Ammonia isn't just for cleaning supplies and plant fertilizers - it can also serve as a precursor to clean hydrogen energy. The decomposition of ammonia (NH3) is a promising carbon-free pathway that makes hydrogen, which can be used as a fuel that doesn't emit harmful fumes like fossil fuels do. Recent research at Tohoku University is tackling the main issue that makes ammonia decomposition challenging by creating a non-noble metal catalyst that speeds up the reaction to a practical rate.
An inexpensive nickel (Ni) catalyst doped with yttrium (Y) was created to solve these issues. The combined structure (called Ni1Ce1-xYxOα) is formulated in such a way that it can generate many, stable surface oxygen vacancies, which are vital for controlling the reaction for ammonia decomposition. Additionally, the new catalyst design allowed the research team to precisely adjust the electronic environment of Ni active sites (sites on the catalyst that other molecules can bind to in order to trigger certain chemical reactions). As a result, the catalyst greatly improved the performance of the ammonia decomposition reaction.
Non-noble metal catalysts like Ni often suffer from insufficient intrinsic activity and high energy barriers for N2 desorption. However, the research team was able to create a high−performance, non−noble metal catalyst by carefully incorporating yttrium as a dual-function promoter. This study unveils how Y-doping represents a unique strategy to produce stable and effective catalysts to aid with ammonia decomposition.
"This study provides a practical pathway toward more sustainable, affordable hydrogen energy systems," says Associate Professor Yizhou Zhang. "The findings support the broader transition to clean energy, contributing to reduced carbon emissions and the future deployment of hydrogen-based vehicles and power generation."
The findings were published in Journal of Catalysis on January 30, 2026.