CHEMICAL AND ELECTROCHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION LABORATORY
Texas Tech University
Department of Chemical Engineering
Electrochemical Innovation for Process Intensification
AMMONIA ELECTROLYSIS & NITRTATE REDUCTION
Ammonia Electrolysis
OVERVIEW
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Performing the electrochemical ammonia electrolysis as a sustainable approach for wastewater treatment, and energy generation using bi-metal-based electrocatalysts, focusing on optimizing reaction conditions to improve activity, stability
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Electrochemical measurements (CV, CA) and product analysis (UV-vis, ion chromatography) is used to evaluate catalyst performance, determine Faradaic efficiency, and monitor long-term stability under alkaline conditions
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Ammonia Oxidation Reaction:
NH ​ + 3OH → 1 ⁄ 2​ N ​ + 3 ⁄ 2 ​H ​O + 3e
3
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2
2
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Nitrate Reduction
OVERVIEW
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The electrochemical nitrate reduction pathways is used for selective ammonia production, optimizing catalyst composition and electrolyte conditions to enhance Faradaic efficiency and nitrogen conversion rates
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Various electrochemical techniques (LSV, chronoamperometry) and analytical methods (UV-vis, ion chromatography) to quantify ammonia yield and evaluate catalyst performance under varying reaction conditions
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Nitrate Reduction to ammonia synthesis reaction:
NO ​ + 9H + 8e → NH + 3H ​O
3
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2
3
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+
Simultaneous NRR/AOR
OVERVIEW
Tandem Nitrate Reduction/Ammonia Oxidation Reactions
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The coupled electrochemical ammonia oxidation and nitrate reduction reactions as an integrated approach for nitrogen cycle management, targeting simultaneous ammonia removal and nitrate conversion to value-added products like nitrogen gas
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Optimized catalyst systems and reaction conditions to balance anodic ammonia oxidation and cathodic nitrate reduction, using electrochemical techniques (CV, CA) and analytical methods (UV-vis, ion chromatography) to evaluate conversion efficiency, product selectivity, and system stability
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Overall Reaction:
NH ​ + NO + H O → 2N ​ + 3OH
3
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2
3
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2