Topic: On the electrosynthesis of hydrogen and ammonia: challenges and new approaches

Lecturer: Prof. Alexandr N. Simonov, Monash University

Time: November 18th, 2025, 14:30, UTC+8

Venue: State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Silicate Materials Building, Conference Room 502

Biography: Professor Alexandr N. Simonov is a physical chemist specializing in (photo)electrochemistry and (photo)electrocatalysis. His research team aims to understand and design new, efficient methods for utilizing renewable electricity in sustainable energy and chemical technologies. His main research interests include developing materials, electrode structures, and electrolytic devices for hydrogen production via water splitting (including seawater splitting), etc. He has collaborated with industry partners in Australia and Germany on multiple projects focused on developing new, cost-effective water electrolysers. He is also a co-founder of Jupiter Ionics Pty Ltd., a company dedicated to commercializing Monash University’s renewable ammonia and fertilizer production technologies.

Abstract: Hydrogen and ammonia are important bulk chemicals and key components of future carbon-free energy carriers. Achieving renewable electrosynthesis using water and nitrogen as feedstocks requires efficient electrochemical methods. Despite extensive research on water electrolysis, cost barriers remain; ammonia electrosynthesis is still immature, facing challenges such as selectivity, yield, and energy efficiency. Our research is committed to reducing the cost of hydrogen production and investigating the nitrogen reduction mechanism using in-situ spectroscopic techniques to overcome key bottlenecks in ammonia electrosynthesis.

Rewritten by: Lin Qiaochu

Edited by: Li Huihui, Li Tiantian

Source: State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures