The collection contains research data for the article "Efficient electrochemical nitrogen fixation at iron phosphide (Fe2P) catalyst in alkaline medium". The research was carried out as part of projects No. 2020/39/I/ST5/03385 and 2018/29/B/ST5/02627, financed by the National Science Centre (Poland).
The article presents a catalytic system based on iron phosphide (Fe2P). The system was characterized using electrochemical measurements (cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, impedance spectroscopy), Raman spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, XRD and spectrophotometric methods. The system exhibited electrocatalytic activity toward N2-reduction reaction in alkaline medium (0.5 mol dm-3 NaOH).
Diagnostic electrocatalytic experiments (utilizing platinum nanoparticles and Cu-based materials, such HKUST-1) were proposed, described, and performed to control purity of nitrogen gas and to probe presence of potential contaminants such as ammonia, nitrogen oxo-species and oxygen.
Identification of the N2-reduction reaction products was also addressed using the in-situ electroanalytical detection approach based on probing the electrooxidation of NH3 to nitrogen (N2) at the extra working electrode modified with Pt nanoparticles. The concentration of the resulting NH3 was also measured using the indophenol blue method by recording the spectrum in the visible range from 575 to 725 nm.
To comment on general catalytic activity of Fe2P during electroreductions in alkaline medium, additional comparative measurements using such redox probes as O2, CO2, NO3- and NO2- were performed. We have also considered Tafel plots, impedance measurements and classic concepts of kinetic electroanalysis to comment on mechanism and dynamics of nitrogen reduction.
