AMMONIA FEEDSTOCK
AMMONIA FEEDSTOCKOur NiCo Electrode for Green Ammonia
Green ammonia synthesis via Haber-Bosch needs a steady supply of low-cost hydrogen. Our bifunctional NiCo electrode on Ni foam delivers 91.4% energy efficiency at 0.5 A/cm2 (60 deg C, AEM cell, commercial Zirfon separator) for the electrolyzer that feeds the synthesis loop.
Polarization (RT vs 60 °C)
TESTBEDIndustrial current density
In our 5 cm2 AEM test cell with the bifunctional NiCo electrode on both sides and a commercial Zirfon separator (500 um), 0.5 A/cm2 at 1.62 V (60 deg C, 91.4% efficiency). Ammonia-grade hydrogen capacity scales with current density.
Bifunctional, single SKU
The same coated NiCo electrode operates as HER cathode and OER anode at 80 mV and 260 mV overpotential (100 mA/cm2, 30 wt% KOH, no IR correction). One electrode SKU on both sides of every cell.
1000-hour stability proven
Continuous 1000-hour run with the bifunctional NiCo electrode on both sides and a commercial Zirfon separator at 0.5 A/cm2 and 40 deg C. Voltage degradation rate: 21 uV/hr.
Renewable-coupled operation
Validated under 9 days of solar-derived cycling and 100 hours of wind-derived cycling. Suitable for renewable-coupled ammonia plants that draw on intermittent power.
Hydrogen for green ammonia
Ammonia synthesis via the Haber-Bosch process combines nitrogen and hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure. The hydrogen feedstock is the largest input. Green ammonia replaces grey hydrogen (steam methane reforming) with electrolytic hydrogen produced from renewable electricity. The economics of the green ammonia plant depend on the electrolyzer's efficiency and durability.
Our bifunctional NiCo electrode on Ni foam (100 to 1000 cm2), produced by electroless deposition, operates as both HER cathode and OER anode at 80 mV and 260 mV overpotential at 100 mA/cm2 in 30 wt% KOH (no IR correction). At cell level, 0.5 A/cm2 is reached at 1.62 V at 60 deg C in an AEM cell with a commercial Zirfon separator (500 um).
0.5 A/cm2 @ 60 deg C
0.5 A/cm2 @ RT
1.0 A/cm2 @ 60 deg C
Cell-level numbers for ammonia hydrogen supply
In a 5 cm2 AEM cell with our bifunctional NiCo electrode on both sides and a commercial Zirfon separator, the cell logs 0.5 A/cm2 at 1.81 V at room temperature (82% energy efficiency) and 1.62 V at 60 deg C (91.4%). At 1.0 A/cm2, cell voltage measured 2.05 V at RT and 1.79 V at 60 deg C.
For a green ammonia developer sizing the hydrogen plant, the 91.4% efficiency point at 60 deg C is the most relevant operating point. The voltage-per-kg-H2 number rolls directly into the cost-per-tonne-NH3 model.
1000-hour stability at the operating point
Continuous 1000-hour chronopotentiometry was run with our bifunctional NiCo electrode on both sides and a commercial Zirfon separator (500 um) at 0.5 A/cm2 and 40 deg C in 30 wt% KOH. The cell voltage drifted by 21 uV/hr. Before/after linear-sweep curves differ by 30 mV at the 0.5 A/cm2 operating point.
For an ammonia plant operating around the clock to feed a continuous Haber-Bosch loop, durability of both the electrode and separator at constant load is a primary qualification metric.
Renewable-coupled validation matters for green ammonia
Renewable-coupled green ammonia plants face intermittency from solar and wind. Our bifunctional NiCo electrode was tested under PV-derived current schedules for 9 continuous days (peaks ~570 mA/cm2) and wind-derived current schedules for 100 hours (0 to 0.78 A/cm2). DeltaV after the 100-hour wind run was 20 mV at 0.5 A/cm2. No major changes were observed across the 9-day solar run.
PV-derived current profile
9 DAYSWind-derived current profile
100 HRHow to evaluate it for an ammonia hydrogen plant
Bench-scale qualification typically begins at 5 cm2 (matching our published test cell). Once cell-level numbers are reproduced, pilot cells in the 100 to 1000 cm2 range can be supplied for stack qualification. For ammonia developers running their own electrolyzer testbed, the published 1000-hour and 91.4%-efficiency baselines are the reference points to compare against.
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Frequently asked questions
Why use a bifunctional NiCo electrode for ammonia production?
Our bifunctional NiCo electrode operates as both HER cathode and OER anode at 80 mV and 260 mV overpotential at 100 mA/cm² in 30 wt% KOH (no IR correction). For ammonia production, using a single electrode SKU on both sides simplifies stack BOM and qualification.
What cell-level performance is published?
In a 5 cm² AEM cell with bifunctional NiCo electrode on both sides and a commercial Zirfon separator (500 µm) at zero-gap, the cell logs 0.5 A/cm² at 1.81 V at room temperature (82% efficiency) and 1.62 V at 60 °C (91.4%). At 1.0 A/cm²: 2.05 V at RT and 1.79 V at 60 °C.
What is the stability baseline?
Continuous 1000-hour chronopotentiometry at 0.5 A/cm² and 40 °C in 30 wt% KOH (bifunctional NiCo electrode on both sides, commercial Zirfon separator) showed voltage drift of 21 µV/hr. Before/after linear-sweep polarization curves differ by 30 mV at the operating point.
Is the electrode validated for renewable-coupled operation?
Yes. PV-irradiance-derived current schedules applied for 9 continuous days (peaks ~570 mA/cm²) and wind-variation-derived schedules for 100 hours (0 to 0.78 A/cm²) on the same cell. ΔV at 0.5 A/cm² before and after the 100-hour wind run: 20 mV.
What substrate sizes ship?
The bifunctional NiCo electrode is produced on Ni foam in the 100 to 1000 cm² size range. Bench-scale 5 cm² coupons matching the published test cell are also available so customers can reproduce numbers on their own rig before scaling up.
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