Beyond Haber-Bosch: Chemists Stumble Upon a Greener Method to Make Ammonia for Sustainable Agriculture

The Haber-Bosch process, widely used for ammonia production, accounts for approximately 1% of global fossil fuel usage and carbon emissions, contributing significantly to climate change.

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Benjamin Snyder and his team have made significant progress in developing a greener method for ammonia production.

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One of the main challenges in reducing energy input for ammonia production has been separating ammonia from the reactants without high temperature and pressure swings.

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Benjamin Snyder's team addressed this challenge by designing and synthesizing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are porous materials capable of binding and releasing ammonia at moderate temperatures and pressures.

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The breakthrough in ammonia separation opens the door for alternative processes that can operate under less extreme conditions.

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The study offers the potential to produce fertilizer more sustainably, utilizing smaller facilities closer to farmers.

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The accidental discovery by chemist Benjamin Snyder and his team revealed that a copper-based porous material could absorb ammonia in massive quantities.

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The study offers the potential to produce fertilizer more sustainably, utilizing smaller facilities closer to farmers.

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The researchers hope that their innovative material can contribute to a modified Haber-Bosch process that is more sustainable and operates under moderate conditions.

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