Novel Ru - K/Carbon Nanotubes Catalyst for Ammonia Synthesis

A novel ammonia synthesis catalyst, potassium-promoted ruthenium supported on carbon nanotubes, was developed. It was found that the Ru-K/carbon nanotubes catalyst had higher activity for ammonia synthesis （20.85 ml NH3/h/g-cat ） than the Ru-K/fullerenes （13.3 ml NH3/h/g-cat ） at atmospheric pressure and 623 K. The catalyst had activity even at 473 K. and had the highest activity （23.46 ml NH3/h/g-cat ） at 643 K. It was suggested that the multi-walled structure favored the electron transfer the hydrogen-storage and the hydrogen-spill which were favorable to ammonia synthesis.