Issue 7, 2022

Recent advances in material design and reactor engineering for electrocatalytic ambient nitrogen fixation

Abstract

The strong nonpolar triple bond of nitrogen (N[triple bond, length as m-dash]N) is a big challenge in its fixation, which is an extremely important process to obtain essential chemicals and energy carriers. Accordingly, the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) to produce ammonia (NH3) using sustainable energy sources is considered a possible way to solve this problem. However, owing to the poor catalytic activity of materials, this approach for the production of NH3 is still far from meeting industrial requirements. In this article, the fundamentals of N2 fixation, recent progress in N2 fixation reactions, and different electrocatalysts, such as metal-based oxides, carbides, sulfides, and nitrides, single-atom catalysts, and carbonaceous catalysts, used in recent years are reviewed. Furthermore, challenges faced in the nitrogen fixation process and strategies to improve its efficiency are also highlighted.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in material design and reactor engineering for electrocatalytic ambient nitrogen fixation

Associated articles

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
15 Dec 2021
Accepted
07 Feb 2022
First published
23 Feb 2022

Mater. Chem. Front., 2022,6, 843-879

Recent advances in material design and reactor engineering for electrocatalytic ambient nitrogen fixation

T. Ali, N. Muhammad, Y. Qian, S. Liu, S. Wang, M. Wang, T. Qian and C. Yan, Mater. Chem. Front., 2022, 6, 843 DOI: 10.1039/D1QM01620B

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