The Formation of Surface Lithium–Iron Ternary Hydride and its Function on Catalytic Ammonia Synthesis at Low Temperatures

• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201703695
• Publication Date: 2017-05-29T11:27:05Z
• Authors: Peikun Wang; Hua Xie; Jianping Guo; Zhi Zhao; Xiangtao Kong; Wenbo Gao; Fei Chang; Teng He; Guotao Wu; Mingshu Chen; Ling Jiang; Ping Chen
• Keywords: Lithium hydride; Ammonia production

Abstract Lithium hydride (LiH) has a strong effect on iron leading to an approximately 3 orders of magnitude increase in catalytic ammonia synthesis. The existence lithium–iron ternary species at the surface/interface catalyst were identified and characterized for first time by gas‐phase optical spectroscopy coupled with mass spectrometry quantum chemical calculations. may serve as centers that readily activate hydrogenate dinitrogen, forming Fe‐(NH 2 )‐Li LiNH moieties—possibly through redox reaction dinitrogen hydridic hydrogen is mediated iron—showing distinct differences from formation conventional or ruthenium‐based catalysts. Hydrogen‐associated activation conversion are discussed.