NH3 production via N2 reduction using Fe2O3/g-C3N4/Ag photoanode and MoS2 modified GDL cathode

• Grant number: 21/14693-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Lucia Helena Mascaro Sales
• Grantee: Caio Vinícius da Silva Almeida
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials, AP.CEPID
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/07295-8 - (±)Fe2O3/g-C3N4/Ag supported on polymer of intrinsic microporosity films applied as photoanode to water splitting and nitrogen reduction reaction, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The production of NH3 from molecular N2 under mild conditions is one of the most studied topics in the field of chemistry. Photoelectrochemical reduction of N2 can lead to the clean and sustainable production of NH3 with less energy consumption using renewable energy sources such as solar. To date, promising electrocatalysts for the photoelectrochemical reduction of N2 to NH3 at atmospheric pressure and room temperature, using an external potential source and ultraviolet irradiation, is still little explored. Thus, the present project intends to synthesize (±)Fe2O3/g-C3N4/Ag electrocatalysts that will be used as photoanodes in a two-compartment photoelectrochemical cell under potential application and photon irradiation. As a counter electrode, where N2 reduction will occur, GDL (gas diffusion layer) electrodes modified with MoS2 decorated with Fe (MoS2-Fe) will be used. Thus, it is expected that the modifications made to g-C3N4 and GDL allow an increase in the conductivity and surface area of the materials, improving the photoelectrocatalytic activity of these materials. It is noteworthy that the use of a two-compartment cell, separating the electron-directing photoanode from the cathode, favors the separation of photogenerated electrons, making them more available for the reduction of N2 adsorbed on the surface of the cathodes, minimizing the recombination of electron pairs/holes, and increasing NH3 production efficiency. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GUARDIANO, MATHEUS GABRIEL; GONZAGA, ISABELLE MARIA DUARTE; RIBEIRO, LARA KELLY; ALMEIDA, CAIO VINICIUS DA SILVA; MASCARO, LUCIA HELENA. Gd-BiVO4: An efficient photoanode for pharmaceuticals degradation in contaminated waters via solar photoelectrocatalysis. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL, v. 503, p. 13-pg., 2024-12-10. (23/12399-7, 21/14693-4, 23/01415-1, 17/11986-5, 23/11548-9, 13/07296-2)

ALMEIDA, CAIO V. S.; MASCARO, LUCIA H.. Enhancing electrochemical N2 reduction at mild conditions with FexOy co-deposited on amorphous MoS2. Electrochimica Acta, v. 476, p. 11-pg., 2024-01-04. (13/07296-2, 17/11986-5, 21/14693-4)

GONZAGA, ISABELLE M. D.; ALMEIDA, CAIO V. S.; MASCARO, LUCIA H.. A Critical Review of Photo-Based Advanced Oxidation Processes to Pharmaceutical Degradation. CATALYSTS, v. 13, n. 2, p. 34-pg., 2023-02-01. (17/11986-5, 20/15211-0, 13/07296-2, 21/14693-4)