Articles tagged with Catalysis
Researchers used a novel experimental setup with quantum chemical calculations to understand organometallic catalysts. They were able to empirically test and validate calculations for oxidation and reduction processes on the entire molecule, providing new insights into redox processes in complex systems.
A team of researchers from Beihang University has fabricated a new type of nonprecious metal-based electrocatalyst, VNQD-NG, for oxygen reduction reaction. The material exhibits high electrocatalytic activity, long durability, and high selectivity for ORR.
Chemists at the University of Basel have developed a novel synthesis method for terpenes that uses molecular capsules to mimic nature. The method significantly reduces the number of steps and improves yield in the synthesis process.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a flow-based high-throughput screening technology for optimizing hydroformylation reactions. The new technique significantly reduces testing time to about 30 minutes, while also minimizing human interaction with toxic gases and saving money.
Researchers developed a hybrid catalyst that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen efficiently, addressing previous limitations of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. The new material, made of iridium dinuclear heterogeneous catalysts attached to a tungsten oxide substrate, offers improved stability and recyclability.
Prof. Doron Lancet and colleagues propose a new chemical model that supports the 'Lipid World' concept, where lipids can store and transmit information, leading to compositional reproduction and Darwinian evolution. The researchers argue that life could emerge before DNA and RNA.
The US Department of Energy awards Rice University researchers $1.1 million to develop single-particle spectroscopy techniques and analyze mechanisms to improve nanoparticle-based electrocatalysts. The goal is to fine-tune nanoscale electrocatalysts for future applications in various industrial processes.
Researchers created an artificial enzyme that catalyzes a Diels-Alder reaction on the surfaces of living human cells, achieving up to a 50% yield. This breakthrough could lead to the development of therapeutic drugs targeted to specific organs and cells, reducing side effects.
Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum developed a low-cost nickel boride catalyst for plastic production from biorefinery products, offering a sustainable alternative to PET. The catalyst also enables the creation of hydrogen as a potential energy source.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a ruthenium-based perovskite catalyst that exhibits high performance even at low temperatures and is recyclable. The new catalyst overcomes classic limitations, including the need for additives and high reaction temperatures.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum have developed new phosphine ligands that enhance gold catalysts' activity and stability. These findings allow for more efficient reactions at lower temperatures with reduced catalyst quantities, promising economic benefits in industries.
Researchers have achieved a direct solar water-splitting efficiency of 19.3%, surpassing the theoretical maximum of 23%. The innovation lies in a tandem cell made of III-V semiconductors and a crystalline titanium dioxide layer, which improves anti-reflection properties and enhances catalyst activity.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new method to synthesize multi-substituted anilines, enabling further developments in medical and materials science. The catalyst-based domino rearrangement reaction offers improved efficiency and selectivity over conventional methods.
The Department of Energy has selected Argonne National Laboratory to lead an Energy Frontier Research Center focused on advanced materials for energy-water systems. Researchers will explore interface phenomena, fouling, reactivity, and the interconnectedness of water and energy to develop innovative solutions.
Researchers at Osaka University have elucidated the activation mechanism of nanoporous gold catalysts, making poisonous CO gas harmless. The study used atomic-scale resolution environmental transmission electron microscopy and computer simulations to reveal the role of residual impurities in catalyzing chemical reactions.
A new study shows that combining machine learning and quantum chemistry can help chemical engineers at Rice University and Penn State find fundamental correlations in large amounts of data. This allows them to narrow down their search and design more efficient catalysts, which can translate into millions of dollars for companies.
Researchers at University of Groningen created a new enzyme with an unnatural amino acid as its active centre, increasing catalysis by almost three orders of magnitude. The enzyme links organic molecules by forming a hydrazone structure, a reaction used in medical biotechnology.
A new ruthenium-based catalyst has been developed, featuring highly active flat surfaces that significantly improve its performance compared to traditional metal-supported catalysts. The catalyst's high turnover frequency and reusability make it a promising solution for the large-scale production of valuable chemicals.
A new hybrid catalyst made of iron and dinickel phosphides on commercially available nickel foam can produce both hydrogen and oxygen from water, reducing energy requirements and costs. This breakthrough could lead to a significant increase in the production of clean energy from hydrogen.
Researchers have developed a new catalyst that increases the rate of methanol formation by three times over palladium alone and four times over copper alone. The catalyst combines palladium and copper in a precise atomic ratio, creating an ideal surface structure for efficient CO2-to-methanol conversion.
