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Fabrication and Characterization of NiO-Based Electrocatalyst for Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR): The Effects of Plasma Treatment on Surface Electrocatalytic Activity

Alyannezhadi, Mostafa | 2023

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 56757 (04)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Physics
  6. Advisor(s): Moshfegh, Alireza
  7. Abstract:
  8. Ammonia (NH3) is the second most synthesized chemical in the world which is used about 80% for the production of chemical fertilizers. Industrial production of ammonia commonly relies on Haber-Bosch method that is produced from gaseous N2 and H2, at very high pressure (200-400 atm) and high temperature (400-600oC) on the surface of an iron-based catalyst. But due to required high pressure and temperature researchers are looking for alternative methods that are environmentally friendly. In this research, we applied electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) used nickel oxide (NiO) deposited on nickel foam substrate by hydrothermal method. The prepared samples were treated by nitrogen and argon plasma under 100W applied power and different process times to obtain the optimal state for the best electrocatalytic activity. To investigate the electrocatalytic performance of the synthesized catalysts, a new electrochemical cell was designed and constructed to study NRR. Field effect scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical measurements are used to determine the properties of the NiO electrocatalyst. According to our data analysis, it was found that after the nitrogen plasma treatment, the rate of ammonia increased four times (from 8 μg〖〖 mg〗_cat〗^(-1) h^(-1) to 32 μg〖〖 mg〗_cat〗^(-1) h^(-1)). In addition, the faradic efficiency has also enhanced from 5% to 14.5%. For the NiO treated under argon plasma, the maximum ammonia rate and faradic efficiency were measured at about 15 μg〖〖 mg〗_cat〗^(-1) h^(-1) and 9.5%, respectively
  9. Keywords:
  10. Ammonia ; Nickel Oxide-Based Electrocatalyst ; Faradic Efficiency ; Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR) ; Plasma Treatment ; Hydrothermal Treatment

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