❌ False!

The Haber-Bosch process primarily uses iron-based catalysts, typically promoted with potassium (K₂O), calcium (CaO), and aluminum oxides (Al₂O₃) to enhance activity and stability.

⚙️ Nitrogen must dissociatively adsorb, meaning the nitrogen molecule must split into two nitrogen atoms. At the same time, the bond between the nitrogen atoms and the iron catalyst should not be too strong, as this would reduce catalytic efficiency

💰 Fortunately, active iron is also particularly inexpensive.

🏭🌾 The Haber-Bosch process made it possible to mass-produce ammonia, an essential raw material for the chemical industry. The economical access to ammonia allows, for examle, to produce niitrogen-based fertilizers at low cost.

📈 In 1913, the first Haber-Bosch reactor went into operation at the Oppau ammonia plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany. In the following years, ammonia production was systematically increased.

 🏆 Key Contributors

The development of the Haber-Bosch process involved Fritz Haber (1868–1934) and Walther Nernst (1864–1941) studying the underlying reaction, Alwin Mittasch (1869–1953) researching suitable catalysts, and Carl Bosch (1874–1940) solving high-pressure process challenges.

Nobel Prizes were awarded to Haber (1918, “for the synthesis of ammonia from its elements”), Bosch (1931, “in recognition of their contributions to the invention and development of chemical high-pressure methods”), and Gerhard Ertl (*1936, 2007, for his studies of chemical processes on solid surfaces) for contributions to understanding ammonia synthesis.

👉 Fun Fact

The so-called Bosch holes are very small holes drilled into the reactor shell to allow hydrogen to escape. Otherwise, the metal would become brittle, and the reactor would break down.

Source

Spotlight: Stamp for the 150th Birthday of Carl Bosch

ChemistryViews August 27, 2024.

A German stamp celebrates the 150. birthday of one of the most influential industrialists of the 20th century