Research on catalysts that speed chemical reactions. Covers methane conversion, zeolite catalysis, and AI-guided catalyst design.
Cyclohexyl phenyl sulfide cleavage studied for degradation of sulfur-containing heavy oil. Copper compounds are found to be the most effective catalysts for heavy oil extraction, followed by cobalt and nickel.
Researchers discovered that small highly branched polymers can mimic modern biological protein enzyme function, potentially aiding in the origins of life. These simple catalytic structures may have played a key role in jumpstarting life on early Earth.
A new modular iridium catalyst allows unprecedented control over fatty acid derivative modification, enabling the production of valuable compounds from renewable resources. This breakthrough opens up new avenues for pharmaceuticals and plastics synthesis.
The study reveals how iron can be used to remove oxygen from plant materials without oxidizing, enabling more efficient and cost-effective fuel production. By anchoring iron with a carbon structure modified with nitrogen, the researchers created a catalyst that interacts less with oxygen, allowing for robust reaction performance.
Researchers at Waseda University have created a novel method to produce alicyclic compounds from commercially available arenes, promising to accelerate drug discovery research. The new method uses a palladium catalyst and malonates as reactants, producing highly functionalized molecules with diverse properties.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have created a high-performing catalyst for ammonia synthesis using cerium nitride, leveraging the role of nitrogen vacancies. The new catalyst's performance is comparable to that of ruthenium-based ones, offering a potential eco-friendly alternative.
Researchers at Osaka University have discovered a new method to easily add lanthanide cubanes into an existing metallo-supramolecular framework. The team found that by soaking a crystal in a cubane-containing solution, the molecules become intercalated via a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation.
Hydrogenases can convert hydrogen efficiently like platinum catalysts. A team from Ruhr-Universität Bochum found that proton and electron transfers take place spatially separated but are coupled, crucial for efficiency. This discovery may lead to more efficient miniaturized hydrogenase catalysts.
A Brown University team has created a copper catalyst that can produce C2-plus compounds from CO2 with remarkable efficiency, surpassing other reported efficiencies. The catalyst's high selectivity is attributed to surface defects, which are crucial for carbon-carbon coupling reactions.
Researchers at Oregon State University developed a new electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction, achieving high selectivity and efficiency in converting CO2 to carbon monoxide. The breakthrough enables the production of reusable carbon forms using renewable energy sources.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a new phosphine-palladium catalyst that selectively converts organolithium compounds into desired products, reducing unwanted side reactions. The catalyst's high activity and selectivity enable industrial-scale production of pharmaceuticals, chemicals for agriculture, and other fine ...
Scientists have developed a novel organocatalyst that can control radical reactions, enabling the synthesis of complex compounds. The catalyst, featuring an N-neopentyl group, promotes coupling reactions while suppressing side reactions, allowing for the synthesis of bulky molecules and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers at Kazan Federal University have developed oil-soluble transition metal-based catalysts to reduce viscosity and contaminants in heavy oils. The study shows promising results, with potential applications in aquathermolysis reactions and heavy oil recovery.
Researchers developed finned nanoporous materials that facilitate faster molecular transport, reducing transportation limitations in zeolite catalysts. The new design triples the efficiency of conventional catalytic materials and enables longer catalyst lifetimes.
A new DOE grant will support research on developing efficient electrochemical systems for renewable energy generation and storage. Dr. Eranda Nikolla's project aims to design catalytically active sites in non-stoichiometric, mixed metal oxides for oxygen reduction and evolution.
A recent study published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews has explored the potential of using catalytic pyrolysis to convert used tyres into alternative fuels. The process produces liquid fuel with aromatic compounds, as well as gas and solid products that can be used for energy production and carbon black reuse.
Researchers have developed a three-pronged approach to predict novel electrocatalysts, which can simulate many atoms at once and transform catalyst development. The new method allows for high-throughput screening powered by machine learning, accelerating the discovery of efficient electrocatalysts.
A team led by Argonne National Laboratory has discovered a new electrocatalyst that converts carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into ethanol with very high energy efficiency, selectivity for the desired final product, and low cost. This process could contribute to the circular carbon economy by reusing CO2 from industrial processes.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum and Max Planck Institute discovered that the zinc component of the methanol catalyst is positively charged and has two copper-based active sites. This finding offers ideas for optimizing the catalyst in the future.
