Near ambient N2 fixation on solid electrodes versus enzymes and homogeneous catalysts

Olivia Westhead; Jesús Barrio; Alexander Bagger; James W Murray; Jan Rossmeisl; Maria-Magdalena Titirici; Rhodri Jervis; Andrea Fantuzzi; Andrew Ashley; Ifan E L Stephens

doi:10.1038/s41570-023-00462-5

Near ambient N₂ fixation on solid electrodes versus enzymes and homogeneous catalysts

Nat Rev Chem. 2023 Mar;7(3):184-201. doi: 10.1038/s41570-023-00462-5. Epub 2023 Feb 1.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, UK.
² Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
³ Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
⁴ Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.
⁵ Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.
⁶ Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK. a.fantuzzi@imperial.ac.uk.
⁷ Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, UK. a.ashley@imperial.ac.uk.
⁸ Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, UK. i.stephens@imperial.ac.uk.

PMID: 37117902
DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00462-5

Abstract

The Mo/Fe nitrogenase enzyme is unique in its ability to efficiently reduce dinitrogen to ammonia at atmospheric pressures and room temperature. Should an artificial electrolytic device achieve the same feat, it would revolutionize fertilizer production and even provide an energy-dense, truly carbon-free fuel. This Review provides a coherent comparison of recent progress made in dinitrogen fixation on solid electrodes, homogeneous catalysts and nitrogenases. Specific emphasis is placed on systems for which there is unequivocal evidence that dinitrogen reduction has taken place. By establishing the cross-cutting themes and synergies between these systems, we identify viable avenues for future research.

Publication types

Review