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Christopoulou G, Di Paola C, Elzinga FE, Jallat A, Muñoz Ramo D, Krompiec M. Quantum hardware calculations of the activation and dissociation of nitrogen on iron clusters and surfaces. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:5895-5906. [PMID: 38315092 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp05167f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Catalytic processes are the cornerstone of chemical industry, and catalytic conversion of nitrogen to ammonia remains one of the largest industrial processes implemented. Rational design of catalysts and catalytic reactions largely depends on approximate computational chemistry methods, such as density functional theory, which, however, suffer from limited accuracy, especially for strongly-correlated materials. Rigorous ab initio methods which account for static and dynamic electron correlation, while arbitrarily accurate for small systems, are generally too expensive to be applied to modelling of catalytic cycles, due to prohibitive time and space computational complexity with respect to the size of the active space. Recent advances in quantum computing give hope for enabling access to accurate ab initio methods at scale. Herein, we present a prototype hybrid quantum-classical workflow for modeling chemical reactions on surfaces, applied to proof-of-concept models of activation and dissociation of nitrogen on small Fe clusters and a single-layer (221) iron surface. First, we determined the structures of species present in the catalytic cycle at DFT level and studied their electronic structure using CASSCF. We show that it is possible to decouple the half-filled Fe-3d band from the Fe-N and N-N bond orbitals, thereby reducing the active space significantly. Subsequently, we translated the CASSCF wavefunctions into corresponding qubit quantum states, using the Adaptive Variational Quantum Eigensolver, and estimated their energies using a state vector simulator, H1-1E quantum emulator and (for selected systems) H1-1 quantum computer. We demonstrated that if a sufficiently small active orbital space is chosen, ground state energies obtained with classical methods and with the quantum computer are in reasonable agreement. We argue that once quantum computing methods are scaled up so that larger active spaces are accessible, they can offer a tremendous practical advantage to the computational catalysis community.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cono Di Paola
- Quantinuum, Terrington House, 13-15 Hills Road, CB2 1NL, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | | | - David Muñoz Ramo
- Quantinuum, Terrington House, 13-15 Hills Road, CB2 1NL, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Michal Krompiec
- Quantinuum, Terrington House, 13-15 Hills Road, CB2 1NL, Cambridge, UK.
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Lin L, Xie K, He C. Nitrogen-vacancy-modulated efficient ammonia desorption over 3d TM-anchored BC 3N 2 monolayer. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:2082-2092. [PMID: 38131401 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp04572b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen fixation using electrochemical methods on the surface of single-atom catalysts (SACs) provides a highly feasible strategy for green and low-energy-consumption ammonia (NH3) production. Herein, using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we explored in detail the potential of monolayer BC3N2 SACs supported with 3d transition metal (TM) atoms (TM@BC3N2) to facilitate nitrogen reduction. The results revealed that the TM@BC3N2 systems exhibited remarkable catalytic activity in the nitrogen-reduction reaction (NRR). The fine NRR activity was related to the just-right bonding/antibonding orbital interactions between the 2π* of N2 and the d orbitals of the TM ions. The nitrogen-adsorption configurations were found to have different activation mechanisms. In addition, the effects of convectively formed convex nitrogen defects (VN) on the interaction between N2 and VN-TM@BC3N2 and the NRR process of VN-TM@BC3N2 were studied, and it was found that VN could fine-tune the reaction efficiency of the eNRR because after N atom dissociation to form VN, the interaction of TM-C3 was enhanced, and the activation of nitrogen and adsorption of NH3 by the TM-active centers were weakened. The present study can be used as a motivation for further experimental and theoretical research of 2D monolayers as NRR electrocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Lin
- Henan Key Laboratory of Materials on Deep-Earth Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454000, Henan, China
| | - Kun Xie
- Henan Key Laboratory of Materials on Deep-Earth Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454000, Henan, China
| | - Chaozheng He
- Institute of Environmental and Energy Catalysis, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an 710021, China.
