New catalyst offers higher yield and reduced energy consumption to transform ammonia synthesis in the chemical industry
Representing a significant step towards more sustainable industrial processes, a team of researchers from Khalifa University and the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar has developed a novel catalyst designed to revolutionize the production of ammonia.
Ammonia is a crucial component for fertilizers and a promising carbon-free fuel. The Center of Catalysis and Separations (CeCaS) researchers published their innovative approach in, a top 1% journal. Safa Gaber, Dr. Kayaramkodath Chandran Ranjeesh and Dr. Dinesh Shetty leveraged a covalent organic framework (COF) to efficiently couple two electrochemical reactions, achieving new highs in efficiency and yield.
Ammonia is a cornerstone of modern agriculture, essential for the fertilizers that support global food production. It also holds potential as a clean fuel. However, the current method of producing ammonia, the Haber-Bosch process, is highly energy-intensive and accounts for over 2% of annual global CO2 emissions. This has prompted research into greener alternatives, with electrochemical methods emerging as a promising solution.
While the nitrogen reduction reaction has been explored, it presents significant challenges of its own. The KU and IIT research team shifted their focus to the nitrate reduction reaction, which offers higher feasibility due to the greater solubility of nitrate ions and their lower bond dissociation energy. Plus, nitrate is a prevalent pollutant in agricultural runoff, meaning their method offers the additional benefit of pollution remediation.
The team developed a bifunctional catalyst that integrates ruthenium nanoclusters within a covalent organic framework. This design allows precise control over the diffusion of nitrate and protons, resulting in a highly selective and efficient conversion of nitrate to ammonia.
The researchers also coupled the glucose oxidation reaction at the anode of the catalyst, replacing the traditional oxygen evolution reaction. The glucose oxidation reaction requires less energy, significantly reducing the overall energy consumption of the ammonia synthesis process. It also produces valuable by-products such as gluconic and glucaric acids that can be used in other industries.
The novel catalyst achieved a 2.5 times higher ammonia yield rate compared to traditional catalysts, marking a significant step towards sustainable ammonia production. By addressing both pollution and energy efficiency, the bifunctional COF catalyst offers a practical solution for greener industrial processes.
Jade Sterling
Science Writer
2 July 2024
