Exploring proton conductivity in solid state electrolytes for efficient low-temperature electrochemical ammonia synthesis

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Doreen Mollenhauer; Dr. Daniel Siegmund; Professor Dr. Wolfgang Zeier
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 501491300

Solid state ammonia synthesis using proton conductors has been shown to be a promising approach for nitroconversion of N2 to NH3. However, so far only materials have been used that conduct at temperatures above 400°C and the operation temperature needs to be reduced significantly. Therefore, the goal of this proposal is to use superprotonic solid acids to perform solid state ammonia synthesis at much lower temperatures than currently used. By combining the expertise on solid ionic transport, electrocatalysis and theoretical chemistry this proposal and consortium seeks a better fundamental understanding of how proton conductivity relates to nitroconversion and how nitroconversion can be further improved using solid state ammonia synthesis

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 2370: Interlinking catalysts, mechanisms and reactor concepts for the conversion of dinitrogen by electrocatalytic, photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic methods (“Nitroconversion”)