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Ammonia Synthesis from Nitrogen and Water by Electricity Using an Electrochemical Cell with Ru Catalyst, Hydrogen‐Permeable Pd‐Ag Membrane, and Phosphate‐Based Electrolyte
Author(s) -
Imamura Kanako,
Matsuyama Masako,
Kubota Jun
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.201702736
Subject(s) - electrochemistry , electrolyte , catalysis , anode , electrolysis , ammonia production , hydrogen , cathode , chemistry , chemical energy , inorganic chemistry , ammonia , hydrogen production , membrane , electrolytic cell , chemical engineering , electrode , organic chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
Abstract Conversion from renewable energy‐based electricity to chemical fuels is a promising technology in the near future. NH 3 is one of the candidates as chemical energy carriers, which can be synthesized from N 2 and H 2 O using electricity. A new NH 3 synthesis from N 2 and H 2 O by electricity at 250 °C using an electrochemical cell that consists of a Ru/Cs + /MgO catalyst, Pd−Ag membrane cathode, a CsH 2 PO 4 /SiP 2 O 7 electrolyte, and Pt anode has been proposed in this work. An NH 3 synthesis rate of 7.7×10 −10 mol s −1 cm −2 was obtained at 6.4 mA cm −2 and 1.2 V under a flow of N 2 at 1 cm 3 min −1 . The current efficiency for NH 3 synthesis was 3.5%, and the other part was used for H 2 formation. The examination depending on the flow rate of N 2 was demonstrated and the small flow of N 2 was found to be preferred for NH 3 synthesis. The present cell is expected to open up new perspectives in the developments of the most suitable materials as NH 3 catalysts, hydrogen membranes, and water electrolyzer for combination in a reactor at the intermediate temperature.