Researchers at RMIT University have developed a low-energy method that could transform ammonia production, a key process for agriculture and clean energy. Ammonia is essential for making fertilizers that support the global food supply and is also used as a hydrogen carrier in clean energy applications. However, traditional ammonia production methods, especially the Haber-Bosch process, are highly energy-intensive and contribute nearly 2% of global carbon emissions, consuming over 2% of the world's energy.
Led by Dr. Karma Zuraiqi, the RMIT team has created an alternative that reduces energy consumption by using 20% less heat and 98% less pressure compared to the Haber-Bosch process. This approach offers a greener solution without sacrificing production efficiency.
As Zuraiqi noted, current ammonia production emits twice the carbon emissions of Australia, so this breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the process. By making ammonia production less energy-intensive, this innovation could play a critical role in both reducing emissions and supporting clean energy advancements.
The RMIT team is at the forefront of research into liquid metal catalysts for various applications, including ammonia production, carbon capture, and energy generation. Catalysts are materials that accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed in the process, and in this case, liquid metal catalysts have unlocked new possibilities for green ammonia production.
The researchers created ‘nano planets’, tiny droplets of liquid metal containing copper and gallium, which function as catalysts in the reaction. These nano planets, with their hard crust and liquid core, efficiently break apart nitrogen and hydrogen to form ammonia.
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