Strengthening Hydrogen Spillover in Ceria-Supported Co–Fe Bimetallic Catalysts for Boosting Ammonia Synthesis

The development of a bimetallic catalyst for ammonia synthesis using nonprecious metals such as Co, Fe, and Mo has attracted wide attention. In this work, because of the enhancement of the exposed Co species on the surface of the Co–Fe bimetallic catalyst through the introduction of Co into Fe-CeO2 by the impregnation method, the amount of hydrogen adsorbed on the metal surface would enhance, and the hydrogen spillover could strengthen. As a result, the as-prepared sample shows much higher ammonia synthesis activity than other Co–Fe bimetallic catalysts or monometallic samples. This finding not only provides a way for the development of bimetallic catalysts using nonprecious metals for ammonia synthesis but also helps design other bimetallic catalysts for hydrogen-involving reactions.