A Simplified Haber-Bosch Experiment for the Chemistry Laboratory: A Low-Cost Approach to Teaching Ammonia Synthesis and Green Hydrogen Concepts

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is one of the major global challenges and involves rethinking established industrial processes. Ammonia synthesis using the Haber-Bosch process is fundamental to modern agriculture, but it is also one of the largest sources of CO 2 emissions. This is mainly due to one of the steps in the process in which hydrogen is obtained from fossil fuels. A promising alternative is to replace this step with the use of green hydrogen, obtained by water splitting with renewable energy sources. However, accessible experimental practices addressing this topic are still limited. Here, we describe a low-cost experiment in which students produce hydrogen by water splitting and use it, in combination with nitrogen, to simulate ammonia synthesis by a simplified Haber-Bosch process. This approach enables students to explore the concept of green hydrogen as a more sustainable alternative for industrial hydrogen production. The reaction is conducted in a simple heated reactor, and the product is identified using a pH indicator. The experiment was developed for general chemistry courses and promotes an integrated discussion of fundamental concepts of thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, kinetics, and catalysis, alongside contemporary issues related to sustainability, including the role of green hydrogen in reducing the carbon footprint of ammonia production.