Perspectives on electrochemical nitrogen fixation catalyzed by two-dimensional MXenes

Abstract

Ammonia is the most basic raw material in industrial and agricultural production. The current industrial production of ammonia relies on the Haber-Bosch process with high energy consumption. To overcome this shortcoming, the development of electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis under moderate conditions is considered as a potential alternative technology. The two-dimensional (2D) MXenes family has been proved promising as electrocatalysts, but from the currently available literature, it is hard to find a systematic review on MXenes-catalyzed ammonia synthesis. So in the present review, we summarize the key perspectives on that topic in recent years as well as outline, from a prospective view, strategies of catalyst design. We analyze in detail the methods for preparing high performance MXenes-based catalysts and the corresponding underlying mechanisms, and also discuss the criteria and potential challenges, expecting to provide inspiration for the development of efficient MXenes-based route to electrochemical ammonia fixation.