Plasma Catalytic Synthesis of Ammonia Using Functionalized-Carbon Coatings in an Atmospheric-Pressure Non-equilibrium Discharge

• DOI: 10.1007/s11090-016-9711-8
• Publication Date: 2016-05-02T09:19:09Z
• Authors: Jungmi Hong; Morteza Aramesh; Olga Shimoni; Dong Han Seo; Samuel Yick; Amelia Greig; Christine Charles; Steven Prawer; Anthony B. Murphy
• Keywords: Diamond-like carbon; 660; 0103 physical sciences; Plasma catalysis; Functionalized-nanodiamond coating; Non-equilibrium atmospheric-pressure plasma; 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 01 natural sciences; 7. Clean energy; Ammonia production

We investigate the synthesis of ammonia in a non-equilibrium atmospheric-pressure plasma using functionalized-nanodiamond and diamond-like-carbon coatings on α-Al2O3 spheres as catalysts. Oxygenated nanodiamonds were found to increase the production yield of ammonia, while hydrogenated nanodiamonds decreased the yield. Neither type of nanodiamond affected the plasma properties significantly. Using diffuse-reflectance FT-IR and XPS, the role of different functional groups on the catalyst surface was investigated. Evidence is presented that the carbonyl group is associated with an efficient surface adsorption and desorption of hydrogen in ammonia synthesis on the surface of the nanodiamonds, and an increased production of ammonia. Conformal diamond-like-carbon coatings, deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition, led to a plasma with a higher electron density, and increased the production of ammonia.