Realizing a Not-Strong-Not-Weak Polarization Electric Field in Single-Atom Catalysts Sandwiched by Boron Nitride and Graphene Sheets for Efficient Nitrogen Fixation

Abstract

Developing efficient single-atom catalysts (SACs) for nitrogen fixation is of great importance while remaining a great challenge. The lack of an effective strategy to control the polarization electric field of SACs limits their activity and selectivity. Here, using first-principles calculations, we report that a single transition metal (TM) atom sandwiched between hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and graphene sheets (namely, BN/TM/G) acts as an efficient SAC for the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). These sandwich structures realize stable and tunable interfacial polarization fields that enable the TM atom to donate electrons to a neighboring B atom as the active site. As a result, the partially occupied p z orbital of a B atom can form B-to-N π-back bonding with the antibonding state of N 2, thus weakening the N≡N bond. The not-strong-not-weak electric field on the h-BN surface further promotes N 2 adsorption and activation. The NRR catalytic activity of the BN/TM/G system is highly correlated with the degree of positively polarized charges on the TM atom. In particular, BN/Ti/G and BN/V/G are identified as promising NRR catalysts with high stability, offering excellent energy efficiency and suppression of the competing hydrogen evolution reaction.