We present the production of synthetic ammonia remains dependent on the energy- and capital-intensive Haber-Bosch process. Extensive research in molecular catalysis has demonstrated ammonia production from di-nitrogen, albeit at low production rates. Mechanistic understanding of di-nitrogen reduction to ammonia continues to be delineated through study of molecular catalyst structure, as well as through understanding the naturally-occurring nitrogenase enzyme. The transition to Haber-Bosch alternatives through robust, heterogeneous catalyst surfaces remains an unsolved research challenge. Catalysts for electrochemical reduction of di-nitrogen to ammonia are a specific focus of research, due to the potential to compete with Haber-Bosch and eliminate associated carbon dioxide emissions. However, limited progress has been made, as most electrocatalyst surfaces lack specificity towards nitrogen fixation. Lastly in this review, we discuss the progress of the field in developing a mechanistic understanding of nitrogenase-promoted and molecular catalyst-promoted ammonia synthesis and provide a review of the state-of-the-art and scientific needs for heterogeneous electrocatalysts.
Foster, Shelby L., Bakovic, Sergio I. Perez, Duda, Royce D., Maheshwari, Sharad, Milton, Ross D., Minteer, Shelley D., Janik, Michael J., Renner, Julie N., & Greenlee, Lauren F. (2018). Catalysts for nitrogen reduction to ammonia. Nature Catalysis, 1(7). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-018-0092-7
Foster, Shelby L., Bakovic, Sergio I. Perez, Duda, Royce D., et al., "Catalysts for nitrogen reduction to ammonia," Nature Catalysis 1, no. 7 (2018), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-018-0092-7
@article{osti_1481881,
author = {Foster, Shelby L. and Bakovic, Sergio I. Perez and Duda, Royce D. and Maheshwari, Sharad and Milton, Ross D. and Minteer, Shelley D. and Janik, Michael J. and Renner, Julie N. and Greenlee, Lauren F.},
title = {Catalysts for nitrogen reduction to ammonia},
annote = {We present the production of synthetic ammonia remains dependent on the energy- and capital-intensive Haber-Bosch process. Extensive research in molecular catalysis has demonstrated ammonia production from di-nitrogen, albeit at low production rates. Mechanistic understanding of di-nitrogen reduction to ammonia continues to be delineated through study of molecular catalyst structure, as well as through understanding the naturally-occurring nitrogenase enzyme. The transition to Haber-Bosch alternatives through robust, heterogeneous catalyst surfaces remains an unsolved research challenge. Catalysts for electrochemical reduction of di-nitrogen to ammonia are a specific focus of research, due to the potential to compete with Haber-Bosch and eliminate associated carbon dioxide emissions. However, limited progress has been made, as most electrocatalyst surfaces lack specificity towards nitrogen fixation. Lastly in this review, we discuss the progress of the field in developing a mechanistic understanding of nitrogenase-promoted and molecular catalyst-promoted ammonia synthesis and provide a review of the state-of-the-art and scientific needs for heterogeneous electrocatalysts.},
doi = {10.1038/s41929-018-0092-7},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1481881},
journal = {Nature Catalysis},
issn = {ISSN 2520-1158},
number = {7},
volume = {1},
place = {United States},
publisher = {Springer Nature},
year = {2018},
month = {07}}