Electrochemical catalyst for conversion of nitrogen gas to ammonia
The invention provides a method of converting nitrogen into ammonia. The method comprises contacting an electrocatalyst with an aqueous solution of dissolved nitrogen gas. The electrocatalyst comprises carbon nanospikes doped with nitrogen.
1. A method of converting nitrogen into ammonia, the method comprising contacting an electrocatalyst with an aqueous solution of dissolved nitrogen gas, said electrocatalyst is electrically powered as a cathode and is in electrical communication with a counter electrode electrically powered as an anode, wherein a voltage across said cathode and said anode is within a range of 2 to 4 volts, to convert said dissolved nitrogen gas into ammonia; wherein said electrocatalyst comprises carbon nanospikes doped with nitrogen.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said electrocatalyst is housed in a first compartment of an electrochemical cell, wherein said first compartment contains said aqueous solution in contact with said electrocatalyst; said counter electrode is housed in a second compartment of said electrochemical cell, wherein said second compartment also contains said aqueous solution.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said carbon nanospikes contain layers of puckered carbon.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the carbon nanospikes contain a straight or curled tip.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said straight or curled tip has a width ranging from 0.5 nm to 3 nm.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said carbon nanospikes have a length ranging from 20 nm to 100 nm.