Strongly coupled molybdenum phosphide@phosphorus-doped porous carbon derived from MOF used in N2 electroreduction under ambient conditions

Developing highly efficient and affordable non-precious metal electrocatalysts toward nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is an important step for economical production of ammonia. Molybdenum phosphide@phosphorus-doped porous carbon (MoP@PPC) octahedron is synthesized through a metal-organic framework-assisted strategy characteristic by controlled carbonization and phosphidation. The purpose-synthesized MoP@PPC octahedron acts as a high-performance NRR electrocatalyst toward N2 electroreduction in 0.1 M HCl under ambient conditions. The MoP@PPC exhibits a high NH3 yield rate of 28.73 μg h−1 mg−1cat. and Faraday efficiency of 2.48% at −0.3 V versus RHE. The enhanced NRR performance of MoP@PPC electrocatalyst can be attributed to the synergistic effects of P-dopant, porous carbon and stable MoP nanoparticle. This study reveals the unique potential of non-precious metal electrocatalyst derived from metal-organic frameworks for NRR. [Display omitted] •MoP@phosphorus-doped porous carbon octahedron is synthesized.•MoP@PPC octahedron exhibits mesoporous structure and high surface area.•MoP@PPC electrocatalyst exhibits a high NH3 yield rate of 28.73 μg h−1 mg−1cat..•MoP@PPC octahedron exhibits a good recycle performance.