Highly ordered Nb_(2)O_(5)nanochannel film with rich oxygen vacancies for electrocatalytic N2 reduction:Inactivation and regeneration of electrode

We report the fabrication of highly ordered Nb_(2)O_(5)nanochannel film(Nb_(2)O_(5)-NCF)onto niobium foil by an anodization method.After thermal treatment,the obtained Nb_(2)O_(5)-NCF with rich oxygen vacancies exhibits electrochemical N_(2)reduction reaction(NRR)activity with an NH3 yield rate of 2.52×10^(-10)mol cm^(-2)s^(-1)and a faradaic efficiency of 9.81%at-0.4 V(vs.RHE)in 0.1 mol/L Na2SO4 electrolyte(pH 3.2).During electrocatalytic NRR,the Nb_(2)O_(5)-NCF takes place electrochromism(EC),along with a crystalline phase transformation from pseudo hexagonal phase to hexagonal phase owing to H+insertion.This results in the reduced NRR activity due to the decrease of oxygen vacancies of hexagonal phase Nb_(2)O_(5),which can be readily regenerated by low-temperature thermal treatment or applying an anodic potential,showing superior recycling reproducibility.