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Qu Z, Zhou R, Sun J, Gao Y, Li Z, Zhang T, Zhou R, Liu D, Tu X, Cullen P, Ostrikov KK. Plasma-Assisted Sustainable Nitrogen-to-Ammonia Fixation: Mixed-phase, Synergistic Processes and Mechanisms. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202300783. [PMID: 37994281 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202300783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia plays a crucial role in industry and agriculture worldwide, but traditional industrial ammonia production methods are energy-intensive and negatively impact the environment. Ammonia synthesis using low-temperature plasma technology has gained traction in the pursuit of environment-benign and cost-effective methods for producing green ammonia. This Review discusses the recent advances in low-temperature plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis, focusing on three main routes: N2+H2 plasma-only, N2+H2O plasma-only, and plasma coupled with other technologies. The reaction pathways involved in the plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis, as well as the process parameters, including the optimum catalyst types and discharge schemes, are examined. Building upon the current research status, the challenges and research opportunities in the plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis processes are outlined. The article concludes with the outlook for the future development of the plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis technology in real-life industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongping Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Centre for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi An Shi, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Renwu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Centre for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi An Shi, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Jing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Centre for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi An Shi, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Yuting Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Centre for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi An Shi, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Zhuo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Centre for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi An Shi, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Tianqi Zhang
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Darlington, 2008, Australia
| | - Rusen Zhou
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Darlington, 2008, Australia
| | - Dingxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Centre for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi An Shi, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Xin Tu
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Cullen
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Darlington, 2008, Australia
| | - Kostya Ken Ostrikov
- School of Chemistry and Physics and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia
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Luo S, Liu Y, Song Y, Yang Y, Chen F, Chen S, Wei Z. Plasma-induced nitrogen vacancy-mediated ammonia synthesis over a VN catalyst. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:3295-3298. [PMID: 38426264 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc00042k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Plasma catalysis has recently been recognized as a promising route for artificial N2 reduction under mild conditions. Here we report a highly active VN catalyst for plasma-catalytic NH3 synthesis via the typical Mars-van Krevelen (MvK) mechanism. Our results indicate that NH3 synthesis occurs through the continuous regeneration and elimination of nitrogen vacancies on the VN surface. With this strategy, the VN catalyst achieves a superhigh NH3 yield of 143.2 mg h-1 gcat.-1 and a competitive energy efficiency of 1.43 gNH3 kW h-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijian Luo
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
| | - Yongduo Liu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
| | - Yang Song
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
| | - Yuran Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
| | - Fadong Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
| | - Siguo Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Power Sources (SKL-ACPS), Chongqing, China
| | - Zidong Wei
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Power Sources (SKL-ACPS), Chongqing, China
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Zhao Y, Li K, Du J, Chen CQ, Chen S, Yang P. Binary Heterogroup-Templated Scaffolds of Polyoxopalladates as Precatalysts for Plasma-Assisted Ammonia Synthesis. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:43899-43908. [PMID: 37690052 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c09698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
In addition to improving the synthetic efficiency, the template method can do a lot more in the chemistry of polyoxopalladates (POPs), such as the establishment of novel metal-oxo scaffolds. In this endeavor, a binary system comprising heterogroups of nonmetallic {As/SiO4} and metallic {VO4/5} successfully fulfills the templated growth of two POPs with unprecedented seesaw- and spindle-like prototypes. Of these, self-aggregation of heterogroups beacons an effective route to break the highly symmetrical PdII-oxo matrix and to force the arrangement of addenda in a nonconventional manner. Aside from the interest in their structural features, the as-made POPs are available for immobilization on the mesoporous SBA-15 as precatalysts for ammonia synthesis. The outer cover of heterogroups in the POP precursors contributes to the ultrafine size and uniform distribution of derived Pd0 nanoparticles (PdNPs). With the help of plasma activation on H2 and N2, such PdNPs-SBA15 catalysts significantly improve the production performance of NH3, showcasing the maximum synthesis rate of 64.42 μmol/(min·gcat) with the corresponding energy yield as high as 4.38 g-NH3/kWh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Advanced Catalytic Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Kelin Li
