Articles tagged with Catalysis
Researchers mapped catalytic reactivity inside a microreactor in high resolution from start-to-finish using infrared and x-ray light. The study revealed opportunities for optimization, resulting in better catalytic performances.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison developed new, oxide-based materials to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases using solar energy. The dual-layer catalyst design enabled a record high efficiency of 1.7%, making it possible to produce fuel at a price competitive with gasoline.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a low-temperature fuel cell that directly converts biomass to electricity using a catalyst activated by solar or thermal energy. The device can use various types of biomass, including starch, cellulose, and switchgrass, and operates for up to 20 hours without needing purification.
A new X-ray method allows researchers to determine the atomic structure of material surfaces, enabling deeper understanding of catalytic behavior at the atomic level. The method reduces analysis time from ten hours to just ten minutes, paving the way for optimized catalyst design and improved reaction control.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a highly selective catalyst that can convert carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide with 92 percent efficiency. The nano-porous silver electrocatalyst offers high selectivity and is significantly more active than other catalysts, making it a promising route for clean energy.
Researchers have developed a novel X-ray technique that enables the rapid determination of atomic surface structures and live recordings of surface reactions like catalysis and corrosion. This breakthrough paves the way for designing better catalysts and materials on an atomic level.
Researchers in India have developed a low-temperature process to convert LDPE into liquid fuel, releasing carbon-rich molecules that are similar to conventional petrochemical fuels. The process uses kaolin catalyst and can produce up to 700 grams of liquid fuel per kilogram of waste plastic.
Researchers from Stanford University and Aarhus University develop a cheap alternative to platinum-based electrolysis for producing hydrogen, a crucial component in fertilizer production. The new method achieves efficiency comparable to platinum-based systems while reducing costs.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new method for producing cheap hydrogen using atomic-scale catalysts made of molybdenum sulfide (MoS2). The study found that the thickness of the MoS2 film is crucial to its catalytic performance, with thinner films being more conductive and effective as catalysts.
University of Houston researchers aim to develop a method to convert methane, the main component of natural gas, into more valuable chemicals like methanol, ethane, or ethylene. The breakthrough could have significant economic and industrial value.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have found a more efficient way to link a synthetic cobalt-containing catalyst to an organic light-sensitive molecule, increasing hydrogen generation from sunlight and water. The discovery uses a new mechanism that allows the reaction to continue significantly longer.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a high-efficiency, scalable method for creating solar-powered water splitting devices using molybdenum sulfide and copper(I) oxide. The new catalyst preserves optical transparency, stability under acidic conditions, and reduces maintenance costs.
A UT Arlington chemist has discovered that mutations outside the CDO enzyme's outer coordination sphere can lead to high levels of ROS, increasing the likelihood of age-onset diseases. The findings could be applied to other oxygen-dependent enzymes, potentially screening for genetic dispositions for ROS-related diseases.
Researchers combined two catalytic reactions to produce highly reactive boron-containing compounds from inexpensive chemicals, expanding the applications of alpha-olefins and enabling efficient production of important therapeutics like phenethylamines and pregabalin.
A University of Iowa researcher studied the evolution of dihydrofolate reductase enzyme from bacteria to humans. Key findings include the preservation of protein dynamics and catalysis across millions of years of evolution.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a novel co-catalyst system that efficiently converts carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, a useful starting material for synthesizing fuels. The system uses inexpensive and easy-to-fabricate carbon-based nanofiber materials, offering a promising solution for producing synth...
Researchers used a dual-electrode photoelectrochemistry method to study the flow of electrons at semiconductor-electrocatalyst junctions. They found that thin layers of ion-porous electrocatalyst material work best, reducing energy loss associated with the catalyst-semiconductor interface.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a series of techniques to create efficient iron-based catalysts for producing alcohols and amines used in the drug and perfume industry. The new process replaces rare elements with abundant iron, making it safer, more economical, and environmentally friendly.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a new catalyst that can rapidly break down nitrites, a harmful contaminant found in drinking water. Gold-palladium nanocatalysts are up to 15 times more efficient than pure palladium nanocatalysts in breaking down nitrites.
The researchers aim to design efficient and cost-effective bimetallic catalysts for clean hydrogen fuel production. The team will develop new mathematical tools to quantify uncertainty and sensitivity in these complex systems.
