Articles tagged with Catalysis
Researchers at USTC developed a new strategy for synthesizing axially chiral allenic compounds, achieving high enantiopurity and stereoselectivity. The method involves nickel-catalyzed asymmetric propargyl substitution and Myers rearrangement reactions.
Researchers have developed a low-cost way to extract gold and other valuable metals from electronic waste, which can be used as catalysts for reactions in pharmaceutical manufacture. The process has the potential to improve the sustainability of drug production by reducing dependence on environmentally damaging mining practices.
A new study by Bayes Business School found that co-working spaces can initially support collective exploration but ultimately inhibit collaborative practices. The study suggests that firms leave the space as interactions become less meaningful and stilted over time.
Researchers at the University of Münster developed a new way to produce vicinal diamines, which are crucial for biologically active molecules and drugs. The process uses light energy from blue LEDs to produce these unsymmetrically constructed compounds without using transition metals.
A University of Ottawa-led team identified a new entry route for SARS-CoV-2 using metalloproteinases, which may lead to more widespread cell infection and severe illness. The study suggests that variants like the Delta strain may prefer this entry method, while others like Omicron do not.
A new study pinpoints the first-ever domestication of cats to nearly 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region. Genetic analysis reveals that humans' transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers sparked the bond between humans and rodents-eating cats, leading to their migration with humans worldwide.
Researchers have discovered that nanodiamonds can emit solvated electrons in water when exposed to visible light, a crucial step towards using them as photocatalysts. This discovery could lead to the development of inexpensive and metal-free processes for converting CO2 into valuable hydrocarbons or converting N2 into ammonia.
The new monochromator optics increase photon flux in the tender X-ray range by a factor of 100, allowing highly sensitive spectromicroscopic measurements with high resolutions. This enables data collection on nanoscale materials, such as catalytically active nanoparticles and modern microchip structures, for the first time.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a soft and flexible electronic 'e-skin' that can detect minute temperature differences between inhalation and exhalation, as well as touch and body motion. The material's island-bridge atomic structure provides an inherent softness and flexibility ideal for on-skin applications.
Researchers have developed a chemical-biological method to upcycle polyethylene waste into valuable and complex compounds of pharmacological interest. Genetically engineered fungi convert carboxylic diacids derived from PE waste into natural products, including asperbenzaldehyde, citreoviridin, and mutilin.
A Japanese research team successfully constructed the first polymeric Weaire-Phelan structure, a previously theoretical form predicted to be the most efficient solution for a century-old tessellation problem. The structure was achieved through a novel polymerization-induced phase separation method.
Researchers developed a small molecule-assisted impregnation approach to synthesize carbon-supported platinum intermetallic fuel cell catalysts. The optimal additive, sodium thioglycolate (STG), suppresses PtCo sintering by coordinating with Pt and Co to form precursors.
Researchers at Princeton and Rice universities developed a low-cost technique to split hydrogen from liquid ammonia using LED light and nanotechnology, paving the way for sustainable and locally produced hydrogen. The technique overcomes a critical hurdle in realizing hydrogen's potential as a clean fuel.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a simple radical-based reaction to create unsymmetric variants of molecular compounds used in transition metal catalysts. This method opens up new avenues for designing catalysts and utilizes abundant ethylene feedstock.
Charged porphyrins enable researchers to study π-electronic ion pairs and their interactions, leading to the creation of electronic materials with unique properties. The study reveals fascinating new properties of stacked ion pairs and their potential applications in fields like nanomagnetism and ferroelectrics.
Researchers developed a novel technique using isotope quenching to visualize the oxygen storage process in Pd/CeO2-ZrO2 three-way catalysts. The method revealed key insights into oxygen adsorption/desorption and surface/bulk diffusion, improving exhaust gas treatment efficiency.
The formation of fine bubbles in catalyst pores enhances gas generation reactions from liquid phase systems. This leads to a significant increase in the release of hydrogen per unit time, making the technology more compact and powerful. The discovery provides new insights into performance-limiting factors in heterogeneous catalysis.
Researchers used in-situ vibrational spectroscopy to study CO2 electroreduction reaction mechanisms and intermediates, revealing key insights into catalyst structure and electrolyte effects. The review highlights recent advances and future directions for this field.
Researchers found that adding water increases selectivity of 2,3-butanediol generation by 57%. Hydrogen bonding stabilizes radical intermediates, avoiding oxidation and promoting selective coupling. The study reveals non-chemical bonding interactions can steer reaction paths for selective photocatalysis.
