Electrochemical synthesis of ammonia from water and nitrogen using a Pt/GDC/Pt cell

Abstract

Electrochemical ammonia synthesis from water and nitrogen using a Pt/GDC/Pt cell was experimentally investigated. Electrochemical analysis and ammonia synthesis in the moisture-saturated nitrogen environment were performed under the operating temperature range 400∼600 °C and the applied potential range OCV (Open Circuit Voltage)-1.2 V. Even though the ammonia synthesis rate was augmented with the increase in the operating temperature (i.e. increase in the applied current) under the constant potential, the faradaic efficiency was decreased because of the limitation of dissociative chemisorption of nitrogen on the Pt electrode. The maximum synthesis rate of ammonia was 3.67×10 -11 mols-1cm-2 with 0.1% faradaic efficiency at 600 °C.