The Potential of Molecular Electrocatalysis for Ammonia-to-Dinitrogen Conversion

Abstract

Electrochemical ammonia oxidation reaction (eAOR) regains interest due to ammonia being an interesting alternative to hydrogen for fuel cell technologies. In the present review, we first discuss some of the most important findings on eAOR with solid catalysts, including mechanistic and feasibility aspects for practical implementation. We then examine the reports on molecular catalysis of eAOR that have recently emerged. We finally discuss immobilization strategies of these molecular catalysts, and discuss intrinsic advantages of those strategies, so as to guide the design of efficient catalytic systems able to compete with heterogeneous, solid catalysts.