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Updated: May 23, 2025

Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
Published on: January 22, 2015
Electrocatalytic Ammonia Oxidation Reaction: Selective Formation of Nitrite and Nitrate as Value-Added Products
Ieva A Cechanaviciute1, Wolfgang Schuhmann1
1Analytical Chemistry - Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780, Bochum, Germany.
Abstract:
Ammonia (NH3) plays a pivotal role as a hydrogen carrier, offering a carbon-free energy alternative for sustainable energy systems. The ammonia electrooxidation reaction (AmOR) emerges as a promising avenue to leverage NH₃ in energy conversion and environmental applications. This review explores the multifaceted importance of NH3 oxidation through three primary strategies: its integration into fuel cell technology for clean energy generation, its use in wastewater treatment for ammonia removal, and its application in electrolyzer setups for producing value-added products. Special emphasis is placed on oxidizing NH3 to nitrite (NO2 -) and nitrate (NO3 -) in electrolyzers as a potential alternative to the energy-intensive Ostwald process. The review highlights recent advances in catalyst development for efficient NO2 -/NO3 - synthesis, the influence of the pH on reaction selectivity, and various reported experimental AmOR solutions. By addressing these critical aspects, this work aims to underscore the potential of NH3 oxidation in electrolyzers for sustainable energy solutions. Potential future research directions and challenges are also discussed.
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