Double-Phase Heterostructure within Fe₂O₃–CuS Quantum Dots with Boosted Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction

The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) gives us an interesting pathway for N2–NH3. However, due to the high bonding energy and strong dipole moment of N2 molecules, it is still a great challenge to achieve efficient NRR at normal temperature and pressure. Herein, Fe2O3–CuS quantum dots (QDs) are synthesized with interface engineering, and it is reported that Fe2O3–CuS QDs act as a highly active catalyst for NRR with high selectivity. Under neutral conditions, the Fe2O3–CuS QDs achieve a large NH3 yield of 35.67 μg h–1 mgcat.–1 and a high Faradaic efficiency of 10.6%. The Fe2O3–CuS QD double-phase heterostructure provides more active sites for N2 activation, which is conducive to enhancing the NRR activity. This work gives us a new idea for designing NRR electrocatalysts and also brings new afflatus for preparing other biphase heterostructures in quantum dots.