Researchers at Lehigh University have secured $13.2 million in funding to improve hydrogen generation and carbon capture/sequestration technologies through a partnership with Georgia Tech's UNCAGE-ME Center. The goal is to develop catalysts that can mitigate the degradation of these technologies in real-world conditions.
Scientists have recorded photocatalysis charge separation processes experimentally on Cu2O particles, revealing rapid electron transfer and slower hole trapping, enabling better understanding of photocatalytic water splitting limitations. The technique allows for spatiotemporal imaging of charge transfer in photocatalyst particles.
Researchers develop a new type of sustainable click chemistry by incorporating copper ions into biodegradable proteins, making it non-toxic to living organisms. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of greener technologies and products.
Rice University engineers have developed a method to convert hydrogen sulfide into high-demand hydrogen gas and sulfur in a single step using gold nanoparticles. The process gets all its energy from light, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional remediation methods.
A KAUST-led team creates selective anode catalysts for stable and efficient hydrogen evolution in seawater splitting. The nanoreactors exhibited high electrocatalytic activity and stability due to their unique structure, isolating the electrolysis from side reactions.
A University of Central Florida researcher is leading a $1.25 million project to map and manipulate materials at the nanoscale. The research aims to unlock new capabilities of materials at the nanoscale, potentially leading to new catalysts and compounds applicable in quantum science, renewable energy, life sciences and sustainability.
The THERACAT project aims to deliver drugs only to tumor sites using bio-orthogonal catalysis, a promising approach for targeted cancer treatment. Researchers developed nanoparticles bearing metal catalysts to efficiently convert inactive pro-drugs into active drugs at the tumor site.
Scientists have created a new method to stabilize precious metals as catalysts, enabling efficient use of expensive materials in various applications. The approach involves dispersing metal atoms within nanometer-sized islands of cerium oxide, which provides high surface area and stability.
Researchers developed a novel 'nanoglue' strategy to stabilize atomically dispersed metal catalysts, achieving both high catalytic activity and stability. The nanoglues concept involves isolating metal atoms on small islands, suppressing migration to neighboring sites.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a one-pot-and-one-step synthesis procedure to create long and geometrically interlinked polymer molecules. This process can produce a wide range of advanced materials with applications in drug delivery, data storage, microelectronics, and nanolithography.
Engineers at Rice University have discovered a method to make oxygen evolution catalysis in acids more economical and practical. They replaced rare and expensive iridium with ruthenium, a far more abundant precious metal, as the positive-electrode catalyst in a reactor that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Researchers studied ketene conversion over H-SAPO-11 using kinetic analysis and spectroscopy. They found two pathways: acetyl species following acetic acid ketonization or acetoacetyl species via keto-enol tautomerism with water.
Researchers probed local structure and magnetic properties of a Mn-rich Cantor alloy using EXAFS and XMCD techniques. The results show complex magnetic ordering with coexistence of different phases, consistent with macroscopic behavior.
Researchers develop stable catalyst that can produce ammonia at rates similar to conventional metal nitride catalysts, reducing the need for fossil fuels and lowering CO2 emissions. The new catalyst is chemically stable in the presence of moisture, enabling more efficient production under milder conditions.
Researchers have fabricated 2D Mn3O4 nanosheets with dominant (101) crystal planes on graphene as efficient oxygen catalysts for Li-O2 batteries. The catalysts achieved ultrahigh capacity and long-term stability, outperforming most Mn-based oxides.
Researchers at Kyushu University counted electric charges in individual platinum nanoparticles down to the electron level, revealing net charge with high precision. This breakthrough enables better understanding and development of catalysts for breaking down pollutants.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a semicrystalline polymer that combines strength and flexibility, overcoming challenges of mixed materials in robotics and electronics. The new material is 10 times as tough as natural rubber and can be controlled with light.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin for Materials and Energy are utilizing X-ray absorption spectroscopy to investigate oxygen evolution in electrocatalysis. This study aims to improve the efficiency of green hydrogen production by developing more stable and cost-effective catalysts.
A Japan Science and Technology Agency research group developed high-performance catalysts for efficient synthesis of value-added chemicals from polyester and vegetable oil. These catalysts enable nearly 100% selectivity in converting polyester into raw materials, offering a promising solution to chemical recycling.
Researchers at the University of Würzburg have developed an artificial enzyme that can split water into oxygen and hydrogen with high efficiency. The enzyme-like catalyst was designed to mimic the natural process of photosynthesis, and its development is a significant step towards sustainable hydrogen production.
