Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 102253 |
| Number of pages | 46 |
| Journal | Applied Materials Today |
| Volume | 39 |
| Early online date | 8 Jun 2024 |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2024 |
Abstract
The photo/electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), which enables NH3 synthesis in ambient circumstances, could replace the Haber-Bosch process (HB) and provide a solution for green nitrogen fixation. However, the extremely high chemical stability of N[tbnd]N bonds and the competition from the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) significantly restrict the improvement of NRR activity. Thus, the advancement of photocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts is crucial to the success of nitrogen photoreduction. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the foundations of nitrogen reduction procedures as well as the obstacles preventing catalyst advancement. As a result, one of the most active areas of research in the science of catalysis has always been the hunt for effective catalysts that can convert N2 to NH3 under benign conditions and with minimal energy input. Researchers have enhanced the catalytic sites of photocatalysts and located appropriate supporting materials to activate N2 molecules, which significantly increases the efficiency of photo/electrocatalytic N2 synthesis of ammonia. This review summarizes and compares several approaches used to synthesize ammonia. Secondly, the heterogeneous catalyst mechanism for the NRR was discussed. Then, several photo/electrocatalytic materials that were developed and designed for NRR including oxides, sulfides, transition metal carbides, and transition metal nitrides were surveyed. After that, kinetic and thermodynamics regulations for enhancing the NRR selectivity and faradaic efficiency of the NRR were discussed in more detail. Finally, by fusing theoretical predictions with experiment findings, this study provides useful direction for the rational design of photocatalysts and electrocatalysts for NRR. We are hoping that this review may pique more people's curiosity about the still-under-researched but exciting topic of NRR.
Keywords
- Ammonia synthesis, Heterogeneous catalyst, Kinetic and thermodynamics regulations, Photo-electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction
ASJC Scopus subject areas
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In: Applied Materials Today, Vol. 39, 102253, 08.2024.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - A recent review on photochemical and electrochemical nitrogen reduction to ammonia
T2 - Strategies to improve NRR selectivity and faradaic efficiency
AU - Ismael, Mohammed
AU - Wark, Michael
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s)
PY - 2024/8
Y1 - 2024/8
N2 - The photo/electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), which enables NH3 synthesis in ambient circumstances, could replace the Haber-Bosch process (HB) and provide a solution for green nitrogen fixation. However, the extremely high chemical stability of N[tbnd]N bonds and the competition from the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) significantly restrict the improvement of NRR activity. Thus, the advancement of photocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts is crucial to the success of nitrogen photoreduction. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the foundations of nitrogen reduction procedures as well as the obstacles preventing catalyst advancement. As a result, one of the most active areas of research in the science of catalysis has always been the hunt for effective catalysts that can convert N2 to NH3 under benign conditions and with minimal energy input. Researchers have enhanced the catalytic sites of photocatalysts and located appropriate supporting materials to activate N2 molecules, which significantly increases the efficiency of photo/electrocatalytic N2 synthesis of ammonia. This review summarizes and compares several approaches used to synthesize ammonia. Secondly, the heterogeneous catalyst mechanism for the NRR was discussed. Then, several photo/electrocatalytic materials that were developed and designed for NRR including oxides, sulfides, transition metal carbides, and transition metal nitrides were surveyed. After that, kinetic and thermodynamics regulations for enhancing the NRR selectivity and faradaic efficiency of the NRR were discussed in more detail. Finally, by fusing theoretical predictions with experiment findings, this study provides useful direction for the rational design of photocatalysts and electrocatalysts for NRR. We are hoping that this review may pique more people's curiosity about the still-under-researched but exciting topic of NRR.
AB - The photo/electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), which enables NH3 synthesis in ambient circumstances, could replace the Haber-Bosch process (HB) and provide a solution for green nitrogen fixation. However, the extremely high chemical stability of N[tbnd]N bonds and the competition from the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) significantly restrict the improvement of NRR activity. Thus, the advancement of photocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts is crucial to the success of nitrogen photoreduction. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the foundations of nitrogen reduction procedures as well as the obstacles preventing catalyst advancement. As a result, one of the most active areas of research in the science of catalysis has always been the hunt for effective catalysts that can convert N2 to NH3 under benign conditions and with minimal energy input. Researchers have enhanced the catalytic sites of photocatalysts and located appropriate supporting materials to activate N2 molecules, which significantly increases the efficiency of photo/electrocatalytic N2 synthesis of ammonia. This review summarizes and compares several approaches used to synthesize ammonia. Secondly, the heterogeneous catalyst mechanism for the NRR was discussed. Then, several photo/electrocatalytic materials that were developed and designed for NRR including oxides, sulfides, transition metal carbides, and transition metal nitrides were surveyed. After that, kinetic and thermodynamics regulations for enhancing the NRR selectivity and faradaic efficiency of the NRR were discussed in more detail. Finally, by fusing theoretical predictions with experiment findings, this study provides useful direction for the rational design of photocatalysts and electrocatalysts for NRR. We are hoping that this review may pique more people's curiosity about the still-under-researched but exciting topic of NRR.
KW - Ammonia synthesis
KW - Heterogeneous catalyst
KW - Kinetic and thermodynamics regulations
KW - Photo-electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85195254030&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.apmt.2024.102253
DO - 10.1016/j.apmt.2024.102253
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85195254030
VL - 39
JO - Applied Materials Today
JF - Applied Materials Today
M1 - 102253
ER -