Catalyst evolution reveals the unsung heroes in industrial ammonia production

Summary

Behind the scenes of ammonia synthesis. Credit: FHI Researchers at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute of Chemical Energy Conversion and Clariant have unveiled new insights into the complex catalyst systems used in industrial ammonia production. By examining the structural evolution of these catalysts, the study highlights the critical role of promoters in enhancing performance and stability. The Haber-Bosch process, a cornerstone of industrial ammonia production, has remained largely unchanged for over a century. However, researchers at the Departments of Inorganic Chemistry and Interface Science of the Fritz Haber Institute, the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, and Clariant have made significant strides in the mechanistic understanding of the highly complex industrial catalyst that drives this process. By using advanced characterization techniques like operando scanning electron microscopy and near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the team has decoded the complex interactions within multi-promoted ammonia synthesis catalysts. Prof. Thomas Lunkenbein, the corresponding author, stated, "Our research provides a deeper understanding of the catalyst's inner workings, revealing how promoters and structural transformations contribute to its efficiency and stability. This knowledge is crucial for developing next-generation catalysts that are both more effective and sustainable." The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications. The surface of the multi-promoted catalyst started to change during the reductive activation treatment. The drifting field of view of the OSEM images results from thermal expansion effects and chemical transformations. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63061-6 The study reveals that the activation phase is crucial for forming the active catalyst configuration. During this phase, the interplay of various pr...