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-alpha (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 mu m was obtained after the bi-layer was co-sintered at 1400 degrees C for 5h. With Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-alpha, 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 x 10(-9) mol s(-1) cm(-2) was achieved with an imposed DC current 1 mA at 530 degrees C. The process based on a further optimized BCY15 membrane reactor may be a potential route for ammonia synthesis at atmospheric pressure. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.