Enhanced Li-ion diffusion improves N2-to-NH3 current efficiency at 100 mA cm−2.
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| Title: | Enhanced Li-ion diffusion improves N |
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| Authors: | Zhang, Qiang (AUTHOR), Li, Huamin (AUTHOR), Yu, Peiping (AUTHOR), Liu, Pengyu (AUTHOR), Sun, Ning (AUTHOR), Wang, Yiyan (AUTHOR), Tu, Chunlai (AUTHOR), Liu, Yiping (AUTHOR), Wang, Yan (AUTHOR), Yue, Xinyang (AUTHOR), Ma, Linlin (AUTHOR), Wen, Wen (AUTHOR), Xu, Jinyang (AUTHOR), Liang, Zhaofeng (AUTHOR), Ma, Jingyuan (AUTHOR), Song, Fei (AUTHOR), Liang, Zheng (AUTHOR), Sun, Hao (AUTHOR), Ling, Daishun (AUTHOR), Liang, Hongyan (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Science. 2/12/2026, Vol. 391 Issue 6786, p724-729. 6p. |
| Subjects: | Ammonia, Electrolytes, Electrochemical electrodes, Electrode efficiency |
| Abstract: | Electrochemical lithium (Li)–mediated nitrogen (N2) reduction could enable production of ammonia (NH3) at ambient temperatures and pressures, offering a route to reduce carbon emissions in the chemical sector. However, NH3 productivity is often limited by sluggish Li-ion desolvation and diffusion at the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Here, we present a concerted desolvation:diffusion layered SEI architecture that provides abundant Li-ion flux for efficient N2 conversion toward NH3 production at high current densities. The SEI comprises stacked inorganic layers with low ion-binding affinity and high ion-conductivity functionalities that increase Li-ion flux by two orders of magnitude. This design strategy achieved N2 electroreduction in a 2 M lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate electrolyte with a Faradaic efficiency of 98% and an energy efficiency of 21% for NH3 production at 100 milliamperes per square centimeter (mA cm−2). The system sustained an 80% Faradaic efficiency over 40 hours, after which performance declined. Editor's summary: The Haber-Bosch process revolutionized fertilizer production a century ago and is still the predominant source of synthetic ammonia. However, it requires demanding conditions, and chemists continue to search for methods that operate closer to room temperature and pressure. One promising direction involves electrochemical reduction of dissolved lithium ions, which can in turn reduce nitrogen. Zhang et al. report an optimization of the solid electrolyte interphase design to enhance lithium ion flux in this process, thereby improving overall performance at current densities of 100 milliamperes per square centimeter (see the Perspective by Ampelli). —Jake S. Yeston [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Electrochemical lithium (Li)–mediated nitrogen (N2) reduction could enable production of ammonia (NH3) at ambient temperatures and pressures, offering a route to reduce carbon emissions in the chemical sector. However, NH3 productivity is often limited by sluggish Li-ion desolvation and diffusion at the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Here, we present a concerted desolvation:diffusion layered SEI architecture that provides abundant Li-ion flux for efficient N2 conversion toward NH3 production at high current densities. The SEI comprises stacked inorganic layers with low ion-binding affinity and high ion-conductivity functionalities that increase Li-ion flux by two orders of magnitude. This design strategy achieved N2 electroreduction in a 2 M lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate electrolyte with a Faradaic efficiency of 98% and an energy efficiency of 21% for NH3 production at 100 milliamperes per square centimeter (mA cm−2). The system sustained an 80% Faradaic efficiency over 40 hours, after which performance declined. Editor's summary: The Haber-Bosch process revolutionized fertilizer production a century ago and is still the predominant source of synthetic ammonia. However, it requires demanding conditions, and chemists continue to search for methods that operate closer to room temperature and pressure. One promising direction involves electrochemical reduction of dissolved lithium ions, which can in turn reduce nitrogen. Zhang et al. report an optimization of the solid electrolyte interphase design to enhance lithium ion flux in this process, thereby improving overall performance at current densities of 100 milliamperes per square centimeter (see the Perspective by Ampelli). —Jake S. Yeston [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00368075 |
| DOI: | 10.1126/science.adw5462 |