- College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Jing Du
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Testing and Analysis Center, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, P. R. China
| | - Chao-Qin Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Advanced Catalytic Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - She Chen
- College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Peng Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Advanced Catalytic Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
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Hosseini H. Dielectric barrier discharge plasma catalysis as an alternative approach for the synthesis of ammonia: a review. RSC Adv 2023; 13:28211-28223. [PMID: 37753400 PMCID: PMC10519190 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra05580a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous researchers have attempted to provide mild reactions and environmentally-friendly methods for NH3 synthesis. Research on non-thermal plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis, notably the atmospheric-pressure nonthermal plasma synthesis of ammonia over catalysts, has recently gained attention in the academic literature. Since non-thermal plasma technology circumvents the existing crises and harsh conditions of the Haber-Bosch process, it can be considered as a promising alternative for clean synthesis of ammonia. Non-thermal dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma has been extensively employed in the synthesis of ammonia due to its particular advantages such as the simple construction of DBD reactors, atmospheric operation at ambient temperature, and low cost. The combination of this plasma and catalytic materials can remarkably affect ammonia formation, energy efficiency, and the generation of by-products. The present article reviews plasma-catalysis ammonia synthesis in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor and the parameters affecting this synthesis system. The proposed mechanisms of ammonia production by this plasma catalysis system are discussed as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamideh Hosseini
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran (CCERCI) PO Box 14335-186 Teheran Iran
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Xu S, Chen H, Fan X. Rational design of catalysts for non-thermal plasma (NTP) catalysis: A reflective review. Catal Today 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2023.114144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
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Wang Y, Yang W, Xu S, Zhao S, Chen G, Weidenkaff A, Hardacre C, Fan X, Huang J, Tu X. Shielding Protection by Mesoporous Catalysts for Improving Plasma-Catalytic Ambient Ammonia Synthesis. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:12020-12031. [PMID: 35731953 PMCID: PMC9284550 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c01950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Plasma catalysis is a promising technology for decentralized small-scale ammonia (NH3) synthesis under mild conditions using renewable energy, and it shows great potential as an alternative to the conventional Haber-Bosch process. To date, this emerging process still suffers from a low NH3 yield due to a lack of knowledge in the design of highly efficient catalysts and the in situ plasma-induced reverse reaction (i.e., NH3 decomposition). Here, we demonstrate that a bespoke design of supported Ni catalysts using mesoporous MCM-41 could enable efficient plasma-catalytic NH3 production at 35 °C and 1 bar with >5% NH3 yield at 60 kJ/L. Specifically, the Ni active sites were deliberately deposited on the external surface of MCM-41 to enhance plasma-catalyst interactions and thus NH3 production. The desorbed NH3 could then diffuse into the ordered mesopores of MCM-41 to be shielded from decomposition due to the absence of plasma discharge in the mesopores of MCM-41, that is, "shielding protection", thus driving the reaction forward effectively. This promising strategy sheds light on the importance of a rational design of catalysts specifically for improving plasma-catalytic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaolin Wang
- Department
of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GJ, U.K.
| | - Wenjie Yang
- School
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2037, Australia
| | - Shanshan Xu
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Shufang Zhao
- School
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2037, Australia
| | - Guoxing Chen
- Fraunhofer
Research Institution for Materials Recycling and Resource Strategies
IWKS, Brentanostraße
2a, Alzenau 63755, Germany
| | - Anke Weidenkaff
- Fraunhofer
Research Institution for Materials Recycling and Resource Strategies
IWKS, Brentanostraße
2a, Alzenau 63755, Germany
- Department
of Materials and Earth Sciences, Materials and Resources, Technical University of Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 2, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
| | - Christopher Hardacre
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Xiaolei Fan
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Jun Huang
- School
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2037, Australia
| | - Xin Tu
- Department
of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GJ, U.K.
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