Background
Production of organonitrogen compounds commonly used as fertiliser, currently relies on ammonia manufactured from the energy-intensive and fossil-fuel-based Haber-Bosch process. Electrochemical CO2 electrolysis powered by renewable electricity offers a green solution that the world urgently needs for sustainable agriculture. However, product selectivity and energy efficiency are currently major hurdles in organonitrogen production via CO2 electrolysis.
Outcomes
Factors that govern electrochemical C-N bond formation will be revealed by mechanistic studies guided by computation. High throughput screening will deliver advanced electrocatalysts for organonitrogen compound synthesis and facilitate the discovery of electrocatalysts for direct N2 use. Full electrolysis cells will be tested and optimised under industrially relevant conditions for scale-up.
FP2A: Urea/Amides/Amines from CO2/CO and inorganic nitrate/NOx
Program Lead – Associate Professor Jie Zhang
Although the versatility of CO2 electrolysis has been demonstrated in the production of organonitrogen compounds, the selectivity and energy efficiency are still far away from the requirements for practical applications. In this project, we will explore electronic and geometric effects in multi-component electrocatalysts containing active sites capable of activating CO2 (e.g. Cu, Ag or Au) and N-sources (e.g. Ru, Pd, Fe, Zn or B) in a synergetic manner to facilitate C-N bond formation, and subsequent hydrogenation. A new electrolyser will be developed to demonstrate the feasibility for large scale production of urea/amides/amines from CO2/CO and inorganic nitrate/NOx.
FP2B: Amino acids from air
Program Lead – TBC
This project will bridge the gap between CO2 capture and utilisation. Organic N-sources currently used for CO2 direct air capture, such as amines, will be investigated to: (i) integrate CO2 capture and conversion, and (ii) produce amino acids for the pharma/nutraceutical and biomedical sectors.