A method for electrochemical synthesis of ammonia gas comprising providing
an electrolyte between an anode and a cathode, providing hydrogen gas to
the anode, oxidizing negatively charged nitrogen-containing species
present in the electrolyte at the anode to form an adsorbed nitrogen
species, and reacting the hydrogen with the adsorbed nitrogen species to
form ammonia. Preferably, the hydrogen gas is provided to the anode by
passing the hydrogen gas through a porous anode substrate. It is also
preferred to produce the negatively charged nitrogen-containing species in
the electrolyte by reducing nitrogen gas at the cathode. However, the
negatively charged nitrogen-containing species may also be provided by
supplying a nitrogen-containing salt, such as lithium nitride, into the
molten salt electrolyte mixture in a sufficient amount to provide some or
all of the nitrogen consumed in the production of ammonia.
