Using quantum materials as catalysts for fertilizer synthesis

Synthetic fertilizers, one the most important developments in modern agriculture, have enabled many countries to secure a stable food supply. Among them, organic ureas (or organoureas) have become prominent sources of nitrogen for crops. Since these compounds do not dissolve immediately in water, but instead are slowly decomposed by soil microorganisms, they provide a stable and controlled supply of nitrogen, which is crucial for plant growth and function.

However, traditional methods to synthesize organoureas are environmentally harmful due to their use of toxic substances, such as phosgene. Although alternative synthesis strategies have been demonstrated, these either rely on expensive and scarce noble metals or employ catalysts that cannot be reused easily.

In a recent effort to address these challenges, a research team including Honorary Professor Hideo Hosono from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, has leveraged the quantum properties of bismuth selenide (Bi₂Se₃) to synthesize organoureas. Their study is published in Science Advances.

The researchers sought to take advantage of the fact that Bi₂Se₃ is a topological insulator. Its extremely robust surface possesses unique electronic properties, making it a lucrative candidate for catalytic applications. Accordingly, the team prepared Bi₂Se₃ nanoparticles to maximize the surface area of the catalyst.

They exploited its surface toughness and large spin–orbit interactions to produce various organic urea derivatives from two amine molecules, as well as carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen (O₂), achieving almost 100% yield at room temperature in many cases.

To shed light on the reaction mechanism, the team investigated the surface states of Bi₂Se₃ through molecular simulations. One of the key steps in the synthesis process was the removal of the hydrogen atom from the amines, so that they could be subsequently linked together by a –CO group.

The researchers found that O₂ molecules bind stably to Bi atoms on the (015) surface of Bi₂Se₃, which changes their spin state from triplet to singlet. This causes the O₂ molecules to dissociate. The adsorbed dissociated oxygen groups pull hydrogen out of the amines bound to Se, giving way to the CO–amine reaction.

“We found that the spin state of the O₂ molecule is changed from triplet to singlet by the local magnetic field arising from the strong spin–orbit interaction of Bi and the singlet O₂ with much higher reactivity pulls hydrogen out from the amine, reducing energy barrier for the desired reaction,” explains Prof. Hosono.

“This catalytic effect is a result of the unique features of topological materials and the appropriate element choice of Bi and Se for this reaction.”

The activity of the Bi₂Se₃ catalyst exceeded that of other Se-containing compounds, as well as that of most existing transition metal-based catalysts. The surface of the proposed catalyst nanoparticles was remarkably stable as well, thanks to its topological features.

“The recyclability of a catalyst is one of its most critical properties for practical applications. The proposed Bi₂Se₃ catalyst could be reused at least 20 times without obvious loss of catalytic activity, whereas the yields for other Se-based catalysts decreased continuously,” says Prof. Hosono.

This work not only provides a viable solution to the challenges associated with urea synthesis, but also showcases the potential of leveraging specific quantum properties of materials for various novel applications, including sustainable agricultural practices.