A team of scientists led by NTU Singapore has discovered parameters that determine the efficiency of spinel oxides as low-cost catalysts for water electrolysis. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production of hydrogen fuel, a key component in a low-carbon economy.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel approach to synthesize manganese dioxide nanoparticles with specific crystalline structures and porous structures. The study found that adjusting the acidity of the solution can produce large spherical pores in β-MnO2 nanoparticles, leading to better catalytic performance.
Researchers have discovered a way for chemical reactions to accelerate Brownian diffusion by sending long-range ripples into the surrounding solvent. This finding challenges the traditional view of molecular motion and chemical reaction being decoupled.
Researchers at TU Graz have developed a method for assembling nanomaterials as desired using helium-droplet synthesis. The resulting nanoparticles have improved catalytic properties and are suitable for sensor technologies, such as laser and magnetic sensors.
Researchers from Kyoto University have developed a new method to synthesize dicarboxylic acids and generate hydrogen as a byproduct. Using renewable diols and an iridium catalyst, the process achieves greater efficiency and yield, offering a safer alternative for industrial organic chemistry.
Scientists at Tokyo Tech develop a novel method to measure local temperature of platinum nanoparticles in catalysts using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. This approach demonstrates that microwave heating selectively heats the metal nanoparticles, increasing reaction rates and reducing temperatures.
Researchers have developed a tandem catalytic system that converts carbon dioxide to methanol with high activity and selectivity at low temperatures. By encapsulating multiple molecular catalysts in nanoporous metal-organic frameworks, the team achieved efficient transformation and recyclability of the catalysts.
Researchers created a durable graphene-based catalyst that outperforms commercial catalysts and lasts longer, potentially enabling widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cells. The breakthrough could address the high cost of platinum catalysts and reduce environmental impact.
A research team at KIST and TUB developed a nano-sized, coral-shaped silver catalyst electrode for high-efficiency carbon dioxide conversion. The new system can produce over 100 times more carbon monoxide than liquid-based systems, showing great promise for commercialization.
Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that copper catalysts are superior to purely metallic-origin catalysts in producing ethylene after oxygen is depleted. The team developed a method to 'reactivate' the catalyst by re-adding and re-removing oxygen, improving efficiency.
Researchers developed N-doped carbon encapsulated transition metal catalysts to optimize zinc-air batteries, showing remarkable ORR/OER bifunctional catalytic activity and improved performance. The catalyst was prepared by pyrolyzing solvent-free formed fechitosan chelates and small molecule nitrogen source.
Scientists at the University of Münster developed a new method to construct complex polyenes, such as retinoic acid, using small molecules as
A new catalyst has been developed that efficiently and reliably converts carbon dioxide from seawater into carbon monoxide, a critical step in producing liquid hydrocarbons. This breakthrough could enable Navy ships to produce fuel directly from seawater, eliminating the need for periodic refueling.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a new strategy for producing ammonia using lanthanum and nickel as catalysts. The new catalyst relies on nitrogen vacancies to split N2 molecules into H2, which is then converted into NH3.
Researchers at Waseda University develop a novel palladium catalyst called dcypt to enable efficient synthesis of aromatic esters. The 'ester dance reaction' can be combined with other reactions to produce compounds with diverse substitution patterns, making it a cost-efficient process.
A research team at POSTECH developed a new catalyst that improves the durability of automotive fuel cells when shut down. The Pt/HxWO3 catalyst promotes hydrogen oxidation and selectively suppresses oxygen reduction reactions, solving the corrosion issue.
Researchers developed a new strategy to boost photocatalytic CO2 reduction by improving photosensitization ability of Ru-based PSs. The study found that adjusting excited state population and lifetime can significantly enhance sensitizing ability, with Ru-3 showing over 17 times higher sensitizing ability than typical Ru-1.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have built an intelligent mobile robot scientist capable of working 24/7 and making decisions autonomously. The robot has discovered a new catalyst six times more active than traditional ones, expanding its capabilities to tackle complex chemistry problems.
Rice University engineers found that boron nitride can destroy 99% of PFOA in four hours through light activation, outperforming previously reported catalysts. The discovery suggests the potential for using boron nitride as a tool to address PFAS pollution.
Researchers developed a highly effective and safe nanocrystal to combat deadly radiation, increasing survival rates and reducing oxidative stress by five times compared to individual components.
