Scientists at Japan’s RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have made a groundbreaking discovery in the secure and efficient storage of ammonia using a chemical reaction. They have successfully employed ethylammonium lead iodide (EAPbI3), a perovskite, to interact with ammonia at room temperature, transforming its structure and effectively storing the ammonia within it. Notably, the stored ammonia can be easily extracted by gently heating the compound, and the perovskite can be reused for repeated storage and extraction cycles.
In their pursuit of a safer and simpler approach to storing the vital chemical ammonia, Japanese researchers at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) have identified a compound capable of safely and efficiently storing and releasing ammonia. Their findings, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society on July 10, open up the potential for ammonia to serve as a carbon-free hydrogen carrier, playing a significant role in the transition towards a decarbonized society.
The research team at RIKEN CEMS, led by Masuki Kawamoto, has uncovered a compound that employs a chemical reaction to store ammonia, offering a practical solution for storing this crucial substance. This discovery, highlighted in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, not only ensures the safe and convenient storage of ammonia but also secures its important role as a hydrogen carrier. These findings represent a significant step towards realizing a decarbonized society with a viable hydrogen economy.
To facilitate the shift from carbon-based to hydrogen-based energy systems, it is essential to develop safe methods for storing and transporting hydrogen, a highly combustible gas on its own. One approach is to store hydrogen within other molecules and extract it as needed. Ammonia, with its chemical formula NH3, presents itself as an excellent hydrogen carrier since each molecule holds three hydrogen atoms, accounting for nearly 20% of its weight.
The primary challenge lies in ammonia’s corrosive nature, making storage and usage difficult. Currently, ammonia is typically stored in pressure-resistant containers by cooling it to temperatures significantly below freezing. Although porous compounds can store ammonia at room temperature and pressure, their storage capacity is limited, and ammonia retrieval can be problematic. However, the recent study introduces a perovskite material—a substance with a distinctive repetitive crystal structure—that allows for easy ammonia storage and complete retrieval at relatively low temperatures.
The RIKEN CEMS research team, led by Masuki Kawamoto, focused on ethylammonium lead iodide (EAPbI3), a perovskite with the chemical formula CH3CH2NH3PbI3. They discovered that this perovskite’s one-dimensional columnar structure undergoes a chemical reaction with ammonia at room temperature and pressure, transforming into a two-dimensional layered structure known as lead iodide hydroxide (Pb(OH)I). This conversion process enables the storage of ammonia within the layered structure through chemical conversion. Consequently, EAPbI3 provides a safe means of storing corrosive ammonia gas as a nitrogen compound, eliminating the need for expensive liquefaction at temperatures as low as -33°C (-27.4°F) in pressurized containers. Moreover, the process of retrieving stored ammonia is equally straightforward.
Kawamoto shares, “To our surprise, ammonia stored in ethylammonium lead iodide could be easily extracted by gently heating it.” Under vacuum conditions, the stored nitrogen compound undergoes a reverse reaction at just 50°C (122°F), reverting back to ammonia. This temperature is much lower than the 150°C (302°F) or higher required to extract ammonia from porous compounds, making EAPbI3 an ideal medium for the simple and cost-effective handling of corrosive gases. Additionally, after returning to its original one-dimensional columnar structure, the perovskite can be reused, allowing for repeated storage and extraction of ammonia. A notable bonus is the perovskite’s color change from yellow to white during the reaction. Kawamoto explains that “the compound’s ability to change color when storing ammonia means that color-based ammonia sensors can be developed to determine the amount of ammonia stored.”
This innovative storage method holds various applications. In the short term, it provides a safe means of storing ammonia, which already plays a vital role in numerous sectors, including agriculture (fertilizer), pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Looking ahead, Yoshihiro Ito, a co-author from RIKEN CEMS, envisions this simple and efficient method contributing to the achievement of a decarbonized society by utilizing ammonia as a carbon-free hydrogen carrier.
By addressing the 2016 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations, particularly Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and Goal 13 (Climate Action), this research paves the way for significant advancements towards a sustainable future.
Reference: “Chemical storage of ammonia through dynamic structural transformation of a hybrid perovskite compound” published on July 10, 2023, in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c04181
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ammonia storage
What is the significance of the discovery regarding ammonia storage?
The discovery is significant as it provides a safe and efficient method for storing ammonia, which is crucial for various applications, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. It also holds potential for ammonia’s role as a carbon-free hydrogen carrier, contributing to the transition towards a decarbonized society.
How does the perovskite compound facilitate ammonia storage?
The perovskite compound, ethylammonium lead iodide (EAPbI3), undergoes a chemical reaction with ammonia at room temperature and pressure. This reaction transforms the compound’s structure, allowing it to store ammonia within its layered structure through chemical conversion. The stored ammonia can be easily retrieved by gently heating the compound, and the perovskite can be reused for repeated storage and extraction cycles.
Why is ammonia considered a good hydrogen carrier?
Ammonia is an excellent hydrogen carrier because each molecule contains three hydrogen atoms, accounting for nearly 20% of its weight. This makes it a dense source of hydrogen that can be stored and transported more easily than pure hydrogen gas.
What are the advantages of using the discovered storage method?
The discovered storage method offers several advantages. It eliminates the need for expensive liquefaction of ammonia at extremely low temperatures and allows for safe storage of corrosive ammonia gas as a nitrogen compound. The retrieval of stored ammonia is simple and requires much lower temperatures compared to other methods. Additionally, the perovskite compound can be reused, making the process cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
How does this research contribute to a decarbonized society?
This research contributes to a decarbonized society by providing a safe and practical method for storing ammonia, which can serve as a carbon-free hydrogen carrier. Ammonia has various applications and can play a significant role in transitioning to cleaner energy sources, reducing carbon emissions, and achieving sustainable development goals.
More about ammonia storage
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS): Official Website
- Journal of the American Chemical Society: Article Link
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Official Website
4 comments
the research on ammonia storage is amazin! i cant believe they found a way to store ammonia using a perovskite compound. so cool! this cud be a game changer for hydrogen storage & a greener society.
wow this is gr8 news! storing ammonia safely and extracting it easily is so important. this discovry cud help us move towards a decarbonized future wth hydrogen as a cleaner fuel. im excited!
finally, a breakthrough in ammonia storage! its corrosive nature has been a challenge, but this new method is a huge step forward. with ammonia as a hydrogen carrier, we can reduce carbon emissions and move closer to sustainable energy. thumbs up!
omg, this discovery sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel! safely storing ammonia, extracting it easily, and reusing the compound? mind blown! this is the kind of research that paves the way for a brighter, greener future. love it!