Integrating Machine Learning With Constant‐Potential Simulation to Unravel Charge‐Transfer Mechanisms in Electrochemical Nitrogen Fixation

The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) offers a sustainable approach to ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) synthesis under mild conditions. To achieve scalable NH<sub>3</sub> production, discovering high-performance catalysts for the efficient NRR is crucial. For this purpose, the activity mechanisms of functional group-modified carborin/graphene-supported single-atom catalysts were systematically investigated using the grand-canonical fixed-potential method, which simulates operando constant-potential conditions. Among 144 candidates screened, Cr@NO<sub>2</sub>-carborin/graphene and Cr@CHO-carborin/graphene are identified as the most promising NRR catalysts, with low limiting potentials of -0.220 V for the <sup>*</sup>N<sub>2</sub>→<sup>*</sup>N<sub>2</sub>H step and -0.245 V for the <sup>*</sup>NH→<sup>*</sup>NH<sub>2</sub> step, respectively. Furthermore, interpretable machine learning models revealed that the shift in potential of zero charge, induced by intermediate adsorption, serves as the key voltage-responsive descriptor governing charge transfer patterns and influencing the N<sub>2</sub> activation. These findings establish a paradigm shift from static electronic descriptors to dynamic interfacial property engineering, offering a universal framework for designing electrocatalysts for multi-electron reactions like NRR.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Science
Published
2026-03-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202524356
Primary Topic
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Integrating Machine Learning With Constant‐Potential Simulation to Unravel Charge‐Transfer Mechanisms in Electrochemical Nitrogen Fixation

Dushuo Feng, Yufei Xue, Yalong Jiao, Yuefei Zhang et al.
Advanced Science
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
article

Integrating Machine Learning With Constant‐Potential Simulation to Unravel Charge‐Transfer Mechanisms in Electrochemical Nitrogen Fixation

Dushuo Feng, Yufei Xue, Yalong Jiao, Yuefei Zhang, Aijun Du, Guoping Gao, Yang Zhang
article en

Abstract

The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) offers a sustainable approach to ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) synthesis under mild conditions. To achieve scalable NH<sub>3</sub> production, discovering high-performance catalysts for the efficient NRR is crucial. For this purpose, the activity mechanisms of functional group-modified carborin/graphene-supported single-atom catalysts were systematically investigated using the grand-canonical fixed-potential method, which simulates operando constant-potential conditions. Among 144 candidates screened, Cr@NO<sub>2</sub>-carborin/graphene and Cr@CHO-carborin/graphene are identified as the most promising NRR catalysts, with low limiting potentials of -0.220 V for the <sup>*</sup>N<sub>2</sub>→<sup>*</sup>N<sub>2</sub>H step and -0.245 V for the <sup>*</sup>NH→<sup>*</sup>NH<sub>2</sub> step, respectively. Furthermore, interpretable machine learning models revealed that the shift in potential of zero charge, induced by intermediate adsorption, serves as the key voltage-responsive descriptor governing charge transfer patterns and influencing the N<sub>2</sub> activation. These findings establish a paradigm shift from static electronic descriptors to dynamic interfacial property engineering, offering a universal framework for designing electrocatalysts for multi-electron reactions like NRR.

Advanced Science
Queensland University of Technology (AU), Center for Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences (RS), Xi'an Jiaotong University (CN), Hebei Normal University (CN)
Responsible consumption and production
Openalex Percentile: Top 24%
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
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