Reversible Nitrogen Fixation Based on a Rechargeable Lithium-Nitrogen Battery for Energy Storage

Abstract

Based on a rechargeable lithium-nitrogen battery, an advanced strategy for reversible nitrogen fixation and energy conversion has been successfully implemented at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. It shows a promising nitrogen fixation faradic efficiency and superior cyclability. SUMMARYAlthough the availability of nitrogen (N 2 ) from the atmosphere for N 2 fixation is limitless, it is immensely challenging to artificially fix N 2 at ambient temperature and pressure given the element's chemical inertness and stability. In this article, as a proof-of-concept experiment, we report on the successful implementation of a reversible N 2 cycle based on a rechargeable lithium-nitrogen (Li-N 2 ) battery with the proposed reversible reaction of 6Li + N 2 ! 2Li 3 N. The assembled N 2 fixation battery system, consisting of a Li anode, ether-based electrolyte, and a carbon cloth cathode, shows a promising electrochemical faradic efficiency (59%). The unique properties of Li-N 2 rechargeable batteries not only provide promising candidates for N 2 fixation but also enable an advanced N 2 /Li 3 N cycle strategy for next-generation electrochemical energy-storage systems.

Surface Adsorption of Polyethylene Glycol to Suppress Dendrite Formation on Zinc Anodes in Rechargeable Aqueous Batteries

“…They allow energy to be stored and delivered on demand, mitigating the intermittency of renewable energies such as solar and wind . Of the myriad battery chemistries and configurations, rechargeable aqueous metal batteries are preferred for multiple reasons . Aqueous electrolytes have low levels of toxicity which allow them to be safer in both manufacturing and operation than their non‐aqueous counterparts .…”

Ammonia Synthesis Under Ambient Conditions: Selective Electroreduction of Dinitrogen to Ammonia on Black Phosphorus Nanosheets

“…under ambient conditions.D ensity functional theory calculations reveal that the active orbital and electrons of zigzag and diff-zigzag type edges of FL-BP NSs enable selective electrocatalysis of N 2 to NH 3 via an alternating hydrogenation pathway.T his work proves the feasibility of using an onmetallic simple substance as an itrogen-fixing catalyst and thus opening an ew avenue towardst he development of more efficient metal-free catalysts. [4][5][6] However,o wing to the strong dipole moment of the N N triple bond and the vigorous competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), [7][8][9][10][11] the development of highly effective catalysts with sufficient activity and selectivity is essential. [1] At present, the energyintensive Haber-Bosch process is the main artificial synthesis route for ammonia, and this process uses more than 1% of global annual energy consumption and produces carbon dioxide emissions.…”

An Amorphous Noble‐Metal‐Free Electrocatalyst that Enables Nitrogen Fixation under Ambient Conditions

“…[9,[11][12][13] Electrocatalytic N 2 reduction reaction (NRR) is emerging as an alternative technology for N 2 fixation at ambient conditions. [16,17] Until now,e fforts to optimize electrocatalytic NRR mainly center on screening catalysts that can activate dinitrogen with alleviated activation barriers. [16,17] Until now,e fforts to optimize electrocatalytic NRR mainly center on screening catalysts that can activate dinitrogen with alleviated activation barriers.…”