Enhanced electrochemical reduction of N2 with materials of plasmonically active metal nanoparticles, (Au, Ag, Pd, Ru) and (Mo, Ti, Ce), combined with n-type semiconductors

• Grant number: 22/11335-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: October 01, 2022
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Susana Inés Córdoba de Torresi
• Grantee: Lázara Hernández Ferrer
• 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

Obtaining NH3 is of marked importance due to its applicability today. Ammonia serves as the basic starting material for synthetic fertilizers rich in nitrogen, a very important aspect of agriculture. In the industry, the Haber-Bosch method is proposed as the most accepted for obtaining it. This process has several disadvantages since it is necessary to consume high amounts of energy, high pressures, and at temperatures between 300-500°C, by using nitrogen and hydrogen to obtain ammonia with very low yields and results. Thus consuming 2% of global energy consumption.Currently, electrochemical processes are being reported to obtain this compound, using different catalytic systems. In this field, nanoscience has made great advances, providing improvements in the performance and speed of obtaining compounds. In this work, the plasmonic electroreduction of nitrogen using nanoparticles of noble (Au, Pd, Ru) and non-noble (Mo, Ti, Fe) metals combined with the use of n-type semiconductors (MoS2, Ti2O) is expose, d and investigated. With this work it is expected to improve the conditions for obtaining this compound, such as speed, performance,and faradaic efficiency, taking into account the relationship and influence between the materials used. (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)

FAUSTINO, LEANDRO A.; FERRER, LAZARA H.; DE OLIVEIRA, PAULO F. M.; DE TORRESI, SUSANA I. CORDOBA. Beyond catalyst design for the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction: The crucial role of water availability in the electrolyte composition. Electrochimica Acta, v. 519, p. 10-pg., 2025-02-14. (20/14955-6, 21/00675-4, 24/13493-0, 22/11335-2, 22/04604-7)