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Roads less traveled: Nitrogen reduction reaction catalyst design strategies for improved selectivity

Journal Article · · Current Opinion in Electrochemistry
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
  2. Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Direct electrochemical nitrogen reduction for ammonia production is necessary to reduce the use of fossil fuels from conventional Haber–Bosch methods. Applications of nitrogen reduction electrocatalysts remain inhibited by slow reaction kinetics and low faradaic efficiencies because of competitive H2 production pathways. Current strategies to address this challenge in selectivity have focused on catalyst design, reactor configuration, and electrolyte conditions. This brief review discusses the thermodynamic and kinetic challenges in the field as well as current underused approaches for selective catalyst development including bimetallic catalysts, transition metal nitrides, and carbon supports.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
1770110
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1817281
Report Number(s):
LA-UR--20-25145
Journal Information:
Current Opinion in Electrochemistry, Journal Name: Current Opinion in Electrochemistry Vol. 28; ISSN 2451-9103
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Bimetallic catalysts
Energy Sciences
Nitrogen reduction reaction catalyst
Transition metal nitride catalystsl