Publication date: 21st July 2025
Ammonia (NH3) is indispensable for global food production and is increasingly considered a promising energy carrier due to its high volumetric energy density (4.32 kWh L⁻¹) and favorable storage properties. However, its conventional synthesis via the Haber-Bosch process (HBP) is energy-intensive, reliant on fossil fuels, and responsible for nearly 2% of global CO2 emissions. This calls for the development of sustainable, decentralized alternatives.
Electrochemical nitrogen (E-NRR) and nitrate (E-NO3RR) reduction reactions have emerged as promising routes for green ammonia production, leveraging renewable electricity and mild operating conditions. Notably, E-NO3RR offers the additional benefit of converting nitrate (a common pollutant in agricultural and industrial effluents into NH3, with increasing interest in real water applications. Despite their potential, both processes are currently limited by low selectivity, high overpotentials, and limited scalability, which are intrinsically linked to catalyst performance, electrolyte properties, and reactor design.
In this contribution, I will present the most recent advances achieved by our research group in the electrochemical conversion of nitrogenous species to ammonia. For E-NO3RR , we have developed catalytic systems and operating strategies that improve selectivity and efficiency, including studies with real wastewater matrices. Regarding E-NRR, our work includes the investigation of lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction, where ammonia is synthesized under ambient conditions via a chemically assisted electrochemical pathway. Across both approaches, particular emphasis will be placed on the role of electrolyte engineering, material stability, and performance benchmarking, aiming to bring these technologies closer to practical implementation.
This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 948769, project title: SuN2rise). The project was also supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 101107906.
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