Researchers have developed a reusable, low-cost Mn catalyst that facilitates the alkylation of ketones with alcohols via the 'borrowing hydrogen' method. The catalyst achieves high yields and can alkylate ketone-containing substrates without byproducts.
Researchers introduce synthetic catalysts into algae cells, enabling chemical reaction upgrades to produce building blocks for polymers and chemicals. The process reduces reliance on fossil raw materials, using atmospheric carbon dioxide as a carbon source.
A new process developed at the University of California, Berkeley, breaks down polyethylene plastics into propylene, a feedstock for high-value plastics. The process uses catalysts to depolymerize polyethylene, producing 80% propylene and upcycling waste into valuable products.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a new catalyst that uses carbon dioxide to produce propylene more efficiently than existing methods. The catalyst also captures and converts carbon dioxide into useful resources. This breakthrough contributes to the carbon neutralization of the petrochemical industry.
Researchers at Rice University have created macroscale, modular materials from engineered bacteria that can self-assemble and perform various functions. The materials, dubbed BUD-ELMs, contain living cells that allow them to grow, repair, and respond to external stimuli.
The ANEMEL project aims to develop efficient electrolysers for green hydrogen production, targeting low-grade water sources. The €3 million EU funding will expedite prototype design and catalyse commercialisation of the technology.
A new study from the University of Oklahoma is investigating the use of carbon dioxide to produce acrylic acid, a key component in various household products. By replacing propene with CO2, researchers aim to reduce production costs and create a more valuable resource.
Researchers introduced a new method to analyze dynamic processes in photoelectrocatalytic reactions using carbon dots. The technique, TPV technology, provides detailed information on charge transfer and reaction kinetics, enabling the discovery of new catalytic properties.
Researchers propose a new coupling strategy combining photocatalytic water oxidation and catalytic wet peroxide oxidation to efficiently remove organic pollutants from wastewater. The proposed strategy achieves higher total organic carbon removal rates compared to traditional methods.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma and Iowa State University are exploring a four-year project to create carbon-neutral or carbon-negative hydrogen energy by converting methane into solid carbon. The team aims to create new value from the byproduct, solid carbon, which could benefit society in various ways.
Researchers at University of Göttingen develop a new method to convert CO2 into chemical substances by confining molecules in nano-sized environments. The team demonstrates the ability to break individual chemical bonds and restore them in single molecules under controlled conditions.
A Korean research team created a dual-catalyst system that precisely controls catalytic reactions like cells. The nanoreactor combines magnetic materials and metal catalysts to selectively activate the catalyst under magnetic fields and near-infrared rays.
A team of researchers has created a novel catalyst with single gold atoms that selectively converts carbon dioxide into methane. The catalyst, which anchors to an ultrathin zinc–indium sulfide nanolayer, exhibits high activity and CH4 selectivity when exposed to sunlight.
Researchers aim to improve and expand Enzymatic Construction Material (ECM), a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete that can repair cracks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The grant will also support programs to inspire girls' interests in engineering and construction, addressing the industry's gender gap.
Scientists defined the structure of a substrate-bound iron enzyme and found it uses cations to drive desaturation during catalysis. The work could lead to the creation of valuable molecules like vinyl isonitriles with antibiotic properties.
The TU Wien team has created a catalyst that can convert CO2 and methane into synthesis gas without the formation of carbon nanotubes. This approach, called dry reforming, has the potential to convert climate-damaging greenhouse gases into valuable products.
Researchers developed a main-group catalyst with atomically dispersed In sites to overcome the trade-off between conversion and selectivity in oxidative dehydrogenation. The novel catalyst achieved over 80% C2H4 selectivity, outperforming existing transition metal oxide catalysts.
Researchers develop a new strategy to activate methane under mild conditions by confining copper atoms in ultrathin two-dimensional Ru nanosheets. This approach enables highly selective and efficient room-temperature conversion of methane to liquid C1 oxygenates with an over 99% selectivity.
Researchers created an unnatural monoterpene skeleton using nickel catalysis, enabling enantioselective transformation of bulk chemical isoprene. This work provides a new approach to access terpenoids with different biological activities.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a new method for converting plastics into valuable chemicals using hydrogenolysis. The process reduces the use of precious metal ruthenium while increasing efficiency and selectivity.
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a surface-modified dye-sensitized nanosheet catalyst that can suppress undesirable back electron transfer and improve water splitting activity. This results in an efficient Z-scheme overall water splitting system with improved hydrogen production.