Ammonia is essential in the fertilizer and chemical industries, serving as a carbon-free fuel. The ammonia electrosynthesis process from nitrogen under ambient conditions presents an appealing alternative to the traditional Haber-Bosch method. The lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction (Li-NRR) offers a promising avenue for continuous-flow ammonia electrosynthesis by combining nitrogen reduction with hydrogen oxidation. However, the use of tetrahydrofuran (THF) as a solvent poses challenges for long-term ammonia production due to issues like polymerization and volatility.
In this study, researchers demonstrate that a chain ether-based electrolyte overcomes these obstacles and enables long-term continuous ammonia synthesis. This solvent type exhibits properties such as non-polymerization, a high boiling point of 162 °C, and the formation of a compact solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the gas diffusion electrode (GDE). These characteristics facilitate ammonia release in the gas phase and ensure electrolyte stability. The researchers achieved 300 h of continuous operation in a flow electrolyzer with a 25 cm2 electrode at 1 bar and room temperature. They also attained an impressive current-to-ammonia efficiency of 64 ± 1% with an unprecedented gas phase ammonia content of ~ 98%. This work underscores the critical role of the solvent in achieving long-term continuous ammonia synthesis.
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by Shaofeng Li,... في www.nature.com 03-19-2024
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07276-5استفسارات أعمق