Researchers detected catalyst surface properties that enhanced ammonia yields while using renewable electricity rather than of fossil-fuel-based processes.
Researchers at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada, have developed an electrochemical approach for producing ammonia from nitrate that could support reduce emissions related to conventional ammonia production. The findings may provide a pathway to lower-carbon fertilizer manufacturing while concurrently transforming a common water pollutant right into a valuable chemical feedstock.
The study, published within the Journal of the American Chemical Society, analyzed 4 variations of an iron-based catalyst designed for electrochemical nitrate reduction. Using X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Canadian Light Source, a national research facility of the University of Saskatchewan, the researchers assessed how catalyst properties impacted ammonia manufacturing efficiency.
As per the research, the highest-operating catalyst enhanced ammonia generation by permitting nitrate and water to get access to active catalytic sites more efficiently. While the research to start with focused on optimizing the catalyst’s electronic properties, the team determined that surface characteristics also played a crucial role in reaction performance.
“When we explored further into this, we found out that the surface properties of the catalysts are playing a role,” stated McMaster researcher Navid Noor in a statement. “We needed to find a material that delivers more electrons to our catalyst that also gives more water to it.”
The team used X-ray absorption spectroscopy to better understand catalyst behavior during nitrate conversion. Noor stated the technique offered insights into the relationship among catalyst structure and performance that support guide the research.
As per the researchers, the next phase of development will target on testing the catalyst system under industry-relevant working conditions to examine its commercial potential.
“That might provide us the benchmark to begin sustainable ammonia manufacturing using electrochemical technologies,” Noor stated.
Canadian Light Source and Noor put together a video explaining more of the process.
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib09dc3IBCw
