Lee, Jae Seong Kim, Sooyeon Kim, Seung-Hyeon Baek, Jae-Hoon Seo, Jeong-Min Lee, Se Jung Li, Changqing Guan, Runnan Jang, Boo-Jae Han, Gao-Feng Han, Sang Soo Baek, Jong-Beom 2025-07-29T07:30:24Z 2025-07-29T07:30:24Z 2025-07-28 2025-07 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/152872 By enabling ammonia synthesis under near ambient conditions, mechanochemistry provides a paradigm shift, a new decentralized production method that avoids the high temperature (above 400 degrees C) and high pressure (above 200 bar) requirements of the centralized Haber-Bosch process. Leveraging the principles of mechanochemistry and its dynamic reaction environment, we hypothesize that inducing high-density defects on iron (Fe) catalyst can amplify catalytic activity by increasing initial state and adsorption capacity. In this study, we introduce a novel mechanochemical ammonia synthesis method utilizing silicon nitride (Si3N4) as a defect-inducing physical promoter. The physical properties of Si3N4 make it an ideal candidate to more efficiently generate active surfaces on Fe catalyst via mechanochemical actions. The Fe catalyst with Si3N4 (3.0 at%) promoter achieves an ammonia concentration 5.6-fold higher than unpromoted Fe, while maintaining substantial stability. This research not only establishes a promising pathway for low-energy ammonia production but also provides insights into dynamic defect engineering strategies for catalytic systems. English Nature Publishing Group Mechanochemical ammonia synthesis enhanced by silicon nitride as a defect-inducing physical promoter Article 10.1038/s41467-025-60715-3 1 Nature Communications, v.16, no.1 Nature Communications 16 1 Y scie scopus 001523450800040 2-s2.0-105009701958 Multidisciplinary Sciences Science & Technology - Other Topics Article NANOPARTICLES CHALLENGES OXIDE NITROGEN REDUCTION HYDROGEN-STORAGE