Anion-exchange-membrane-based electrochemical synthesis of ammonia as a carrier of hydrogen energy

With a 17.6 wt% hydrogen content, ammonia is a non-carbon-emitting, easy to store and transport, carrier of hydrogen energy. In this study, an anion-exchange-membrane-based (AEM-based) electrochemical cell was used to electrochemically synthesize ammonia from water and nitrogen under ambient conditions. The electrochemical cell was fabricated by attaching Pt/C to both sides of the AEM, and ammonia was generated by supplying nitrogen gas to the cathodic chamber of the cell. AC impedance and current-voltage (I–V) properties were analyzed in relation to the externally applied voltage, and ammonia-formation rates and faradaic efficiencies were determined. The maximum ammonia-formation rate was 1.96×10 −11 mol·s −1 ·cm −2 at an applied voltage of 2V, with a faradaic efficiency of 0.18%.