Electrochemical oxidation of molecular nitrogen to nitric acid - towards a molecular level understanding of the challenges

Nitric acid is manufactured by oxidizing ammonia where the ammonia comes from an energy demanding and non-eco-friendly, Haber-Bosch process. Electrochemical oxidation of N-2 to nitric acid using renewable electricity could be a promising alternative to bypass the ammonia route. In this work, we discuss the plausible reaction mechanisms of electrochemical N-2 oxidation (N2OR) at the molecular level and its competition with the parasitic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). We suggest the design strategies for N-2 oxidation electro-catalysts by first comparing the performance of two catalysts - TiO2(110) (poor OER catalyst) and IrO2(110) (good OER catalyst), towards dinitrogen oxidation and then establish trends/scaling relations to correlate OER and N2OR activities. The challenges associated with electrochemical N2OR are highlighted.

Automated summary

This work discusses the possible reaction mechanisms of electrochemical N-2 oxidation (N2OR) and its competition with the parasitic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the molecular level. The author suggests design strategies for N-2 oxidation electro-catalysts by comparing the performance of two catalysts and establishes trends/scaling relations to correlate OER and N2OR activities. The challenges associated with electrochemical N2OR are highlighted.