Ammonia isn't just for cleaning supplies and plant fertilizers - it can also serve as a precursor to clean hydrogen energy. The decomposition of ammonia (NH 3 ) is a promising carbon-free pathway that makes hydrogen, which can be used as a fuel that doesn't emit harmful fumes like fossil fuels do. Recent research at Tohoku University is tackling the main issue that makes ammonia decomposition challenging by creating a non-noble metal catalyst that speeds up the reaction to a practical rate.
An inexpensive nickel (Ni) catalyst doped with yttrium (Y) was created to solve these issues. The combined structure (called Ni 1 Ce 1-x Y x O α ) is formulated in such a way that it can generate many, stable surface oxygen vacancies, which are vital for controlling the reaction for ammonia decomposition. Additionally, the new catalyst design allowed the research team to precisely adjust the electronic environment of Ni active sites (sites on the catalyst that other molecules can bind to in order to trigger certain chemical reactions). As a result, the catalyst greatly improved the performance of the ammonia decomposition reaction.
Non-noble metal catalysts like Ni often suffer from insufficient intrinsic activity and high energy barriers for N 2 desorption. However, the research team was able to create a high−performance, non−noble metal catalyst by carefully incorporating yttrium as a dual-function promoter. This study unveils how Y-doping represents a unique strategy to produce stable and effective catalysts to aid with ammonia decomposition.
"This study provides a practical pathway toward more sustainable, affordable hydrogen energy systems," says Associate Professor Yizhou Zhang. "The findings support the broader transition to clean energy, contributing to reduced carbon emissions and the future deployment of hydrogen-based vehicles and power generation."
The findings were published in Journal of Catalysis on January 30, 2026.
About the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
The WPI program was launched in 2007 by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to foster globally visible research centers boasting the highest standards and outstanding research environments. Numbering more than a dozen and operating at institutions throughout the country, these centers are given a high degree of autonomy, allowing them to engage in innovative modes of management and research. The program is administered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
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Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR)
Tohoku University
Establishing a World-Leading Research Center for Materials Science
AIMR aims to contribute to society through its actions as a world-leading research center for materials science and push the boundaries of research frontiers. To this end, the institute gathers excellent researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and mathematics and provides a world-class research environment.
AIMR site: https://www.wpi-aimr.tohoku.ac.jp/en/
Journal of Catalysis
Y-Induced Oxygen Vacancy Engineering and Local Electronic Reconstruction for Enhanced Ammonia Decomposition over Ni1Ce1-xYxOα
30-Jan-2026