Hydrogenation of N over Fe{111}.
Over the past five decades, ultra high vacuum (uhv) techniques applied to well-defined single-crystal samples (the "surface science paradigm") have transformed our understanding of fundamental surface chemistry. To translate this success to the world of realistic heterogeneous catalysis, however, requires one seriously to address the fact that real heterogeneous catalysts usually operate under near-ambient or higher pressures. Nevertheless, the surface science paradigm can undoubtedly provide crucial insights into catalytic processes, so long as care is exercised in the design of experiments. Forging a secure link between two radically different pressure regimes is the major challenge, which we illustrate here with reference to the vitally important ammonia synthesis reaction, achieved industrially only under extremely high pressure.
Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom.
Poobalasuntharam
P
Iyngaran
David C
DC
Madden
Stephen J
SJ
Jenkins
David A
DA
King
D000641:Ammonia / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D002384:Catalysis; D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000379:methods*; D006865:Hydrogenation; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D011312:Pressure; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D014618:Vacuum
D000641:Ammonia; D007501:Iron; D009584:Nitrogen