A method for the anodic electrochemical synthesis of ammonia gas. The
method comprises providing an electrolyte between an anode and a cathode,
providing nitrogen and hydrogen gases to the cathode, oxidizing
negatively charged nitrogen-containing species and negatively charged
hydrogen-containing species present in the electrolyte at the anode to
form adsorbed nitrogen species and adsorbed hydrogen species,
respectively, and reacting the adsorbed nitrogen species with the
adsorbed hydrogen species to form ammonia. Nitrogen and hydrogen gases
may be provided through a porous cathode substrate. The negatively
charged nitrogen-containing species in the electrolyte may be produced by
reducing nitrogen gas at the cathode and/or by supplying a
nitrogen-containing salt, such as lithium nitride, into the molten salt
electrolyte. Similarly, the negatively charged hydrogen-containing
species in the electrolyte may be produced by reducing hydrogen gas at
the cathode and/or by supplying a hydrogen-containing salt, such as
lithium hydride, into the molten salt electrolyte.