The invention regards a method for electrochemical ammonia synthesis, comprising the steps of: providing at least one electrolysis cell; contacting the cathode with a source of lithium cations, nitrogen, and protons; and subjecting the cathode to a continuous pulsed cathode potential, including a pulsed cathodic current load, wherein the cathode potential is pulsed between the lithium reduction potential and a less negative cathode potential, whereby ammonia is synthesized.

The invention regards a method for electrochemical ammonia synthesis, comprising the steps of: providing at least one electrolysis cell; contacting the cathode with a source of lithium cations, nitrogen, and protons; and subjecting the cathode to a continuous pulsed cathode potential, including a pulsed cathodic current load, wherein the cathode potential is pulsed between the lithium reduction potential and a less negative cathode potential, whereby ammonia is synthesized.

An electrochemical reactor system adapted for producing a chemical product from a reactant includes (a) separate electrochemical and production cells and (b) a charge carrier compound in a catholyte adapted to effectively decouple the charging of the charge carrier compound in the electrochemical cell with the electrochemical conversion of a reactant to a desired chemical product in the production cell.

In one embodiment, a system includes a purification stage configured to purify an input gas stream prior to delivering the input gas stream to a reaction stage; and a collection stage configured to collect at least some ammonia from the reaction stage. The reaction stage is configured to reduce nitrogen into nitride; and convert at least some of the nitride into ammonia. In another embodiment, a separation membrane includes: an anode; a cathode electrically coupled to the anode; and a porous support material positioned between the anode and the cathode. The separation membrane is configured to reduce nitrogen into nitride; and facilitate hydrogenation of the nitride to form ammonia. In another embodiment, a method includes delivering an input gas stream comprising nitrogen to a separation membrane; reducing at least some of the nitrogen into nitride; and reacting at least some of the nitride with hydrogen-containing compound(s).

In one embodiment, a system includes a purification stage configured to purify an input gas stream prior to delivering the input gas stream to a reaction stage; and a collection stage configured to collect at least some ammonia from the reaction stage. The reaction stage is configured to reduce nitrogen into nitride; and convert at least some of the nitride into ammonia. In another embodiment, a separation membrane includes: an anode; a cathode electrically coupled to the anode; and a porous support material positioned between the anode and the cathode. The separation membrane is configured to reduce nitrogen into nitride; and facilitate hydrogenation of the nitride to form ammonia. In another embodiment, a method includes delivering an input gas stream comprising nitrogen to a separation membrane; reducing at least some of the nitrogen into nitride; and reacting at least some of the nitride with hydrogen-containing compound(s).

Systems and methods for electrochemical ammonia synthesis comprise electrolytes which have greater efficiency than water, thus leading to cost reductions; and/or cathode catalysts which have lower costs and higher efficiencies in comparison to the iron/nickel catalysts noted above. The electrolyte may be composed primarily of a combination of non-aqueous hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, with high nitrogen solubility and high conductivity. The cathode catalyst may be composed of either a manganese-doped oxide or carbonate material or a two-dimensional carbide or nitride material.

Systems and methods for electrochemical ammonia synthesis comprise electrolytes which have greater efficiency than water, thus leading to cost reductions; and/or cathode catalysts which have lower costs and higher efficiencies in comparison to the iron/nickel catalysts noted above. The electrolyte may be composed primarily of a combination of non-aqueous hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, with high nitrogen solubility and high conductivity. The cathode catalyst may be composed of either a manganese-doped oxide or carbonate material or a two-dimensional carbide or nitride material.

A copper nanocatalyst, a method for preparing the copper nanocatalyst, and an application of the copper nanocatalyst in the synthesis of acetate or ammonia are provided. The copper nanocatalyst includes a substrate and an active agent loaded on the substrate. The method includes: preparing a cleaning agent by using an ethanol and a deionized; immersing the active agent in the cleaning agent, ultrasonically cleaning for 5-10 min at a frequency of 4×10.sup.4 Hz-8×10.sup.4 Hz, and drying for later use; mixing the cleaned active agent and a conductive binder according to a mass ratio of 1:19-9:1 of the active agent to the conductive binder, adding the ethanol, and fully stirring and dispersing to obtain a slurry; coating the slurry on a surface of the carbon paper, and drying the carbon paper by blowing through nitrogen flow to obtain the catalyst.

A system for synthesizing ammonia includes a reactor including an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and an energy source arranged to deliver energy to one or more reactants receivable through the inlet portion of the reactor, and the energy source activatable to reduce nitrogen to ammonia in the presence of hydrogen, at least one hydrogen pump in fluid communication with the outlet portion of the reactor, each hydrogen pump including at least one electrochemical cell, and a recirculation circuit in fluid communication between the at least one hydrogen pump and the inlet portion of the reactor and configured to direct a respective hydrogen stream from each hydrogen pump to the inlet portion of the reactor.

A system for synthesizing ammonia includes a reactor including an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and an energy source arranged to deliver energy to one or more reactants receivable through the inlet portion of the reactor, and the energy source activatable to reduce nitrogen to ammonia in the presence of hydrogen, at least one hydrogen pump in fluid communication with the outlet portion of the reactor, each hydrogen pump including at least one electrochemical cell, and a recirculation circuit in fluid communication between the at least one hydrogen pump and the inlet portion of the reactor and configured to direct a respective hydrogen stream from each hydrogen pump to the inlet portion of the reactor.