Electrocatalytic N2 reduction to form NH3. On the search of new catalysts and electrolytes

• Grant number: 22/06946-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Susana Inés Córdoba de Torresi
• Grantee: Rafaela Morais Marrese
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/00675-4 - Tying up materials for electrochemical energy storage and catalysis, AP.TEM

Abstract

Ammonia is produced from high purity N2 and H2 gases at high temperatures and pressures via the HaberBosch process. Electrocatalytic N2 reduction to ammonia is an attractive alternative that can potentially enable ammonia synthesis under milder conditions in small-scale, distributed, and on-site electrolysis cells powered by renewable electricity generated. The electrochemical ammonia synthesis has only garnered significant research interest since 2015 .The major challenges in electrochemical ammonia synthesis are related to the low activity and selectivity of currently available electrocatalysts for N2 reduction. Therefore, significantimprovements to cell materials, including electrocatalysts and electrolytes, would be needed to achieve those targets. Considering the topic described above, this research project aims to study, theelectrocatalytic reduction of N2 to form NH3. Here, it is proposed the use of bimetallic and Fe oxide nanoestructures developed in our laboratories together with ILs in order to investigate this very hot and challenging topic.