Emerging MXene-based electrocatalysts for efficient nitrate reduction to ammonia: recent advance, challenges, and prospects

Abstract

Ammonia (NH₃) plays an irreplaceable role in traditional agriculture and emerging renewable energy. Its preparation in industry mainly relies on the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, which is associated with high energy consumption and large CO₂ emissions. Recently, the nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃^-RR) driven by renewable energy has received extensive attention. This reaction can efficiently synthesize NH₃ with water as a hydrogen source and NO₃^- as a nitrogen source under mild conditions, which is conducive to reducing energy consumption and promoting the carbon cycle. It is well known that the properties of electrocatalysts determine the performance of NO₃^-RR. As an emerging two-dimensional material, MXenes (transition metal carbides/nitrides/carbon nitrides) possess excellent electrical conductivity, large specific surface area and controllable surface functional groups, which shows great application potential in the field of NO₃^-RR. Herein, this review summarized the structure, properties and synthesis strategies of MXenes to elucidate the possibilities from foundation to application. Then, the latest research progress in applying MXene-based electrocatalysts to NO₃^-RR was summarized and the applicability of different NH₃ detection methods was analyzed. Finally, the present challenges and future prospects of NO₃^-RR were presented. This review aimed to provide thoughtful insights into the rational design of MXene-based electrocatalysts for sustainable NH₃ synthesis.

Keywords

Nitrate reduction reaction / MXenes / electrocatalysis / ammonia synthesis

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