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.
- This article is part of the themed collection: 2022 Materials Chemistry Frontiers Review-type Articles