Performance of g-C3N4 and Pt/g-C3N4 Cathode Electrocatalyst in Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis

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Abstract

Electrochemical ammonia synthesis has been regarded as a promising alternative to the present Haber-Bosch process for ammonia production, and the development of efficient catalyst for N₂ reduction is key to the electrochemical method. In this research, g-C₃N₄ catalyst is prepared by the thermal polycondensation process, and Pt/g-C₃N₄ catalyst is obtained by reducing Pt onto g-C₃N₄ nanosheets with ethylene glycol. The phase composition and morphology of the two kinds of catalysts are characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and XPS. The catalytic performance of Pt/g-C₃N₄ and g-C₃N₄ in a polymer electrolyte membrane cell is studied using Nafion membranes in H⁺ or H⁺/NH₄⁺ form, respectively. While both Pt/g-C₃N₄ and g-C₃N₄ show certain activity towards ammonia synthesis from H₂ and N₂ gases under ambient temperature and pressure, Pt/g-C₃N₄ leads to higher ammonia yield under the same conditions. The yield of ammonia appears to be higher with the H⁺/NH₄⁺-form Nafion membrane, suggesting the presence of NH₄⁺ in the membrane, facilitates the electrochemical reduction of nitrogen.

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	Articles by authors
	Hu Hongwei
	Zhang Wen
	Wang Yuxin

Keywords： electrochemical synthesis of ammonia； carbon nitride； platinum； Nafion membrane； ambient temperature and pressure

Received 2016-04-28;

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Hu Hongwei, Zhang Wen, Wang Yuxin.Performance of g-C₃N₄ and Pt/g-C₃N₄ Cathode Electrocatalyst in Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis[J] Chemcial Industry and Engineering, 2018,V35(1): 22-28

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