Raising the temperature of electrocatalytic NH3 synthesis with H-permeable Ni electrodes makes production higher, more stable and more efficient, reports ChemSusChem.

Ammonia (NH₃) is the basis for nitrogen-based fertilisers, of which 180 million tonnes are produced annually. Efficient synthesis is therefore essential. While the Haber-Bosch process is currently the most widely used, researchers are now looking for alternative methods without fossil fuels. Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrogen gas is one such alternative, but so far it has not been efficient enough because, among other things, the catalyst is fouled by NO_x. Davide Ripepi, Herman Schreuders and Fokko Mulder from Delft University of Technology have developed an improved method that is much more efficient.