4.8 Article

Co-designing Electrocatalytic Systems with Separations To Improve the Sustainability of Reactive Nitrogen Management

Journal

ACS CATALYSIS
Volume 13, Issue 9, Pages 6268-6279

Publisher

AMER CHEMICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c00933

Keywords

electrocatalysis; nutrient removal; reactive nitrogen; reactive separations; resource recovery; nitrogen cycle

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Humans have changed the nitrogen cycle, producing nitrogen commodities while releasing nitrogen contaminants into the environment. These contaminants pose a threat to human and environmental health, but nitrogen commodities are essential for a good quality of life. A possible solution to this global challenge is the removal and recovery of nitrogen contaminants as commodities, which has gained attention from the fields of electrocatalysis and separations. In this perspective, the authors propose the co-design of nitrogen separations and electrocatalytic technologies to address the gaps in understanding and develop tailored technology for nitrogen management challenges. The ultimate goal is to transition to a circular nitrogen economy for a food-safe and environmentally friendly future.
Humans have altered the nitrogen cycle to produce nitrogen commodities like fertilizers and chemicals while releasing anthropogenic reactive nitrogen (Nr) contaminants into the environment. These contaminants endanger human and environmental health, but nitrogen commodities are necessary for quality of life. One approach to solving this global challenge is to remove and recover Nr contaminants as commodities; this approach has caught the attention of the electrocatalysis and separations communities alike. In this perspective we propose co-design, or the integration of typically disparate Nr separations and electrocatalytic technologies. We consider real Nr contaminant waste streams and Nr commodity purity requirements. Considering these criteria in electrocatalytic system design reveals fundamental gaps in understanding as well as opportunity for developing co-designed technology that is uniquely tailored to address a challenge in nitrogen management. We focus on three representative challenges in nitrogen management (nitrate, nitrogen oxides, and nitrous oxide), identify their sources and conditions, highlight accomplishments in the fields of electrocatalysis and separations, and explore ways to address each challenge with a co-design approach. We note that this approach will benefit from advancements in related fields such as nitrogen sensing and environmental policy, especially because transformative solutions for the nitrogen challenge lie at the confluence of multiple fields. The final goal is to transition to a circular nitrogen economy that secures a food-safe, environmentally friendly future.

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