Ammonia Iron: An Epistemic Challenge with Practical Consequences

Ammonia synthesis from elements using the Haber–Bosch (HB) process will grow in demand above the present world-scale application through the need to transport renewable energy. The actual broad academic research effort concentrates on novel solutions, as the existing technology is considered to be mature. The paper investigates this statement by analyzing the relevance of the foundational model for optimizing the iron HB catalyst. The epistemic analysis dwells upon reductionistic assumptions, opening science gaps between model catalysts and performance operation. The mechanistic understanding of the HB process limits expectations for future development but opens up aspects of the optimization potential. It lies in the material chemistry of how the structure of the active sites, which is fixed in space and time in the model concept, is realized in performance catalysts. Significant chances are seen to further improve the existing reliable technology through optimization of the iron-based material. Its intricate property profile precludes success by further empirical searches but requires the full power of a knowledge-based approach guided by a suggested development of the functional model.