Engineering strategies for boosting the nitrogen reduction reaction performance of MoS2-based electrocatalysts

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a green and sustainable process to replace the high energy consumed and high carbon released Haber–Bosch reaction for NH3 synthesis, and this concept is well consistent with the purpose of carbon neutrality. The primary challenge for NRR is the development of high efficiency electrocatalysts to adsorption and activation high energy and non-polar NˆN triple bonds as well as effectively suppress competitive hydrogen evolution reaction. MoS2 has attracted great research attention regarding that Mo is the primary active center in Mo-based nitrogenase. In addition, the energy bond and electronic structure of MoS2 can be readily tuned to strength N2 adsorption and decrease the energy barrier of NRR by regulating the adsorption energy of intermediates. In this review, the recent progress of MoS2-based electrocatalysts for NRR is summarized based on phase engineering, defect engineering, heteroatom doping, and interface engineering. The design ideas, synthetic methods, and catalytic performance of the catalysts are summarized to give readers a comprehensive understanding of this prosperous field. Particularly, the catalytic mechanisms of the electrocatalysts and the origins of the superior NRR performance are discussed to inspire more reasonable design strategy of NRR electrocatalysts. Finally, the remaining challenges and perspectives are proposed. It can be expected that this review will provide insight guidance for the development of NRR electrocatalysts with better performance.