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Wilder L, Wyatt K, Skangos CA, Klein WE, Parimuha MR, Katsirubas JL, Young JL, Miller EM. Membranes Matter: Preventing Ammonia Crossover during Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis. ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS 2024; 7:536-545. [PMID: 38273968 PMCID: PMC10806602 DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.3c02461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The electrochemical nitrogen and nitrate reduction reactions (E-NRR and E-NO3RR) promise to provide decentralized and fossil-fuel-free ammonia synthesis, and as a result, E-NRR and E-NO3RR research has surged in recent years. Membrane NH3/NH4+ crossover during E-NRR and E-NO3RR decreases Faradaic efficiency and thus the overall yield. During catalyst evaluation, such unaccounted-for crossover results in measurement error. Herein, several commercially available membranes were screened and evaluated for use in ammonia-generating electrolyzers. NH3/NH4+ crossover of the commonly used cation-exchange membrane (CEM) Nafion 212 was measured in an H-cell architecture and found to be significant. Interestingly, some anion exchange membranes (AEMs) show negligible NH4+ crossover, addressing the problem of measurement error due to NH4+ crossover. Further investigation of select membranes in a zero-gap gas diffusion electrode (GDE)-cell determines that most membranes show significant NH3 crossover when the cell is in an open circuit. However, uptake and crossover of NH3 are mitigated when -1.6 V is applied across the GDE-cell. The results of this study present AEMs as a useful alternative to CEMs for H-cell E-NRR and E-NO3RR electrolyzer studies and present critical insight into membrane crossover in zero-gap GDE-cell E-NRR and E-NO3RR electrolyzers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan
M. Wilder
- Chemistry
and Nanoscience Center, National Renewable
Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Keenan Wyatt
- Chemistry
and Nanoscience Center, National Renewable
Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
- Materials
Science and Engineering Program, University
of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Christopher A. Skangos
- Chemistry
and Nanoscience Center, National Renewable
Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - W. Ellis Klein
- Chemistry
and Nanoscience Center, National Renewable
Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Makenzie R. Parimuha
- Chemistry
and Nanoscience Center, National Renewable
Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Jaclyn L. Katsirubas
- Chemistry
and Nanoscience Center, National Renewable
Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - James L. Young
- Chemistry
and Nanoscience Center, National Renewable
Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Elisa M. Miller
- Chemistry
and Nanoscience Center, National Renewable
Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
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Huang Z, Rafiq M, Woldu AR, Tong QX, Astruc D, Hu L. Recent progress in electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction to ammonia (NRR). Coord Chem Rev 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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3
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Zhang Z, Zhao Y, Sun B, Xu J, Jin Q, Lu H, Lyu N, Dang ZM, Jin Y. Copper Particle-Enhanced Lithium-Mediated Synthesis of Green Ammonia from Water and Nitrogen. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:19419-19425. [PMID: 35467840 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3) is one of the most frequently produced chemical products in the world, and it plays an indispensable role in life on Earth. However, its synthesis by the Haber-Bosch (H-B) process is highly energy intensive, resulting in extensive carbon emissions that are unsustainable due to their ability to harm the environment. Herein, we propose a facile and mass-producible strategy for increasing the rate and efficiency of nitrogen fixation through the use of copper particle-catalyzed Li nitridation and a solid electrolyte as a medium to reduce Li salt; the above strategy results in the conversion of water and nitrogen into NH3 through the use of renewable electrical energy at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Copper particles are uniformly pressed into Li metal by a simple rolling method, and their critical role in accelerating the nitrogen fixation process is revealed by both electrochemical tests and simulations. The nitridation of the Li in the composite is reduced to a few minutes instead of the more than 40 h that are needed for bare Li and N2 at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Our new method provides three important advantages over the H-B method: (1) the new method can be operated at atmospheric pressure, thereby lowering equipment requirements and increasing security; (2) the use of water instead of fossil fuels as a hydrogen source decreases the consumption of these fuels and the emission of CO2; and (3) the low equipment requirements lead to the ready miniaturization and decentralization of the NH3 synthesizing process, thus promoting the possible use of renewable sources of electricity (e.g., wind or solar energy).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zili Zhang
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Bin Sun
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jing Xu
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Qianzheng Jin
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Hongfei Lu
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Nawei Lyu
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zhi-Min Dang
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- State Key Laboratory of Power System, Department of Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yang Jin
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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Kim HS, Jin H, Kim SH, Choi J, Lee DW, Ham HC, Yoo SJ, Park HS. Sacrificial Dopant to Enhance the Activity and Durability of Electrochemical N 2 Reduction Catalysis. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c00089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hee Soo Kim
- Center for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- KEPCO Research Institute, Korea Electric Power Corporation, 105 Munji-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34056, Republic of Korea
| | - Haneul Jin
- Center for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hoon Kim
- Center for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Energy & Environment, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Choi
- Center for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Lee
- Center for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Chul Ham
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Education and Research Center for Smart Energy and Materials, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Jong Yoo
- Center for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Division of Energy & Environment Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun S. Park
- Center for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
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Liu L, Li W, He X, Yang J, Liu N. In Situ/Operando Insights into the Stability and Degradation Mechanisms of Heterogeneous Electrocatalysts. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2104205. [PMID: 34741400 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202104205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The further commercialization of renewable energy conversion and storage technologies requires heterogeneous electrocatalysts that meet the exacting durability target. Studies of the stability and degradation mechanisms of electrocatalysts are expected to provide important breakthroughs in stability issues. Accessible in situ/operando techniques performed under realistic reaction conditions are therefore urgently needed to reveal the nature of active center structures and establish links between the structural motifs in a catalyst and its stability properties. This review highlights recent research advances regarding in situ/operando techniques and improves the understanding of the stabilities of advanced heterogeneous electrocatalysts used in a diverse range of electrochemical reactions; it also proposes some degradation mechanisms. The review concludes by offering suggestions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindong Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, College of Sericulture,Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Clean Dyeing and Finishing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang, 312000, China
