Electrochemical synthesis of ammonia

A method comprising:

• providing a liquid electrolyte between an anode and a cathode, wherein the liquid electrolyte is not an aqueous solution;
• providing hydrogen gas to the anode;
• electrochemically oxidizing negatively charged nitrogen-containing species present in the electrolyte at the anode to form atomic nitrogen species;
• and
• reacting the hydrogen gas with the atomic nitrogen species to form ammonia, wherein the negatively charged nitrogen-containing species comprises an azide ion.

A method comprising:

• providing a molten salt electrolyte between an anode and a cathode;
• providing hydrogen gas to the anode;
• electrochemically oxidizing negatively charged nitrogen-containing species present in the electrolyte at the anode to form atomic nitrogen species;
• and
• reacting the hydrogen gas with the atomic nitrogen species to form ammonia.

A method comprising:

• providing an electrolyte comprising a salt dissolved in an organic solvent between an anode and a cathode;
• providing hydrogen gas to the anode;
• electrochemically oxidizing negatively charged nitrogen-containing species present in the electrolyte at the anode to form atomic nitrogen species;
• and
• reacting the hydrogen gas with the atomic nitrogen species to form ammonia.

A method comprising:

• providing a liquid electrolyte between an anode and a cathode, wherein the liquid electrolyte is not an aqueous solution;
• providing hydrogen gas to the anode;
• electrochemically oxidizing negatively charged nitrogen-containing species present in the electrolyte at the anode to form atomic nitrogen species;
• and
• reacting the hydrogen gas with the atomic nitrogen species to form ammonia, wherein the negatively charged nitrogen-containing species comprises a nitride ion.