Choi Min-ki, a professor in the Department of Biological Chemistry at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), announced on the 11th that his research team has developed a low-temperature and low-pressure ammonia synthesis catalyst that exhibits over seven times the performance of existing methods. The research results were published in the international journal Nature Catalysis on Feb. 24.
Ammonia is an essential substance used in various industries, including fertilizers, chemicals, and fuels. In recent times, it has also gained attention as an eco-friendly energy source for storing and transporting hydrogen. However, the current Haber-Bosch process requires high temperatures of over 500 degrees Celsius and strong pressures of over 100 atmospheres to produce ammonia. This process consumes a lot of energy and emits substantial carbon dioxide.
To address this, recent studies have explored using electrolysis technology to obtain eco-friendly hydrogen from water, utilizing it to synthesize ammonia at low temperature and pressure. However, catalyst development is essential to maintain high productivity even at low temperatures and pressures.
The research team developed a new catalyst that combines ruthenium with barium oxide on a carbon surface that conducts electricity well, operating like a 'chemical battery' that stores electrons. In the existing catalysts, hydrogen molecules were decomposed on the surface of ruthenium, but the catalyst developed by the research team allows hydrogen to split into protons and electrons, which are stored in barium oxide and carbon, respectively.
The stored electrons accumulate on the ruthenium catalyst, creating an environment where reactions can occur more vigorously. As a result, the crucial process of decomposing nitrogen molecules to produce ammonia occurs much more easily, leading to increased productivity.
Additionally, the research team confirmed that by adjusting the structure of carbon, they could increase the electron density of ruthenium and maximize the performance of the catalyst. The newly created catalyst recorded over seven times the ammonia synthesis performance compared to the existing catalysts under conditions of 300 degrees Celsius and 10 atmospheres.
Professor Choi Min-ki noted, 'This research has confirmed that using high-performance catalysts makes efficient ammonia synthesis possible even under low-temperature and low-pressure conditions.' He added, 'This will enable a shift from the traditional large-scale factory-centered production methods to decentralized, small-scale ammonia production, allowing for a more flexible approach to ammonia production and utilization suitable for an eco-friendly hydrogen economy system.'
References
Nature Catalysis (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-025-01302-z