Mechanocatalytic Synthesis of Ammonia: State of the Catalyst During Reaction and Deactivation Pathway.

Ammonia synthesis holds significant importance for both agricultural fertilizer production and emerging green energy applications. Here, we present a comprehensive characterization of a catalyst for mechanochemical ammonia synthesis, based on Cs-promoted Fe. The study sheds light on the catalyst's dynamic evolution under reaction conditions and the origin of deactivation.

In situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction studies monitoring mechanochemical reactions of hard materials: Challenges and limitations.

In situ monitoring of mechanochemical reactions of soft matter is feasible by synchrotron diffraction experiments. However, so far, reactions of hard materials in existing polymer milling vessels failed due to insufficient energy input. In this study, we present the development of a suitable setup for in situ diffraction experiments at a synchrotron facility.

Mechanocatalytic Room-Temperature Synthesis of Ammonia from Its Elements Down to Atmospheric Pressure.

Ammonia synthesis via the high-temperature and high-pressure Haber-Bosch process is one of the most important chemical processes in the world. In spite of numerous attempts over the last 100 years, continuous Haber-Bosch type ammonia synthesis at room-temperature had not been possible, yet. We report the development of a mechanocatalytic system operating continuously at room-temperature and at pressures down to 1 bar.

In Situ Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction Studies of the Mechanochemical Synthesis of ZnS from its Elements.

Invited for the cover of this issue is Claudia Weidenthaler and co-workers at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Shenzhen University and Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron. The image depicts the X-ray diffraction results showing the formation of ZnS and the subsequent phase transition from the hexagonal to the cubic modification. Read the full text of the article at 10.