Chinese researchers produce urea from CO2 and nitrate using copper catalyst
In China, researchers from Nanchang Hangkong University, Beihang University, Guangzhou University and South China Normal University have developed a catalyst that uses isolated copper atoms on titanium carbide to help turn carbon dioxide and nitrate into urea. By adjusting how electrons occupy the copper atoms’ orbitals, the team promoted a reaction pathway in which an activated carbon dioxide intermediate directly combines with a nitrogen-containing species.
Urea is an important nitrogen fertilizer and a feedstock for chemical manufacturing. Its conventional production combines carbon dioxide with ammonia, whose manufacture is energy intensive, and requires elevated temperatures and pressures. Electrochemical synthesis from carbon dioxide and nitrate offers an alternative that could be powered by renewable electricity. A central challenge is making the carbon and nitrogen reactants combine efficiently instead of following separate reaction pathways.
Category: Research
