Add BrightSurf on Google Email

A new take on the abilities of hydrogen binding energy for use in single atom catalysts

A new study emphasizes the importance of pushing metal site design limits to optimize hydrogen evolution reaction in single atom catalysts. Researchers found that hydrogen binding energy calculation can serve as a good predictor of activity, and neighboring nitrogen atoms can host catalytic activity to negate poisoning effects.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 17, 2025

Researchers reveal role of zeolite zcid site accessibility in syngas conversion

Researchers investigated MOR zeolite's unique pore structure, finding acid sites within 8-membered ring side pockets as active sites for syngas-to-ethylene conversion. A critical threshold of 60 nm was identified for 12MR channel length, optimizing ZnAlOx-MOR bifunctional catalysts with high CO conversion and ethylene selectivity.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 18, 2025

Transition-metal-free zeolite catalyst for direct conversion of methane to methanol

Researchers have discovered a novel transition-metal-free aluminosilicate ferrierite zeolite catalyst that enables direct conversion of methane to methanol. The new process achieves 305 π mol gˑ minǘ methanol production rate with high selectivity, presenting an environmentally friendly solution for converting greenhouse gases into valu...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 3, 2024

A novel multifunctional catalyst turns methane into valuable hydrocarbons

A novel multifunctional catalyst has been developed to convert methane into valuable hydrocarbons, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The catalyst's spatial distribution of Cu and acid sites determines the final products, with uniform distribution leading to stable and efficient methanol production.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

Structure of 'oil-eating' enzyme opens door to bioengineered catalysts

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have produced the first atomic-level structure of an enzyme that selectively breaks carbon-hydrogen bonds, suggesting ways to engineer it for producing desired products. The detailed structure reveals how the enzyme operates under ordinary conditions and produces few unwanted byproducts.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMar 30, 2023

Researchers reveal synergistic interplay mechanism of dual active sites on bimetallic oxide for syngas conversion

A research team at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics reveals the synergistic interplay mechanism of dual active sites on bimetallic oxide for efficient syngas conversion. They identified key intermediates and proposed a catalytic mechanism using advanced solid-state NMR technologies.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChem·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 19, 2023

Electrocatalysis – Iron and Cobalt Oxyhydroxides examined at BESSY II

Scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin examined the chemistry of Cobalt-Iron Oxyhydroxides using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. They discovered that iron is present in higher oxidation states than previously thought, which could lead to improved electrocatalysts for water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

Atomically dispersed bimetallic iron–cobalt electrocatalysts developed for green production of ammonia

Scientists developed a method to control the synthesis of single-atom catalysts, enabling the creation of bimetallic Fe-Co electrocatalysts with desired properties. These catalysts showed superior ammonia yield rates and faradaic efficiency under electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction conditions.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2022

Catalyst for a greener future

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a novel catalytic technology that converts non-edible plants into renewable fuels, chemicals and plastics. By pulsing hydrogen gas on and off, they increase the population of active sites on catalysts, allowing reactions to occur up to 10 times faster.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2022

Migrating holes help catalysts be productive

Researchers at Rice University have developed a theory showing how manipulating quasiparticles could help improve chemical reactions. By applying electric fields, holes can be made to migrate across the surface of catalyst particles, activating neighboring sites and increasing the efficiency of the reaction.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 10, 2022

Converting methane to methanol -- with and without water

A team at Brookhaven National Laboratory has identified a common industrial catalyst that can efficiently convert methane to methanol with or without water. The findings suggest strategies for improving the water-free conversion, achieving 30% selectivity in the absence of water, and 80% selectivity with water.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Toward one drug to treat all coronaviruses

Researchers have identified highly conserved sequences in viral proteins that could make them effective drug targets. The study found two promising sites: one overlapping the RNA binding site of nsp13 and another containing the catalytic site of nsp12, both involved in viral RNA replication and transcription.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateJul 21, 2021

Binding of a second CO molecule observed

Researchers at University of Freiburg discover how vanadium-dependent nitrogenase binds two CO molecules simultaneously, enabling reductive process for industrial applications. This breakthrough sheds new light on the mechanistic principles behind nitrogenase's ability to reduce toxic gas carbon monoxide.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 10, 2021

Researchers discover mechanism behind most severe cases of a common blood disorder

Researchers have uncovered the mechanism behind severe cases of G6PD deficiency, identifying a chain of amino acids that warps the shape of the condition's namesake protein. This breakthrough could pave the way for new treatments and therapeutics for Class I patients, who currently rely on blood transfusions.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2021