Plasma-Catalytic Ammonia Decomposition for Carbon-Free Hydrogen Production Using Low Pressure-Synthesized Mo 2 N Catalyst

Ammonia decomposition to produce hydrogen can be promoted by the combination of plasma and catalyst. In this study, molybdenum nitride (Mo 2 N) catalyst prepared by low pressure nitriding method was applied for the DBD plasma-driven ammonia decomposition for hydrogen production. At the NH 3 feed flow rate of 40 sccm, the ammonia decomposition efficiency of more than 95% was achieved using plasma-catalytic method at an input power of 40 W without extra heating, which is more than twice that achieved by plasma-only or thermal-catalyst mode. Confirmed by various characterization results, through the low-pressure nitriding method, a composite structure of Mo/Mo 2 N was introduced on the surface of the catalyst, which is considered to play an important role in improving the catalytic performance. Owing to the pre-generated Mo/Mo 2 N active species, the plasma catalytic ammonia decomposition proceeded straightly without evident induction period.