Researchers have developed a new method to convert gaseous hydrocarbons into complex molecules at room temperatures and low pressures using UV light and a decatungstate catalyst. This breakthrough simplifies processing, reduces material waste, and decreases pollution.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have made significant breakthroughs in enhancing the catalytic water dissociation reaction in electrochemical reactors, enabling the production of hydrogen gas and other valuable chemicals. The discovery provides a roadmap for developing bipolar membrane electrolyzers that can generate protons an...
Researchers at NIMS and AIST have developed a small, energy-efficient sensor that can continuously monitor ethylene gas levels in fruits and vegetables, allowing for optimal transportation and storage schedules. This new sensor enables accurate estimation of ripening progression and potential reduction of food waste.
A team of scientists has found a way to generate the gas at precisely targeted locations inside the body, potentially opening new lines of research on nitric oxide's effects. The method uses an electric voltage to drive the reaction that produces nitric oxide.
Researchers at GIST designed new chiral ligands to generate useful compounds in a single step, achieving high enantioselectivity and efficiency. The novel catalytic reaction paves the way for synthesizing novel drugs and natural products with numerous bioactivities.
Researchers have developed a novel approach for chiral drug synthesis in living systems, utilizing neutrophil-directed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation. This method enables site-selective synthesis of enantiomers, which is crucial for controlling the pharmacological activity of chiral drugs like Ibuprofen.
Researchers discovered that self-replicating molecules can act as catalysts, speeding up ring formation and exhibiting a primitive form of metabolism. The system uses light energy to power growth, bringing artificial life one step closer.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to control the dispersity of polymer materials, allowing for the production of polymers with specific properties. This is achieved by using two catalysts with different effects, enabling chemists to adjust the dispersity precisely and produce uniform or highly dispersed polymers.
Scientists designed a functional ternary Pt/Re/SnO2/C catalyst, which exhibits more than ten times higher activity in the ethanol oxidation reaction compared to commercial platinum catalysts. The new catalyst features improved stability and is suitable for use as an anode material in direct ethanol fuel cells.
Researchers have created a catalyst that can break carbon-fluorine bonds via hydrodefluorination, a process known as C-F bond breaking. The innovation has potential applications in remediating fluorinated compounds and could lead to cleaner, more efficient chemical processes.
Researchers at SLAC and Stanford discovered that water exposure can round particles, opening up active sites in palladium-platinum nanoparticles. Larger particles are more active due to their shape change during reactions.
Researchers have developed a novel portable pyroelectric technology that converts waste heat into usable power, offering a clean alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear energy. The technology has an extended lifetime and uses on-chip combustion of methanol to harness energy.
Researchers have designed efficient indium oxide catalysts for converting CO2 into methanol with high activity and selectivity. Theoretical modeling identified a specific facet of the catalyst as most favorable for methanol synthesis, which was confirmed by experimental results.
Researchers at Osaka University have synthesized an easy-to-handle nano-cobalt phosphide catalyst that achieves efficient hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines. The catalyst combines efficiency, cost-effectiveness, ease of handling, and reusability, offering numerous advantages in terms of cost and safety.
McKone's project aims to convert carbon dioxide into useful fuels and chemicals, addressing the environmental impact of excess CO2. He is developing new catalysts and reactors to mimic biological enzymes and improve efficiency.
The nickel-based catalyst precursor proved effective for in-situ conversion of asphaltenes, reducing the content of resins and asphaltenes. The catalyst also reduced viscosity by destroying carbon-heteroatom bonds and interacting with aromatic rings.
Scientists from Kyushu University developed a new catalyst capable of assisting three key reactions for using hydrogen in energy and industry. The catalyst takes advantage of the molecular twist to switch between structures similar to those of natural enzymes.
Researchers at Uppsala University have resurrected billions-year-old enzymes and repurposed them to catalyse new chemical reactions. The study develops sustainable solutions in biotechnology and chemically degrades environmental toxins.
Researchers at TU Dresden are developing nanostructured porous carbon materials for sustainable energy applications. Prof. Qiang Xu joins the team to advance hydrogen evolution catalysis and electrical energy storage.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh and Politecnico di Milano advances computational catalysis by simulating realistic catalysts under reaction conditions. The researchers developed a method to model catalyst morphology and catalytic activity under reaction conditions, enabling the prediction of unpredictable reactions.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have created a novel, silica-supported catalyst that enables efficient propane dehydrogenation without catalyst deactivation. The catalyst maintains high propylene selectivity and stability even at temperatures above 600°C.