Can Li atoms anchored on boron- and nitrogen-doped graphene catalyze dinitrogen molecules to ammonia? a DFT study

TitleCan Li atoms anchored on boron- and nitrogen-doped graphene catalyze dinitrogen molecules to ammonia? a DFT study
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2023
AuthorsVerma, TSingh, Samal, PParamita, Selvaraj, K, Krishnamurty, S
JournalChemPhysChem
Volume24
Issue12
Date PublishedJUN
Type of ArticleArticle
ISSN1439-4235
Keywordscomputational chemistry, Graphene Sheet, heterogeneous catalysis, Li Nanoparticles, Nitrogen Reduction Reaction
Abstract

The most successful electrochemical conversion of ammonia from dinitrogen molecule reported to date is through a Li mediated mechanism. In the framework of the above fact and that Li anchored graphene is an experimentally feasible system, the present work is a computational experiment to identify the potential of Li anchored graphene as a catalyst for N-2 to NH3 conversion as a function of (a) minimum number of Li atoms needed for anchoring on graphene sheets and (b) the role of chemical modification of graphene surfaces. The studies bring forth an understanding that Li anchored graphene sheets are potential catalysts for ammonia conversion with preferential adsorption of N-2 through end-on configuration on Li atoms anchored on doped and pristine graphene surfaces. This mode of adsorption being characteristic of Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR) through enzymatic pathway, examination of the same followed by analysis of electronic properties demonstrates that tri-Li atoms (Tri Atom Catalysts, TACs) are more efficient as catalysts for NRR as compared to two Li atoms (Di Atom Catalysts, DACs). Either way, the rate determining step was found to be *NH2 ->*NH3 step (mixed pathway) with Delta G(max)=1.02 eV and *NH2-*NH3 ->*NH2 step (enzymatic pathway) with Delta G(max)=1.11 eV for 1B doped TAC and DAC on graphene sheet, respectively. Consequently, this work identifies the viability of Li anchored graphene based 2-D sheets as hetero-atom catalyst for NRR.

DOI10.1002/cphc.202200750
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)

Foreign

Impact Factor (IF)

3.520

Divison category: 
Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry
Physical and Materials Chemistry
Database: 
Web of Science (WoS)

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