Articles tagged with Catalysis
Researchers at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg have developed novel, inexpensive catalysts for alkynes reactions. Alkynes are activated through a soft manner, mimicking gold and platinum-based catalysts, with aluminum oxide being a more accessible alternative.
By introducing defects, researchers created chemically active hBN that can hold precious metal atoms, enabling cost-effective catalysts and potential applications in energy storage and sensors. This breakthrough challenges the long-held assumption that inert materials cannot be activated.
Researchers have developed efficient catalysts for ammonia synthesis under mild conditions using ternary ruthenium complex hydrides. The unique configuration and function mechanism of these complexes enables non-dissociative activation of nitrogen, leading to superior kinetics and favored ammonia production.
Researchers developed a simpler, greener method for producing Grignard reagents using environment-friendly paste-based technology. This new process drastically cuts down on the use of hazardous organic solvents and could lead to reduced production costs and environmental benefits.
Researchers have developed a highly active and stable nickel-carbon catalyst for the light-driven methanation of CO2, converting it into methane with high efficiency. The new catalyst, named Ni@C, demonstrated a high rate of conversion and selectivity under artificial UV, visible, and IR light.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new approach to modify the surface of copper catalysts, improving the conversion of carbon dioxide into useful fuels. The technique involves coating the copper with thin films of ionomers, which steer the reaction towards generating carbon-rich products.
Researchers developed a photocatalytic oxidative reforming process to convert bio-polyols into CO under ambient conditions. The Z-scheme catalyst structure facilitated adsorption and activation of dioxygen, promoting hydroxyl radicals and enhanced CO production rate.
Researchers at TU Wien discovered that a rhodium catalyst can be highly chemically active in some regions while completely inactive in others. The team found that the arrangement of atoms on the surface differs from grain to grain, leading to varying catalytic properties.
A team of MIT researchers has created a biohybrid photocatalyst that can mimic photosynthesis, improving the yield of chemical reactions for generating pharmaceuticals. The new catalyst uses a light-harvesting protein to capture energy from red light and transfer it to a metal-containing catalyst.
Researchers proposed rational design of nanocatalysts using metal-support interaction descriptor, identifying optimal balance between adhesion and cohesion energies. This theory guides the design of ultrastable heterogeneous metal nanocatalysts, overcoming sintering issues and improving productivity.
Scientists at KAUST have created catalysts that can convert CO2 into valuable hydrocarbons, such as gasoline-grade isoparaffins, with high selectivity rates. The development paves the way for a circular carbon economy and drop-in fuels from CO2.
A new iron-based perovskite material has been developed to intensify solar thermochemical CO2 splitting. The material achieves an unprecedented CO production rate of 381 mL g−1 min−1 with 99% CO2 conversion at 850 ºC, outperforming state-of-the-art materials.
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.
Researchers at USTC developed fine cubic Cu2O nanocrystals that exhibit high selectivity for propylene epoxidation with O2 to produce propylene oxide. The mechanism underlying this enhanced catalytic performance was also demonstrated.
Researchers from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics designed a chainmail catalysis system for CO oxidation, achieving near 100% conversion at room temperature. The graphene-isolated Pt catalyst overcomes the issue of deep oxidation and enables efficient CO conversion.
Researchers review strategies to enhance Cu-based catalysts' performance in CO2 reduction, including surface structure tuning and local environment regulation. The study aims to overcome current challenges and outline future opportunities for efficient CO2 conversion.
Researchers develop a multifunctional supramolecular catalysis protocol using open-cage solutions to achieve diverse cage-confined catalysis. The protocol enables selective mass transfer, C-H activation, and anionic intermediate stabilization, promoting acid/base-catalyzed cascade reactions.
Researchers linked microscopic and macroscopic approaches to describe a technologically important chemical reaction under realistic conditions. This allows understanding why catalyst particle size plays a crucial role in chemical processes.
University of Rochester researchers have developed a novel three-component cross-coupling reaction using iron catalysts, which could potentially bring iron to the front of the class. The reaction enables faster and less expensive synthesis of previously difficult-to-make drug-like compounds in a single step.
Researchers at USTC have successfully synthesized small-sized Pt intermetallic nanoparticle catalysts with ultralow Pt loading and high mass activity. These catalysts exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance for oxygen reduction reaction in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, potentially decreasing the cost of fuel cells.
