Title of Paper:Current progress of electrocatalysts for ammonia synthesis through the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction under ambient conditions

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Date of Publication:2020-04-17

Journal:ChemSusChem

Included Journals:PubMed

ISSN No.:1864-564X

Key Words:Electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis,High-performance electrocatalysts,NRR,ambient condition

Abstract:Ammonia (NH3), one of the most important chemicals and carbon-free energy carriers, is mainly produced by the traditional Haber-Bosh process operated at high-pressure and high-temperature with massive amounts of energy consumption and CO2 emission. Alternatively, electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) to synthesize NH3 under ambient conditions using renewable energy has recently attracted significant attention. However, the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) significantly reduces the Faradaic efficiency (FE) and NH3 production rate of the electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis process. The design of high-performance electrocatalysts with the suppression of the HER for N2 reduction to NH3 under ambient condition is a crucial consideration for the development of electrocatalytic NH3 synthesis with high FE and NH3 production rate. Five kinds of recently developed electrocatalysts classified by their chemical compositions are summarized, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between their optimal electrocatalytic conditions and NH3 production performance. Conclusions and perspectives are provided for the future designs of high-performance electrocatalysts for electrocatalytic NH3 production. The review can give practical guidance for the design of effective electrocatalysts with high FE and NH3 production rates.© 2020 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.