However, selective ENRR catalysts remain lacking. Distributed and modular ammonia synthesis via the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) at or close to ambient conditions, powered by renewable electricity is an attractive alternative because it allows as needed production of ammonia, and in turn fertilizers. Despite more than a century of optimization, the Haber-Bosch process remains energy intensive and reliant on fossil fuels and produces large amounts of CO 2.

« lessĪmmonia synthesis via the Haber-Bosch process is a pillar of modern agriculture, which converts the abundant but inert dinitrogen in the atmosphere to nitrogen-based fertilizers. This is particularly attractive given the interest in direct hydrazine fuel cells. 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 = synthesis processes) and direct synthesis from atmospheric nitrogen could, in principle, be more energy-efficient. However, limited progress has been made, as most electrocatalyst surfaces lack specificity towards nitrogen fixation. 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. The transition to Haber-Bosch alternatives through robust, heterogeneous catalyst surfaces remains an unsolved research challenge. 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. Extensive research in molecular catalysis has demonstrated ammonia production from di-nitrogen, albeit at low production rates.

We present the production of synthetic ammonia remains dependent on the energy- and capital-intensive Haber-Bosch process.

Make ammonia equation