Catalytic Activity for Ammonia Synthesis of Iron Supported Catalysts Prepared from an Acid-modified λ-Al2O3 Method

Iron supported catalysts were prepared by impregnation of several acid-modified λ-Al₂O₃ samples with a K₄Fe(CN)₆] aqueous solution. A concentration range between 0–20 mmole H⁺ added · g^?1λ-Al₂O₃ was used. The quantitative determination of the acid site and iron contents of the modified λ-Al₂O₃ samples was followed by UV spectrometry and F.A.A.S., respectively. An increasing final iron content of the catalysts with increasing acid site content of the support is observed. The catalytic activity for ammonia synthesis was followed at atmospheric pressure and 593 K (N₂/H₂ = 1/3). An increasing ammonia production per gram of catalyst with increasing protonation of the support was observed in the range 0–8 mmole H⁺ added · g^?1λ-Al₂O₃. The catalytic activity of iron supported catalysts prepared by this method was higher (up to twofold) that of a catalyst prepared by the incipient wetness method.