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Conference

2011

Catalysts; Nitrogen — Fixation; Nitrogen fertilizers; Titanium dioxide

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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Sustainable Alternative To Non-Biological Nitrogen Fixation To Nitrate For Fertilizers, Patrick Freeze, Glenn Miller Apr 2011

Sustainable Alternative To Non-Biological Nitrogen Fixation To Nitrate For Fertilizers, Patrick Freeze, Glenn Miller

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Currently, the industrial method of nitrogen fixation for use in fertilizers (Haber- Bosch process [N2 (g) + 3 H2 (g) <--> 2 NH3 (g)]) is our main source of non-biological conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia. The proposed research experiment utilizes the catalytic mechanism of titanium dioxide which, in the presence of heat or sunlight, undergoes fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. This method of nitrate production could serve as a sustainable source of nitrogen for fertilizers. Variables in the experiment included the manipulation of thermal pressure, heat, and base addition to counteract hydrochloric acid production, a selflimiting byproduct.