Preface to the special issue on electrocatalysis and electrosynthesis

Electrocatalytic production of ammonia from dinitrogen is considered as a sustainable alternative to the energy-demanding and pollutive Haber-Bosch process. A promising class materials for selective nitrogen reduction (NRR) corresponds transition-metal oxides given that these electrodes do not show high activity toward competing hydrogen evolution reaction. So far, density functional theory calculations have been used comprehend trends in by using concept scaling relations volcano plots. This thermodynamic pinpoints either formation *NNH adsorbate or are reconciled with potential-determining reaction steps. Thus, development NRR catalyst has largely focused on optimization two elementary processes. In present contribution, overpotential kinetic effects factored into plot over making use recently introduced descriptor Gmax(η). It illustrated picture too simplistic limiting step may alter close apex: there, particularly surface reactions govern rate. addition, it demonstrated how include hydrazine side plot, which importance weak binding catalysts where compete ammonia. Given outlined methodology this manuscript universal restricted oxides, presented contribute fixation.