Investigation of urea electrosynthesis assisted by localized surface plasmon resonance using labeled gases and in situ X- ray Absorption Spectroscopy

• Grant number: 24/13493-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Susana Inés Córdoba de Torresi
• Grantee: Leandro Augusto Faustino
• Supervisor: Dr Franziska Emmerling
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Bundesanstalt Für Materialforschung Und -Prüfung, Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/04604-7 - Plasmonic contributions to N2 and CO2 co-electrolysis, BP.PD

Abstract

The electrosynthesis of urea has become a promising alternative approach to theenergy intensive traditional Bosch-Meiser process for urea production. However,there are still challenges that needed to be overcome. These challenges areassociated to the high stability of NaN bond of N2 species, low solubility of gasesin different solvents, adsorption of gases over catalyst surface and competitionwith HER (Hydrogen Evolution Reaction) leading to lower values of urea yieldand consequently low efficiencies. Furthermore, as several nitrogen species canbe present in the media and environment, such as NOx and NH3, false-positiveresults can lead to misunderstanding results. The electrochemistry assisted bylocalized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) using metal nanoparticles has beenreported to enhance different electrochemical reactions, including C-N couplingto yield urea. Although, the mechanisms involved during the electrocatalysisassisted by LSPR are still unknown. This proposal will provide insights about thenitrogen and carbon source during the electrosynthesis of urea enhanced byLSPR using labeled species. In addition, in situ and operando X-ray absorptionspectroscopy (XAS) measurements will provide insights about the effect of LSPRon the material during the C-N coupling.

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)