Sulfur-Bridged Iron and Molybdenum Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis

Graphical Abstract

Inspired by nature nitrogen fixation mechanisms, carbon-zero electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis as a sustainable alternative to the Haber-Bosch process is explored. It highlights recent advancements in S-bridged Fe/Mo catalysts, addressing key challenges in NRR and NO₃^–RR for ammonia synthesis under ambient temperature and pressure.

Abstract

Carbon zero electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), converting N₂ to NH₃ under ambient temperature and pressure, offers a sustainable alternative to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. Nevertheless, NRR still faces major challenges due to direct dissociation of the strong N≡N triple bond, poor selectivity, as well as other issues related to the inadequate adsorption, activation and protonation of N₂. In nature's nitrogen fixation, microorganisms are able to convert N₂ to ammonia at ambient temperature and pressure, and in aqueous environment, thanks to the nitrogenase enzymes. The core NRR performance is achieved with sulfur-rich Fe transition metal clusters as active site cofactors to capture and reduce N₂, with optimum performance found for Fe−Mo clusters. Because of this reason, artificial analogs in Fe−Mo coordination chemistry have been explored. However, the studies of sulfur coordinated Fe, Mo catalysts for electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis are scarce. In this review, the recent progress of Fe−Mo sulfur-bridged catalysts (including sulfur-coordinated single-site catalysts in carbon frameworks and MoS₂-based catalysts) and their activities for the ammonia synthesis from nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃^–RR) and nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) are summarized. Further existing challenges and future perspectives are also discussed.