LAUSR

Abstract NH3 synthesis on Ru, Os, and Rh nanoparticle catalysts was investigated using density functional theory calculations. The Ru and Os nanoparticles exhibited similar shapes, while that of Rh differed significantly. For all metal species, step sites appeared at nanoparticle diameters (d) >2–4 nm. The calculated activation barriers (Ea) were small at step sites, and Ru and Os step sites exhibited similar Ea values despite the former having a higher turnover frequency. This is likely due to the surface coverage of vacant sites being higher on Ru. Although the increase in NH3 synthesis rate at d = 2–4 nm was common to Ru, Os, and Rh, the reaction rates decreased in the order: Ru > Os > Rh. Our results show that Ea values, surface vacant sites, and the number of step sites are important factors for NH3 synthesis. The Ru nanoparticles exhibited high activity due to satisfying all three factors.