Intuitive study on the effect of support morphology over Cs-Ru/CeO2 catalyst for microwave-initiated ammonia synthesis

Microwave-initiated ammonia synthesis is a potential candidate to the current Haber-Bosch process that can operate from stranded renewable energy source. Our previous studies indicated Cs-Ru/CeO2 is a promising catalyst for microwave-assisted ammonia synthesis and the morphology of CeO2 significantly affects the catalytic performance. In this paper, CeO2 support with distinct morphologies nanorod, nanoparticle, and microstructure, is studied comprehensively at ambient pressure and low temperature under microwave irradiation. Moreover, CeO2 nanorods of various sizes were synthesized at different timing (24, 36, and 48 h). Nanorods synthesized at 36 h exhibited superior activity associated to high dispersion and small Ru particle size. [Display omitted] •Microwave is potential candidate for renewable ammonia synthesis.•Ceria morphology amends the size of Ru particles, altering NH3 synthesis.•Cs-Ru/CeO2 nanorod structure exhibited superior activity towards NH3 synthesis.•The size of CeO2 nanorod was controlled by adjusting the synthesis time.•Microwave susceptibility was illustrated using dielectric measurement.