Operando probing of the surface chemistry during the Haber–Bosch process

Abstract The large-scale conversion of N 2 and H 2 into NH 3 (refs. 1,2 ) over Fe and Ru catalysts 3 for fertilizer production occurs through the Haber–Bosch process, which has been considered the most important scientific invention of the twentieth century 4 . The active component of the catalyst enabling the conversion was variously considered to be the oxide 5 , nitride 2 , metallic phase or surface nitride 6 , and the rate-limiting step has been associated with N 2 dissociation 7–9 , reaction of the adsorbed nitrogen 10 and also NH 3 desorption 11 . This range of views reflects that the Haber–Bosch process operates at high temperatures and pressures, whereas surface-sensitive techniques that might…

• VF
  Villum Fonden

  Award: 41388
• KO
  Knut och Alice Wallenbergs Stiftelse

  Award: 2016.0042
• V
  Vetenskapsrådet

  Awards: 2017-00559, 2013-8823
• DE
  Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron