Research focuses on catalysts that can facilitate the Haber-Bosch process (N2 + 3H2 ↔ 2NH3)

 For green ammonia production, research focuses on catalysts that can facilitate the Haber-Bosch process (N2 + 3H2 ↔ 2NH3) under milder conditions, using renewable energy sources, and reducing energy consumption, with emerging catalysts like perovskites and cobalt catalysts supported on lanthanide oxides showing promise.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

1. The Haber-Bosch Process and Green Ammonia:

The Haber-Bosch process, the current industrial method for ammonia synthesis, requires high temperatures and pressures, which are energy-intensive.

Green ammonia production aims to use renewable energy sources (like electricity from wind or solar) for hydrogen production via electrolysis and then combine this green hydrogen with nitrogen from the air to produce ammonia.

The key to efficient and sustainable green ammonia production lies in developing catalysts that can facilitate the Haber-Bosch process under milder conditions, reducing energy consumption and costs.

2. Emerging Catalysts for Green Ammonia:

Perovskite-based catalysts:

These materials offer superior catalytic activity, enhanced stability, and tunable electronic properties, facilitating nitrogen reduction under milder conditions.

Cobalt catalysts supported on lanthanide oxides:

Lanthanide oxides can act as electronic promoters, increasing the electron density on the active phase's surface, leading to enhanced catalytic activity.

Other promising catalysts:

Research is also exploring other catalyst systems, including electride, hydride, amide, perovskite oxide hydride/oxynitride hydride, nitride, and oxide promoted metals such as Fe, Co, and Ni.

Clariant's AmoMax series:

Clariant's website offers wustite-based solutions for ammonia synthesis, which are used in many ammonia synthesis plants globally.

3. Key Considerations for Green Ammonia Catalysts:

Activity:

The catalyst should be highly active, meaning it can facilitate the ammonia synthesis reaction at lower temperatures and pressures.

Stability:

The catalyst should be stable under the reaction conditions and maintain its activity over time.

Selectivity:

The catalyst should be selective for ammonia production, minimizing the formation of byproducts.

Cost-effectiveness:

The catalyst should be cost-effective, both in terms of its production and its use in the ammonia synthesis process.

Renewable energy integration:

The catalyst should be compatible with the use of renewable energy sources for hydrogen production.

4. Examples of Green Ammonia Production Processes:

Haber-Bosch process with green hydrogen:

Hydrogen is produced through water electrolysis powered by renewable energy, and then combined with nitrogen in the Haber-Bosch process using a suitable catalyst.

Plasma-catalysis:

Plasma can be used to dissociate nitrogen, and then combined with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to produce ammonia.

Electrolytic reduction of nitrogen:

This process uses electricity to directly reduce nitrogen to ammonia in the presence of a catalyst.