Engineering MoFe Nanostructures on Carbon Cloth for Sustainable Ammonia Production via Nitrogen Reduction

Abstract Ammonia (NH 3 ) is pivotal for agriculture and energy storage, yet its efficient synthesis under ambient conditions remains challenging. This study presents an innovative method for NH 3 synthesis, utilizing molybdenum and iron nanostructures on carbon cloth (MoFe/CC) as catalysts for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). Superior catalytic performance is achieved by optimizing the molar ratio of molybdenum (Mo) to iron (Fe) and adjusting the synthesis parameters. The catalytic activities are assessed under acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions to ascertain the optimal pH for NH 3 production. Comprehensive characterization of the MoFe composite is conducted using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, confirming strong Fe–Mo interactions. Electrochemical assays in nitrogen‐saturated electrolytes highlight MoFe(7:3)/CC catalyst's exceptional performance, yielding 34.32 µg h⁻ 1 mg⁻ 1 of NH 3 with a Faradaic efficiency of 57.6% at −0.35 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.1 M phosphate‐buffered solution (PBS). Stability tests conducted over 20 h demonstrate over 95% retention of the initial current density, with no detectable hydrazine byproducts. This optimized MoFe/CC catalyst significantly improves the selectivity of the NRR, rendering it a viable candidate for scalable, sustainable ammonia production in future industrial applications.