Solar Ammonia Synthesis: Near-Complete Conversion of Intermediated Nitrogen Energy Carrier via the N<sub>2</sub>–NO–NH<sub>3</sub> Route

N<sub>2</sub> fixation into NH<sub>3</sub> under ambient conditions remains greatly challenging, where a relay scheme by plasma-enabled N<sub>2</sub> oxidation (<i>p</i>N<sub>2</sub>OR) and the NO reduction reaction (NORR) can be a practical route. However, the efficient conversion of NO, as the intermediate nitrogen energy carrier, has not been accomplished due to the limited mass transfer of NO in the reaction solution. Here, a tandem <i>p</i>N<sub>2</sub>OR and photocatalytic NORR route (N<sub>2</sub>-NO-NH<sub>3</sub>) is developed to achieve sustainable NH<sub>3</sub> synthesis with near-complete NO conversion. The highly concentrated NO (∼1%), produced via <i>p</i>N<sub>2</sub>OR, is introduced to an absorption-photocatalysis scheme, where the efficiencies for synchronous NO dissolution and photoreduction are significantly promoted. This system delivers a near 100% NO conversion ratio and superior NH<sub>3</sub> selectivity (98.33% ± 0.75%) and stability (240 h) in a single-pass continuous flow. This research has successfully developed a highly profitable production route, yielding a substantial profit of $3000 per ton for NH<sub>4</sub>COOH as the final product.

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Publication Details

Journal
ACS Nano
Published
2025-05-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c02657
Citations
8
Primary Topic
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
3.11

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article

Solar Ammonia Synthesis: Near-Complete Conversion of Intermediated Nitrogen Energy Carrier via the N2–NO–NH3 Route

Shiyong Mou, Zhang Chun-ling, Jieyuan Li, Wei Wu et al.
8 citations
ACS Nano
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
3.11
article

Solar Ammonia Synthesis: Near-Complete Conversion of Intermediated Nitrogen Energy Carrier via the N2–NO–NH3 Route

Shiyong Mou, Zhang Chun-ling, Jieyuan Li, Wei Wu, Fan Dong, Ruimin Chen, Lei Xiao, Jielin Wang
article en
8 citations

Abstract

N<sub>2</sub> fixation into NH<sub>3</sub> under ambient conditions remains greatly challenging, where a relay scheme by plasma-enabled N<sub>2</sub> oxidation (<i>p</i>N<sub>2</sub>OR) and the NO reduction reaction (NORR) can be a practical route. However, the efficient conversion of NO, as the intermediate nitrogen energy carrier, has not been accomplished due to the limited mass transfer of NO in the reaction solution. Here, a tandem <i>p</i>N<sub>2</sub>OR and photocatalytic NORR route (N<sub>2</sub>-NO-NH<sub>3</sub>) is developed to achieve sustainable NH<sub>3</sub> synthesis with near-complete NO conversion. The highly concentrated NO (∼1%), produced via <i>p</i>N<sub>2</sub>OR, is introduced to an absorption-photocatalysis scheme, where the efficiencies for synchronous NO dissolution and photoreduction are significantly promoted. This system delivers a near 100% NO conversion ratio and superior NH<sub>3</sub> selectivity (98.33% ± 0.75%) and stability (240 h) in a single-pass continuous flow. This research has successfully developed a highly profitable production route, yielding a substantial profit of $3000 per ton for NH<sub>4</sub>COOH as the final product.

ACS NanoVol. 19(22)
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (CN), National Institute of Clean and Low-Carbon Energy (CN)
China Association for Science and Technology, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
3.11
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