Energy and Resource Generation via Electrochemical Ammonia Oxidation: From Materials Design to System Integration
Mengdi Wang, Haotian Tan, Xiaoqing Liu, Xiao Yan, Ji Liang
Abstract
Abstract Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all life forms, rendering the nitrogen looping one of the most critical biogeochemical processes on Earth. However, global industrial and agricultural activities have severely disrupted natural nitrogen cycling, causing environmental impact and energy consumption through conventional processes such as the Haber–Bosch and Ostwald method. Addressing this imbalance requires innovative technologies that reconcile efficient nitrogen utilization with environmental sustainability. Electrochemical nitrogen transformation, especially the electrochemical oxidation of ammonia under mild conditions, has emerged as a promising solution, enabling the conversion of reactive nitrogen species into energy and valuable products while mitigating environmental impacts. This review comprehensively examines recent advances in ammonia‐centric nitrogen utilization technologies, focusing on their roles as: 1) carbon‐neutral energy vectors (ammonia fuel cells), 2) efficient hydrogen carriers (ammonia cracking), and 3) precursors for high‐value nitrogenous chemicals via controlled oxidation pathways under mild conditions. The full‐chain design framework, namely, from material innovations to practical system integration, is analyzed, while elucidating fundamental reaction mechanisms, performance benchmarks, and scale‐up methodologies. The review aims to provide a foundational reference for developing sustainable electrochemical solutions for establishing a nitrogen‐based and net‐zero energy/resource economics, and in the meantime, addressing the potential nitrogen pollution control and resource recovery.