Fe‐VS 2 Electrocatalyst with Organic Matrix‐Mediated Electron Transfer for Highly Efficient Nitrogen Fixation

Electrochemical N2 fixation is considered to be a promising alternative to Haber–Bosch technology. Inspired by the composition and structure of natural nitrogenase, Fe-doped VS2 nanosheets were prepared via one-step solvothermal method. The electron transfer system mediated by organic conductive polymer (1-AAQ-PA) was constructed to promote the electron transfer between Fe-VS2 nanosheets and the electrode in electrocatalytic N2 reduction reaction (NRR). The obtained 1-AAQ-PA−Fe-VS2 electrode converted N2 to NH3 with a yield of 31.6 μg h−1 mg−1 at −0.35 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode and high faradaic efficiency of 23.5 %. The introduction of Fe dopants favored N2 adsorption and activation, while the Li−S bond between Fe-VS2 and Li2SO4 effectively inhibited hydrogen evolution. The highly efficient electron utilization in the electrocatalytic NRR process was realized using the 1-AAQ-PA as the electron transfer medium. Density functional theory calculations showed that N2 was preferentially adsorbed on Fe and reduced to NH3 via both distal and alternating mechanism.