02018nas a2200229   4500008004100000022001400041245013100055210006900186260000800255490000700263520115500270653002201425653002101447653002901468653003201497653002301529653002401552653003201576100002401608700002601632856013001658       2025                        eng d  a1439-423500aGraphitic carbon nitride supported boron quantum dots: a transition metal free alternative for di-nitrogen to ammonia reaction0 aGraphitic carbon nitride supported boron quantum dots a transiti  cMAR0 v263 a<p>
	Presently, a sustainable electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR) has been essentially found to be viable on transition metal-based catalysts. However, being cost-effective and non-corrosive, metal-free catalysts present an ideal solution for a sustainable world. Herein, through a DFT-based study, we demonstrate metal-free NRR catalysts, boron quantum dots with 13 atoms as a case study and their chemically modified counterparts when anchored on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) surface. The best catalyst among the studied, a silicon-doped boron quantum dot with a cagelike structure, is found to favour the dinitrogen to ammonia reaction pathway with a low liming potential and potential rate-determining step (PDS) of -0.11 V and 0.27 eV, respectively. The present work demonstrates as to how boron quantum dots, which are reported to be experimentally synthesised, can be exploited for ammonia synthesis when supported on the surface. These catalysts effectively suppress the HER, thus establishing its suitability as an ideal catalyst. The work also represents a futuristic pathway towards a metal-free catalyst for NRR.</p>
10aBoron quantum dot10aElectro-catalyst10aGraphitic carbon nitride10ahydrogen evolution reaction10aLimiting potential10ametal free catalyst10aNitrogen Reduction Reaction1 aSamudre, Nikhil, S.1 aKrishnamurty, Sailaja  uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/graphitic-carbon-nitride-supported-boron-quantum-dots-transition-metal-free-alternative-di