The idea of using ammonia as a carrier for hydrogen delivery has gained momentum in recent years.
To convert ammonia, scientists built a unique electrochemical cell with a proton-conducting membrane and integrated it with a decomposition catalyst.
First, ammonia "meets"with a catalyst that splits it into nitrogen and hydrogen. The resulting hydrogen is immediately converted into protons, which are then electrically moved across the membrane in the electrochemical cell. By constantly removing hydrogen, scientists push the reaction further and further. This type of reaction is known as the Le Chatelier-Brown principle. By removing one of the ammonia breakdown products, hydrogen, the process moves beyond what a conventional catalyst can do.
The resulting hydrogen can be used in fuelelement. Like batteries, fuel cells generate electricity by converting energy from chemical reactions. Unlike batteries, they generate electricity as long as there is fuel and never lose their charge. Hydrogen is a clean fuel that, when consumed, produces water as its only by-product. These properties distinguish it from a fossil, whose by-products - carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide - change the climate and heat the planet.
The new method is distinguished by its environmental friendliness.Renewable electricity is used to convert ammonia to hydrogen instead of fossil fuel heat. The whole process takes place at lower temperatures than traditional digestion methods (250 ° C instead of 500 ° C-600 ° C). In addition, the new technology generates pure hydrogen that does not need to be separated from unreacted ammonia or other products. The process is also efficient - all the electric current supplied to the device directly produces hydrogen without any losses for parasitic reactions.
The study authors predict that the newtechnology can dramatically change the transport sector. In 2018, the movement of people and goods by cars, trucks, trains, ships, airplanes, and other vehicles accounted for 28% of North America's greenhouse gas emissions, according to the U.S. EPA - more than any other sector. economy.
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nitrogen and hydrogen
Electrochemical cells measure the current generated by the electrochemical reaction of individual atmospheric pollutants at the measuring electrode.
The main function of the proton-conducting membraneis the transfer to the cathode region of a proton formed as a result of hydrogen ionization at the anode. In addition, the proton-conducting membrane acts as a gas separator: it cuts off the anode side of the membrane-electrolyte unit from the cathode side when gases are passed through.
Catalysts are substances that change the rate of a chemical reaction and are not included in the final products.