Achievement

The production of ammonia from air and water using only solar radiation and a recyclable metal reactant has been demonstrated. Concentrated solar radiation is utilized to transfer electrons from the lattice oxygen of a transition metal oxide to the metal ion. This yields a metallic reactant that provides the reducing power for the subsequent six-electron reductive cleavage of N2 (separated from air) forming a transition metal nitride. In a second reaction, the lattice nitrogen of the nitride is hydrogenated with steam to ammonia. This furnishes the transition metal oxide for perpetuated ammonia synthesis. Thermochemical theory, experimentation and economic feasibility assessment towards this novel concept have been evaluated. This work has resulted in three publications, 12 presentations, and two conference publications authored by IGERT trainees, associates, and mentors with several other publications in preparation.