Researchers developed a new mechanism of adsorption called mechanisorption, which can store significant amounts of energy by recruiting molecules onto surfaces at high concentrations. This breakthrough has implications for energy storage, controlled release, and environmental remediation.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have successfully engineered microbes to produce novel chemicals and developed a new technique for studying enzyme reactions in real-time. This breakthrough could lead to the production of sustainable fuels, pharmaceuticals, and renewable plastics.
Researchers developed an electrochemical strategy for hydrogenation of N-heterocycles over a bifunctional MoNi4 electrode, achieving high Faradaic efficiency and selectivity. The method uses water as a hydrogen source, avoiding flammable gases and toxic substances.
The researchers developed a catalyst that achieves high selectivity and stability in the reduction of CO2 to formic acid. The catalyst, containing indium sulfide and zinc, demonstrates excellent catalytic stability even at industrial current density for extended periods.
Researchers at IOCB Prague have created a glowing DNA enzyme called Supernova, which catalyzes a chemiluminescent reaction. This breakthrough uses artificial evolution to identify light-producing deoxyribozymes in a vast library of DNA molecules, opening up new possibilities for point-of-care assays and high-throughput screens.
Researchers discovered that nickel can catalyze the cross-coupling of aryl ethers through a nickelate anion. This reaction pathway relies on the formation and stability of the catalyst, providing an alternative to traditional palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings.
Researchers developed a new catalyst with unique atomic-sized rafts that improve the cleaning of emissions from natural gas engines. The catalyst enhances energy efficiency and reduces unburnt methane emissions, making natural gas-powered technology cleaner and more viable.
Researchers have developed bimetallic catalysts that enhance oil upgrading, decreasing heavy hydrocarbons and increasing light hydrocarbons. The test results showed positive influence on petroleum quality, transportation efficiency, and environmental impact.
Researchers developed a predictive tool using %V bur (min) to categorize phosphine structures as active or inactive in many experimental datasets. This advancement will facilitate organometallic chemistry and catalysis, enabling easier computation and prediction of phosphine reactivity.
Researchers at Arizona State University explore alternative approaches to catalysis, a chemical process crucial for industrial applications. The study aims to develop synthetic catalysts that can improve on nature's designs, leading to the production of carbon-neutral fuels.
Rice chemist Julian West and graduate student Yen-Chu Lu discovered manganese as a more efficient catalyst for synthesizing fluoroketones, precursor molecules for drugs. The use of manganese reduces material costs and simplifies purification.
Using advanced microscopy techniques, researchers recorded the breaking of a single chemical bond between a carbon atom and an iron atom on different molecules. The team measured the mechanical forces applied at the moment of breakage, revealing insights into the nature of these bonds and their implications for catalysis.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a clean and cost-effective way to upcycle used plastic into high-value products such as carbon nanotubes and clean liquid fuel. The two-step process converts organic waste into charcoal, which is then used as a catalyst to upcycle the plastic.
Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics researchers propose dual active site strategy to isolate dehydrogenation and oxidation in oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane, resulting in near 100% ethene selectivity. This approach could be extended to multiple oxidation reactions plagued by over-oxidation.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that tiny porous crystals called zeolites can speed up chemical reactions by changing the shape of water molecules. This approach could lead to more sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial processes.
A research group synthesized a Pb-alloyed Cu catalyst, showing high activity for electrochemical CO2 reduction with selectivity to formate. The study reveals a multi-path mechanism for CO2 reduction through COOH* and HCOO* intermediates.
Researchers have discovered a three-part catalyst configuration that transforms CO2 into ethanol through a well-tuned interplay between cesium, copper, and zinc oxide sites. The study provides a fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanism and will drive further research towards developing practical industrial catalysts.
A new methodology, EMARS, was developed to directly identify the activity origin of Pt/Al2O3 industrial reforming catalyst by analyzing over 18,000 Pt atoms. The study found that density of supported Pt1 single atoms and Pt-Pt distance larger than 0.38 nm are correlated with aromatic production activity.
Researchers have successfully produced iron-based Metal Organic Framework (MOF) materials directly using renewable electricity at room temperature, overcoming challenges in scalability and environmental friendliness. The new method is 96% efficient and enables the creation of advanced MOF sensors.
Researchers develop a novel method to convert nitrate in wastewater into ammonia with nearly 100% efficiency and zero greenhouse gas emissions. The system utilizes cobalt catalysts and solar power to achieve unprecedented solar-to-fuel efficiency, outperforming existing technologies.
Researchers synthesized a uniform Cu-N-C single-atom catalyst that exhibits comparable alkaline ORR activity to Pt/C. The active site structure undergoes dynamic changes during the reaction, transforming into HO-Cu-N2 under reaction conditions.
