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

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

20 February 2024 | 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
The article presents a novel method for efficient, catalyst-free nitrogen (N₂) fixation under ambient conditions using water plasma. The process involves the disproportionation of N₂ into economically valuable products, nitroxyl (HNO) and hydroxylamine (NH₂OH), through the formation of a distinctive intermediate, HONH-HNOH⁺. This reaction is facilitated by the coordination of electronically excited N₂ with the water dimer radical cation, (H₂O)₂⁻, in a two-center-three-electron configuration. The products are collected in a 76-needle array discharge reactor, with yields of 1.14 μg cm⁻² h⁻¹ for NH₂OH and 0.37 μg cm⁻² h⁻¹ for HNO. The potential applications of these compounds are highlighted, including their use in ammonia production, chemical reactions with cysteine, and neuroprotective effects for HNO. The study offers a promising alternative to traditional N₂ fixation methods, such as the Haber-Bosch process, by providing a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach.The article presents a novel method for efficient, catalyst-free nitrogen (N₂) fixation under ambient conditions using water plasma. The process involves the disproportionation of N₂ into economically valuable products, nitroxyl (HNO) and hydroxylamine (NH₂OH), through the formation of a distinctive intermediate, HONH-HNOH⁺. This reaction is facilitated by the coordination of electronically excited N₂ with the water dimer radical cation, (H₂O)₂⁻, in a two-center-three-electron configuration. The products are collected in a 76-needle array discharge reactor, with yields of 1.14 μg cm⁻² h⁻¹ for NH₂OH and 0.37 μg cm⁻² h⁻¹ for HNO. The potential applications of these compounds are highlighted, including their use in ammonia production, chemical reactions with cysteine, and neuroprotective effects for HNO. The study offers a promising alternative to traditional N₂ fixation methods, such as the Haber-Bosch process, by providing a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach.
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