Rapid start-up of carbon-free H2 production by ammonia oxidative decomposition over Co/Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 with microwave irradiation

Hydrogen is a promising combustion improver for use with ammonia fuels, but a cost-effective method for easily producing hydrogen from ammonia at a high rate has yet to be developed. Here, we show that microwave irradiation instantly triggers oxidative decomposition of ammonia over a Co/Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ catalyst to produce hydrogen at a high rate. The microwave irradiation rapidly heats the inside of the catalyst from room temperature to the catalytic auto-ignition temperature of ammonia, thus initiating exothermic oxidative decomposition of ammonia to produce hydrogen. This method provides a highly efficient means of producing hydrogen for potential use in a carbon-free, ammonia-fueled power generation process.