Essential role of hydride ion in ruthenium-based ammonia synthesis catalysts.

ABSTRACT: The efficient reduction of atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia under low pressure and temperature conditions has been a challenge in meeting the rapidly increasing demand for fertilizers and hydrogen storage. Here, we report that Ca₂N:e^-, a two-dimensional electride, combined with ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru/Ca₂N:e^-) exhibits efficient and stable catalytic activity down to 200 °C. This catalytic performance is due to [Ca₂N]⁺·e_1-x^-H _x^- formed by a reversible reaction of an anionic electron with hydrogen (Ca₂N:e^- + xH ↔ [Ca₂N]⁺·e_1-x^-H _x^-) during ammonia synthesis. Th

SUBMITTER: Kitano M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6013784 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature