO 2 emissions and a large amount of energy consumption. Ambient electrochemical N 2 reduction is emerging as a green and sustainable alternative method to convert N 2 to NH 3 , but is in sore need of efficient and stable electrocatalysts. Herein, we propose using Pd-doped TiO 2 nanoparticles as a high-efficiency electrocatalyst to synthesize NH 3 under ambient conditions. The Pd-TiO 2 catalyst delivers a large NH 3 yield (17.4 μg h -1 mg cat. -1 ) and a high faradaic efficiency (12.7%) at -0.50 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in a neutral electrolyte, outperforming most Pd- and Ti-based electrocatalysts recently reported for N 2 reduction. Most importantly, it also demonstrates extraordinary long-term electrochemical stability.