Ammonia synthesis at atmospheric pressure using a reactor with thin solid electrolyte BaCe0.85Y0.15O3−α membrane

A thin proton conduction electrolyte BaCe0.85Y0.15O3−α (BCY15) membrane was deposited on a porous green NiO–BCY15 substrate by a modified spin-coating method. The dense, crack-free electrolyte BCY15 layer with thickness of ca. 30 μm was obtained after the bi-layer was co-sintered at 1400 °C for 5 h. With Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−α as the cathode, a membrane reactor for ammonia synthesis at atmospheric pressure was assembled. The membrane reactor was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical AC impedance. The peak ammonia formation rate of about 4.1 × 10−9 mol s−1 cm−2 was achieved with an imposed DC current 1 mA at 530 °C. The process based on a further optimized BCY15 membrane reactor may be a potential route for ammonia synthesis at atmospheric pressure.