Research progress on electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction catalysts for ammonia synthesis

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20200129

Abstract

Abstract:

Ammonia is an important chemical raw material in textiles, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and other fields. It is also a clean energy carrier with a large demand. At present, the industrial production of ammonia is mainly based on the Haber-Bosch method, which is running at strict reaction conditions with high energy consumption and high carbon emissions. Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a very promising method for ammonia synthesis at ambient temperature and pressure. Moreover, the working potential of electrocatalytic NRR is low and can be driven by electric power generated by clean energy sources. However, the current ammonia production rate and Faradaic efficiency of electrocatalytic NRR materials are low, the working stability is not high enough, the quantitative detection of trace ammonia in solution is difficult, and the detection standards are not uniform, which have brought great challenges to its development. In this review article, the electrocatalytic NRR mechanism and common research methods are firstly introduced, and then the latest research progress since 2019 on NRR catalytic materials are summarized. Finally, the challenges ahead and future perspectives in electrocatalytic NRR research are proposed.

Key words: electrochemistry, catalysis, catalyst, nitrogen reduction reaction, ammonia synthesis

摘要：

氨是纺织、制药、化肥等领域重要的化工原料，也是一种清洁的能源载体，需求量大。目前氨的工业生产主要为Haber-Bosch法，反应条件严苛，能源消耗大且碳排放较高。电催化氮气还原(NRR)合成氨是一种在常温常压下进行的反应，工作电位低，且电能可通过清洁能源提供，是一种很有潜力的合成氨新工艺。但目前电催化NRR材料的产氨速率和法拉第效率低、工作稳定性不够高、溶液中痕量氨的定量检测困难及检测标准不统一等都为其发展带来了巨大挑战。本文首先介绍了电催化NRR的反应机理和常用研究方法，然后重点梳理了2019年以来NRR催化材料的最新研究进展，最后对该领域研究面临的挑战和机遇进行了展望。

关键词: 电化学, 催化, 催化剂, 氮气还原反应, 合成氨

CLC Number:

O 643.36

Muyun ZHENG, Yuchi WAN, Ruitao LYU. Research progress on electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction catalysts for ammonia synthesis[J]. CIESC Journal, 2020, 71(6): 2481-2491.

郑沐云, 万宇驰, 吕瑞涛. 电催化氮气还原合成氨催化材料研究进展[J]. 化工学报, 2020, 71(6): 2481-2491.

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