Plasma-Assisted Catalysis for Ammonia Synthesis

Portrait of Laura Dornshuld, speaker
Date & Time:
-
Location:
iSTEM Building 2, Room 1218

Ammonia (NH3) is important in the production of many products including fertilizers, plastics, resins, synthetic fabrics, and explosives. At the industrial scale, NH3 is produced using the Haber–Bosch (H–B) process, which is typically carried out at high temperatures and pressures. This process produces over 300 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, and consumes 1-2% of the world’s energy supply. Plasma catalysis is emerging as a promising green alternative for small-scale NH3 production involving mild reaction conditions. However, the NH3 yield from plasma catalysis is low due to lack of highly efficient catalysts and NH3 decomposition. Recent experiments have shown that using a porous catalyst support can increase the NH3 synthesis rate as compared to nonporous beads. In a follow up study, the effect of catalyst support particle porosity on the conversion of NH3 synthesis from N2 and H2 in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor was reported. The results from this study indicated that the larger surface area presented by the porous particles led to a higher rate of NH3 synthesis. 

J. Phys. Chem. A 2022, 126, 8741–8752

 

 

Type of Event:
Research Areas:
Laura Olive Dornshuld
Department:
Graduate Student, Department of Chemistry
University of Georgia