Long-term continuous ammonia electrosynthesis. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38503346/)

These scientists wanted to find a better way to make ammonia, which is an important chemical used in fertilizer and fuel. They discovered that using a special type of liquid called a chain ether-based electrolyte can help make ammonia more efficiently and for a longer time.

In their study, the scientists used this special liquid instead of the usual one called tetrahydrofuran (THF), which can cause problems with making ammonia. The new liquid they used doesn't turn into a solid and has a high boiling point, which means it stays a liquid even when it gets hot. This helps in making sure the ammonia is released properly.

The scientists tested this new method in a special machine called a flow electrolyzer for 300 hours, and they found that it worked really well. They were able to make a lot of ammonia efficiently and with a high purity level. This study shows that the type of liquid used is very important in making ammonia for a long time.

Li S., Zhou Y., Fu X., Pedersen JB., Saccoccio M., Andersen SZ., Enemark-Rasmussen K., Kempen PJ., Damsgaard CD., Xu A., Sazinas R., Mygind JBV., Deissler NH., Kibsgaard J., Vesborg PCK., Norskov JK., Chorkendorff I. Long-term continuous ammonia electrosynthesis. Nature. 2024 Mar 19. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07276-5.