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Updated: Mar 25, 2026
08:14
Ammonia Synthesis at Low Pressure
Published on: August 23, 2017
27.5K
Engineering Inverse CeOx/Cu Catalysts for High-Yield Plasma Ammonia Synthesis.
Zihao Zhang1,2, Yanqiao Zhou2, Jiayang Li1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Chemsuschem
|March 24, 2026
Summary
Plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis using a novel CeOx/Cu catalyst achieves high yields and stability. This inverse oxide-on-metal design enhances nitrogen activation for efficient, low-carbon ammonia production.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis is a promising low-carbon energy pathway.
- Current methods face challenges with low yields and catalyst instability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a stable and efficient catalyst for plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis.
- To investigate the mechanism behind enhanced catalytic activity.
Main Methods:
- Design and synthesis of an inverse oxide-on-metal catalyst (CeOx/Cu).
- Evaluation of ammonia synthesis rate and long-term stability under plasma conditions.
- Mechanistic studies using electron transfer and surface analysis.
Main Results:
- The CeOx/Cu catalyst achieved a high ammonia synthesis rate (6772 μmol gcat -1 h-1) at 30 W.
- Demonstrated excellent long-term stability.
- Identified oxygen-vacancy-rich CeOx nanoparticles as key to enhanced electron transfer and N2 activation.
Conclusions:
- The inverse oxide-on-metal interfacial structure significantly boosts ammonia synthesis efficiency.
- This strategy offers a new approach for designing robust plasma catalysts.
- Highlights the importance of interfacial engineering for catalytic performance.
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