Article

A joint research team from POSTECH, KENTECH, and KAIST has significantly improved the efficiency of eco-friendly ammonia production technology. Ammonia, vital for fertilizers and fuels, is produced globally at around 200 million tons annually.

The conventional Haber-Bosch method emits about 1.4% of global carbon emissions due to its high temperature and pressure requirements. The team focused on the Li-mediated Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (Li-NRR), which synthesizes ammonia at lower temperatures and pressures but faced inefficiencies due to an unstable lithium electrode surface.

By adding a positively charged polymer to the electrolyte, they created a favorable environment for anions, enhancing reaction efficiency. Experimental results showed a Faradaic efficiency exceeding 90% and doubled ammonia production rates. This research, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, aims to advance commercialization of carbon-free ammonia production and was published in *ACS Energy Letters*.