(730c) Nitride-Based Step Catalysis for Ammonia Synthesis at Atmospheric Pressure
AIChE Annual Meeting
2017
2017 Annual Meeting
Topical Conference: NH3 Energy+ - Enabling Optimized, Sustainable Energy and Agriculture
NH3 Fuel Synthesis II
Thursday, November 2, 2017 - 1:06pm to 1:24pm
Formation of metal nitrides to activate dinitrogen is one avenue to ammonia and other nitrogen compounds. Attractive aspects are operation at atmospheric pressure and moderate temperatures, formation of stable chemical intermediates rather than reliance on somewhat sensitive heterogeneous catalysis, and inexpensive materials. If a single metal is used, however, one encounters tradeoffs somewhat akin to the well-known tradeoffs for Haber-Bosch catalysts. Results will be presented for metal nitride-based ammonia synthesis, and new metal alloys that can address some of the tradeoffs between affinity for nitrogen, and formation of ammonia when hydrogen is added. Options using water instead of hydrogen will also be included.