Research on catalysts that speed chemical reactions. Covers methane conversion, zeolite catalysis, and AI-guided catalyst design.
Researchers used a machine-learning model to predict the distribution of palladium atoms on copper surfaces under changing temperatures and hydrogen concentrations. The study found that hydrogen adsorption drives palladium away from the surface at higher pressures and lower temperatures.
Researchers have developed a novel method to synthesize sub-nanoparticles (SNPs) with controlled composition and size, enabling the discovery of unique properties. The team found unusual electronic states and oxygen content in SNPs with an indium-to-tin ratio of 3:4, leading to different optical properties.
In a new study published in Science, UCL scientists have recreated how cysteine was formed at the origins of life, delivering vital catalysts that enabled the earliest protein molecules to form. The researchers observed how once-formed cysteine catalyses the fusion of peptides in water, a fundamental step towards protein enzymes.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a way to harness energy from living cells by modifying highly functionalized PCAs into biorenewable molecules. The new catalyst enables the selective hydrogenation and dehydration of Krebs cycle metabolites, producing compounds with valuable applications in plastics and polymers.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new method for creating ultrafast laser experiments on uncharged iron oxide clusters, which could lead to the creation of more efficient industrial catalysts. The study reveals how changes in atomic composition affect stability and reactivity of these fragments.
Researchers used machine learning to predict water stability in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), accelerating the development of new materials. The model, trained on over 200 existing MOFs, enables predictions for other important properties, expanding applications in chemical separations, adsorption, and sensing.
Researchers at Waseda University developed a novel technique to grow carbon nanotubes, overcoming the limitation of short forests. The breakthrough enables the creation of dense CNT forests up to 14 cm in length, with high purity and competitive strength.
Scientists from Chalmers University of Technology investigate the role of nearest neighbors in nanoparticles' activity. They isolated copper particles and monitored their behavior in a nanotube, finding that oxidation state can be dynamically affected by neighboring particles during reactions.
Rice University scientists have developed a novel 'green' method for producing pharmaceutical intermediates using the cooperative hydrogen atom transfer (cHAT) technique. This approach employs earth-abundant iron and sulfur as catalysts, reducing costs and environmental impact compared to traditional methods.
A green method for synthesizing dapsone has been developed by RUDN University, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional production methods. The new reaction uses hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizing agent, producing only water as a by-product and allowing for high temperatures and catalyst reuse.
Researchers from China University of Petroleum have designed ultra-small hollow alloy nanoparticles that exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The unique structure provides abundant active centers, reducing the cost of platinum-based electrocatalysts.
A chemist from RUDN University developed a silica-supported heteropolyacid system that can produce ethers from waste lignocellulose products, increasing their production efficiency by 4-10 times. This method reduces energy consumption and makes biofuel manufacturing cheaper.
A novel, one-step process converts sulfur dioxide to pure sulfur at lower temperatures than traditional methods, reducing waste and energy consumption. This breakthrough technology has the potential to replace existing desulfurization methods and significantly improve environmental outcomes.
Researchers have developed a graphdiyne-based metal atomic catalyst that achieves high selectivity and yield in ammonia synthesis. The catalyst, which exhibits determined electronic and chemical structure, demonstrated remarkable performance in converting nitrogen to ammonia at ambient temperatures and pressures.
Researchers have developed a powerful, low-cost method for recycling used cooking oil and agricultural waste into biodiesel, and turning food scraps and plastic rubbish into high-value products. The new catalyst can make biodiesel from low-grade ingredients containing up to 50% contaminants.
Researchers have conducted the first operando stability study of high-purity BiVO4 photoanodes during photoelectrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Using in-situ plasma mass spectrometry, they determined a useful parameter called the stability number (S), which can be used to compare and assess the stability of photoelectrodes.
A research team at RIT won a Catalyst Award for their project using a smart toilet seat to provide in-home monitoring of critical health data. The system detects heart rates, blood flow, and oxygenation, providing near real-time information to physicians.
A nanocatalyst made from zinc oxide and niobium can produce N-heterocycles with almost 100% efficiency, replacing expensive noble metal-based catalysts. The catalyst is derived from orange peel without additional chemical agents.
A chemist from RUDN University has developed a copper catalyst that accelerates the click reaction and enables it to occur at room temperatures without additional bases or solvents. The catalyst allows for the production of triazoles, bioactive substances with antibacterial, neuroleptic, and antispastic properties.
A new method transforms waste polyethylene into long-chain alkylaromatic compounds without high temperatures or pressures. The process could pave the way for a circular plastics economy and make non-fossil-based plastics more economically attractive.
