Gram‐level NH3 Electrosynthesis via NOx reduction on a Cu Activated Co Electrode

Ambient electrochemical ammonia (NH3) synthesis is one promising alternative to the energy‐intensive Haber–Bosch route. However, the industrial requirement for the electrochemical NH3 production with amperes current densities or gram‐level NH3 yield remains a grand challenge. Herein, we report the h...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2024-01, Vol.63 (1), p.e202315238-n/a
Main Authors: Liu, Dong‐Xue, Meng, Zhe, Zhu, Yong‐Fu, Sun, Xue‐Feng, Deng, Xin, Shi, Miao‐Miao, Hao, Qi, Kang, Xia, Dai, Tian‐Yi, Zhong, Hai‐Xia, Yan, Jun‐Min, Jiang, Qing
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alternative energy sources
Ammonia
Ammonia Synthesis
Amperes Current
Bipolar Membrane
Current density
Electrochemistry
Electrodes
Electrolytes
Integration Electrode
Liquid levels
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen oxides
NOx Reduction
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Ambient electrochemical ammonia (NH3) synthesis is one promising alternative to the energy‐intensive Haber–Bosch route. However, the industrial requirement for the electrochemical NH3 production with amperes current densities or gram‐level NH3 yield remains a grand challenge. Herein, we report the high‐rate NH3 production via NO2− reduction using the Cu activated Co electrode in a bipolar membrane (BPM) assemble electrolyser, wherein BPM maintains the ion balance and the liquid level of electrolyte. Benefited from the abundant Co sites and optimal structure, the target modified Co foam electrode delivers a current density of 2.64 A cm−2 with the Faradaic efficiency of 96.45 % and the high NH3 yield rate of 279.44 mg h−1 cm−2 in H‐type cell using alkaline electrolyte. Combined with in situ experiments and theoretical calculations, we found that Cu optimizes the adsorption behavior of NO2− and facilitates the hydrogenation steps on Co sites toward a rapid NO2− reduction process. Importantly, this activated Co electrode affords a large NH3 production up to 4.11 g h−1 in a homemade reactor, highlighting its large‐scale practical feasibility. A high‐efficiency electrochemical ammonia (NH3) synthesis from NOx on a Cu‐activated Co foam electrode was developed as a promising alternative for the Haber–Bosch process. The new synthesis can convert pollutants into elevated value‐added NH3 applicable for agriculture, energy storage, etc., imposing a sustainable nitrogen cycle.
ISSN:1433-7851
1521-3773
DOI:10.1002/anie.202315238