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an 710021, China
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Fu E, Gong F, Wang S, Xiao R. Chemical Looping Technology in Mild-Condition Ammonia Production: A Comprehensive Review and Analysis. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2305095. [PMID: 37653614 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202305095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia is an efficient and clean hydrogen carrier that promises to tackle the increasing energy and environmental problems. However, more than 90% of ammonia is produced by the Haber-Bosch process, and its enormous energy consumption and CO2 emissions require the development of novel alternatives. Chemical looping technology can decouple the one-step ammonia synthesis reaction into separated nitridation and hydrogenation processes at atmospheric pressure, thereby achieving the mild ammonia synthesis based on renewable energy. The strategy of stepwise reactions circumvents the problem of competing adsorption of N2 and H2 /H2 O at the active sites and provides additive freedom for optimal regulation of sub-reactions. This review introduces the concept and mechanism of chemical looping ammonia production (CLAP), and comprehensively summarizes the state-of-art research from the perspective of reaction pathways and nitrogen carriers. The challenges faced by CLAP and strategies to address them in terms of nitrogen carriers, methods, equipment, and technological processes are also proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enkang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Feng Gong
- Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Sijun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Rui Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
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Gutsev GL, Tibbetts KM, Gutsev LG, Aldoshin SM, Ramachandran BR. Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia on a Fe 16 Nanocluster: A Computational Study of Catalysis. J Phys Chem A 2023; 127:9052-9068. [PMID: 37856324 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c05426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The sequence of elementary steps leading to reductive ammonia formation from N2 and H2 catalyzed by a Fe16 cluster is studied using generalized gradient approximation density functional theory and an all-electron basis set of triple-ζ quality. The computational methods are validated by comparison to experimental data such as binding energies where possible. First, the associative and dissociative attachment of N2 to Fe16 is considered, followed by exploration of the pathways leading to distal (Fe16-N-NH2) and enzymatic (NFe16-NH2) formation of an amino group. Next, the pathways leading to NH3 formation in both distal and enzymatic cases are examined. Two mechanisms for NH3 detachment have been discovered. An interesting peculiarity of the pathways is that they often proceed with total spin fluctuations, which are related to the rupture and formation of bonds on the surface of the catalyst over the course of the reactions. The reaction Fe16 + N2 + 2H2 → Fe16NH + NH3 is found to be exothermic by 1.02 eV (93.8 kJ/mol).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennady L Gutsev
- Department of Physics, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, United States
| | - Katharine M Tibbetts
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23284, United States
| | - Lavrenty G Gutsev
- Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry RAS, Semenov prospect 1, Chernogolovka, 142432, Russia
- Institute for Micromanufacturing, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana 71272, United States
| | - Sergey M Aldoshin
- Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry RAS, Semenov prospect 1, Chernogolovka, 142432, Russia
| | - Bala R Ramachandran
- Institute for Micromanufacturing, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana 71272, United States
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Hosono H. Spiers Memorial Lecture: Catalytic activation of molecular nitrogen for green ammonia synthesis: introduction and current status. Faraday Discuss 2023. [PMID: 37212151 DOI: 10.1039/d3fd00070b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The efficient synthesis of ammonia using carbon-footprint-free hydrogen under mild conditions is a grand challenge in chemistry today. To achieve this objective, novel concepts are needed for the activation process and catalyst. This article briefly reviews catalytic activation of N2 for ammonia synthesis under mild conditions. The features of the various activation methods reported so far are summarized, looking chronologically back at progress in heterogeneous catalysts since the use of iron oxide for the Haber-Bosch process, and finally the technical challenges to be overcome are described. Establishing low work functions for the support materials of the metal catalysts is one key to reducing the activation barrier to dissociate N2. Surfaces of electride materials that preserve the character of the bulk are shown to be useful for this purpose. The requirements of desired catalysts are high efficiency at low temperatures, Ru-free compositions, and chemical robustness in the ambient atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideo Hosono
- MDX Research Centre for Element Strategy, International Research Frontiers Initiative, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Midori, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.
- WPI-mana, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0044, Japan
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Daisley A, Hargreaves J. Metal nitrides, the Mars-van Krevelen mechanism and heterogeneously catalysed ammonia synthesis. Catal Today 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2022.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ravi M, Makepeace JW. Facilitating green ammonia manufacture under milder conditions: what do heterogeneous catalyst formulations have to offer? Chem Sci 2022; 13:890-908. [PMID: 35211256 PMCID: PMC8790769 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc04734e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ammonia production is one of the largest industrial processes, and is currently responsible for over 1.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonising this process, yielding 'green ammonia', is critical not only for sustainable fertilizer production, but also to unlocking ammonia's potential as a zero-carbon fuel and hydrogen store. In this perspective, we critically assess the role of cutting-edge heterogeneous catalysts to facilitate milder ammonia synthesis conditions that will help unlock cheaper, smaller-scale, renewables-coupled ammonia production. The highly-optimised performance of catalysts under the high temperatures and pressures of the Haber-Bosch process stands in contrast to the largely mediocre activity levels reported at lower temperatures and pressures. We identify the recent advances in catalyst design that help overcome the sluggish kinetics of nitrogen activation under these conditions and undertake a categorized analysis of improved activity achieved in a range of heterogeneous catalysts. Building on these observations, we develop a 'catalyst efficiency' analysis which helps uncover the success of a holistic approach - one that addresses the issues of nitrogen activation, hydrogenation of adsorbed nitrogen species, and engineering of materials to maximize the utilization of active sites - for achieving the elusive combination of high-activity, low-temperature formulations. Furthermore, we present a discussion on the industrial considerations to catalyst development, emphasising the importance of catalyst lifetime in addition to catalyst activity. This assessment is critical to ensuring that high productivities can translate into real advances in commercial ammonia synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Ravi
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham Birmingham B15 2TT UK
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