Research on catalysts that speed chemical reactions. Covers methane conversion, zeolite catalysis, and AI-guided catalyst design.
A team of chemists from Waseda University in Japan has synthesized aryl sulfides without using thiols, a toxic and smelly compound. The new method uses a nickel catalyst and environmentally friendly aromatic esters as feedstock, showing promise for both laboratory and industrial-scale applications.
A triphase air-liquid-solid photocatalytic system with a hydrophobic surface improves CO2 reduction efficiency by 8.8 times compared to water environments, thanks to enhanced CO2 transport and adsorption capabilities.
A team of Russian scientists has identified the vectors of world research in creating new catalysts from halloysite, a natural aluminosilicate mineral. The development of highly active, stable and cheap catalysts could bring society closer to solving hydrogen storage and releasing problems.
Scientists at Tohoku University have developed a new mathematical model to predict the properties of carbon-based materials. The Standard Realization with Repulsive Interaction (SRRI) model abstracts key effects and reveals relationships between changes and resulting properties.
Scientists developed a hydrogel composite with zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks that rapidly breaks down organophosphate-based nerve agents. The composite shows high catalytic activity and maintains its effectiveness even after storage.
Researchers identified the distribution of resin fractions using liquid-adsorption chromatography and MALDI spectroscopy. The results showed a decrease in molecular weight after catalytic treatment with a hydrogen donor.
Researchers developed a method to functionalize cellulose, strengthening its connection with metal ions and preventing leaching. The new approach resulted in a 3-fold increase in catalytic stability compared to traditional methods.
A new chemical catalyst has been developed to efficiently produce propylene from natural gas, which is used to make polypropylene. The catalyst, made of platinum and tin nanoparticles supported by silica, can make propylene at least 10 times more efficiently than current commercial catalysts.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a small, flexible, and cost-effective acrylonitrile modular reactor that can produce feedstock near geographically distributed carbon fiber plants. This technology aims to improve access to affordable feedstock for carbon fiber producers by reducing energy costs.
The study reports the crystal structures of aconitase X enzymes from bacteria and archaea, providing novel insights into their catalytic mechanisms. The findings suggest that ancestral active sites in aconitase superfamily are conserved across different species.
Researchers developed hybrid enzyme catalysts using a de novo approach to expand biocatalysis, improving stability and activity. The method involves introducing defects into MOFs to alleviate diffusional restrictions and facilitating access of substrates to encapsulated enzymes.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have made significant progress in developing a recipe for entirely renewable energy by splitting water to produce green hydrogen. The team has identified nine earth-abundant metal combinations as highly promising leads for experimental investigation, with chromium, manganese, and iron standing ou...
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) have synthesized two new thermally stable zeolites with improved catalytic activity. PST-32 and PST-2 exhibit higher activity than zeolite Y in producing ethylene and propylene, key raw materials for chemical products.
Researchers have developed a new method to build nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing compounds from feedstock chemicals using PcFe as a catalyst. The reaction offers high efficiency and yields up to 88% with a low activation energy of 4.8 kcal/mol.
Researchers discovered ethane-eating microbes at hydrothermal vents, which use the same enzyme as methane-eaters to break down ethane. The enzyme's unique structure was visualized with unprecedented precision, revealing a larger catalytic chamber and additional methyl groups, allowing for efficient recognition of ethane.
Researchers found a suitable catalyst and selected an optimal additive to improve the properties of biodiesel, increasing its cetane number by 4.3 units. The fuel can be used in diesel internal combustion engines, improving performance and reducing engine wear.
Scientists at Cardiff University have developed a new instant water cleaning method that is up to 10 million times more effective at killing viruses and bacteria than commercial approaches. The method uses a catalyst made from gold and palladium to produce hydrogen peroxide, which is then used to disinfect water.
Research finds that water molecules in zeolites enhance chemical reactions for biomass conversion to biofuel. By optimizing pore sizes and water concentrations, the process can be made more efficient, saving energy.
Researchers have introduced a novel click reaction suitable for living cells and organisms, enabling the labeling of biomolecules without affecting physiological processes. The reaction uses linear, terminal alkynes and N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines to form biocompatible enamine-N-oxides.
RUDN University chemists have created molecules that can assemble into complex structures using chlorine and bromine halogen atoms. These substances will help to create supramolecules with catalytic, luminescent, conducting properties.
Researchers have developed a new 2D alloy material combining five metals that acts as an excellent catalyst for reducing CO2 into CO. The high-entropy transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) alloy has potential applications in environmental remediation, transforming carbon dioxide into a hydrocarbon.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have created a simple and additive-free method to synthesize water-stable amphiphilic molecules. The new catalyst- and reagent-free approach uses the Staudinger reaction to form stable azaylide-based amphiphiles that can self-assemble into micelles in water.
Rice University engineers developed a strategy to increase the number of transition-metal single atoms that can be loaded onto a carbon carrier using graphene quantum dots. The new technique showed significant improvement in electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide compared to lower metal loading catalysts.
Researchers created a catalyst with 100% selectivity in producing propylene, a key precursor to plastics and fabric manufacturing. The single-atom alloy catalysts are more efficient, run reactions under milder conditions, and require less energy to produce.
A study by University of Illinois researchers has shown that small quantities of hydrocarbons can be produced when CO2 and water react in the presence of light and a silver nanoparticle catalyst. The findings demonstrate a viable technology for renewable energy generation and chemical manufacturing.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo discovered that nanoscale electrocatalysts degrade and lose effectiveness over time due to atomic rearrangement. The study identifies two key reasons for this degradation: surface attachment of small molecules and electromigration.
Researchers at NTHU and IU developed a novel four-component coupling strategy for olefins, resulting in asymmetric radical trifluoromethylation. The reaction utilizes chiral VO species as catalysts under aerobic conditions, offering high diastereo-/enantio-controls and potential applications for biomedical compounds.
Scientists developed a new copper catalyst with sharp needle structures, enhancing CO2 reduction reaction efficiency by mitigating electrolyte flooding and increasing selectivity. The study published in Journal of the American Chemical Society showcases the stability and productivity of the hierarchical Cu electrode.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology developed a high-performance plastic foam from whey proteins that can withstand extreme temperatures. The material, which improves its mechanical performance after days of exposure to high temperatures, has potential applications in filtration, thermal insulation, and fluid absorption.
Researchers synthesized vanadates and vanadites of rare-earth metals to treat polyolephin plastic waste. The process increases gas liberation and changes end product composition, producing light olefins and syngas. This technology may lead to the development of new polymer waste treatment methods.
Researchers investigated individual platinum atoms and small clusters on special zeolite supports, finding they are significantly more active than larger clusters in splitting oxygen. Platinum clusters also dominate CO oxidation, while individual atoms enable efficient methane combustion.
Researchers created self-propelled microrobots that can attach to and break down four common types of plastics. The microrobots lost 3% of the plastic's weight and altered its surface texture after interacting with it under visible light for seven days.
Scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute have developed a new experimental method to investigate the ageing process of vanadium phosphorus oxides (VPO) catalysts. The method allows for precise measurement of chemical properties in three dimensions, revealing changes in the material's structure and chemistry over time.
Mineral nanoparticles exhibit enzyme-like properties, catalyzing superoxide and H2O2 production, influencing microbial-mineral coevolution and nutrient cycling. Their discovery challenges traditional views on nanomaterials' inertness in Earth systems.
Researchers developed Ru1/NC SAC, showcasing improved catalytic activity and selectivity in reductive amination reactions. The single-atom dispersion and coordination environment play crucial roles in determining the catalytic performance.
A bioinspired approach to C2 prenylation of indoles has been developed, enabling the regioselective synthesis of tryptophol and tryptamine derivatives. The method uses cheap tert-prenol as a precursor and Lewis acid AlCl3 as a catalyst, demonstrating high selectivity.
A team led by Prof. Peng Wu designed a structured, binder-free MWW-type titanosilicate catalyst that achieves high PO selectivity under mild reaction conditions, with a lifetime of 2400 hours and low solvent consumption.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new electrochemical system that converts more than 50% of CO2 into valuable products. The system runs under acidic conditions, which reduces undesired side reactions and enhances efficiency, making it an economically viable solution for carbon capture and utilization.
A team of engineers at UC Riverside has developed a catalyst that removes perchlorate from water, which is abundant in Martian soil. The new technology could help produce oxygen for human explorers on Mars.
Researchers develop a laser-driven method to synthesize nanoparticles, enabling efficient conversion of solar energy into electricity. The technology also promotes the production of green hydrogen by employing photoelectrodes that use sunlight directly.
Researchers developed catalysts for selective ethanol conversion, improving upon existing precious metal-based options. The new catalysts exhibit high alcohol conversion and selectivity to acetaldehyde, making them a promising alternative for industrial applications.
Researchers have developed a more efficient and environmentally friendly method to produce hydrogen peroxide by using palladium-gold nanoparticles as a catalyst. The new process produces almost 100% hydrogen peroxide with minimal water formation, making it a promising alternative to traditional methods.
Researchers developed a novel solar energy-driven method to produce ethylene glycol (EG) from methanol, offering a sustainable and clean alternative. The catalyst, nitrogen-doped tantalum oxide, demonstrated high activity and stability for EG production, making it an environmentally friendly candidate for industrial applications.
A novel graphene-based nanozyme was developed using Ganoderma lucidum extract polysaccharides, enabling high sensitivity and selectivity detection of L-cysteine in serum. The study published in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry demonstrated improved stability and dispersion of the nanozyme in water.
Researchers from ICIQ's Lloret-Fillol group have isolated and fully characterised an elusive intermediate in the Water Oxidation Reaction (WOR), a key reaction for producing atmospheric oxygen. The breakthrough provides direct evidence of the oxygen-oxygen bond formation mechanism, opening doors for efficient catalyst design.
Researchers discovered that Ganoderic acid can increase the radiosensitivity of cancer cells, making them more susceptible to radiation therapy. This breakthrough provides new hope for cancer treatment and could lead to improved patient outcomes.
Researchers develop an iron-based catalyst that rapidly removes sulfadiazine antibiotic residues from water by activating H2O2 to generate free radicals. The catalyst shows high efficiency and stability, making it a potential solution for tackling micro-pollutants in water.
Researchers studied DUT-8, a switchable MOF structure that changes shape in response to guest molecules. The findings improve understanding of switching processes and gas exchange reactions in MOFs, paving the way for targeted development of functional materials.
A team of researchers from USTC developed a novel Ni-W-Cu alloy, demonstrating 4.31 times higher efficiency than traditional platinum-based catalysts in alkaline medium hydrogen oxidation. The alloy maintains high activity for up to 20 hours and shows excellent resistance to CO poisoning.
Scientists have discovered a way to synthesize highly active single-atom catalysts using iron-breathing bacteria, promising a cheap and reliable method for hydrogen production. The innovation utilizes the bacterium's metal-reducing ability to conduct electrons and produce single atoms of catalytically active metals.
Researchers designed a Cu-Pd bimetallic electrocatalyst that lowers the energy barrier of C2 product generation, resulting in a 50.3% C2 Faradaic efficiency. The catalyst exploits the benefits of both Cu (low energy barrier) and Pd (ultrafast kinetics), addressing CO2 conversion limitations.
Research at TU Wien reveals that individual facets of nanoparticles can form oscillations of different frequencies when exposed to oxygen and hydrogen. This complex behavior can lead to more effective catalysts and insights into non-linear reaction kinetics.
A new method has been developed to observe graphene growth on a microchip surface in real time, using a standard scanning electron microscope. This technique enables the reliable production of graphene layers and reduces growth times from several hours to just minutes.
Researchers at NUS have developed a method to increase the rate of ethylene hydrogenation by more than five times compared to typical industrial rates using oscillating electric potentials on commercial catalysts.
A team of researchers has proposed a revised mechanism for adding functional groups onto simple hydrocarbons like methane, highlighting the essential role of chlorine atoms. This new understanding is crucial for designing next-generation catalysts and finding scalable approaches to turn greenhouse gases into value-added chemicals.
A new iron-nitrogen-doped carbon catalyst has been developed to preferentially reduce nitric oxide to hydroxylamine, reducing harmful air pollutants. The catalyst achieved efficient (71%) NH2OH production in a prototypical NO-H2 fuel cell and exhibited long-term stability.
Researchers at Skoltech developed a new algorithm to identify over 200 previously unknown single-atom-alloy catalysts with improved stability and performance. The AI-powered approach uses machine learning models to extract key parameters from computational data, providing a recipe for finding the best SAACs for specific applications.
A team of four scientists from Hokkaido University developed a rapid and efficient protocol for cross-coupling reactions using ball milling, expanding the pool of chemicals usable in organic synthesis. They successfully applied this method to mostly-insoluble aryl halides, yielding desired products.
Researchers have discovered a new oxygen-coordinated molybdenum single atom catalyst that exhibits high nitrogen reduction reaction activity and stability in producing ammonia. The catalyst, anchored on activated carbon, shows promising results for efficient electrosynthesis of ammonia.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a catalytic process to efficiently convert polyethylene to jet fuel and high-value lubricants. The process converts 90% of plastic to usable products within an hour, offering a promising approach to reducing waste plastics.