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Facile synthesis of high-performance perovskite oxides for acid–base catalysis

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a simple sol-gel method to synthesize highly pure bifunctional solid acid-base catalysts with desirable properties. The new method produces SrTiO3 nanoparticles with high surface area, showing 10 times higher catalytic activity than commercially available titanates.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2023

From greenhouse gas to value-added product

Vienna University of Technology researchers have developed MOCHAs, organometallic chalcogenolate compounds that facilitate the conversion of CO2 into synthesis gas. This process can be carried out at room temperature and requires less energy than previous methods, making it a promising solution for climate protection.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalCommunications Chemistry·DateApr 11, 2023

Effect of palladium chemical states on CO2 photocatalytic reduction over g-C3N4: Distinct role of single-atomic state in boosting CH4 production

Researchers found that single-atomic state of Pd enhances CO2 reduction and boosts CH4 production in a novel Pd/CN-SA catalyst. Comprehensive analysis reveals superior activation of CO2, negative conduction band potentials, and excellent hydrogen utilization efficiency.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateApr 6, 2023

New study reveals design clues for silver-based superatomic molecules

Researchers from Japan have synthesized two di-superatomic molecules composed of Ag and evaluated the factors involved in their formation. The study found that a twist between the two icosahedral structures stabilizes the nanocluster by shortening the distance between them. Additionally, the presence of Pd and Pt central atoms was foun...

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2023

Breaking the barrier: Low-temp ammonia synthesis with iron catalysts and barium hydride

Scientists have developed a new catalyst that enables the production of ammonia at lower temperatures, reducing energy consumption and potentially lowering global carbon emissions. The BaH2–BaO/Fe/CaH2 catalyst facilitates nitrogen gas adsorption, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity for ammonia production.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2023

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

Synergistic iron carbide catalysts enable direct conversion of syngas into higher alcohols

Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics have developed a new method to synthesize higher alcohols from syngas using synergistic iron carbide catalysts. The catalysts achieve a high oxygenate selectivity and produce a significant amount of higher alcohols, making this process a promising alternative for sustainable production.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChem Catalysis·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 24, 2023

The evolution of a catalyst

A team of researchers used a genetic algorithm to discover an organic catalyst for the Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction, which outperformed traditional catalysts. The computational method suggested new molecular structures that were not present in the initial population, leading to a novel discovery.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

Electrocatalysis under the atomic force microscope

Researchers have developed a new approach to correlative atomic force microscopy, allowing for the simultaneous measurement of electrocatalyst properties. This study focuses on nanostructured copper-gold electrocatalysts and provides insights into catalyst-electrolyte interfaces, enabling targeted optimization.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2023

Chaos on the nanometer scale

Researchers at TU Wien have detected clear indications of chaos in chemical reactions on nanometer-scale rhodium crystals, a phenomenon previously unseen in atomic scale systems. The coupling behavior can be controlled by changing the hydrogen concentration, leading to a transition from ordered to chaotic behavior.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 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

Surfing the research data wave

The EnzymeML format provides a standardized way to record enzymatic experiment results, including conditions, data, kinetic models, and parameters. This enables seamless communication between experimental platforms and promotes reproducibility and trust in scientific results.

SourceUniversitaet Stuttgart·JournalNature Methods·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 13, 2023

It takes two: cooperating catalysts provide new route for utilizing formate salts

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a new method using cooperating catalysts to perform challenging dearomative carboxylation reactions. This process enables the production of α-amino acids, which are potentially useful for drug development, and offers greater freedom in designing and synthesizing molecules with carboxyl ...

SourceHokkaido University·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2023

Robots and A.I. team up to discover highly selective catalysts

Researchers developed a machine learning model using advanced 2D chemical descriptors to predict highly selective asymmetric catalysts without quantum chemical computations. The model demonstrated high accuracy in predicting catalyst structures and selectivity, outperforming existing methods.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Metalloradical catalysis guides new cobalt-based system that exploits unique features of homolytic radical reaction

Researchers at Boston College have developed a new catalytic approach that enables concurrent control of multiple convergences and selectivities in intermolecular amination of allylic carbon-hydrogen bonds in alkenes. The cobalt-based system exploits unique features of homolytic radical reaction to form desired amine products in a high...

SourceBoston College·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Ben-Gurion University chemists pioneer responsive polymers that heat up when exposed to LED light

Researchers have created a new type of polymer that can be triggered by light, enabling faster chemical reactions and more efficient energy use. The polymers, which respond to different wavelengths of light, show promise for use in various fields, including pharmaceuticals and future Mars habitats.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2023

New enzyme could mean better drugs

Rice University scientists identified a new Diels-Alderase enzyme, CtdP, which catalyzes the Diels-Alder reaction with precise stereochemistry control. This discovery could lead to improved pharmaceutical synthesis and development of more effective drugs.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

Novel protective layer for catalysts developed by GIST scientists improves life and performance

A team of researchers from GIST created a protection layer for nickel-iron catalysts using tetraphenylporphyrin, increasing their life and performance. This innovation reduces the dissolution of iron atoms during oxygen evolution reactions, resulting in prolonged hydrogen production.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023

CityU unravels interfacial interactions of the lead-free perovskite for efficient hydrogen production

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a lead-free perovskite photocatalyst for highly efficient solar energy-to-hydrogen conversion. The study uncovers the interfacial dynamics between halide perovskite molecules and electrolytes, enabling better photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2023

AI discovers new nanostructures

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have successfully discovered new materials using artificial intelligence and self-assembly. The AI-driven technique led to the discovery of three new nanostructures, expanding the scope of self-assembly's applications in microelectronics and catalysis.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 13, 2023

Study reveals mechanism of coverage-driven selectivity switch from ethylene to acetate in high-rate CO2/CO electrolysis

A study reveals the mechanism behind a selective switch from ethylene to acetate production in high-rate CO2/CO electrolysis. Researchers found that *CO coverage and local pH induced this switch, with acetate formation favored at high *CO coverage and high local pH.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 12, 2023

Protecting biocatalysts from oxygen

Researchers discovered a new enzyme with molecular protection against oxygen, increasing its resistance by genetic modification. This breakthrough aims to improve protein dynamics and control inorganic centre reactivity for carbon-neutral hydrogen production.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2023

Converting temperature fluctuations into clean energy with novel nanoparticles and heating strategy

A team at City University of Hong Kong has developed a novel approach to converting environmental temperature fluctuations into clean chemical energy using pyroelectric catalysis. By combining pyroelectric materials with localized plasmonic heat sources, the researchers achieved significantly faster and more efficient pyro-catalytic re...

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2023