Lithium-mediated electrochemical ammonia synthesis

Abstract

In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to methods for the electrochemical production of NHfrom nitrogen gas and a hydrogen-containing molecule in an electrochemical cell that comprises a cathode, an anode and a lithium-ion-containing electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. The electrochemical cell is operated under conditions such that lithium ions in the electrolyte are converted to lithium metal at the cathode, the lithium metal reacting with nitrogen gas to form LiN, and the LiN reacting with protons in a proton donor to form NH, lithium ions and a deprotonated proton donor. Moreover, the proton donor has a Kamlet-Taft alpha parameter (α) greater than 0.7 and a Kamlet-Taft beta parameter (β) greater than 0.5. Other aspects of the present disclosure pertain to systems for electrochemical production of NH.