Boron nitride: A novel support for ruthenium-based ammonia synthesis catalysts

A barium-promoted boron nitride-supported ruthenium catalyst is shown to exhibit unprecedented activity and stability in catalytic ammonia synthesis. The activity is measured at temperatures between 360 and 400 degreesC and at pressures of 50 to 100 bar. The stability of the Ba-Ru/BN catalyst is assessed from a test run conducted at 100 bar and 550 degreesC for 3500 h causing no detectable deactivation. (C) 2001 Academic Press.