Introducing trace Co to molybdenum carbide catalyst for efficient ammonia synthesis

Development of the cost-effective catalysts with excellent catalytic performance is highly demanded for ammonia synthesis, and the strong adsorption of ammonia greatly hinders the design of cost-effective and high-performance ammonia synthesis catalysts. Herein, we report that the addition of a small amount of Co species (0.1 wt%) into Mo2C catalyst, which can provide electrons to Mo2C, not only leads to improvement of the adsorption and migration of hydrogen, but also facilitates the adsorption and desorption of ammonia. Consequently, Mo2C catalyst with 0.1 wt%Co offers a 40% higher ammonia synthesis activity and a lower negative reaction order with respect to NH3 in comparison to Mo2C. This work stresses the importance of the minor components in improving the ammonia synthesis activity by accelerating the migration of reactants over the catalyst surface and the escape of products from the catalyst.