Advances in catalysts and reaction systems for electro/photocatalytic ammonia production
Shenshen Zheng1,2, Fengying Zhang1,2(), Yuman Jiang2, Tao Xu2, Han Li2, Heng Guo1,2, Ying Zhou1,2()
1. National Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China 2. School of New Energy and Materials, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Ammonia is a vital component in the fertilizer and chemical industries, as well as serving as a significant carrier of renewable hydrogen energy. Compared with the industry’s principal technique, the Haber-Bosch method, for ammonia synthesis, electro/photocatalytic ammonia synthesis is increasingly recognized as a viable and eco-friendly alternative. This method enables distributed small-scale deployment and can be powered by sustainable renewable energy sources. However, the efficiency of electro/photocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction is hindered by the challenges in activating the N≡N bond and nitrogen’s low solubility, thereby limiting its large-scale industrial applications. In this review, recent advancements in electro/photocatalytic nitrogen reduction are summarized, encompassing the complex reaction mechanisms, as well as the effective strategies for developing electro/photocatalytic catalysts and advanced reaction systems. Furthermore, the energy efficiency and economic analysis of electro/photocatalytic nitrogen fixation are deeply discussed. Finally, some unsolved challenges and potential opportunities are discussed for the future development of electro/photocatalytic ammonia synthesis.
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