Session 1E - Lectures by Fellows and Associates

Meena B Mahajan, IMSc, Chennai

Electrocatalytic synthesis of green ammonia and green urea: Lab to library vs lab to land

Numerous varieties of fertilizers primarily consist of macronutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. As fixed nitrogen is typically the rate-limiting macronutrient for plant growth, producing nitrogen-based fertilizers (ammonia, nitrate, and urea) has always posed a significant global challenge. To combat global starvation over the next three decades, nitrogen-based fertilizer usage will continue to rise, significantly affecting energy and the environment, as nearly all nitrogen-based fertilizers are manufactured from ammonia and nitric acid, with high energy and carbon footprints. To produce ammonia, urea, and nitric acid without using fossil fuels, new technological solutions must be invented. Electrocatalytic methods to produce green ammonia, green urea, and nitric acid under ambient conditions using electrocatalysts have been designed and developed in the speaker's laboratory. All these processes are protected with appropriate IPR. The field trial of the green ammonia synthesis has been completed, and the technology transfer and process of licensing for pilot-scale production of green ammonia with a multinational company has been initiated.