A start-up grant for doctoral students focused on developing catalysts for efficient ammonia production has been awarded to Biswajit Mishra from the CEET Materials and Envi Lab at VSB-Technical University of Ostrava in a call launched by the Moravian-Silesian Region. The project addresses the growing demand for sustainable ammonia production, aiming to reduce dependence on critical raw materials and foster a competitive green economy.
Ammonia is a strategic raw material used not only in fertilizer production for agriculture but also in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, as well as in modern cooling systems. Current industrial production of ammonia requires high temperatures and pressures and is therefore very energy-intensive, with a number of negative environmental impacts. The research supported by the start-up grant focuses on developing single-atom molybdenum catalysts (Mo-SAC) anchored in crystalline porous structures, such as metal-organic (MOF) and covalent organic (COF) frameworks, to address critical challenges in the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction.
“The goal is to synthesize and characterize Mo-SAC catalysts, investigate structure-activity relationships, and integrate these catalysts into a scalable electrolyzer for continuous ammonia production. The research combines material innovation with process optimization and delivers sustainable and energy-efficient solutions,” said the grant holder.
Grants for universities in the Moravian-Silesian Region are supported by the Operational Programme Just Transition. Their aim is to support the creation of postdoctoral positions at universities in the region for excellent foreign graduates of doctoral study programs or individuals with a PhD degree and long-term foreign experience, and to contribute to creating excellent research teams with an emphasis on the employment of doctoral programme graduates and their subsequent career development.
The project will contribute significantly to the development of the Moravian-Silesian Region and the city of Ostrava by supporting technological innovation, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. The region has a strong industrial base, particularly in chemical production, metallurgy, and energy, and the project will bring cutting-edge advances in green hydrogen and ammonia production in line with regional sustainability goals. The development of a scalable and energy-efficient electrolyzer for nitrogen reduction will support the transition of local industry to carbon-neutral production processes and reduce dependence on imports of ammonia produced from fossil fuels.
The project, with a budget of approximately CZK 5.2 million, was launched in May this year and will run until April 2028.
