Ammonia Synthesis by a Glow Discharge Plasma of H₂-N₂ Mixed Gas over MgO

Abstract

Synthesis of ammonia from H₂ and N₂ was examined at room temperature under the condition of glow discharge plasma in the presence of MgO. The rate of ammonia formation was significantly improved by MgO, although MgO was catalytically inactive in thermal ammonia synthesis. The amount of ammonia formed increased correspondingly with the increase of the surface area of MgO. The presence of considerable amount of ammonia on the MgO surface was observed by temperature programmed desorption. Trace of Mg₂N₃was detected on the MgO surface by ESCA. This was not an intermediate of the reaction, because ammonia formation was not observed by the reaction of Mg₂N₃ with hydrogen plasma.