Breakthrough in Ammonia Synthesis: China University of Petroleum Develops High-Performance Catalyst

Strategic Insights -

Scientists at China University of Petroleum have made a significant breakthrough in the field of nanotechnology, developing a high-performance catalyst that can efficiently synthesize ammonia. The research, led by Yuanqing Sun, has been published in the journal Nano Research and has the potential to impact energy, food security, and pollution control. The catalyst, a N-doped bamboo-like carbon nanotube-encapsulated CuNi alloy, exhibits exceptional stability and activity, with a Faraday efficiency of 99.18% and an ammonia production rate of 20.90 mg cm-2 h-1.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers developed a simple impregnation and calcination method to synthesize a N-doped bamboo-like carbon nanotube-encapsulated CuNi alloy catalyst, which exhibits high ammonia synthesis performance.
  • The catalyst has a Faraday efficiency of 99.18% and an ammonia production rate of 20.90 mg cm-2 h-1, outperforming previous catalysts.
  • The incorporation of Ni enhances the intrinsic activity of Cu for the electrochemical NO3RR, while the CNT endows the catalyst with a larger specific surface area and more exposed active sites.
  • The internal cavity of CNT contributes to the enrichment of nitrate, improving the apparent activity and stability of the catalyst.
  • The researchers used in-situ Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to reveal the mechanism of the catalyst's high activity and stability.
  • The catalyst can operate steadily for 400 h at 300 mA cm-2, demonstrating its exceptional stability.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and has the potential to impact energy, food security, and pollution control.

Statistics:

  • Faraday efficiency: 99.18%
  • Ammonia production rate: 23.21 mg cm-2 h-1 at -1.0 V vs. RHE
  • Catalyst stability: 400 h at 300 mA cm-2
  • Specific surface area: larger surface area due to CNT encapsulation
  • Exposed active sites: more active sites due to CNT endowment

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Studies from China University of Petroleum Have Provided New Information about Carbon Nanotubes (N-doped Bamboo-like Carbon Nanotube-encapsulated Cuni Alloy To Enrich Nitrate and Boost Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis). Nanotechnology Weekly. May 12, 2025; p 3483.
  • N-doped Bamboo-like Carbon Nanotube-encapsulated Cuni Alloy To Enrich Nitrate and Boost Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis. Nano Research, 2025;18(4).