| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
de Brito, Juliana Ferreira
;
Costa, Magno Barcelos
;
Rajeshwar, Krishnan
;
Mascaro, Lucia Helena
Total Authors: 4
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | Electrochimica Acta; v. 421, p. 10-pg., 2022-05-10. |
| Abstract | |
Here, we describe a strategy for the mild synthesis of ammonia (NH3) from the photoelectrocatalytic reduction of dinitrogen. A gas diffusion layer (GDL)-confined antimony selenide photocathode decorated with platinum particles (GDL/Sb2Se3-Pt) was used for this purpose. The photoelectrocatalytic reduction of N-2 using GDL/Sb2Se3-Pt, under 0.3 V-Ag/AgCl applied bias potential and solar irradiation (with a solar simulator and an incident intensity of 100 mW cm(-2)), was able to produce six times more NH3 than using the catalyst without Pt modification, reaching a value of 0.50 mu mol h(-1) cm(-2) in a single-cell reactor with 60% Faradaic efficiency. Identical experimental conditions were applied for the photocatalysis and electrocatalysis modes, and the photoelectrocatalysis mode proved to be at least 500% more effective than the other two for NH3 synthesis. Platinum was replaced by Pd nanoparticles with very similar outcomes showing that the noble metal role was related to its electron scavenger ability improving the charge transfer in the interface semiconductor/electrolyte. These results are deemed significant in terms of the need for substitutes to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process currently used for NH3 production. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 18/26005-2 - Metal-doped chalcogenides for all-solution processed thin film solar cells |
| Grantee: | Marcos Antonio Santana Andrade Junior |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/11986-5 - Generation and storage of New Energy: bringing technological development for the country |
| Grantee: | Ana Flávia Nogueira |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program |
| FAPESP's process: | 18/02950-0 - Photoelectrocatalytic reduction of N2 to NH3 in a photoelectrochemistry reactor with a photoanode-driven of Nb2O5/Pt and cathode of GDL decorated with Fe, Co and Sb2Se3 |
| Grantee: | Juliana Ferreira de Brito |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral |
| FAPESP's process: | 18/16401-8 - Photocatalysts and photoelectrodes for obtaining renewable fuels |
| Grantee: | Lucia Helena Mascaro Sales |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials |
| Grantee: | Elson Longo da Silva |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC |
| FAPESP's process: | 14/50249-8 - Green chemistry: sustainable synthetic methods employing benign solvents, safer reagents, and bio-renewable feedstock |
| Grantee: | Arlene Gonçalves Corrêa |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/21365-8 - Electrodeposition and characterization of Sb2Se3 and MSbxSey (M = Cu, Co, Ni, or Zn) thin films for applications in the hydrogen production and CO2 reduction. |
| Grantee: | Magno Barcelos Costa |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |