Inorganic Seminar - Thomas Cundari

The Inorganic Seminar Series presents: Thomas Cundari

University of North Texas

Host: Yi Lu

Title: Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrogen to ammonia 

Refreshments served at 3:15pm

WEL 2.122

The activation and reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia remains a focal point of catalysis research. Currently, nitrogen fixation is accomplished on an industrial scale via the energy-intensive Haber-Weiss process. The identification of economically viable alternatives to ammonia production with a reduced environmental  footprint compared to Haber-Weiss catalysis, and which would be amenable to the use of renewable energy resources, remains of intense interest. As such, the electrocatalytic reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia has garnered considerable attention. In our research we seek to integrate computational methods with experimental techniques to understand the fundamental factors that control the activity and selectivity of electrocatalysts for dinitrogen reduction.