Heterogeneous 2D/2D MnO2/MXene catalyst for nitrate-to-ammonia electrochemical reduction and Zn-nitrate battery behavior

Summary: Ambient temperature electrochemical ammonia synthesis via nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) is a promising alternative to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process but lacks effective electrocatalysts for practical applications. In this work, MnO2 2D-nanoflakes are anchored onto 2D-MXene Ti...

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Main Authors: Thi Kim Cuong Phu, Thanh Ngoc Pham, An-Giang Nguyen, Thi Nhan Tran, Thi Minh-Anh Tran, Ngan Nguyen Le, Phi Long Nguyen, Thi Viet Bac Phung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:iScience
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004225009903
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author Thi Kim Cuong Phu
Thanh Ngoc Pham
An-Giang Nguyen
Thi Nhan Tran
Thi Minh-Anh Tran
Ngan Nguyen Le
Phi Long Nguyen
Thi Viet Bac Phung
author_facet Thi Kim Cuong Phu
Thanh Ngoc Pham
An-Giang Nguyen
Thi Nhan Tran
Thi Minh-Anh Tran
Ngan Nguyen Le
Phi Long Nguyen
Thi Viet Bac Phung
author_sort Thi Kim Cuong Phu
collection DOAJ
description Summary: Ambient temperature electrochemical ammonia synthesis via nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) is a promising alternative to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process but lacks effective electrocatalysts for practical applications. In this work, MnO2 2D-nanoflakes are anchored onto 2D-MXene Ti3C2Tx, forming a heterogeneous catalyst for NO3RR with an ammonia yield of 14.06 ± 0.48 mg h−1.mgcat−1 at −1.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE) and a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 85.23 ± 1.62% at −1.0 vs. RHE, along with good stability over six consecutive cycles, with NH3 FE exceeding 75% at −1.0 V vs. RHE in 0.5 M K2SO4 and 0.1 M KNO3 electrolyte. As a cathode in a Zn-NO3− battery with a polished Zn plate from spent Zn-C batteries as anode, it delivers a power density of 0.323 mW cm−2 and NH3 FE of ∼79.9%. This study highlights a highly effective electrocatalyst for NO3RR and its potential in self-powered NH3 production.
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spelling doaj-art-e75d6605bc674899bd5d99f8a5821ab02025-08-20T02:02:55ZengElsevieriScience2589-00422025-06-0128611272910.1016/j.isci.2025.112729Heterogeneous 2D/2D MnO2/MXene catalyst for nitrate-to-ammonia electrochemical reduction and Zn-nitrate battery behaviorThi Kim Cuong Phu0Thanh Ngoc Pham1An-Giang Nguyen2Thi Nhan Tran3Thi Minh-Anh Tran4Ngan Nguyen Le5Phi Long Nguyen6Thi Viet Bac Phung7Center for Environmental Intelligence and College of Engineering and Computer Science, VinUniversity, Hanoi, VietnamFaculty of Engineering – Technology and Environment, An Giang University, Long Xuyen, Vietnam; Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Climate Change Institute, An Giang University, Long Xuyen, VietnamCenter for Environmental Intelligence and College of Engineering and Computer Science, VinUniversity, Hanoi, VietnamFaculty of Fundamental Sciences, Hanoi University of Industry, Hanoi 100000, VietnamCenter for Environmental Intelligence and College of Engineering and Computer Science, VinUniversity, Hanoi, VietnamInstitute of Applied Science and Technology, School of Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Faculty of Applied Technology, School of Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Corresponding authorCenter for Environmental Intelligence and College of Engineering and Computer Science, VinUniversity, Hanoi, Vietnam; Corresponding authorCenter for Environmental Intelligence and College of Engineering and Computer Science, VinUniversity, Hanoi, VietnamSummary: Ambient temperature electrochemical ammonia synthesis via nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) is a promising alternative to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process but lacks effective electrocatalysts for practical applications. In this work, MnO2 2D-nanoflakes are anchored onto 2D-MXene Ti3C2Tx, forming a heterogeneous catalyst for NO3RR with an ammonia yield of 14.06 ± 0.48 mg h−1.mgcat−1 at −1.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE) and a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 85.23 ± 1.62% at −1.0 vs. RHE, along with good stability over six consecutive cycles, with NH3 FE exceeding 75% at −1.0 V vs. RHE in 0.5 M K2SO4 and 0.1 M KNO3 electrolyte. As a cathode in a Zn-NO3− battery with a polished Zn plate from spent Zn-C batteries as anode, it delivers a power density of 0.323 mW cm−2 and NH3 FE of ∼79.9%. This study highlights a highly effective electrocatalyst for NO3RR and its potential in self-powered NH3 production.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004225009903ChemistryEnergy engineeringMaterials science
spellingShingle Thi Kim Cuong Phu
Thanh Ngoc Pham
An-Giang Nguyen
Thi Nhan Tran
Thi Minh-Anh Tran
Ngan Nguyen Le
Phi Long Nguyen
Thi Viet Bac Phung
Heterogeneous 2D/2D MnO2/MXene catalyst for nitrate-to-ammonia electrochemical reduction and Zn-nitrate battery behavior
iScience
Chemistry
Energy engineering
Materials science
title Heterogeneous 2D/2D MnO2/MXene catalyst for nitrate-to-ammonia electrochemical reduction and Zn-nitrate battery behavior
title_full Heterogeneous 2D/2D MnO2/MXene catalyst for nitrate-to-ammonia electrochemical reduction and Zn-nitrate battery behavior
title_fullStr Heterogeneous 2D/2D MnO2/MXene catalyst for nitrate-to-ammonia electrochemical reduction and Zn-nitrate battery behavior
title_full_unstemmed Heterogeneous 2D/2D MnO2/MXene catalyst for nitrate-to-ammonia electrochemical reduction and Zn-nitrate battery behavior
title_short Heterogeneous 2D/2D MnO2/MXene catalyst for nitrate-to-ammonia electrochemical reduction and Zn-nitrate battery behavior
title_sort heterogeneous 2d 2d mno2 mxene catalyst for nitrate to ammonia electrochemical reduction and zn nitrate battery behavior
topic Chemistry
Energy engineering
Materials science
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004225009903
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