Catalysts, which are substances that speed up chemical reactions, have been instrumental in developing sustainable methods for converting raw materials into useful products. Recently, scientists from Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan, created an innovative catalyst known as NiOOH-Ni (Nickel Oxyhydroxide-Nickel) through an electrochemical process. In this process, nickel foam was treated with an electrical current while submerged in a chemical solution.
This new catalyst is designed to enhance wastewater treatment, green chemical production, and hydrogen generation. One of its key functions is to improve the efficiency of ammonia conversion. Ammonia, a pollutant that causes harmful algal blooms in water bodies, depletes oxygen levels and endangers aquatic life. By converting ammonia more efficiently, this catalyst could help mitigate environmental damage and make industrial processes more eco-friendly.
What makes this catalyst particularly significant is its superior efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional catalysts like platinum. The NiOOH-Ni catalyst was created by integrating nickel with nickel oxyhydroxide. During the manufacturing process, the nickel foam, a porous material, was subjected to an electrical current while immersed in a chemical solution, leading to the formation of nickel oxyhydroxide particles on the foam’s surface.
Although the resulting chemical structure was irregular and non-crystalline, the nickel-oxygen particles significantly improved ammonia conversion. The catalyst is designed to operate effectively at lower voltages and higher currents than conventional catalysts. According to Professor Zhenguo Huang from the University of Technology Sydney, who led the study, NiOOH-Ni outperforms nickel foam alone, with its reaction pathway depending on the voltage applied. At lower voltages, NiOOH-Ni produces nitrite, while at higher voltages, it generates nitrate.
In summary, the nickel foam catalyst offers an effective solution for cleaning wastewater by converting ammonia into less harmful substances. It also has the potential to produce clean fuel, particularly hydrogen gas, making it a versatile tool in sustainable technologies. The study detailing this breakthrough was published on August 8, 2024, in the journal Advanced Energy Materials. MORE