New approach for Haber-Bosch process and urea synthesis using coupled electrochemical devices

• Grant number: 22/15742-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: March 30, 2023
• End date: March 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Lucia Helena Mascaro Sales
• Grantee: Anelisse Brunca da Silva
• Supervisor: Hermenegildo García
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia (UPV), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/11756-2 - Synthesis, characterization, and application of metal phosphide films for CO2 reduction, BP.DR

Abstract

With the increase in the worldwide population along with the necessity of maximizing food production, urea production is essential for acquiring global food security. Urea, the most important fertilizer, and chemical commodity, industrial manufacturing relies on harsh conditions and requires a previous ammonia synthesis by the Haber-Bosch process. The conventional H-B method requires high energy density and generates hundreds of millions of tons of CO2 annually. Electrochemical ammonia driven by renewable energy sources is a promising approach for replacing the conventional H-B process for operating in mild conditions. Despite the advantages, the ENRR still faces some challenges such as low faradaic efficiencies and slow kinetics. Hence, developing efficient electrocatalysts is essential for achieving higher production rates and favorable performances. In this scenario, transition metal phosphides are interesting materials for the ENRR owing to their excellent conductivity and anti-corrosion features, but their application is still in early-stage. Metal phosphides have also shown promise for direct urea electrosynthesis. In this project, we propose developing Ni and Cu phosphide GDE-supported electrodes for application in N2RR and urea synthesis in electrochemical flow cells. We intend to use the hydrophobicity of the GDE electrode to enhance the N2 adsorption and mass transportation for hampering the HER competition and increasing the ammonia and urea production. The metal phosphide will be synthesized by the methodology developed by the student in Brazil with modifications using N-doped graphene synthesized from the professor's García group. (AU)