Did you know that Chemistry is the science of matter? Matter transformation is also full of fascinating surprises. Recently, researchers managed to fuse hydrogen and nitrogen using lithium as a key element. The resultant product delivers remarkable results, meeting several global green targets.
The researchers who fused hydrogen and nitrogen
One of the worst chemicals for daily use is ammonia, which negatively affects the atmosphere. Ammonia is a nitrogen-based chemical used in fertilizers, dyes, explosives, and various other products, and it ranks second only to cement in terms of carbon emissions, due to the high temperatures and energy needed to produce it. Recently, engineers of the University of Illinois Chicago, led by Meenesh Singh, created a new ammonia production procedure by enhancing a customary electrochemical reaction and orchestrating a “symphony” of lithium, nitrogen, and hydrogen atoms. This new procedure managed to meet many green targets.
The procedure is the latest creation of Singh’s lab in the quest for more eco-friendly ammonia. Co-authors of the scientific paper include Nishithan C. Kani and Ishita Goyal of UIC, Joseph A. Gauthier of Texas Tech University, and Windom Shields and Mitchell Shields of General Ammonia Co. General Ammonia Co. also funded the research.
The catalyst that changed it all
The procedure is known as lithium-mediated ammonia synthesis and merges nitrogen gas and a hydrogen-donating fluid like ethanol with a charged lithium electrode. The nitrogen atoms bond to the lithium and then combine with hydrogen to produce an ammonia molecule. The procedure is performed at low temperatures, and it is regenerative, which means the initial materials are restored with each ammonia production cycle.
The research team partnered with General Ammonia Co. to pilot and improve the lithium-mediated ammonia production procedure at a plant in the Chicago area. A patent for the procedure was also filed by University of Illinois Chicago’s Office of Technology Management.
The benefits of fusing hydrogen and nitrogen using lithium
The researchers’ targets include high energy efficiency and cost efficiency. According to Singh, if they expanded the procedure, the procedure would create ammonia at approximately $450 per ton, which is 60% more cost-effective than the previous lithium-based approaches and other proposed green methods. Previous attempts to create eco-friendly ammonia led to an abundance of unwanted hydrogen gas, so selectivity is also essential.
The new procedure managed to achieve selectivity and energy use levels that meet Department of Energy standards for industrial-scale ammonia production. The procedure could also be done in a modular reactor and by using solar energy, or other renewable sources, and feeding the reaction with air and water, the results will be even greener.
“You want hydrogen to be generated, transported and delivered to hydrogen pumping stations, where hydrogen can be fed to the cars. But it’s very dangerous. Ammonia could function as a carrier of hydrogen. It’s very cheap and safe to transport, and at the destination you can convert ammonia back to hydrogen.” – Meenesh Singh, Research leader of the University of Illinois Chicago.
The innovative approach to creating greener ammonia for everyday use is a pioneering step toward the global transition to renewable energy. The lithium-based approach is, as Singh notes, well-known from organic chemistry, but the introduction of lithium to create green ammonia in a way that meets economically feasible targets represents a significant advance.