Indirect electrosynthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and water by a magnesium chloride cycle at atmospheric pressure

Summary Artificial N2 fixation is one of the most important industrial processes for human beings. However, current Haber-Bosch process based on fossil fuel suffers from unsustainability and a low to NH3 conversion. Here, we report magnesium chloride cycle synthesis H2O at atmospheric pressure. In this cycle, reacts with Mg form Mg3N2. Cl2 are produced by electrolysis molten MgCl2. NH4Cl used hydrogenolyze Mg3N2 produce NH3, anhydrous MgCl2 being regenerated. The closed via reverse Deacon reaction convert HCl, which captured as recyclable NH3. This indirect electrosynthesis produces an industry-acceptable rate zero CO2 emission, coulombic efficiency >92%, energy consumption ∼14.1 kWh/kg-NH3.