Direct conversion of N2 by contact-electrocatalysis (CEC): A highly efficient dual-pathway approach for tunable co-production of nitrate and ammonia

Nitrogen fixation is crucial for agriculture and environmental sustainability, but conventional methods, such as the Haber–Bosch process, suffer from high energy demands, a complex synthesis process, and significant carbon emissions. Here, we report an innovative direct conversion of N 2 from water and air via contact-electro-catalysis (CEC) for nitrogen fixation, where dielectric fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) micropowder, water, and ultrasonication synergistically enable efficient, simultaneous synthesis of ammonia (NH₃) and nitrate (NO₃⁻), with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as byproduct under ambient conditions. Another key finding is the role of surfactant, which not only regulates reaction pathways in the nitrogen cycle but also improves the performance of FEP in water. With the assistance of fluorocarbon surfactant (Capstone FS-30), this method achieves a nitrogen fixation rate at 7.9 × 10 ³ μmol L⁻¹ h⁻¹ g cat −1 , significantly enhancing the efficiency of current interface-driven nitrogen fixation techniques, and it offers a simplified synthetic process with lower carbon emissions than the traditional method. Our study provides a sustainable and highly efficient catalytic platform, broadening the scope and practicality of nitrogen fixation technologies.