A recent review on photochemical and electrochemical nitrogen reduction to ammonia

Strategies to improve NRR selectivity and faradaic efficiency

authored by: Mohammed Ismael, Michael Wark
Abstract: The photo/electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), which enables NH₃ synthesis in ambient circumstances, could replace the Haber-Bosch process (HB) and provide a solution for green nitrogen fixation. However, the extremely high chemical stability of N[tbnd]N bonds and the competition from the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) significantly restrict the improvement of NRR activity. Thus, the advancement of photocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts is crucial to the success of nitrogen photoreduction. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the foundations of nitrogen reduction procedures as well as the obstacles preventing catalyst advancement. As a result, one of the most active areas of research in the science of catalysis has always been the hunt for effective catalysts that can convert N₂ to NH₃ under benign conditions and with minimal energy input. Researchers have enhanced the catalytic sites of photocatalysts and located appropriate supporting materials to activate N₂ molecules, which significantly increases the efficiency of photo/electrocatalytic N₂ synthesis of ammonia. This review summarizes and compares several approaches used to synthesize ammonia. Secondly, the heterogeneous catalyst mechanism for the NRR was discussed. Then, several photo/electrocatalytic materials that were developed and designed for NRR including oxides, sulfides, transition metal carbides, and transition metal nitrides were surveyed. After that, kinetic and thermodynamics regulations for enhancing the NRR selectivity and faradaic efficiency of the NRR were discussed in more detail. Finally, by fusing theoretical predictions with experiment findings, this study provides useful direction for the rational design of photocatalysts and electrocatalysts for NRR. We are hoping that this review may pique more people's curiosity about the still-under-researched but exciting topic of NRR.
Organisation(s): Section Electrical Energy Storage Systems
Institute of Electric Power Systems
External Organisation(s): Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg
Type: Review article
Journal: Applied Materials Today
Volume: 39
No. of pages: 46
Publication date: 08.2024
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: General Materials Science
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmt.2024.102253 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{399d428bc858427896df6f4dedf97cc3,
title = "A recent review on photochemical and electrochemical nitrogen reduction to ammonia: Strategies to improve NRR selectivity and faradaic efficiency",
abstract = "The photo/electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), which enables NH3 synthesis in ambient circumstances, could replace the Haber-Bosch process (HB) and provide a solution for green nitrogen fixation. However, the extremely high chemical stability of N[tbnd]N bonds and the competition from the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) significantly restrict the improvement of NRR activity. Thus, the advancement of photocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts is crucial to the success of nitrogen photoreduction. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the foundations of nitrogen reduction procedures as well as the obstacles preventing catalyst advancement. As a result, one of the most active areas of research in the science of catalysis has always been the hunt for effective catalysts that can convert N2 to NH3 under benign conditions and with minimal energy input. Researchers have enhanced the catalytic sites of photocatalysts and located appropriate supporting materials to activate N2 molecules, which significantly increases the efficiency of photo/electrocatalytic N2 synthesis of ammonia. This review summarizes and compares several approaches used to synthesize ammonia. Secondly, the heterogeneous catalyst mechanism for the NRR was discussed. Then, several photo/electrocatalytic materials that were developed and designed for NRR including oxides, sulfides, transition metal carbides, and transition metal nitrides were surveyed. After that, kinetic and thermodynamics regulations for enhancing the NRR selectivity and faradaic efficiency of the NRR were discussed in more detail. Finally, by fusing theoretical predictions with experiment findings, this study provides useful direction for the rational design of photocatalysts and electrocatalysts for NRR. We are hoping that this review may pique more people's curiosity about the still-under-researched but exciting topic of NRR.",
keywords = "Ammonia synthesis, Heterogeneous catalyst, Kinetic and thermodynamics regulations, Photo-electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction",
author = "Mohammed Ismael and Michael Wark",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024 The Author(s)",
year = "2024",
month = aug,
doi = "10.1016/j.apmt.2024.102253",
language = "English",
volume = "39",
journal = "Applied Materials Today",
publisher = "Elsevier BV",
}