Electrochemical nitrogen reduction: an intriguing but challenging quest

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Authors
Shahid, Usman
Chen, Yifu
Gu, Shuang
Li, Wenzhen
Shao, Minhua
Advisors
Issue Date
2022-02
Type
Article
Keywords
Ammonia synthesis , Electrochemical nitrogen-reduction reaction , Electrocatalysis , In situ characterization techniques , Reaction mechanisms
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
Usman Bin Shahid, Yifu Chen, Shuang Gu, Whenzhen Li, Minhua Shao, Electrochemical nitrogen reduction: an intriguing but challenging quest, Trends in Chemistry, Volume 4, Issue 2, 2022, Pages 142-156, ISSN 2589-5974, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trechm.2021.11.007. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589597421002616)
Abstract

Ammonia plays an indispensable role in global agroeconomics, chemical industries, energy carriers, and other diverse applications. To meet the demand for ammonia in these roles, the artificial synthesis of ammonia has traditionally relied on the well-established Haber–Bosch process that is commercially viable but energy intensive. Recently, the drive for sustainable alternatives has fueled interest in the development of electrochemical nitrogen reduction (eNRR) as a pathway for carbon-free ammonia synthesis. Nevertheless, research in the eNRR field remains elusive, partly because of the ominous presence of reactive nitrogen-containing species (Nr) and the lack of a thorough understanding of eNRR mechanistics. Herein, we provide an overview of efforts highlighting measures to avoid false positives and advancing mechanistic understanding of the eNRR process.

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Highlights The electrochemical nitrogen reduction (eNRR) offers a flexible and sustainable alternative to the well-established Haber–Bosch process to synthesize NH3 in a distributed and on-demand manner. Recent progress in the exploration of feasible eNRR systems has been impeded by inadequate understanding of eNRR mechanisms and plagued by interference from the unnoticed presence of reactive N-containing species. As a crucial requirement for the design of control experiments in eNRR research, the quantitative 15N2 experiment provides the direct and most reliable evidence of the eNRR process. Advanced in situ characterization techniques can deepen mechanistic understandings of the eNRR process, but attention should be devoted to the possible intervention of reactive nitrogen-containing species.
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal
Book Title
Series
Trends in Chemistry;2021
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
2589-5974
EISSN