Probing Li-N-H catalysts for ammonia synthesis and decomposition

Ammonia has gained increasing interest in recent years, as its sustainable synthesis and effective decomposition connect with key challenges in future food and energy provision. Lithium amide, imide and nitride-hyride have emerged as effective and unusual catalysts and looping candidates for ammonia synthesis and decomposition, yet their precise mechanism of action are not yet well described. In this talk, efforts to explore and understand these metal-nitrogen-hydrogen catalysts will be covered, including their controlled synthesis, active forms, the relationship between surface and bulk composition, and the nature of their interaction with transition metal centres. This effort has been highly dependent on the use of advanced sample environments at Diamond and ISIS, particularly in in situ measurements.

Biography:

Image credit: Josh Makepeace

Dr Josh Makepeace is a Associate Professor in Chemistry at the University of Birmingham and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow.

Josh’s research focuses on the synthesis and characterisation of inorganic solids containing nitrogen-based anions. A particular focus is on the development of materials for energy storage applications, from storing hydrogen and catalysing the synthesis/decomposition of ammonia for use as sustainable fuels, to electrolytes and electrodes for batteries and fuel cells.