Sn dendrites for electrocatalytic N(2)reduction to NH(3)under ambient conditions

Industrial-scale synthesis of NH(3)mainly relies on the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch technology, which not only needs harsh conditions but also produces a large amount of CO2. Electrochemical N(2)reduction is regarded as an environmentally friendly method for artificial N-2-to-NH(3)conversion, but needs efficient catalysts for the N(2)reduction reaction (NRR). Here, we report that Sn dendrites on Sn foil act as a non-noble-metal electrocatalyst for the electrochemical NRR under ambient conditions. This electrocatalyst affords an NH(3)yield of 5.66 x 10(-11)mol s(-1)cm(-2)and a Faraday efficiency of 3.67% at -0.60 Vversusthe reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.1 M PBS (pH = 7.0), with high electrochemical durability.