Electrochemical Synthesis of Nitrite and Nitrate via Cathodic Oxygen Activation in Liquefied Ammonia
Moritz Krebs, Ferdi Schüth
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The electrochemical oxidation of ammonia (NH 3 ) enables decentralized small-scale synthesis of nitrate (NO 3 – ) and nitrite (NO 2 – ) under ambient conditions by directly utilizing renewable energy. Yet, their electrosynthesis has been restricted to aqueous media and low ammonia concentrations. For the first time, we demonstrate here a strategy enabling the direct electrooxidation of liquefied NH 3 to NO 3 – and NO 2 – by using molecular oxygen, achieving combined Faraday efficiencies above 40%.
Topics & Concepts
ChemistryNitriteCathodic protectionNitrateAmmoniaElectrochemistryInorganic chemistryOxygenOrganic chemistryElectrodePhysical chemistryAmmonia Synthesis and Nitrogen ReductionAdvanced Photocatalysis TechniquesElectrocatalysts for Energy Conversion