Fundamentals of Soot Formation and Suppression in NH3-Hydrocarbon Co-Combustion
Soot emissions resulting from the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels constitute a major environmental pollutant, posing serious threats to both ecological systems and human health. Ammonia (NH3), as a zero-carbon energy fuel, has attracted increasing attention for its potential to mitigate carbon emissions. Recent studies have demonstrated that co-combustion of NH3 with hydrocarbon fuels not only reduces carbon output but also significantly suppresses soot formation. Emerging evidence suggests that NH3 modulates soot formation kinetics through its influence on radical chemistry, interference with soot precursor pathways, and possible engagement in surface-mediated reactions on nascent soot particles. However, the detailed kinetic mechanisms underpinning NH3-induced soot suppression remain insufficiently understood, particularly with respect to its roles in soot nucleation, growth, and oxidation. This special issue aims to advance the fundamental understanding of soot production mechanisms in NH3/hydrocarbon co-combustion systems. Emphasis is placed on elucidating reaction kinetics and pathways through an integrated approach that combines advanced laser-based diagnostics, molecular dynamics simulations, first-principles calculations, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and detailed chemical kinetic modelling. Of particular interest is the influence of NH3 on key soot characteristics, including particle size distribution, morphology, and oxidative reactivity, as well as its implications for optimizing combustion parameters such as fuel blending ratios and operating conditions. By uncovering the multiscale mechanisms through which NH3 alters soot formation, this collection seeks to provide a robust theoretical framework for cleaner combustion technologies. These insights will not only deepen the basic knowledge of the formation and suppression mechanism of soot, but also lay a solid theoretical foundation for the development of cleaner combustion technologies, and promote the development of energy power systems towards near-zero pollutant emissions.
● The effect of NH3 doping on the formation of soot precursors (e.g. NPAHs).
● Interaction mechanism of NH3 with the surface of soot particles.
● Role of key radicals (e.g. H, OH, NH2, NO2) in doped combustion.
● Application of multi-scale simulations (quantum chemistry, kinetic simulations) in soot suppression studies.In situ observations of soot evolution by novel experimental techniques.
● In situ observations of soot evolution by novel experimental techniques.
Guest Editors
Dr. Pan Wang, Professor
Jiangsu University, China
E-Mail: wangpan@ujs.edu.cn
Dr. Yiran Zhang, Associate Professor
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
E-Mail: zhangyiran@sjtu.edu.cn
Submission Deadline
The deadline for manuscript submissions is 1 June 2026, but we can accommodate extensions on a case-by-case basis. All papers will be published as open access articles upon acceptance. Authors can benefit from a reduced APC of $1,800 USD if submission is made before 1 June 2026.
Submission Instructions
Manuscripts should be prepared according to the guidelines of Progress in Reaction Kinetics and Mechanism and submitted through the journal's online submission system. All submitted papers will undergo a rigorous peer-review process.
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