Catalytic and electrocatalytic synthesis of NH 3 in a H + conducting cell by using an industrial Fe catalyst

Abstract

The catalytic and electrocatalytic synthesis of ammonia was studied in double-chamber and single-chamber proton conducting cells at 450–700 °C and at atmospheric total pressure. A Fe-based industrial catalyst was used as the working electrode. The kinetics of the catalytic reaction of ammonia synthesis were evaluated under open-circuit. An up to 80% increase in the reaction rate was observed when protons were electrochemically “pumped” to the Fe electrode. A weak NEMCA effect was observed with the Faradaic efficiency ( Λ) and the reaction rate enhancement ( ρ) remaining below 3.0 and 2.0, respectively.