Highly efficient electrocatalytic method of synthesising ammonia developed
Indian Scientists have developed a highly efficient method for electrochemical synthesis of ammonia that may be useful for the industrial preparation of the chemical. Traditional Haber-Bosch process of ammonia preparation utilizes huge energy in high temperature and high-pressure conditions for ammonia synthesis. Besides, the process also leads to emission of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Electrochemical ammonia synthesis, on the other hand is absolutely ambient and can be carried out at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Besides, it has a carbon-free approach and hence is a promising alternative to the famous century-old Haber−Bosch process. The major obstacle to this electrochemical process is the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction, occurring at the same voltage window as that of nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), which results in a low yield and Faradaic efficiency (F.E.) for ammonia synthesis. Scientists from INST led by Dr. Ramendra Sundar Dey have...