We fabricated Co-based catalysts with inverted structures by the low-temperature thermal decomposition of R–Co intermetallics (R = rare earth) to reduce the temperature of ammonia cracking for hydrogen production. The Co₁₃/LaO_1.5 nanocomposite exhibited superior catalytic activity (91 % at 500ºC). Increasing the interface area between the catalyst and the support enhances catalytic reaction in the inverse catalysts having a metal-rich composition. [1] We also synthesized a barium orthosilicate oxynitride-hydride Ba₃SiO_5-xN_yH_z as a transition-metal-free catalyst for efficient ammonia synthesis. The ammonia synthesis rate is comparable to that of a benchmarked catalyst Ru:MgO and reaches 40.1 mmol g^-1 h⁻¹ at 300ºC by loading ruthenium nanoparticles. This demonstrates a new route for anion-vacancy-mediated heterogeneous catalysis.[2]

Our research goal is to create novel functionality utilizing electrons in solids by cultivating new frontiers in materials science. Revolutionary semiconductors, superconductors, and catalysts are our outcomes targeted. Transparent amorphous semiconductors (TAOS) represented by IGZO and high-T_c iron-based superconductors have been created. Recently, we have focused on materials for the production, liquefaction, or transportation of hydrogen to contribute to realizing a hydrogen society.