Sapporo, Japan - August 21, 2026 – Professor Ping Chen from the Center for Hydride Energy Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Delivered a plenary lecture today at the 10th Tokyo Conference on Advanced Catalytic Science and Technology (TOCAT 10), held from August 18-23, 2026. Her presentation, titled 'Hydrides for Ammonia Synthesis', showcased groundbreaking research on utilizing alkali and alkaline earth hydrides to revolutionize ammonia production.

In her talk, Chen detailed how main-group hydrides such as lithium hydride (LiH) and barium hydride (BaH₂) can function as both electron and hydrogen carriers, enabling the activation and conversion of molecular nitrogen (N₂) to ammonia (NH₃) under thermal and photochemical conditions. She emphasized that these hydrides produce electron-rich, multi-component, and dynamic active centers that either synergize with transition metals or operate independently to mediate nitrogen fixation, a critical step toward sustainable fertilizer and energy storage solutions.

A key highlight was the discovery of a distinct reaction cycle where LiH reacts with N₂ to form lithium imide (Li₂NH) and hydrogen, followed by hydrogenation to regenerate LiH and produce NH₃. This loop provides an alternative pathway to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. Chen also presented recent advances in photo-driven ammonia synthesis, revealing that UV illumination of LiH generates electron-rich color centers, and wavelength-specific excitation can selectively modulate reaction kinetics, allowing ammonia yields to surpass thermodynamic equilibrium limits.

The research, supported by Nature Chemistry and Nature Catalysis publications, positions hydride-based catalysis as a promising frontier for mild-condition ammonia synthesis. Chen's plenary address was met with keen interest from the international catalysis community, underscoring the growing importance of hydride chemistry in addressing global energy and environmental challenges. (Text: Khai Chen Tan; Images: TOCAT 10, Tokyo 2026)

Conference link: TOCAT10