Researchers find RNA, not protein, catalyzes eukaryotic gene splicing, increasing complexity in higher organisms. This discovery enriches the 'RNA world' origin hypothesis, suggesting life on earth began with RNA-based systems.
Researchers are developing a new class of molecules called peptoids that can alter zeolite growth, changing the shape of these crystals from cylinders to flat platelets. This improvement will significantly extend the lifetime of catalysts, enabling companies to carry out processes more efficiently and at lower costs.
Researchers from Brown University have developed a catalyst using gold nanoparticles that selectively converts CO2 to carbon monoxide, an active molecule for making alternative fuels and commodity chemicals. The team found that particles with an exact size of eight nanometers achieved the best selectivity, converting 90% of CO2 to CO.
Researchers at UC Davis and Stanford University have identified a key step in assembling hydrogen-generating catalysts, which are based on precisely organized clusters of iron and sulfur atoms. This study reveals how bacteria naturally build these catalysts and could pave the way for more efficient production of clean energy.
Researchers at UCLA's College of Letters and Science have employed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to better measure the temperature of gases inside a catalytic reactor. This non-invasive method maps gas temperatures in real-time, enabling engineers and chemists to design better lab-on-a-chip devices and optimize reactor conditions.
A new process developed at the University of Illinois Chicago suggests that base metals can be used as catalysts in the manufacture of petroleum-based products. The process, which uses copper and iron, has the potential to reduce costs and environmental impact by replacing rare and expensive metal catalysts.
Researchers have created a man-made catalyst that can alter the chemical profiles of numerous types of small molecules, greatly speeding up the process of drug discovery. The catalyst, called iron CF3-PDP, can accomplish one of these alterations in about half an hour.
Researchers will explore ways to use existing catalysts like platinum and palladium, altering ratios and thickness to optimize performance. The goal is to develop catalytic converters that can treat lower-temperature exhaust gas and meet environmental regulations.
A new family of non-precious metal catalysts developed by the UNIST research team exhibits better performance than platinum in oxygen-reduction reaction, offering a solution for widespread commercialization of fuel cell technology. The catalysts show high electrocatalytic activity and superior long-term durability.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have created a high-performing nanocatalyst that transforms impure hydrogen into electricity, addressing challenges of carbon monoxide poisoning. The novel core-shell structure, combining ruthenium and platinum, exhibits perfect atomic ordering and superior performance parameters.
Researchers from UNC School of Medicine challenge the widely-held theory that RNA self-replicated without protein enzymes, instead suggesting a 'Peptide-RNA World' scenario where proteins accelerated key chemical reactions. The study's findings support the idea that ancient protein enzymes played a vital role in life's emergence.
Scientists have isolated and characterized a stable intermediate in a dirhodium metal complex reaction, allowing them to study its mechanism for the first time. The discovery opens new avenues for the field of catalysis and could lead to more efficient chemical reactions.
Researchers have developed a process for immobilising organic catalysts on textiles using ultraviolet light, enabling simple textiles to be used in complex chemical reactions. The method results in excellent yields, little wear and tear, and provides several advantages over other forms of catalyst immobilisation.
Researchers at DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory discovered a new zeolite catalyst that breaks down nitric oxide into water and atmospheric nitrogen, reducing pollution. The catalyst uses copper as its added metal and takes an unusual side-on approach to binding with nitric oxide.
Scientists have developed a new filtering system to remove carbon dioxide from electric power station smokestacks, inspired by the efficient lungs of birds and the swim bladders of fish. The technology uses an array of tubes with porous membranes, which can capture up to 50% more CO2 than existing methods.
Scientists present innovative approaches to reduce hazardous substances in production processes, using renewable materials and minimizing waste. The symposium features topics such as banana-peel powder removal of toxic metals from water and sustainable nanoparticle production.
Several Nobel laureates will present research on organic synthesis, including Ei-ichi Negishi's work on palladium-catalyzed cross couplings and Richard Schrock's development of the metathesis method. George A. Olah's research on carbocations and Roald Hoffmann's theories on chemical reactivity will also be presented.
Researchers aim to turn CO2 from fossil fuels back into a renewable energy source by capturing and processing the gas with catalysts. A symposium at the American Chemical Society meeting features studies on the activation of CO2 for catalytic transformation.
Researchers at the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis have developed a method to interface molecular hydrogen-producing catalysts with a semiconductor that absorbs visible light. This breakthrough enables the production of hydrogen fuel from sunlight without external electrical potential.
