Recent progress in the electrochemical ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions. Issue 2 (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Runbo; Xie, Hongtao; Chang, Le; Zhang, Xiaoxue; Zhu, Xiaojuan; Tong, Xin; Wang, Ting; Luo, Yonglan; Wei, Peipei; Wang, Zhiming; Sun, Xuping
• Is Part Of: EnergyChem. Volume 1:Issue 2(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: N2 reduction reaction -- NH3 synthesis -- Electrocatalysts -- Ambient conditions; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660.282
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enchem.2019.100011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2589-7780

Abstract

Highlights: We systematically describe recent progress in the development of NRR electrocatalysts. The NRR mechanisms is reviewed briefly. The challenges and outlook for NH3 synthesis are discussed. Abstract: Ammonia not only serves as a building block for nitrogen-rich fertilizer, but offers a carbon-free energy carrier. At present, industrial ammonia synthesis is dominated by the Hablocker-Bosch process under high temperature and pressure, resulting in high energy consumption and serious environmental issues. Considerable recent at tention has focused on designing electrocatalysts for the N2 reduction reaction (NRR). However, the ammonia synthesis through electrocatalytic N2 reduction is still far from practical applications. In this review, recent theoretical and experiment investigations on various catalysts for the ammonia synthesis under mild conditions are highlighted. Firstly, the mechanisms for the electrochemical NRR are reviewed briefly. Then, based on these mechanisms, various catalysts, such as noble metal catalysts, non-noble metal catalysts, metal-free catalysts and even single atoms catalysts, for ammonia production are reviewed, with a particular focus on the improvement of the catalytic activity and selectivity toward ammonia production through optimizing the electrolyte, pH and the structure of the catalyst, etc. Lastly, the challenges and outlook for the ammonia synthesis are shown. This review systematically retrospects recent advances in the electrocatalytic NRR to show the readers a thorough understanding in this field. Most importantly, this review sheds some light toward the future development of electrocatalytic NRR. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract