Research projects

AMORE pursues the development of clean renewable ammonia as new energy vector. The quest against global warming requires to transition towards renewable energy, sustainable resources, and circular economies. The development of solar fuels using renewable energy, which combined a high energy density and reduced costs (considering their generation, transport, and storage) represents an alternative to displace fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. AMORE (AMOniaco Renovable como vector Energético), focuses on the development of catalysts and systems that enable the direct electrosynthesis of green ammonia using air, water, and renewable electricity (eNRR). As an energy vector, ammonia offers several advantages compared to hydrogen in terms of ease and cost of transport and storage, as well as a higher energy density. 

As a chemical vector, the green electrosynthesis of ammonia has the prospect of displacing incumbent highly energy- and carbon-intensive processes for the generation of fertilizers, which rely on natural gas and the Haber-Bosch reaction; contributing to a large fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions. AMORE pursues these challenges through advanced in the fundamental understanding of the processes involved in the eNRR. We will deploy in situ spectroscopies to guide in the design of nano/micro-structured catalysts that, based on metal and polymer composites, achieve improved the performance of the eNRR towards its technoeconomic viability.