The production of ammonia from dinitrogen and dihydrogen is currently an energy-intensive and CO2 (greenhouse gas) producing process. However, the synthesis of ammonia is extremely important as it is the most important building block for nitrogen containing molecules (pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, plastics, etc.). A large part of the ammonia is used in fertilizers and is thereafter lost in the soil, which causes pollution in the form of nitrate. Reusing this nitrate waste as a source for ammonia production by a non-polluting (environmentally friendly) process is therefore highly desirable. I propose to develop a new photocatalytic system, that can use light as the energy source to convert nitrate into ammonia under mild reaction conditions. Tungsten is known to be very suitable for photocatalysis, and in combination with a new highly modular ligand platform, the conversion of nitrate into ammonia will be studied. This project is expected to afford (i) fundamental insight into the photocatalytic processes needed for sustainable synthesis, and (ii) a methodology for the circular use of ammonia. These results will afford much needed knowledge to eventually enable an environmentally friendly and circular use of resources, wherein waste is seen as a feedstock and light as an energy resource.
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
document.write('<div id="oa_widget"></div>');
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.openaire.eu/index.php?option=com_openaire&view=widget&format=raw&projectId=nwo_________::09e8b89b965424cefdee03bb23e09e34&type=result"></script>');
-->
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
document.write('<div id="oa_widget"></div>');
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.openaire.eu/index.php?option=com_openaire&view=widget&format=raw&projectId=nwo_________::09e8b89b965424cefdee03bb23e09e34&type=result"></script>');
-->
</script>