(4dv) Electrochemical Nitrogen Fixation: Innovative Pathways to Sustainable Ammonia and Urea Production

This research explores innovative electrochemical methods for nitrogen fixation aimed at sustainable production of ammonia and urea. Traditional ammonia synthesis via the Haber-Bosch process is associated with significant carbon emissions. By contrast, electrochemical techniques offer a greener alternative, leveraging renewable electricity to drive reactions under ambient conditions. Our primary focus is the synthesis of ammonia and urea from nitrogen and industry waste products like CO₂ and nitrates. Employing diverse metal-based catalysts and various electrode configurations, we achieved promising results in green urea synthesis. Additionally, we investigated lithium-mediated ammonia synthesis from nitrogen under high pressure, addressing the challenges of nitrogen availability and solubility. This work extends to exploring alternative metals such as calcium and magnesium to mitigate economic and resource limitations associated with lithium. Our findings demonstrate the potential of electrochemical pathways to revolutionize fertilizer production, significantly reducing the carbon footprint and contributing to global sustainability efforts.

Research Interests

My research interests include further exploration of LiMAS, CaMAS (calcium-mediated ammonia synthesis), and MgMAS (magnesium-mediated ammonia synthesis) to overcome their limitations and enhance their industrial applicability, aiming to replace the Haber-Bosch process. Additionally, the emerging field of electrochemical carbon capture intrigues me.