View in EDS HTML Full Text PDF Full Text

Enhanced Li-ion diffusion improves N2-to-NH3 current efficiency at 100 mA cm−2.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Enhanced Li-ion diffusion improves N2-to-NH3 current efficiency at 100 mA cm−2.
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]
Copyright of Science is the property of American Association for the Advancement of Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Full text is not displayed to guests.
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 1
Header DbId: pbh
DbLabel: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
An: 191520761
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Enhanced Li-ion diffusion improves N<subscript>2</subscript>-to-NH<subscript>3</subscript> current efficiency at 100 mA cm<superscript>−2</superscript>.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zhang%2C+Qiang%22">Zhang, Qiang</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Li%2C+Huamin%22">Li, Huamin</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yu%2C+Peiping%22">Yu, Peiping</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Liu%2C+Pengyu%22">Liu, Pengyu</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sun%2C+Ning%22">Sun, Ning</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wang%2C+Yiyan%22">Wang, Yiyan</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tu%2C+Chunlai%22">Tu, Chunlai</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Liu%2C+Yiping%22">Liu, Yiping</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wang%2C+Yan%22">Wang, Yan</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yue%2C+Xinyang%22">Yue, Xinyang</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ma%2C+Linlin%22">Ma, Linlin</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wen%2C+Wen%22">Wen, Wen</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Xu%2C+Jinyang%22">Xu, Jinyang</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Liang%2C+Zhaofeng%22">Liang, Zhaofeng</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ma%2C+Jingyuan%22">Ma, Jingyuan</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Song%2C+Fei%22">Song, Fei</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Liang%2C+Zheng%22">Liang, Zheng</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sun%2C+Hao%22">Sun, Hao</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ling%2C+Daishun%22">Ling, Daishun</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Liang%2C+Hongyan%22">Liang, Hongyan</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Science%22">Science</searchLink>. 2/12/2026, Vol. 391 Issue 6786, p724-729. 6p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ammonia%22">Ammonia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electrolytes%22">Electrolytes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electrochemical+electrodes%22">Electrochemical electrodes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electrode+efficiency%22">Electrode efficiency</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: 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]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Science is the property of American Association for the Advancement of Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=191520761
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1126/science.adw5462
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 6
        StartPage: 724
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Ammonia
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Electrolytes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Electrochemical electrodes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Electrode efficiency
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Enhanced Li-ion diffusion improves N2-to-NH3 current efficiency at 100 mA cm−2.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Zhang, Qiang
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Li, Huamin
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Yu, Peiping
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Liu, Pengyu
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Sun, Ning
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Wang, Yiyan
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Tu, Chunlai
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Liu, Yiping
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Wang, Yan
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Yue, Xinyang
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Ma, Linlin
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Wen, Wen
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Xu, Jinyang
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Liang, Zhaofeng
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Ma, Jingyuan
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Song, Fei
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Liang, Zheng
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Sun, Hao
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Ling, Daishun
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Liang, Hongyan
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 12
              M: 02
              Text: 2/12/2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 00368075
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 391
            – Type: issue
              Value: 6786
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Science
              Type: main
ResultId 1