Researchers at RMIT University developed highly versatile, cost-effective 3D printed catalysts that could tackle the challenge of overheating in hypersonic aircraft. The new catalysts show promise for fuelling the future of hypersonic flight by simultaneously cooling the system.
Researchers have discovered a way to use mining waste as part of a potential cheaper catalyst for hydrogen fuel production. The new catalyst triggers water splitting reactions using aluminosilicate minerals found in mining waste, which could lead to lower production costs and increased efficiency.
Researchers developed an earth-abundant Zr-H catalyst for selective hydroboration of primary, secondary, and tertiary amides. The reaction pathway involves unusual C-N bond cleavage-reforming followed by C-O bond cleavage, enabling efficient amine synthesis.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a synthetic diiron-containing porphyrin that can efficiently catalyze the conversion of radiant energy from the sun into chemical energy. This breakthrough has potential applications in creating non-fossil-based fuels and electrochemical cells for renewable energy storage.
Researchers develop efficient Ni-Co alloy nanoparticle catalysts for HDO reactions, achieving 100% selectivity and conversion efficiency. The synergistic effect of alloyed nanoparticles enhances deoxygenation activity and selectivity.
Researchers design a new strategy for producing pentanoic biofuels by synthesizing Ru metal nanoclusters confined within zeolite Y. This approach boosts chemoselectivity and promotes catalytic activity. The findings extend the notion of 'the closer, the better' into biomass catalysis.
Researchers from India and Saudi Arabia have combined oxidation and photocatalysis to create a heterogeneous photo-Fenton system that degrades phenols at higher rates than individual approaches. The system is highly photostable and reusable, making it promising for practical applications in wastewater purification.
Scientists created a new approach to anchoring individual iridium atoms on the surface of a catalytic particle, increasing its efficiency in splitting water molecules to record levels. This breakthrough could ease the bottleneck for sustainable energy production by enabling more efficient electrolysis.
Researchers from Vienna University of Technology have developed a new method to anchor single atoms on surfaces, paving the way for single-atom catalysis. The technique uses silicon atoms as anchors for single metal atoms, which can be used to accelerate chemical reactions.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a novel electrocatalyst that can effectively produce hydrogen and oxygen from water at low cost. The catalyst, composed of transition metal phosphates, achieves high surface area and fast charge transfer, making it suitable for commercial on-site production of hydrogen.
A study reveals the biological process used by Xanthomonas to weaken plants' defense systems and discovers a novel class of enzymes called CE20 that can assist infection. This discovery contributes to developing strategies to combat citrus canker and obtaining advanced sugars from agroindustrial waste.
A new catalyst developed by Tokyo Tech researchers can generate hydrogen gas from ammonia at lower operating temperatures than existing methods. The calcium imide-supported Ni-catalyst produces good ammonia conversion and offers a promising solution for the production of clean hydrogen fuel.
Researchers from University of Science and Technology of China have quantified the critical particle distance to inhibit metal sintering in catalysts. The study found that adjusting particle spacing can significantly impact sintering, with PMC dominant at short distances and OR dominant at long distances.
Researchers developed highly-efficient chainmail catalysts for decoupled water electrolysis, producing hydrogen with low energy consumption. The device reduced the potential of hydrogen production by 1.24V, saving 60.2% energy compared to direct electrolysis.
A team of researchers has developed a method to produce nylon 6-6 without using the environmentally endangered element zinc. They achieved this by using alternative metals such as iron and cobalt, and harnessing the power of solar energy. The new process reduces energy consumption, saves water, and minimizes hazardous chemicals.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore have devised a new method for producing urea, a key compound in fertilisers, through electrocatalysis. This approach produces urea five times more efficiently than previous methods and has the potential to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.
Researchers at the University of Bristol used molecular computer simulations to understand how laboratory evolution transforms inefficient designer biocatalysts into highly active enzymes. They found that evolution 'tunes' the flexibility of the whole protein, allowing it to accelerate chemical reactions.
A novel method for imaging vibrations and movements of atoms in catalysts has been developed by a collaboration of internationally leading researchers. The new analytical method reveals a dynamic behavior of the atoms, contrary to the long-held expectation that atoms in nanoparticles are static during observations.
A research team at POSTECH has developed a biocompatible nanomotor that mimics life's autonomous motility using glucose as fuel. The nanomotors exhibit directional propulsion, overcoming Brownian motion, and show potential for intracellular targeted drug delivery and precise cell manipulation.