Researchers at UCSB have developed a low-energy, one-pot catalytic method to upcycle polyethylene plastic into high-value alkylaromatic molecules. This process creates valuable molecules from waste plastic, making recycling more practical and environmentally beneficial.
A team of scientists has developed a first-of-its-kind catalyst that can process polyolefin plastics and produce fuels, solvents, and lubricating oils. The process uses nanoparticle technology and mimics the natural processes by which enzymes break apart macromolecules.
Researchers developed a new mathematical framework that leverages uncertainty and expert knowledge to create more accurate and efficient computer models. This method provides guarantees on model performance and can lead to breakthroughs in renewable energy, battery technology, and other fields.
Researchers have discovered a reaction pathway that forms sugars in the absence of water, using minerals as catalysts. This finding provides a plausible explanation for the formation of sugars under extraterrestrial settings.
A study has overcome a key hurdle to the use of nanorobots powered by lipases, enzymes that play essential roles in digestion. By modulating motor speeds, researchers have broadened the potential biomedical and environmental applications of these devices.
The study used Mossbauer spectroscopy to analyze iron-containing catalysts and determine their phase composition before and after thermal steam exposure. The results indicate that maghemite is reduced to magnetite when the iron oxides react with water vapor during catalytic aquathermolysis of crude oil.
The study identifies four threats that affect consumer behavior, including health, economic, social, and misinformation threats. Consumers have shown adaptive responses to these challenges, such as switching to online streaming services or making their own hand sanitizer.
Researchers have found a way to directly couple aryl halides and alkyllithium compounds using palladium catalysts containing YPhos-type ligands. This breakthrough enables the efficient synthesis of complex chemical structures with minimal side products, reducing costs and environmental impact.
A cost-efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen production has been developed using titanium-doped molybdenum phosphide. The new catalyst demonstrates enhanced durability and comparable performance to platinum, paving the way for more affordable hydrogen production.
Researchers at TU Graz have successfully increased the catalytic performance of cyanobacteria by redirecting photosynthetic electron flow to desired reactions. This method reduces energy consumption and enhances biotechnological production, paving the way for large-scale industrial applications.
Researchers at American University have developed a new method to create highly active and stable oxygen reduction reaction catalysts from spinach, which outperforms commercial platinum catalysts. The spin-based catalysts have potential applications in hydrogen fuel cells and metal-air batteries.
Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have discovered that noble metal clusters are more reactive than individual atoms, allowing for improved removal of exhaust gases. The clusters exhibit optimal structure for high activity, enabling the development of catalysts with enhanced stability and long-term performance.
Researchers developed a machine learning technique that rapidly discovered rules governing catalysts, which took humans years of difficult calculations to reveal. The team believes this will enable faster progress in designing materials for various purposes.
A new crystal model system accurately identifies catalytic active sites in electrocatalysis, revealing pyridine N as a suitable active site for CO2 reduction. The study provides significant insights into the reaction mechanism and catalyst performance.
Researchers discovered the mechanism of an enzyme called F420-oxidase that converts oxygen into water, allowing methanogens to thrive in oxygen-free environments. The enzyme uses a gas channel and gating system to control the reaction, preventing oxygen from being transformed into superoxide.
Researchers from ICIQ's Llobet team developed a new oligomeric material as a catalyst for water oxidation, achieving unprecedented current densities. The hybrid material behaves as a rugged and powerful electro-anode, stable at neutral pH and outperforming existing materials.
Researchers have developed a novel single-atom Pt catalyst that can operate stably at high temperatures, increasing electrode reaction rates by up to 10 times. This breakthrough could accelerate the commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells, next-generation eco-friendly power generation systems.
Researchers at TU Wien and DESY discovered a material that can be switched between two states: one is catalytically very active, the other less so. The switching is controlled by tiny iron nanoparticles on the surface, which change between metallic and oxidic states depending on the voltage applied.
The researchers recommend returning to classic zeolites, which are efficient catalysts that can be modified and adapted for specific purposes. The team found inconsistencies in the literature on how aluminium atoms catalyse reactions, highlighting the need for further understanding of these active centres.
A new bio-based catalyst, copper stearate, has been shown to efficiently inhibit gas hydrate formation and facilitate in-situ oil combustion. The compound's high performance in low-temperature conditions makes it a promising solution for the petroleum industry.
