Low Temperature Thermal and Solar Heating Carbon‐Free Hydrogen Production from Ammonia Using Nickel Single Atom Catalysts
Yaguang Li, Qingqing Guan, Guangyao Huang, Dachao Yuan, Fei Xie, Kailuan Li, Zhibo Zhang, Xingyuan San, Jinhua Ye
Abstract
Abstract Catalytic splitting NH 3 to H 2 is one of the foundations for building a carbon‐free H 2 energy system but requires NH 3 splitting catalysts that are highly active and durable at low temperatures. Although various non‐noble catalysts have been designed, NH 3 splitting still operates at relatively high temperatures (600–850 °C). Herein, theoretical calculations predict that the Ni single atoms can change the bonding mode of NiN from covalent bond to ionic bond to boost the NH 3 splitting activity. Further, Ni single atoms supported on CeO 2 nanosheets (SA Ni/CeO 2 ) are synthesized by the sol–gel method, which exhibits a robust 3.544 mmol g −1 min −1 of H 2 yield speed of NH 3 splitting at 300 °C, superior to all non‐noble catalysts and most of the noble catalysts. Combing with the homemade solar heating device, the one sun‐driven NH 3 splitting over SA Ni/CeO 2 shows a stable H 2 yield of 1.58 mmol g −1 min −1 , 100 times the record value of advanced weak solar‐powered NH 3 splitting, demonstrating the potential for practical application in carbon‐free H 2 systems.