Remarkable catalysis of a wool-like copper electrode for NH3 synthesis from N2 and H2 in non-thermal atmospheric plasma

Abstract

A wool-like copper electrode used to produce non-thermal plasma functioned as an efficient catalyst for ammonia production from N₂ and H₂ under atmospheric pressure without heating. The catalytic activity increased as the experiments were repeated. The yield of ammonia at H₂/N₂ = 3 was 3.5%. The intensity of the emission spectra of N₂*(C–B) bands was correlated with the ammonia synthesis rate.