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Efficient catalyst-free N2 fixation by water radical cations under ambient conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaoping Zhang

    (East China University of Technology)

  • Rui Su

    (Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine
    Jilin University)

  • Jingling Li

    (East China University of Technology)

  • Liping Huang

    (Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine)

  • Wenwen Yang

    (East China University of Technology)

  • Konstantin Chingin

    (Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine)

  • Roman Balabin

    (Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine)

  • Jingjing Wang

    (Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine)

  • Xinglei Zhang

    (East China University of Technology)

  • Weifeng Zhu

    (Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine)

  • Keke Huang

    (Jilin University)

  • Shouhua Feng

    (Jilin University)

  • Huanwen Chen

    (East China University of Technology
    Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine)

Abstract

The growth and sustainable development of humanity is heavily dependent upon molecular nitrogen (N2) fixation. Herein we discover ambient catalyst-free disproportionation of N2 by water plasma which occurs via the distinctive HONH-HNOH+• intermediate to yield economically valuable nitroxyl (HNO) and hydroxylamine (NH2OH) products. Calculations suggest that the reaction is prompted by the coordination of electronically excited N2 with water dimer radical cation, (H2O)2+•, in its two-center-three-electron configuration. The reaction products are collected in a 76-needle array discharge reactor with product yields of 1.14 μg cm–2 h–1 for NH2OH and 0.37 μg cm–2 h–1 for HNO. Potential applications of these compounds are demonstrated to make ammonia (for NH2OH), as well as to chemically react and convert cysteine, and serve as a neuroprotective agent (for HNO). The conversion of N2 into HNO and NH2OH by water plasma could offer great profitability and reduction of polluting emissions, thus giving an entirely look and perspectives to the problem of green N2 fixation.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaoping Zhang & Rui Su & Jingling Li & Liping Huang & Wenwen Yang & Konstantin Chingin & Roman Balabin & Jingjing Wang & Xinglei Zhang & Weifeng Zhu & Keke Huang & Shouhua Feng & Huanwen Chen, 2024. "Efficient catalyst-free N2 fixation by water radical cations under ambient conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-45832-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45832-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Muataz Ali & Fengling Zhou & Kun Chen & Christopher Kotzur & Changlong Xiao & Laure Bourgeois & Xinyi Zhang & Douglas R. MacFarlane, 2016. "Nanostructured photoelectrochemical solar cell for nitrogen reduction using plasmon-enhanced black silicon," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-5, September.
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