<scp>CrN</scp> nanoparticles confined into nitrogen‐doped hierarchical porous carbon matrix for efficient electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation

Abstract Nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) driven electrochemical ammonia synthesis via utilizing an inexpensive and efficient electrocatalyst has been confirmed as a potential alternative approach for industrially applied Haber–Bosch process. Chromium nitride‐based nanocomposite (CrN@NC) has been synthesized by a one‐pot pyrolysis and nitriding strategy with tetradecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (TTAB) as carbon and nitrogen source. In this nanocomposite, CrN nanoparticles are highly dispersed in hierarchical porous nitrogen‐doped carbon matrix. CrN@NC features rich active sites, increased surface area, and enhanced conductivity. Benefitting from its desirable structure, as an inexpensive electrocatalyst for nitrogen fixation, CrN@NC catalyst exhibits an obviously enhanced NRR performance in comparison to the bare CrN. CrN@NC can present a maximal NH 3 production rate about 24.99 μg mg −1 cat h −1 at a low overpotential of −0.2 V versus RHE in Na 2 SO 4 solution, followed by a Faradic efficiency (FE) of 13.53%. Moreover, CrN@NC also exhibits a satisfactory selectivity because of the absence of the detectable hydrazine byproduct.