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Electrochemical Synthesis of Ammonia via Nitrogen Reduction and Oxygen Evolution Reactions—A Comprehensive Review on Electrolyte-Supported Cells

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  • Hizkia Manuel Vieri

    (Hydrogen·Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea)

  • Moo-Chang Kim

    (Hydrogen·Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
    Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea)

  • Arash Badakhsh

    (PNDC, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G68 0EF, UK)

  • Sun Hee Choi

    (Hydrogen·Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
    Energy & Environment Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

The application of protonic ceramic electrolysis cells (PCECs) for ammonia (NH 3 ) synthesis has been evaluated over the past 14 years. While nitrogen (N 2 ) is the conventional fuel on the cathode side, various fuels such as methane (CH 4 ), hydrogen (H 2 ), and steam (H 2 O) have been investigated for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on the anode side. Because H 2 is predominantly produced through CO 2 -emitting methane reforming, H 2 O has been the conventional carbon-free option thus far. Although the potential of utilizing H 2 O and N 2 as fuels is considerable, studies exploring this specific combination remain limited. PCEC fabrication technologies are being developed extensively, thus necessitating a comprehensive review. Several strategies for electrode fabrication, deposition, and electrolyte design are discussed herein. The progress in electrode development for PCECs has also been delineated. Finally, the existing challenges and prospective outlook of PCEC for NH 3 synthesis are analyzed and discussed. The most significant finding is the lack of past research involving PCEC with H 2 O and N 2 as fuel configurations and the diversity of nitrogen reduction reaction catalysts. This review indicates that the maximum NH 3 synthesis rate is 14 × 10 −9 mol cm −2 s −1, and the maximum current density for the OER catalyst is 1.241 A cm −2 . Moreover, the pellet electrolyte thickness must be maintained at approximately 0.8–1.5 mm, and the stability of thin-film electrolytes must be improved.

Suggested Citation

  • Hizkia Manuel Vieri & Moo-Chang Kim & Arash Badakhsh & Sun Hee Choi, 2024. "Electrochemical Synthesis of Ammonia via Nitrogen Reduction and Oxygen Evolution Reactions—A Comprehensive Review on Electrolyte-Supported Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:2:p:441-:d:1320282
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Serdar Yilmaz & Bekir Kavici & Prakash Ramakrishnan & Cigdem Celen & Bahman Amini Horri, 2023. "Highly Conductive Cerium- and Neodymium-Doped Barium Zirconate Perovskites for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Hanping Ding & Wei Wu & Chao Jiang & Yong Ding & Wenjuan Bian & Boxun Hu & Prabhakar Singh & Christopher J. Orme & Lucun Wang & Yunya Zhang & Dong Ding, 2020. "Self-sustainable protonic ceramic electrochemical cells using a triple conducting electrode for hydrogen and power production," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Sihyuk Choi & Chris J. Kucharczyk & Yangang Liang & Xiaohang Zhang & Ichiro Takeuchi & Ho-Il Ji & Sossina M. Haile, 2018. "Exceptional power density and stability at intermediate temperatures in protonic ceramic fuel cells," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(3), pages 202-210, March.
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