We demonstrate that MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) can be an effective and durable catalyst for the electrocatalytic N2 reduction reaction (NRR), showing an NH3 yield of 39.6 μg h−1 mg−1 with a faradaic efficiency of 12.9% at −0.3 V, far superior to MoS2 nanosheets and outperforming most reported NRR catalysts. Density functional theory computations unravel that the MoS2 QDs can dramatically facilitate N2 adsorption and activation via side-on patterns, resulting in an energetically-favored enzymatic pathway with an ultra-low overpotential of 0.29 V.