Researchers found that complex oxide films remain stable with reduced oxygen levels at the surface, contrary to expected changes. This discovery has implications for designing functional oxides in consumer products like batteries and electronic devices.
Scientists have unexpectedly created two differently colored crystals from one chemical, revealing new insights into agostic bonds crucial for industrial catalytic reactions. The discovery provides valuable information for making plastics and fuels.
Researchers at Boston College have developed a novel approach to accelerate a chemical reaction using cooperative co-catalysts. By employing two Lewis base molecules in concert, the team was able to reduce reaction time from two to five days to less than an hour and minimize catalyst loading.
Scientists from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin used RIXS spectroscopy and ab initio theory to study the iron carbonyl complex. They discovered a strong orbital mixing between metal and ligands, weakening the chemical bond during excitation. This fundamental insight can help control catalytic properties and produce novel materials.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new fuel cell design that produces as much electricity as current models but requires significantly less platinum, a rare and valuable precious metal. The discovery, published in Nature Materials, could lead to more economically viable fuel cell production.
Researchers at Penn and two institutions developed a way to precisely design active elements of catalysts, identifying critical parameters for improvement. This new paradigm can fine-tune catalysts used in various applications, including environmental remediation and material production.
A NASA team has successfully grown uniform layers of carbon nanotubes using atomic layer deposition, enabling the growth of these forests on three-dimensional components like baffles and tubes. This innovation promises to make spacecraft instruments more sensitive without enlarging their size.
Researchers at the University of York have developed a new technology allowing them to observe and analyze single atoms in dynamic experiments under realistic conditions. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding reactions in physical sciences, medicine, and energy sources.
Researchers developed a combined approach of MicroCT-based visualization and microfluidic-based electrochemical analysis to correlate changes in electrode performance with catalyst layer structure. This allows for systematic investigation of electrode-based electrochemical processes and guides electrode optimization for improved cataly...
Researchers at University College London have uncovered a groundbreaking explanation for the properties of mixed-phase titania catalysts, revealing that anatase has lower energy levels than previously thought. This discovery will aid in developing more efficient photocatalysts with applications in clean energy and self-cleaning coatings.
Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology developed a novel bio-inspired composite electrocatalyst outperforming platinum, demonstrating higher electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction. The catalyst showed exceptional durability during cycling in an alkaline media.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new catalyst that can produce hydrogen gas from water using electricity, avoiding rare and expensive metal platinum. The discovery uses commercially available molybdenum disulfide to facilitate the reaction.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a diamond catalyst that efficiently converts nitrogen to ammonia under ambient conditions. The new technique, which uses synthetic industrial diamond, reduces energy consumption by up to 2% compared to traditional methods.
Researchers from McGill University have developed a method to use iron nanoparticles as catalysts in water-ethanol mixtures, overcoming the limitation of rusting in the presence of oxygen or water. This innovation enables the possibility of replacing platinum-series metals for hydrogenation under industrial conditions.
A new method for converting CO2 into methanol has been developed by Université Laval researchers. The catalyst is made of two chemical groups and produces little waste, making it more effective than previous methods.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed an inexpensive catalyst that converts carbon dioxide into synthetic fuels for powering cars, homes, and businesses. The catalyst uses solar energy to convert CO2 into carbon monoxide, a valuable commodity chemical with many industrial applications.
Industrial palladium-copper catalysts change structure before use, affecting reaction catalysis. The discovery reveals potential environmental and economic benefits of alternative activation methods.
Researchers develop a platinum-nickel nano-octahedra material that accelerates hydrogen and oxygen conversion to water, saving 90% of typical platinum usage. The unique atomic structure enhances reactivity while limiting lifetime.
A new discovery by Penn State researchers may lead to the creation of cheaper clean-energy technologies. The team, led by Raymond Schaak, has found that a nickel phosphide nanoparticle can effectively trigger hydrogen production from water. This process is crucial for many energy-production technologies, including fuel cells and solar ...
A nanofiber sensor developed by researchers at KAIST can detect acetone levels associated with diabetes and toluene levels linked to lung cancer. The sensor offers a highly sensitive detection of these biomarkers, which is important for accurate diagnosis.
Scientists at the Vienna University of Technology have observed and explained the dance of atoms on iron-oxide surfaces. They found that carbon monoxide is the partner responsible for rapid motion, which leads to clustering and reduces the effectiveness of catalysts. A hydroxyl coating of the surface can suppress this effect.