CuO/NiO Heterostructure Catalyst for Ammonia Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for synthesizing ammonia from nitrate face challenges such as high energy consumption, low reaction rates, and selectivity due to unstable copper-based catalysts and complex surface reconstructions, leading to inefficient ammonia production.
Innovation Solution
A catalyst is prepared by forming a copper oxide-nickel oxide heterostructure on a nickel foam electrode through a process involving nickel foam treatment with copper sulfate and annealing, which stabilizes the active sites for nitrate reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If copper-based catalysts are used for nitrate reduction, then ammonia selectivity is improved, but catalyst stability deteriorates due to surface reconstruction and phase transformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a CuO/NiO heterostructure composite catalyst where copper oxide provides high ammonia selectivity through favorable nitrate binding ability, while nickel oxide stabilizes the catalyst structure and prevents unwanted phase transformations. The synergistic combination of two metal oxides resolves the contradiction between achieving high selectivity and maintaining structural stability during electrocatalytic nitrate reduction.
2Productivity
If high overpotential is applied to drive nitrate reduction, then ammonia production rate is improved, but energy consumption increases and catalyst stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical and electronic parameters of the catalyst by creating a CuO/NiO heterostructure with optimized composition ratios and crystal facets. This modifies the reaction pathway and reduces the activation energy barrier, enabling high ammonia production rates at low overpotentials. The altered electronic structure and surface properties of the composite catalyst allow efficient nitrate reduction without requiring excessive energy input.
3Manufacturing precision
If multi-phase interactions are introduced to circumvent scaling relations, then ammonia selectivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a CuO/NiO heterostructure that leverages multi-phase interactions between copper oxide and nickel oxide phases. The interface between these two phases creates unique electronic and geometric effects that circumvent conventional scaling relations, enabling high ammonia selectivity. The relatively simple binary composite structure achieves complex functionality without excessive structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The catalyst achieves a Faradaic efficiency of 95.6% and selectivity of 88.5% for ammonia production at a low overpotential, surpassing existing catalysts in terms of efficiency and selectivity.
Implementation Method 1
removing an oxide layer on the nickel foam material
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the nickel foam material to cooper sulphate (Cu2SO4) solution for a predetermined period of time for forming a copper (Cu) dopped nickel foam electrode
Implementation Method 3
subjecting the Cu dopped nickel foam electrode to an annealing treatment at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of annealing time in atmospheric air thus forming a catalyst of copper oxide-nickel oxide nickel foam (CuO/NiO@NF)
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the present invention is concerned with a method of preparing a catalyst for use in synthesizing ammonia from nitrate. The method has the steps of i) providing a nickel foam material, ii) removing an oxide layer on the nickel foam material, iii) subjecting the nickel foam material to cooper sulphate (Cu2SO4) solution for a predetermined period of time for forming a copper (Cu) dopped nickel foam electrode, and iv) subjecting the Cu dopped nickel foam electrode to an annealing treatment at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of annealing time in atmospheric air thus forming a catalyst of copper oxide-nickel oxide nickel foam (CuO/NiO@NF) with a heterostructure. Other aspects of the invention are concerned with a method of preparing an electrolytic cell for use in synthesizing of ammonia, and a method of synthesis of ammonia from nitrate.