Proton Conductivity in Solid-State Electrolytes for Advanced Low-Temperature Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis – Phase II

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Doreen Mollenhauer; Dr. Daniel Siegmund; Professor Dr. Wolfgang Zeier
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 501491300

This research aims to advance sustainable ammonia production by developing a flexible electrochemical platform for nitrogen fixation at moderate temperatures. It integrates advanced superprotonic conductors with tailored electrocatalysts in optimized cell architectures to enable direct N₂ and NOx reduction within a single modular system. The project combines material development, cell engineering, and theoretical modeling to create a scalable and robust process that overcomes current limitations in ammonia synthesis. Beyond improving ammonia production, the work will yield valuable insights into material integration, interface behavior, and reaction mechanisms, fostering progress in energy conversion and sustainable resource use.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 2370: Interlinking catalysts, mechanisms and reactor concepts for the conversion of dinitrogen by electrocatalytic, photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic methods (“Nitroconversion”)