(544gb) Plasmonic Catalysts for Ammonia Synthesis

Recent theoretical computational predictions about nitrogen dissociation on nanoplasmonic catalysts have inspired the exploration of a new class of catalysts that could enable ammonia synthesis at more moderate temperature and pressure relative to the conventional Haber-Bosch process. As a first step towards testing these theoretical predictions we present the colloidal synthesis of doped nanoplasmonic catalysts and their integration into a waveguide photoreactor. We investigated the structure and composition of the nanoplasmonic catalysts through a combination of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and tomography, electron energy loss spectroscopy, X-ray scattering and absorption spectroscopy. We present initial advances towards establishing the basic structure-performance relationship of the nanoplasmonic catalyst. The confluence of concurrent advances in synthesis of size-tunable nanoplasmonic catalysts with programmable surface composition and integration into photochemical reactors with optimized light delivery create a fertile opportunity space for advances in photocatalytic ammonia synthesis. We will present initial advances towards establishing the scientific and engineering foundation to bring this prospect to fruition.