The Development of MgO-supported Catalysts for the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonia and the Investigation of their Interactions with Plasma

There is a need to reduce human-caused carbon dioxide emissions and ultimately reduce the rate of global warming; one possible solution is for the world to transition away from fossil fuels towards more sustainable energy systems. Hydrogen offers a promising alternative as an energy carrier and fuel to facilitate this transition, since
it produces water not carbon dioxide when it is used to generate energy. However, practical challenges remain, particularly around its storage and transport, as it is a gas at room temperature. Ammonia is already produced and transported at large scales using existing infrastructure, since it is the foundation for making fertilisers in the agricultural industry. Due to its high hydrogen content and hydrogen density, it can serve as an effective proxy for hydrogen transportation. However, a critical step to realising this potential is the efficient decomposition of ammonia back into hydrogen and nitrogen at the point of use.
This project aims to develop new catalysts for the thermal decomposition of ammonia to support the transition to hydrogen as a fundamental energy carrier and fuel. The initial focus will be on the preparation and characterisation of catalysts based on ruthenium nanoparticles supported on magnesium oxide materials with a flower-like structure. These catalysts are expected to offer high activity at relatively low temperatures, improving energy efficiency. A major part of the project will
involve understanding how the catalyst's structure and composition influence its performance, using a wide range of advanced analytical techniques. In addition, the project will explore replacing a rare metal, ruthenium, with more abundant and sustainable alternatives, such as iron and nickel.
Alongside the development of these materials, the project introduces an innovative direction: plasma-enhanced catalysis. Plasma, often referred to as the fourth state of matter, consists of ionised gases that create a highly reactive environment at relatively low temperatures. Plasma-assisted methods will be investigated as a novel way to prepare catalysts, offering a potentially more energy-efficient alternative to traditional high-temperature thermal treatments. A key goal will be to study how plasma conditions modify catalyst surfaces and influence their catalytic behaviour. The novelty of the project comes from combining ammonia decomposition catalysts with plasma-assisted synthesis methods. The main research question that the project seeks to answer is: can plasma-assisted approaches enhance the preparation and performance of ammonia decomposition catalysts?
The project will ultimately also involve the design and construction of a bespoke instrument that enables real-time monitoring of plasma-catalyst interactions. This instrument will integrate multiple diagnostic techniques, providing new insights into the mechanisms by which plasma environments affect catalyst surfaces. Such an integrated experimental platform is rare in current plasma-enhanced catalysis research and offers the potential to significantly advance understanding in this area.
This work will contribute to the development of cleaner, more effective energy storage technologies. More broadly, the project aligns with global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions and to create more sustainable and resilient energy systems.
This project falls within the EPSRC energy and decarbonisation research area.