Abstract

Ammonia is one of the most important inputs in the global chemical industry, used primarily in fertilizers and explosives. It is increasingly recognized as a potential energy carrier. Its production is dominated by the Haber-Bosch process, which requires high energy consumption and significant capital investment, and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, electrochemical pathways have become a possible sustainable alternative, as they operate under mild conditions and can be powered by renewable energy. However, the development of electrocatalysts that simultaneously achieve high selectivity, activity, and long-term stability remains a major challenge for this type of industry. Among emerging materials, graphene-derived carbon systems stand out for their high conductivity, large surface area, and tunable electronic properties, which can improve nitrogen adsorption and stabilization of potential reaction intermediates. This review summarizes the latest advances in the electrochemical synthesis of ammonia, with an emphasis on carbon-based electrocatalysts and their structure-performance relationships. Current challenges are analyzed, and future research directions are proposed to accelerate the development of environmentally friendly ammonia production strategies beyond the Haber-Bosch process. © 2025 The Chemical Society of Japan and Wiley-VCH GmbH.