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

Abstract

The strong nonpolar triple bond of nitrogen (NN) 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.