Chemie Ingenieur Technik, Vol.92, No.1-2, 62-69, 2020
Co-generation of Ammonia and H-2 from H2O Vapor and N-2 Using a Membrane Electrode Assembly
The direct electrochemical synthesis of NH3 from nitrogen and water vapor without the use of a fossil carbon source is highly desired. This synthesis is a viable option to store energy and produce fertilizer precursors. Here, a new Pt-free membrane electrode assembly is presented. An electrochemical membrane reactor demonstrates the feasibility of co-generating NH3 and H-2 directly from nitrogen and water vapor at ambient conditions. An unprecedented high NH3-specific current efficiency of up to 27.5% using Ti as cathodic catalyst is reported. The co-generation can be tuned by the balance of process parameters.
Keywords:Ammonia;Electrochemical nitrogen reduction;Haber process;Membrane electrode assembly;Renewable energy