Decoupling electron transfer and N2 activation in sodium-mediated cascade for ammonia synthesis

Abstract

In the May issue of Joule, Manthiram and co-workers report a sodium-naphthalene-titanium electrochemical cascade of nitrogen reduction for ammonia electrosynthesis at a rate of 475 nmol cm⁻¹ s⁻¹ and a Faradaic efficiency of 24%. This work provides a promising paradigm for developing efficient and low-cost metal-mediated ammonia reactors beyond lithium.