Engineering of electrocatalyst/electrolyte interface for ambient ammonia synthesis

Abstract

Abstract Ammonia is not only an important platform chemical for industrial and agricultural use but is also a novel energy‐carrying molecule. The electrochemical reduction method for ambient ammonia synthesis is emerging as a promising strategy for the replacement of the current Haber–Bosch ammonia synthesis method, which consumes a large amount of energy and natural gas (hydrogen resource) while releasing substantial greenhouse gases (eg, carbon dioxide). The challenges in electrochemical ammonia synthesis, also known as nitrogen reduction reaction, primarily include the cleavage of extremely stable N≡N bonds and the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction in routine aqueous media, which significantly leads to a low production rate and Faradaic efficiency. The rational design and engineering of the electrocatalyst/electrolyte interface are crucial to address these challenges. Herein, recent achievements for catalyst/electrolyte interface engineering are reviewed to provide insights into enhancing the production rate and Faradaic efficiency. Perspectives on future research and development of the electrochemical ammonia synthesis from theory to practice will be provided.

Keywords

• ammonia synthesis
• Faradaic efficiency
• interfacial effects
• nitrogen reduction reaction
• production rate