BASF and Stanford University Advance Multi-Metallic Ammonia Decomposition Catalyst

BASF's California Research Alliance and Stanford University's Cargnello Group, with KAIST, reported in Science a multi-metallic uniform nanocrystal catalyst able to decompose ammonia (NH3). The work builds on eight years of joint catalyst projects and is aimed at making ammonia a practical hydrogen carrier. The researchers say further work will raise catalyst activity and prepare the technology for eventual industrial transfer.

Key facts

Market context

Ammonia is one of the largest-volume synthetic chemicals, produced mainly for fertilizer manufacture, and it also serves as a feedstock for nitric acid, explosives, and various industrial intermediates. Its growing interest as a hydrogen carrier stems from its high hydrogen content and the existing global infrastructure for shipping and storing it. Converting ammonia back to hydrogen typically requires catalysts, and most practical systems rely on ruthenium or other precious metals, which keeps costs high and supply concentrated. Catalysts that work with less precious metal content, or that run more efficiently, could lower the cost of delivered hydrogen and make ammonia-based supply chains more attractive for fuel cells, clean power and industrial users. Demand for such technology is most closely tied to the hydrogen economy, decarbonization of heavy industry, and fertilizer and chemical sectors that already handle ammonia. Research-stage results like this typically take years to reach commercial scale, so near-term market impact is limited.

Source: official release on basf.com. Summary and context written by Market Krystal.