DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURED CATALYSTS FOR THE PROCESS OF PHOTOCATALYTIC SYNTHESIS OF AMMONIA

• Grant number: 24/16830-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Condotta
• Grantee: Giovanna Virginia Perretta
• Host Institution: Centro Universitário FEI (UNIFEI). Campus de São Bernardo do Campo. São Bernardo do Campo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/14214-4 - Development of structured catalysts for the photocatalytic synthesis of ammonia, AP.PFPMCG.R

Abstract

The advance of climate change, primarily driven by carbon combustion, has accelerated at a geometric rate in recent decades, resulting in the unchecked generation of greenhouse gases across various sectors worldwide. Defossilization and the decarbonization of energy sources are the major challenges facing the chemical industry in the twenty-first century. In this context, the production of ammonia and its subsequent conversion into hydrogen are emerging as prominent alternatives within the scientific and industrial communities. Therefore, this project proposes the investigation of production routes for this commodity through the reduction of nitrogen gas (N¿) in the presence of water via a series of photochemical reactions in structured catalysts. The project involves the synthesis of mesoporous silica-based structures, such as MCM-41 and MCM-48, modified by the inclusion of iron and aluminum salts. At the end of the project, the aim is to characterize the physicochemical properties of the photocatalysts produced and evaluate their performance in the ammonia synthesis.