@article{Liu2026, 
author = {Peng-Bo Liu and Sheng-Liang Zhai and Ji Huang and Zhong-Shuo Zhang and Jie Zeng and Shao-Feng Li},
title = {Water-Driven Solid Electrolyte Interphase Governs Continuous-Flow Ammonia Electrosynthesis},
year = {2026},
journal = {Journal of Electrochemistry},
volume = {32},
number = {4},
keywords = {Water, Solid electrolyte interphase, Continuous-flow cell, Lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction, Ammonia synthesis},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.61558/2993-074X.3605},
doi = {10.61558/2993-074X.3605},
abstract = {Flow-cell architectures have emerged as a powerful platform for continuous and stable lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction (Li-NRR), enabling ambient-condition electrochemical ammonia synthesis and offering a promising alternative to Haber-Bosch processes. However, Li-NRR is exceptionally sensitive to trace water, and even minor variations in water content can profoundly alter interfacial chemistry. Here, we systematically investigate how initial water concentration affects Li-NRR performance in a continuous-flow cell. Excess water drives the formation of a thick solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, which may impede nitrogen access to metallic lithium and hinder lithium-ion transport. As a result, the ammonia Faradaic efficiency collapses from ~61% to ~3%. These findings reveal the decisive, previously underappreciated role of water in governing SEI evolution and highlight the necessity of precise water control for achieving stable, high-efficiency continuous-flow Li-NRR.}
}