2026-07-22 中国科学院（CAS）
Schematic illustration and the performance for plasma-catalytic conversion of nitrogen and methane to valuable N-containing compounds (Image by LI Di and LIU Ziming)
＜関連情報＞
- https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/research-news/202607/t20260722_1178926.shtml
- https://www.cell.com/chem/abstract/S2451-9294(26)00202-0
プラズマ活性化触媒プロセスによるN₂とCH₄の貴重な窒素含有化合物への直接変換 Direct conversion of N2 and CH4 to valuable N-containing compounds via a plasma-activated catalytic process
Di Li ∙ Ziming Liu ∙ Chenxin Wu ∙ … ∙ Yang Pan ∙ Liang Yu ∙ Dehui Deng
Chem Published:July 10, 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chempr.2026.103136
Highlights
- Plasma-catalysis synergy enables direct conversion of N2 and CH4 to alkylamines and NH3
- Achieved productivities of 0.88 and 6.43 mmol gNi−1 h−1 for alkylamines and ammonia
- Enhanced reaction efficiency and N–C coupling through plasma-catalytic synergy
- Ni catalyst boosts conversion of excited-state N2 for N–C and N–H coupling
Summary
Direct co-conversion of naturally abundant N2 and CH4 into value-added CN-chemicals is an ideal way to maximize the utilization of both molecules but is highly challenging due to their extreme chemical inertness. Herein, we report the direct synthesis of alkylamines and ammonia from N2 and CH4 under mild conditions via a non-thermal plasma-activated catalytic process over a silica-alumina aerogel-supported nickel catalyst. It delivers high conversions of 3.3% for N2 and 49.3% for CH4, with productivities of 0.88 and 6.43 mmol gNi−1 h−1 for alkylamines and ammonia, respectively, at around 80°C and ambient pressure. Mechanistic studies elucidate a significant plasma-catalysis synergy in boosting the co-conversion efficiency. The plasma-activated vibrationally and electronically excited N2 as the main essential species, in addition to the trace N atoms, combined with catalyst surface-regulated N–C and N–H coupling, enables efficient and selective co-conversion of N2 and CH4 to nitrogenous high-value products.
