Ammonia Electrosynthesis from Nitrate Using a Ruthenium–Copper Cocatalyst System: A Full Concentration Range Study
National University of Singapore · Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté · +4 more institutions
Abstract
Electrochemical synthesis of ammonia via the nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) has been intensively researched as an alternative to the traditional Haber–Bosch process. Most research focuses on the low concentration range representative of the nitrate level in wastewater, leaving the high concentration range, which exists in nuclear and fertilizer wastes, unexplored. The use of a concentrated electrolyte (≥1 M) for higher rate production is hampered by poor hydrogen transfer kinetics. Herein, we demonstrate that a cocatalytic system of Ru/Cu2O catalyst enables NO3RR at 10.0 A in 1 M nitrate electrolyte in a 16 cm2 flow electrolyzer, with 100% faradaic efficiency toward ammonia. Detailed mechanistic studies by…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 14.33
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 48
Authors
12Topics & keywords
- Chemistry
- Electrosynthesis
- Inorganic chemistry
- Catalysis
- Electrolysis
- Electrolyte
- Electrochemistry
- Hydrogen
- Clean water and sanitation
Funding
- UDU.S. Department of EnergyAwards: No. DE-SC0012704, SC0012704, DESC0012704
- NUNational University of SingaporeAward: CHI-P2022-01
- NNNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaAward: 22350410375
- HKHong Kong Polytechnic University
- CUChinese University of Hong KongAward: UDF01002976
- OOOffice of ScienceAwards: No. DE-SC0012704, Contract No. DE-SC0012704, DESC0012704, SC0012704, DE-SC0012704
- GPGuangdong Province Introduction of Innovative R&D TeamAwards: RCTDPT-2020-001, 2019ZT08L101
- BNBrookhaven National LaboratoryAwards: SC0012704, No. DE-SC0012704, DESC0012704, Contract No. DE-SC0012704
- SKShenzhen Key Laboratory of Eco-materials and Renewable EnergyAward: ZDSYS20200922160400001