Electrochemical oxidation of ammonia to nitrates

With half of the world’s population dependent on the synthesis of nitrogenous fertilisers for sufficient crop yields, sustainable technologies are needed for its production. Nitrogenous fertiliser production is based on the conversion of ammonia to nitrate. In this work, electrochemical systems for this conversion are investigated. With a particular focus on catalysts, investigations were conducted into a number of candidate materials. Of the materials tested, 4 were confirmed to be active for the production of nitrate from ammonia. Additionally, new insights were gained into the mechanisms governing this reaction, providing a solid foundation for future research conducted in this field.