Development of Carbon‐Based Electrocatalysts for Ambient Nitrogen Reduction Reaction: Challenges and Perspectives

Abstract Ammonia is an important chemical and a potential carbon‐free hydrogen‐storage material. Currently, the industrial synthesis of ammonia is mainly achieved via the Haber‐Bosch method, which requires high energy, temperatures, and pressures. An alternative method involves the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), which uses an aqueous solution as a medium and requires mild reaction conditions. The key to the NRR is to select an appropriate catalyst to increase the ammonia yield and Faradic efficiency. With their diverse structures and easy regulation, carbon‐based materials can provide abundant active sites for nitrogen absorption and excitation. Moreover, they are abundant, low cost, and readily available, making them promising for use in NRR applications. Accordingly, we review the latest progress in using carbon‐based materials in the NRR, and the future development prospects of NRR catalysts are discussed. Finally, challenges and perspectives of the future research of NRR catalysts are provided.