| | - Wanting Li
- College of Resources and Environment, College of Sericulture,Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xianbo He
- College of Resources and Environment, College of Sericulture,Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jiao Yang
- College of Resources and Environment, College of Sericulture,Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Nian Liu
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
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Wan J, Zheng J, Zhang H, Wu A, Li X. Single atom catalysis for electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis. Catal Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1cy01442k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This review points out major challenges and outlook of NH3 synthesis via SACs. Summarizing the deficiencies of existing research can help researchers to continuously innovate and improve, and explore new research approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieying Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Jiageng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Angjian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
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Qing G, Ghazfar R, Jackowski ST, Habibzadeh F, Ashtiani MM, Chen CP, Smith MR, Hamann TW. Recent Advances and Challenges of Electrocatalytic N2 Reduction to Ammonia. Chem Rev 2020; 120:5437-5516. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 367] [Impact Index Per Article: 91.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Geletu Qing
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University 578 S Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Reza Ghazfar
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University 578 S Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Shane T. Jackowski
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University 578 S Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Faezeh Habibzadeh
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University 578 S Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Mona Maleka Ashtiani
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University 578 S Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Chuan-Pin Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University 578 S Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Milton R. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University 578 S Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Thomas W. Hamann
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University 578 S Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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Garagounis I, Vourros A, Stoukides D, Dasopoulos D, Stoukides M. Electrochemical Synthesis of Ammonia: Recent Efforts and Future Outlook. MEMBRANES 2019; 9:E112. [PMID: 31480364 PMCID: PMC6780605 DOI: 10.3390/membranes9090112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ammonia is a key chemical produced in huge quantities worldwide. Its primary industrial production is via the Haber-Bosch method; a process requiring high temperatures and pressures, and consuming large amounts of energy. In the past two decades, several alternatives to the existing process have been proposed, including the electrochemical synthesis. The present paper reviews literature concerning this approach and the experimental research carried out in aqueous, molten salt, or solid electrolyte cells, over the past three years. The electrochemical systems are grouped, described, and discussed according to the operating temperature, which is determined by the electrolyte used, and their performance is valuated. The problems which need to be addressed further in order to scale-up the electrochemical synthesis of ammonia to the industrial level are examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Garagounis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Chemical Processes & Energy Resources Institute, Center for Research and Technology Hellas, 56071 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasios Vourros
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Chemical Processes & Energy Resources Institute, Center for Research and Technology Hellas, 56071 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Demetrios Stoukides
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dionisios Dasopoulos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michael Stoukides
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Chemical Processes & Energy Resources Institute, Center for Research and Technology Hellas, 56071 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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9
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Jung KW, Kang SW. Effect of functional group ratio in PEBAX copolymer on propylene/propane separation for facilitated olefin transport membranes. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11454. [PMID: 31391519 PMCID: PMC6686014 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47996-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PEBAX-5513/AgBF4/Al(NO3)3 membranes were fabricated for mixed olefin/paraffin separation. In order to improve the selectivity of the membranes utilizing PEBAX-1657, PEBAX-5513, which increased the ratio of amide groups from 40% to 60% in the copolymer, was used. The selectivity and permeance of the membranes were 7.7 and 11.1 GPU, respectively. Furthermore, the PEBAX–5513/AgBF4/Al(NO3)3 membranes had long-term stability because of Al(NO3) to have the stabilizing effect on Ag+ ions acting as an olefin carrier. Unexpectedly, the performance of the membrane selectivity was not improved, and the permeance became rather lower. Generally, when Ag+ ions was added to the polymer containing amide groups, the selectivity increased with the content of the amide groups. However, Al(NO3)3 was added for the stability of Ag+ ions and there was no increase in selectivity. Since the ratio of amide was high, Ag+ ions were favorably in coordination with the oxygen of the carbonyl group, but the NO3− ions in Al(NO3)3 had the enhanced interaction with Ag+ ions as obstacles for olefin complexation. Therefore, the composition ratio of amide/ether in the polymer matrix was negligible for olefin separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Won Jung
- Department of Chemistry, Sangmyung University, Seoul, 03016, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Wook Kang
- Department of Chemistry, Sangmyung University, Seoul, 03016, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Chemistry and Energy Engineering, Sangmyung University, Seoul, 03016, Republic of Korea.
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10
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McPherson IJ, Sudmeier T, Fellowes J, Tsang SCE. Materials for electrochemical ammonia synthesis. Dalton Trans 2019; 48:1562-1568. [PMID: 30566127 DOI: 10.1039/c8dt04019b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Direct electrochemical synthesis of ammonia is proposed as a means of reducing the carbon footprint of the fertiliser industry, as well as providing new opportunities for carbon-free liquid energy storage. We review the current status of research into materials for electrochemical ammonia synthesis and evaluate the reported rates and efficiencies in terms of recent US Department of Energy targets. Surprisingly, development of electrocatalysts has only recently received much attention, and despite a number of promising rates, the target values remain distant. A number of theoretical studies suggest a range of candidate materials yet to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tim Sudmeier
- University of Oxford, Department of Chemistry, Oxford, OX1 3QR, UK.
| | - Joshua Fellowes
- University of Oxford, Department of Chemistry, Oxford, OX1 3QR, UK.
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