{
  "id": 3153627,
  "title": "Beyond Haber-Bosch: New solar-powered technique for ammonia production",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/beyond-haber-bosch-new-solar-powered-technique-for-ammonia-production",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-25T00:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Research Matters India",
    "slug": "research-matters-india",
    "url": "https://researchmatters.in/news/beyond-haber-bosch-new-solar-powered-technique-ammonia-production"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A team of researchers has developed an innovative method for producing ammonia using only sunlight, water and air, potentially revolutionising the way we make fertiliser and store renewable energy. Unlike the traditional Haber-Bosch process, which requires extreme temperatures and pressures to combine nitrogen with hydrogen, this new technique relies on a photocatalytic nitrogen reduction process powered by light energy. The breakthrough was achieved by tweaking the structure of a specific mineral called bismuth molybdate through atomic-scale engineering, which enabled it to effectively reduce nitrogen gas into ammonia at room temperature. By doping the material with tin atoms, the scientists created oxygen vacancies on its surface that acted as chemical traps, weakening the nitrogen triple bond and making it easier to break. The optimised tin-doped catalyst proved to be 10.9 times more efficient than the undoped material, with an impressive ammonia production rate of 2.07 millimoles per gram under simulated sunlight. Crucially, the prototype reactor demonstrated that the technology could work effectively in real-world conditions when exposed to natural sunlight. The researchers found a critical balance in tin content - 10% was found to be the optimal amount, as excess caused the catalyst to perform poorly. This precise manufacturing requirement is essential for maintaining peak performance. While previous attempts using different metals like iron, gadolinium or indium also showed promise, the tin-based approach created a dual active site that excelled at both attracting nitrogen and providing the necessary electrons for the reaction. The new material's stability was also noteworthy, remaining effective even after fifteen cycles of testing, making it potentially viable for long-term industrial applications. If successfully scaled up, this solar-powered ammonia production method could enable a decentralized approach to fertiliser manufacturing, allowing farmers to produce their own fertiliser on-site using water and air, thereby reducing carbon emissions and making food production more affordable in remote or developing regions. Additionally, the ability to store and transport ammonia using this sustainable process could contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.",
  "summary": "Research Matters Staff Writer(s) Kolkata 25 Aug 2026 A team of scientists has succeeded in creating green ammonia, a breakthrough that could change how we produce fertiliser and store renewable energy. Using atomic-scale engineering to tweak the structure of a specific mineral, the researchers found a way to use nothing but sunlight, water, and air to create ammonia at room temperature. This new…",
  "key_points": [
    "New solar-powered method produces ammonia using sunlight, water, and air.",
    "Bismuth molybdate mineral tweaked to reduce nitrogen gas into ammonia at room temperature.",
    "Tin-doped catalyst 10.9 times more efficient than undoped material, optimal at 10% content."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}