University of Tsukuba researchers developed a method to balance catalyst activity and stability in acidic liquids using graphene coatings. The approach resulted in nanoparticles with high durability and similar catalytic activity to expensive platinum-based catalysts.
Researchers have developed a catalyst that converts CO2 into liquid alcohols like ethanol and propanol, offering a potential solution for renewable transportation fuels. The new catalyst design enhances CO2 reduction by incorporating sulfur atoms and copper vacancies, inspiring more efficient catalysts.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a solid catalyst for a major chemical reaction, reducing waste and increasing efficiency by 20 times compared to traditional soluble catalysts. The new palladium-carbon-nitrogen material is more stable and cost-effective, making it suitable for commercial-scale production.
Researchers at Princeton University have found a way to make a naturally occurring enzyme take on a new role, enabling the catalysis of non-natural reactions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new enzymatic reactions and potentially more cost-effective chemical catalysis.
A team from Osaka University invents a pseudo-rotaxane with unidirectional movement, enabling the observation of simultaneous motion and chemical reactivity. This innovation demonstrates 'face-selective translation,' where α-cyclodextrin interacts with the molecular machine to catalyze a reaction.
Researchers at Princeton University have found a revolutionary approach using cobalt and methanol to produce an epilepsy drug, replacing toxic rhodium and dichloromethane. The new reaction is faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly, offering distinct advantages over traditional methods.
A new study from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business found that how inequity is presented can influence individuals' willingness to rectify it. Participants were more likely to give up part of a bonus when told a specific black colleague was unfairly disadvantaged, rather than being told they had an unfair advantage.
Osaka University researchers have developed a practical and environmentally innocuous method for functionalizing multiply substituted amines. Their reductive alkylation approach uses hydrogen directly, generating only water as a byproduct and efficiently synthesizing a wide variety of amines, including amino acids.
Recent study reveals supports in atomically dispersed catalysts play a significant role in catalysis, not just as ligands. The findings suggest that metal atoms on the support can directly participate in the activation of reactants.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have synthesized a biodegradable alternative to polyolefins using a new catalyst and polyester polymer. This breakthrough could lead to improved physical and chemical properties of the resulting material, making it suitable for various applications.
Scientists have developed a neural network that can recognize features in x-ray absorption spectra sensitive to atomic arrangement at fine scales. This method helps reveal details of atomic-scale rearrangements during iron's phase transition, and could be applied to study nanoparticles, catalytic materials, and other materials.
Researchers have designed a new material that uses self-assembly to create an efficient catalyst for hydrogen fuel cells. The catalyst is made from a combination of cobalt and ruthenium molecules that assemble themselves into the desired structure, allowing for large-scale production at a lower cost than current platinum-based catalysts.
Researchers have discovered a way to harness bismuth's unique property, called catalytic plasticity, to convert carbon dioxide into liquid fuels and industrial chemicals. This approach could potentially provide sustainable routes to making fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists create nanoparticles that can change their surface topography under light control, enabling precise control over chemical reactions. This breakthrough allows for more efficient and selective catalysis, with potential applications in multistage reactions and simplified post-reaction processing.
A new technique doubles the conversion of carbon dioxide to an essential plastic component, ethylene. The approach uses copper coated with polyacrylamide to increase efficiency, offering a promising method for recycling CO2 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers developed an artificial metalloenzyme that can penetrate a mammalian cell and accelerate hormone release, activating a gene switch to create a fluorescent protein. This breakthrough enables the modification of cell functions on a genetic level or the creation of drugs from harmless precursors.
University of Groningen biotechnologists successfully redesigned aspartase enzyme using computational method, producing kilograms of pure building blocks for pharmaceuticals and other bioactive compounds.
Researchers have demonstrated the unique potential of carbon nitrides as hosts for isolated metal atoms, including palladium, in various crystalline forms. The study found that varying the lattice structure significantly impacts the strength of the metal-host interaction, leading to improved catalytic activity and selectivity.
A University of Toronto engineering team has designed a most efficient and stable process to convert climate-warming carbon dioxide into ethylene, a key chemical building block for plastics. The breakthrough catalyst uses a thin copper-based material and improves energy efficiency and selectivity.
Researchers at TU Vienna found that support materials can significantly impact chemical reactions on large palladium grains. The discovery could lead to the development of more effective automotive catalytic converters by reinforcing the weak point of the grain, where carbon monoxide poisoning starts.
