Oxygen-deficient SnO2 nanoparticles with ultrathin carbon shell for efficient electrocatalytic N2 reduction

For high-efficiency NH3 synthesis via ambient-condition electrohydrogenation of inert N2, it is pivotal to ingeniously design an active electrocatalyst with multiple features abundant surfacial deficiency, good conductivity and large surface area. Here, oxygen-deficient SnO2 nanoparticles encapsulated by ultrathin carbon layer (d-SnO2@C) are developed hydrothermal deposition coupled annealing process, as promising catalysts for ambient electrocatalytic N2 reduction. d-SnO2@C exhibits high activity excellent selectivity conversion in acidic electrolytes, Faradic efficiency 12.7% at −0.15 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) yield rate 16.68 μg h−1 mgcat−1 −0.25 vs. RHE 0.1 mol L−1 HCl. Benefiting from structural superiority enhanced charge transfer optimized states, also achieves long-term stability.