Energy-related catalysis

Abstract

by addition of alkali metals as promoters [13] Adding alkali(oxides) to the surface of a transition-metal induces local electrical fields.This allows one to exploit the fact that the N2 dissociation transition state has a larger dipole moment than adsorbed N. Therefore, the scaling relation line in Fig. 1a is shifted downwards resulting in a circumvention of the pure-metal scaling relation and a considerably better catalyst.These industrial advancements can be contrasted to the naturally occurring systems as enzymes including nitrogenase. Despite that this biological system is known to be able to make ammonia at ambient temperatures and pressure, it is a very inefficient process. Hence, not only do we need to find inorganic catalyst but they have to be scalable andmore efficient than the naturally occurring process. The challenge remains to develop a systematic approach to understanding effects like this in order to give us a toolbox of strategies to design radically better catalysts. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS