Articles tagged with Catalysis
Researchers have discovered a new pathway to construct carbon-oxygen bonds using a light-activated catalyst, expanding nickel chemistry's potential impact on pharmaceuticals and agriculture. The breakthrough overcomes previous challenges with traditional nickel catalysis.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have identified a new catalyst that can efficiently capture and convert carbon dioxide into methanol, a liquid fuel. The copper tetramer, consisting of small clusters of four copper atoms, works by binding to carbon dioxide molecules and accelerating chemical reactions.
Researchers have found a way to capture high-energy electrons from plasmonic metals, opening a new pathway to efficient solar energy conversion. By coupling nano-rods of cadmium selenide with gold nanoparticles, they can harness the energy and use it to fuel chemical reactions.
The book reviews up-to-date accounts promoting energy access in remote areas, covering scientific and technological advances and enabling factors for sustainable development. Experts discuss the importance of coordinated action from governments, private investors, and development funders to achieve sustainable energy for all by 2030.
Scientists at MIT discovered that non-wetting surfaces promote chemical reaction rates, while hydrophilic surfaces inhibit them. This finding enables researchers to predict a material's suitability as a catalyst based on its wettability.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new chemical reaction that breaks the strongest bond in a molecule instead of the weakest. Using a two-component catalyst system, they selectively activate the strongest bond through proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET), allowing access to previously inaccessible compounds.
Gold compounds demonstrate novel reactivity, competing with traditional catalysts. Acetic acid serves as a proton shuttle, transferring hydrogen atoms between reaction centers.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new approach to structuring catalysts, using nano cage structures to achieve more potent chemical reactions with less material. The discovery offers a pathway for industries to wean themselves off platinum, a scarce and expensive metal.
Researchers have developed a new fabrication technique to produce ultra-thin hollow nanocages with platinum walls, which can increase the utilization efficiency of the metal by up to seven times. The new structures can use smaller amounts of platinum, making fuel cells more economically viable.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have introduced a new approach to molecular fuel cell catalysts, which uses nitroxyls and nitrogen oxides for more efficient energy storage. The catalyst achieves comparable efficiency to platinum while offering advantages in terms of modifiability.
A new nano-catalyst filter, developed by KIST, can remove 100% of particle substances in cigarette smoke, converting them into water vapor and carbon dioxide. The air cleaning equipment based on the catalyst can purify over 80% of cigarette smoke within 30 minutes and 100% within 1 hour in a 30 square meter smoking room.
Scientists at Hiroshima University successfully compounded ultra-thin all-inorganic molecular nanowires composed of Mo and Te, exhibiting high activity as an acid catalyst. The wires' diameters were only 1.2 nm, making them a promising material for heterogeneous catalysts, thermochromic materials, and semiconductors.
Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a method to produce bioplastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA), more efficiently and with less waste. This breakthrough could lead to cheaper and more sustainable production of biodegradable plastics.
A study at Umea University has successfully captured a protein structure previously impossible to study, providing insights into enzymes' catalytic capabilities. The discovery enables the development of designed enzymes for new chemical reactions in biotechnology.
Researchers used atom probe tomography to create the first 3-D atomic map of an industrially relevant zeolite material, revealing clues to extending catalyst life. The study found that steaming causes aluminum atoms to cluster, shutting down the catalytic factory and affecting its efficiency.
A new bio-inspired zeolite catalyst converts methane to methanol with high efficiency and selectivity, enabling small-scale 'gas-to-liquid' technologies. The catalyst's trinuclear copper-oxo-cluster active center is stabilized in the zeolite micropores.
A new technique combines electron microscopy and synchrotron X-rays to track chemical reactions under real operating conditions. This powerful operando approach reveals atomic-scale changes during catalytic reactions, providing unparalleled insight into nanoparticle structure.
Researchers developed a low-voltage, single-catalyst water splitter that produces hydrogen and oxygen continuously for over 200 hours. The device uses a single, inexpensive nickel-iron oxide catalyst, reducing cost and increasing efficiency.
Researchers from UNC School of Medicine provide direct experimental evidence for the rapid synthesis of two classes of proteins necessary to create life on Earth. They found that a single ancient gene probably used its two opposite strands of DNA to code for different catalysts that both activated amino acids.
A team of researchers has developed a hydrogel that can protect sensitive catalysts from oxygen-caused damage, making it possible to create efficient and affordable hydrogen fuel cells. The hydrogel acts as both solvent and protective environment, allowing the catalysts to remain functional even in high-oxygen concentrations.
A new method of converting squalene from microalgae to gasoline or jet fuel has been developed by Tohoku University researchers. The process uses a highly dispersed ruthenium catalyst supported on cerium oxide, producing branched alkanes with high stability and low freezing points.
Researchers at EBI create a new process to produce drop-in aviation biofuels with superior cold-flow properties, density and viscosity. The process yields jet fuel or lubricant base oils with up to 80-percent net life-cycle greenhouse gas savings.
A study by the University of Sydney found that an ABC TV program questioning the link between cholesterol and heart disease resulted in 14,000 fewer people taking statins per week. The program's impact was seen in those at high risk of cardiovascular disease, potentially leading to preventable heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers have developed TAML activators that effectively break down harmful chemicals in water, reducing the risk of fish feminization and other adverse effects. The catalysts were tested on water samples from municipal wastewater plants and found to be at least as effective as ozone treatment systems.
Researchers at NIST have created a fast process for making platinum nano-raspberries, which can act as catalysts in fuel cells. The nano-raspberries exhibit high surface area and stable clumping behavior, encouraging efficient reactions. This breakthrough could lead to more practical fuel cell technology.
KU Leuven researchers create sustainable process to convert wood waste lignin into chemical building blocks for various products. The resulting chemicals can be used in paint, insulation foam, and several other applications.
The new cobalt-catalyzed [2π+2π] reaction overcomes limitations of other transition metal catalyzed methods, producing cyclobutane compounds with potentially beneficial properties. The research team used redox active bis(imino)pyridine ligands to pass electrons to and from the metal, leading to a detailed understanding of the mechanism.
Research from the University of Cincinnati explores solvent-free chemistry, finding it can be just as reliable for chemical reactions without drawbacks. This approach reduces waste and costs, offering a financial savings.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have discovered a key mediation pathway that explains why sodium-oxygen batteries are more energy efficient compared to their lithium-oxygen counterparts. The discovery could pave the way for developing highly efficient and affordable energy storage solutions.
Yale University chemists have developed a family of new palladium-based catalysts, expected to lower production costs and boost sustainability. These catalysts create a better infrastructure for catalysis, reducing the need for expensive metals.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to simplify the manufacture of solar cells by employing electrodes as catalysts to create black silicon. The new process enables the production of black silicon with high efficiency and reflects little light, allowing more sunlight to reach the active elements of solar cells.
Scientists at University of Otago challenge traditional understanding of enzyme evolution, finding evidence of rapid evolution and ancient catalysts. The research has implications for designing proteins with biomedical applications.
A University of Tokyo research group has successfully synthesized (R)- and (S)-rolipram in high yield with high selectivity using a catalyzed flow fine synthesis. This new technology eliminates excess energy, purification steps, and waste generation, offering a promising solution for the production of medicines and fine chemicals.
Cathleen Crudden, a Canadian scholar at Queen's University, has been awarded the 2015 Killam Research Fellowship. She will support her ongoing project on organically modified metal surfaces for biosensing and beyond. Her research focuses on using boron chemistry to catalyze organic synthesis and materials chemistry.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of a natural insecticide, Spinosyn A, at lower temperatures than previously thought. The new mechanism reveals how the enzyme guides the substrate towards the transition state, resulting in a more energetically balanced reaction.
Case Western Reserve University researchers have developed a metal-free bifunctional electrocatalyst that performs as well or better than most metal and metal oxide electrodes in zinc-air batteries. The carbon-based catalyst works efficiently in both oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions, making the battery rechargeable.
Using quantum chemistry and X-ray spectroscopy, researchers have gained insights into the bonding behavior of iron pentacarbonyl. The study could lead to the development of novel catalysts for chemical storage of solar energy by understanding how photons interact with molecules on ultrafast timescales.
A new chemical process utilizing cerium-based nanometer-sized particles with a palladium catalyst produces cyclohexanone, a key ingredient in nylon production. This method replaces high-temperature and pressure traditional methods, requiring less hydrogen and energy, significantly improving the manufacturing process.
The PNNL Hydrogen Catalysis team received the American Chemical Society's Catalysis Lectureship for Advancing Catalytic Science. Their breakthrough research revolutionized understanding of proton movement, enabling faster and more energy-efficient catalysts.
The presentation focuses on developing novel materials that can prompt reactions in the lab, which could help reduce levels of greenhouse gases. The research aims to mimic nature's chemistry to solve global environmental problems and provide new solutions for industrial applications.
Rutgers University chemists have developed a patent-pending HER catalyst Ni5P4 that has the potential to replace platinum in electrolyzers and fuel cells, lowering material costs while maintaining efficiency. The researchers aim to test the compound's operating stability and efficiency over extended time periods in commercial devices.
A new zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF) material has been developed to destroy toxic nerve agents like Soman (GD) and VX, with degradation rates of under three minutes. The material's effectiveness is attributed to its unique zirconium node and porous MOF structure.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new thin-film catalyst, Bi2Pt2O7 pyrochlore, which could be a more effective cathode for fuel cells. The material was synthesized using pulsed laser deposition and has shown promising properties for fuel cell applications.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have created a new technique to make coatings that can conduct electricity or convert it into hydrogen fuels, using a consumer-grade heat lamp.
A team of researchers from Rice University has developed a metal-free aerogel catalyst that outperforms platinum in fuel cells. The new material, made from graphene nanoribbons with boron and nitrogen, provides an abundance of active sites for oxygen reduction reactions.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have made a major breakthrough in developing a metal-free catalyst that performs as well as costly metal catalysts in an acidic fuel cell. The new carbon-based catalyst corrodes less and is more durable than traditional materials, paving the way for low-cost clean energy production.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo have created a selective catalyst that enables the hydrogenolysis of carbon-oxygen bonds in phenols and aryl methyl ethers, key components of lignin. This breakthrough could lead to the use of plant biomass as a primary feedstock for the chemical industry.
Researchers at TUM create self-assembled catalyst to facilitate terpene cyclization, enabling production of complex compounds like taxol, used in cancer treatment. The breakthrough yields higher yields and improves reaction feasibility.
Researchers developed a single-step synthesis method for nanographenes, overcoming limitations of existing methods. The new reaction enables precise control on the nanometer-scale, making it suitable for next-generation organic electronic devices.
University of Utah scientists develop computational model to predict catalyst performance, allowing for the design of more efficient and selective catalysts. The model uses big data analysis to identify structural features that correlate with reaction selectivity.
Researchers observed atoms forming a weak bond on the path to molecule creation, with only a small fraction converting to stable products. The study paves the way for more efficient reactions in industries such as energy generation and crop fertilization.
The study introduces a novel approach to growing nanowires using metal-alloy catalysts, allowing for more control over their light-emitting and electronic properties. By adjusting the concentration of nickel and gold in the catalyst, researchers can precisely manipulate the orientation of the nanowires.
A team of Caltech chemists has discovered a method to produce silicon-containing organic chemicals without using expensive precious metal catalysts. Potassium tert-butoxide, a cheap and abundant chemical, is more effective at running challenging chemical reactions than state-of-the-art precious metals.
Researchers have discovered holes in the valence bands of nanodiamonds when they are dispersed in water, but not on a solid-state substrate. This discovery suggests that electrons at the surface of nanodiamonds can donate to surrounding water molecules, potentially influencing their chemical and catalytic properties.
Researchers have created an efficient manganese catalyst capable of converting sunlight into chemical energy. The breakthrough, published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, paves the way for a continuous and environmentally-friendly storage form of solar energy.
Researchers from MIPT use the USPEX method to predict the structure and properties of rutile's surface. This resolves existing discrepancies between empirical and theoretical data, paving the way for understanding chemical reactions on the catalyst.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have received €1.5 million ERC funding to develop novel security mechanisms for the Internet of Things and catalyzers for target-specific drug manufacture.
Researchers have found iron-based catalysts for diazo compound transformations, offering a sustainable alternative to precious metals. These iron complexes exhibit unique advantages in specific reactions, including cyclopropanation and enantioselectivity.
The DFG is establishing five new Research Units and four new Humanities Centres for Advanced Studies to tackle pressing issues in various fields. The centres will receive a total of approximately 23.5 million euros over three or four years.
Scientists used theoretical calculations to gain insights into the structure of β-NiOOH, a highly active compound in a nickel oxide catalyst. The research found that the material's mosaic texture and c-axis periodicity are stable tunnel structures that relieve stress between layers.