Energy in the age of ammonia: research on nickel-based catalysts

Dr Mazurkiewicz-Pawlicka’s research focused on developing new catalysts for ammonia oxidation – a chemical compound that is gaining significance as an alternative to hydrogen. Ammonia is an excellent hydrogen carrier: a single molecule contains as much as 17% hydrogen by weight and can be easily stored and transported thanks to the already existing and well-developed distribution network. Moreover, its combustion does not emit carbon dioxide. 

The main challenge in using ammonia lies in the slow kinetics of the oxidation reaction. The best catalyst is platinum, but its surface becomes quickly poisoned by reaction intermediates, which leads to catalyst deactivation. During her fellowship, Dr Mazurkiewicz-Pawlicka investigated whether cheaper and more durable nickel-based catalysts - differing in structure, chemical composition, and supported on various carbon carriers - could solve this problem and be applied in low-temperature ammonia-fuelled fuel cells.

Test tubes analysed by Dr Marta Mazurkiewicz-Pawlicka

Such systems are increasingly considered as a promising alternative to combustion engines in heavy transport. It is precisely in these sectors where replacing fossil fuels with conventional batteries is difficult, as they require vast amounts of energy within limited mass and charging time.

“Ships or trucks powered by ammonia could significantly reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining long range and fast refuelling — the key advantages in long-distance transport,” Dr Marta Mazurkiewicz-Pawlicka emphasizes. “In maritime applications, an important advantage of ammonia is the already existing, well-developed infrastructure for its transport and storage. Thanks to my cooperation with Prof. Mechler, I was able to learn the practical aspects of electrochemistry and its use in electrolysis and fuel cells” emphasizes Dr Mazurkiewicz-Pawlicka. “This stay allowed me to gain knowledge that will facilitate the implementation of the M-ERA.NET project, in which I am the principal investigator.”

University Hospital (Uniklinik) at RWTH Aachen University

Life in Aachen turned out to be just as valuable as the research itself.

“I was part of an international team with whom I grew close, and I greatly valued our discussions — both scientific and general — including cultural customs from different countries and linguistic curiosities” recalls Dr Mazurkiewicz-Pawlicka. “Aachen is a much smaller city than Warsaw — it has about 250,000 inhabitants, a large part of whom are students from around the world. Thanks to that, the city is vibrant at all times of day and year. Aachen is located right at the border with Belgium and the Netherlands, which allowed me to see how different — and at the same time how similar — these three countries are. I would definitely recommend such a stay to everyone. It offers the opportunity to establish excellent cooperation, meet fascinating people, and see how life looks beyond Poland’s borders, as well as to understand the everyday challenges faced by people in other countries.”

The stay was made possible thanks to a scholarship obtained under the Advanced Research Opportunities Programme (AROP) funded by RWTH Aachen University, and through support from the Fuel Science Center project (Cluster of Excellence “The Fuel Science Center” – FSC).