A high-efficiency electrochemical proton-conducting membrane reactor for ammonia production at intermediate temperatures

Ammonia is a ubiquitous chemical raw material and hydrogen carrier with a wide range of industrial applications, which is mainly derived from the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. Herein, a high-efficiency ammonia synthesis technology through an excellent CO2-tolerant La5.5WO11.25 d (LWO) membrane reactor has been developed to improve electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction performance by coupling with hydrogen purification at intermediate temperatures. From molecular hydrogen, the produced protons can be supplied in situ for ammonia synthesis by nitrogen hydrogenation. As a result, the superior ammonia synthesis performance with the highest Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 43.8% and corresponding ammonia rate of 231.1 mg h-1 cm -2 is achieved at 2,500 mA cm -2 at 350 & DEG;C. This promising electrochemical membrane reactor for ammonia production at intermediate temperatures provides a feasible direction to promote the development of the ammonia synthesis industry.

Automated summary

A high-efficiency ammonia synthesis technology has been developed using a CO2-tolerant La5.5WO11.25 d (LWO) membrane reactor, which improves the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction performance by coupling with hydrogen purification at intermediate temperatures. The produced protons from molecular hydrogen can be used for in situ ammonia synthesis through nitrogen hydrogenation. This promising electrochemical membrane reactor achieves superior ammonia synthesis performance with the highest Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 43.8% and corresponding ammonia rate of 231.1 mg h-1 cm -2 at 350°C. It provides a feasible direction to promote the development of the ammonia synthesis industry.