Research project corresponding to the call 2020 and reference: PID2020-119125RJ-I00, within the State Program of Research, Development and Innovation Oriented Challenges of the Society (Research Challenges 2020).
ARMONIA is designed as a challenging and innovative project to address the pressing energy and food demand that society faces today, while contributing to the transition to a low-carbon economy. This project presents a novel and multi-dimensional approach to produce solar ammonia (NH3), a platform molecule considered as a zero-carbon fertilizer, fuel and energy store. This approach contributes to a smooth transition from the conventional fossil-fuel-based ammonia synthesis to a carbon-neutral supply.
ARMONIA aims to go a step beyond the-state-of-the-art by exploring two photoassisted catalytic strategies: photocatalysis and photothermocatalysis. Solar energy is used to power the conversion of N2 to an energy-rich and carbon-neutral NH3. The ground-breaking idea is to explore an overall use of solar energy: a single light activation, and a synergetic use of the light and heat to simultaneously generate thermal effects and charge transfers. Both strategies, scarcely studied until now, target enhanced performances and more sustainable processes compared to the conventional thermal catalysis.
Partners: IMDEA Energy Institute
Funding Institution/Program: MCIN/ AEI /10.13039/501100011033 / Research Challenges 2020
Period: November 2021-October 2024
IMDEA Energy Institute external funding: 181.500 €
IPs IMDEA Energy: Dr. Laura Collado
