"for his studies of chemical processes on solid surfaces".

Gerhard Ertl has founded an experimental school of thought by showing how reliable results can be attained in this difficult area of research. His insights have provided the scientific basis of modern surface chemistry: his methodology is used in both academic research and the industrial development of chemical processes. The approach developed by Ertl is based not least on his studies of the Haber-Bosch process, in which nitrogen is extracted from the air for inclusion in artificial fertilizers. This reaction, which functions using an iron surface as its catalyst, has enormous economic significance because the availability of nitrogen for growing plants is often restricted. Ertl has also studied the oxidation of carbon monoxide on platinum, a reaction that takes place in the catalyst of cars to clean exhaust emissions.

Selection of Articles by Gerhard Ertl

Adsorption and thermal decomposition of
ammonia on a Ni(110) surface – isolation and identification of adsorbed NH2 and NH
Surface Science, Volume 175, Issue 1, 1 September 1986, Pages 22-44
Bassignana, Wagemann, Kuppers and Ertl

Chemisorption of hydrogen on iron surfaces
Applications of Surface Science, Volume 1, Issue 1, September 1977, Pages 103-119
F. Bozso, G. Ertl, M. Grunze and M. Weiss

Adsorption of hydrogen on a Pt(111) surface
Surface Science, Volume 54, Issue 2, February 1976, Pages 365-392
Christmann, Ertl and Pignet

Adsorption of hydrogen on palladium single-crystal surfaces
Surface Science, Volume 41, Issue 2, February 1974, Pages 435-446
Conrad, Ertl and Latta

Interaction of NH3 with Fe(110) - Identification of surfaces species by means of secondary ion mass-spectroscopy (SIMS)
Applications of Surface Science, Volume 3, Issue 2, September 1979, Pages 217-228
Dreschler, Hoinkes, Kaarmann and Ertl

XPS studies with ammonia-synthesis catalysts
Applications of Surface Science, Volume 3, Issue 1, July 1979, Pages 99-112
Ertl and Thiele

Interactions of nitrogen and hydrogen on iron surfaces
Applications of Surface Science, Volume 8, Issue 4, August 1981, Pages 373-386
Ertl, Huber, Paál and Weiss

Kinetics of nitrogen adsorption on Fe(111)
Surface Science, Volume 114, Issues 2-3, 1 February 1982, Pages 515-526
Ertl, Lee and Weiss

The structure of atomic nitrogen adsorbed on Fe(100)
Surface Science, Volume 123, Issue 1, 1 December 1982, Pages 129-140
Imbihl, Behm, Ertl and Moritz

Adsorption and decomposition of ammonia on Fe(110)
Applications of Surface Science, Volume 2, Issue 4, May 1979, Pages 614-635
Weiss, Ertl and Nitschke