Scientists discovered that mixing petroleum coke particles with quartz sand simplifies the study of combustion kinetics in the presence of catalysts. This innovation could help reduce combustion temperatures and make petroleum coke more usable in the industry.
A study by Rice University's Laboratory for Nanophotonics found that aluminum nanocatalysts with sharply pointed corners, dubbed 'octopods,' have a higher reaction rate and lower activation energy than similar shapes. The research builds on previous efforts to develop commercially viable light-activated nanocatalysts.
A research team has developed nanoscale copper wires with specially shaped surfaces to catalyze the conversion of carbon dioxide into ethylene, producing a conversion rate of over 70%. The new system is more efficient than previous designs and can run for extended periods without losing efficiency.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology create alloyed metal nanoparticles using the atom hybridization method, achieving superior catalytic activity and stability. The sub-nanoparticles (SNPs) exhibit high reactivity even under mild conditions, producing unique compounds and hydroperoxides.
Researchers successfully increased the catalytic activity of Rubisco in rice by transferring RbcS from C4 plant sorghum. This led to a 1.5-fold increase in catalytic rate and improved photosynthetic ability under high CO2 conditions. Further research is needed to apply this strategy to other major crops.
The study reveals that the real catalytically active phase for CO2 electroreduction is inconsistent with the as-prepared or post-catalyzed catalyst structure. High-performance CO2 electroreduction into formate is achieved on the operando regenerative structure.
Researchers developed a new process to upgrade lignin bio-oil to hydrocarbons using dual catalysts, improving its usability as a fuel and source of chemical feedstocks. The process can be done at low temperature and ambient pressure, making it more practical and efficient.
Researchers develop a conceptually new process to produce cyclic carbonates from CO2 and basic building blocks, offering potential for biodegradable plastics and pharmaceutical intermediates. The process yields six-membered rings with great potential for creating new CO2-based polycarbonates.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to manipulate catalyst active centers at the subnanometer scale, using nano-confinement to host multiple Fe and Cu single atoms in graphitic carbon nitride. This strategy enhances electrocatalytic performance and efficiency, particularly for nitrogen reduction reactions.
A Virginia Tech chemistry lab has successfully split water molecules into hydrogen fuel and oxygen gas, paving the way for a renewable energy future. The team's new technique reassembles a catalyst to improve efficiency and stability, solving a key barrier in the process.
A chemist from RUDN University created a green catalyst based on plant waste that reduces palladium consumption in cross-coupling reactions by up to half. The new catalyst is also reusable without decreasing efficiency, making it economically and environmentally friendly.
A new manganese-based single-atom catalyst has been developed, exhibiting high Faradaic efficiency and current density in electrochemical CO2 reduction. The catalyst outperforms all reported Mn SACs, paving the way for low-cost and efficient conversion of CO2 into useful chemicals.
A new platform for stereocontrol has been developed by Princeton University's MacMillan and Hyster labs, enabling the dynamic rendering of traditionally static stereocenters. This breakthrough allows for more efficient synthesis of complex molecules with specific stereochemistry.
Scientists have discovered a metal-free carbon-based catalyst with potential to transform chemical manufacturing, enabling more efficient reactions without expensive transition metals. The catalysts are robust and deliver unexpected catalytic reactions for various processes including hydrogenolysis, dehydrogenation, and hydrogenation.
Researchers at POSTECH have developed a new type of sandwich catalyst that can efficiently generate hydrogen energy through water electrolysis. The catalyst shows high activity and durability, outperforming conventional materials, with the potential to be applied to cost-effective hydrogen production processes.
A research team from Technical University of Munich has developed a synthesis process that drastically increases the activity of catalysts for removing sulfur from crude oil. The new process uses concentrated hydrochloric acid to improve catalytic performance.
A team of international researchers, led by the University of Bern, has created an electrocatalyst that improves the electrochemical reaction in fuel cells without a carbon carrier. This breakthrough technology promises stable fuel cell operation even at higher temperatures and high current density.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new catalyst that can produce cheaper and more sustainable hydrogen-powered vehicles, reducing reliance on precious materials like platinum. The breakthrough could make hydrogen vehicles more durable and scalable, leading to a potential shift towards sustainable transportation.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new strategy to harness sunlight and store it as carbon-neutral fuels. The study highlights the importance of catalysts in photoelectrosynthesis and proposes a less-is-more approach to improve energy efficiency.
Researchers have deciphered the movements of platinum atoms leading to surface degradation, enabling the development of more stable catalysts. This breakthrough paves the way for longer-lasting electrochemical energy conversion devices like fuel cells in the transportation sector.