The Reaction Mechanism for Catalytic Ammonia Production Experimentally Determined

Artificial fertilizers in agriculture, which are often spread in the form of small grains, have contributed to much higher harvests and thereby saved 4 billion people’s lives during the 20th century. In the study, the researchers show how ammonia are produced in a catalytic process forming the basis for the production of fertilizers. Photo: GUDELLAPHOTO/Mostphotos

Ammonia, produced in the Haber-Bosch process, is currently one of the most essential base chemicals for the world to produce fertilizers, with an annual production of 110 million tones. The journal Nature proposed in 2001 that the Haber-Bosch process was the most critical scientific invention for humankind during the 20th century, since it has saved around 4 billion people’s lives by preventing mass starvation. An estimation of the nitrogen content in our bodies’ DNA and proteins shows that half of the atoms can be derived from Haber-Bosch.  

“In spite of 3 Nobel Prizes (1918, 1931, and 2007) for the Haber-Bosch process, it has not been possible to experimentally investigate the catalyst surface with surface-sensitive methods under real ammonia production conditions; experimental techniques with surface sensitivity at high enough pressures and temperatures had not been achievable. Consequently, different hypotheses about the state of the iron catalyst as being metallic or in a nitride, as well as the nature of the intermediate species of importance to the reaction mechanism, could not be unambiguously verified”, says Anders Nilsson, professor of Chemical Physics at Stockholm University. 

New instrument built at Stockholm University

“What enabled this study is that we have built a photoelectron spectroscopy instrument in Stockholm that allows studies of catalyst surfaces under high pressures. Thereby, we have been able to observe what happens when the reaction occurs directly”, says David Degerman, Postdoc in Chemical Physics at Stockholm University. “We have opened a new door into understanding ammonia production catalysis with our new instrument where we now can detect reaction intermediates and provide evidence for the reaction mechanism.”

The photoelectron spectroscopy instrument was built at Stockholm University and allows studies of catalyst surfaces under high pressures. Photo: Peter Amman

“To have our Stockholm instrument at one of the brightest x-ray sources in the world at PETRA III in Hamburg has been crucial to conduct the study”, says Patrick Lömker, Researcher at Stockholm University. “We can now imagine the future with even brighter sources when the machine upgrades to PETRA IV”.

“We now have the tools to conduct research leading to new catalyst materials for ammonia production that can be used better to fit together with electrolysis-produced hydrogen for the green transition of the chemical industry”, says Anders Nilsson. 

Can lessen the dependence on fossil sources

“It is inspiring to conduct research on a topic that is so linked to a scientific success story that has helped humanity tremendously. I am eager to continue research to find new catalysts that can lessen our dependence on fossil sources. The chemical industry alone accounts for 8% of the world-wide CO2 emissions”, says Bernadette Davies, PhD student in Materials Chemistry at Stockholm University.

“The long-term prospect of carrying out ammonia production through an electrocatalytic alternative that is directly driven by solar, or wind electricity is most appealing, and now we have tools to scientifically assist in this development”, says Sergey Koroidov, Researcher at Stockholm University.

The study was conducted in collaboration with Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) in Hamburg and the Montan University in Austria. The study included former employees at the University, Chris Goodwin, Peter Amann, Mikhail Shiplin, Jette Mathiesen and Gabriel Rodrigez.

Figure illustrates how the catalytic surface reaction provides the foundation for agriculture. Illustration by David Degerman, postdoctor, Department of Physics, Stockholm University

More information

The article “Operando Probing of the Surface Chemistry During the Haber-Bosch Process” by Chris Goodwin et al is published in the scientific journal Nature.