Highly efficient decomposition of ammonia using high-entropy alloy catalysts

Ammonia represents a promising liquid fuel for hydrogen storage, but its large-scale application is limited by the need for precious metal ruthenium (Ru) as catalyst. Here we report on highly efficient ammonia decomposition using novel high-entropy alloy (HEA) catalysts made of earth abundant elements. Quinary CoMoFeNiCu nanoparticles are synthesized in a single solid-solution phase with robust control over the Co/Mo atomic ratio, including those ratios considered to be immiscible according to the Co-Mo bimetallic phase diagram. These HEA nanoparticles demonstrate substantially enhanced catalytic activity and stability for ammonia decomposition, with improvement factors achieving >20 versus Ru catalysts.…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 1053575, 1809439
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Award: ACI-1053575
• UO
  University of Pittsburgh

  Award: ACI-1053575
• AR
  Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy
• AC
  American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund
• AR
  Advanced Research Projects Agency
• CF
  Center for Research Computing, University of Pittsburgh
• DO
  Division of Materials Research

  Award: 1809439