IIT Jodhpur Researchers Introduce a Breakthrough in Green Ammonia Synthesis; Check Details Here

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IIT Jodhpur Researchers have produced the 'Green Ammonia' by discovering efficient single-atom catalysts for the challenging Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR).

IIT Jodhpur Researchers Introduce a Breakthrough in Green Ammonia Synthesis; Check Details Here

New Delhi: Dr. Amitava Banerjee, a researcher at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, and his team have successfully identified promising single-atom catalysts for the Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR), a crucial step in the production of "Green Ammonia."

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Currently, the traditional method of producing green ammonia carries a significant carbon footprint, accounting for approximately 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions and consuming about 2% of the world's total energy production.

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The electrochemical synthesis route presents a promising alternative for green ammonia production. However, the Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR) poses a significant challenge due to the strong N-N triple bond, limited nitrogen adsorption on many catalysts, and the presence of a competitive hydrogen evolution reaction.

Consequently, the IIT Jodhpur researchers have focused on electrochemical NRR as a means to synthesize environmentally friendly "Green Ammonia."

As of now, the team's primary focus is to develop electrocatalysts tailored for producing environment-friendly ammonia and urea. These innovative methods are expected to yield significantly reduced or even negligible carbon footprints when compared to the conventional processes currently in use.

Urea, a critical compound for societal progress, holds immense importance in the fertilizer industry, with its high nitrogen content of 46% by weight. Additionally, ammonia serves as a pivotal component not only in the fertilizer industry but also in sectors such as paper, textiles, and rubber manufacturing.

Dr. Amitava Banerjee, who serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering at IIT Jodhpur, discussed the research's importance.

He remarked that the increased attention on electrochemical NH₃ synthesis has emphasized the limitations of Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR) catalysts. Therefore, the research group's primary goal is to computationally devise NRR catalysts and offer insights into the catalytic mechanism observed in experimental results.

As an extension of their ongoing quest for NRR catalysts, the group, in collaboration with Dr. Ghorai's team from Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamanidira, Belur Math, has also unveiled a catalytic mechanism involving two distinct transition metals.

This mechanism effectively activates the nitrogen-nitrogen (N-N) triple bond and facilitates the formation of carbon-nitrogen (C-N) bonds, ultimately resulting in the eco-friendly production of urea.

The group's future research endeavors revolve around investigating the electrochemical synthesis of ammonia using various nitrogen-based pollutants.

The laboratory at IIT Jodhpur, dedicated to designing electrocatalysts for the production of "Green Ammonia" under the leadership of Dr. Amitava Banerjee, is currently receiving funding from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) for its efforts.

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