Nebraska researchers have identified a simple equation to design less costly and more efficient catalysts for producing renewable hydrogen fuel. The team found that surrounding certain transition metals with specific environments can elevate their performance, making them viable alternatives to precious metals.
Scientists have developed a new catalyst that can integrate fluorine atoms into organic molecules, improving pharmaceuticals and medical imaging technology. The catalyst is specifically tuned to perform the same function as biological enzymes but is more widely applicable and has been designed using computational analysis.
Scientists at KAUST have created a 3D porous material with repeating patterns of interconnected pores using a simple method. The film, made from polystyrene-b-poly(tertbutyl acrylate), shows promise for applications such as virus filtration and biological scaffolds.
Scientists at the University of Tsukuba have created an electrode based on 'holey' graphene that efficiently catalyzes the hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic electrolyte, making it cheaper and more effective. The new system outperforms regular non-holey graphene electrodes in acid conditions.
Scientists investigate vibration energy of a single molecule on a surface, measuring the current generated by applying voltage between a probe tip and the surface. The study uses a classical model to reproduce experimental results, shedding light on interaction between molecules and surfaces.
Researchers developed a novel catalyst design by incorporating Pd interlayers into an icosahedral core shell. The Au60Pd40@Pt electrocatalyst showed remarkably enhanced activities and durabilities towards ORR in acid environment compared to commercial Pt/C and Au75Pd25@Pt icosahedra.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered a new type of catalytic reaction that generates ammonia from nitrogen and water using an electric field and nanoscale carbon spikes. The process occurs at room temperature and could lead to more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly methods for fertilizer production.
Peter Wasserscheid receives second Advanced Investigator Grant from European Research Council to explore fundamental new concept in catalysis based on metal droplets with low melting point. This research has the potential to replace expensive precious metals with cost-effective alternatives.
A team of Russian chemists has developed a new rhodium catalyst for organic synthesis, enabling the creation of complex molecular frameworks of antifungal agents. The catalyst's asymmetrical design allows for full spatial control over reaction outcomes.
ORNL researchers developed a method to uniquely identify vehicles using roadside sensors and improved predictive Earth system models for plants' heat wave responses. Computational modeling also aided in filling gaps of olefins breakdown and catalyzation process.
Researchers at Kumamoto University developed a new catalyst that improves NH3 combustibility and suppresses NOx generation. The catalyst allows for the decomposition of NH3 into H2 with low ignition temperature and purification through oxidation.
A new natural gas catalyst aims to reduce methane emissions from vehicle exhaust, a potent greenhouse gas. The US Department of Energy-funded project will develop and optimize a lower-cost, more efficient catalyst to eliminate unreacted methane, making natural gas a cleaner-burning fuel option.
Researchers have developed a new theory to explain why stretching or compressing metal catalysts can make them perform better. The theory suggests that applying a strain to a catalyst's atomic lattice can tune its reactivity, enabling fine-tuning of catalyst performance throughout different reaction steps.
Researchers found that smaller Ru particles increase the TOF of the reaction, while maintaining selectivity towards GVL. The smallest metal particle size (1.2 nm) showed high activity at both room and elevated temperatures.
UCR researchers have developed a cost-effective way to improve the removal of pollutants from wastewater using Advanced Oxidation Processes. By adding a co-catalyst, they can dramatically reduce the amount of hydrogen peroxide and ferrous catalyst needed, preventing the formation of an iron-containing sludge.
Researchers at Swansea University's Energy Safety Research Institute have found a way to convert CO2 into ethylene, the basis of making plastics, at room temperature. This process has the potential to offset global carbon emissions and utilise half a billion tonnes of emitted CO2 annually.
Researchers have developed a hybrid system combining inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals with a molecular catalyst, achieving efficient hydrogen production. The system shows remarkable catalytic activity in water without the use of toxic metals like cadmium.
Researchers developed alternative catalysts made of cheaper and more readily available materials with equally high efficiency. The study found that the structure and composition of iron-nickel sulphide influence its electrocatalytic properties.
Scientists have developed a method to combine up to eight different metals in a single nanoparticle, creating stable alloys with useful applications in the chemical and energy industries. The new technique uses shock waves to heat and cool the metals, producing homogeneous nanoparticles with broad catalytic properties.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame are developing a renewable energy approach for synthesizing ammonia, which is essential for fertilizers and food production. The new process utilizes plasma in combination with non-noble metal catalysts to generate ammonia at milder conditions than the traditional Haber-Bosch process.