Cascade Conversion of N2, H2O, and CO2 into NH4HCO3 under Atmospheric Pressure

Ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) is a widely used nitrogen fertilizer that simultaneously offers nitrogen and carbon while consuming CO2 during its synthesis. Conventional NH4HCO3 production relies on the Haber−Bosch process to generate NH3 followed by CO2 neutralization, resulting in high pressure operating conditions (400−500 °C, 100−200 bar). Herein, we present a cascade plasma-thermal catalytic route that converts N2, H2O, and CO2 into NH4HCO3 under atmospheric pressure. In this process, non-thermal plasma activates N2 and H2O to generate NO and H2, bypassing thermodynamic constraints. The plasma-derived NO is then hydrogenated over Pt/HZSM-5 with supplementary H2 from water electrolysis to produce NH3. Finally, simultaneous CO2 absorption leads to the in situ formation of NH4HCO3, achieving a yield rate of 114.5 mmol h–1 at a discharge current of 0.4 A. This integrated approach offers a pathway for nitrogen fertilizer synthesis from air and water, representing a step toward carbon−nitrogen cycle coupling.