Articles tagged with Catalysis
EPFL researchers have developed a novel method to increase the accessible active sites of metal oxide catalysts in water splitting reactions, resulting in improved catalytic properties. The exfoliation method shows increased rates of up to 4.5-fold compared to conventional methods.
Researchers have developed a novel catalyst that efficiently catalyzes the production of clean-burning hydrogen fuel, outperforming cost-prohibitive platinum and other less-expensive alternatives. The technology, based on carbon nanotubes, could make electrolysis reactions commercially viable using renewable energy sources.
Researchers at SLAC and Stanford have found a way to estimate uncertainties in computer calculations used to speed the search for new materials, improving confidence in discoveries. This technique can be applied to thousands of computational studies across various fields.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new type of catalyst that can facilitate two opposite reactions: electrolysis of water and combustion of hydrogen with oxygen. This catalyst has the potential to make regenerative fuel cells and rechargeable metal-air batteries more cost-efficient.
Using high-brilliance X-rays, researchers have gained a better understanding of the chemical reactions in fuel cells, leading to the development of more efficient systems. This knowledge will help make large-scale alternative energy power systems more practical and reliable.
Gila Stein, a University of Houston chemical engineer, received an NSF grant to build models explaining lithography systems used for device fabrication. Her research focuses on chemically amplified resists, which are crucial for patterning semiconductor devices in smaller sizes.
Researchers from RIKEN have discovered a mineral-based catalyst that efficiently splits water into oxygen and hydrogen ions at neutral pH. The key to this success lies in synchronizing electron- and proton-transfer timing, which greatly improves the catalytic activity of manganese oxides.
Rice University researchers have successfully developed palladium-gold nanocatalysts that convert glycerol, a waste byproduct of biodiesel production, into valuable chemicals. The catalysts produce a 'Goldilocks' effect, striking the perfect balance between palladium and gold to achieve faster conversion rates.
Researchers at Princeton University have made a groundbreaking collaboration between two areas of research, enabling the formation of previously impossible bonds. The breakthrough uses photoredox catalysis and nickel catalysis to create powerful new reactions with unprecedented efficiency and scalability.
The Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis will receive $3.5 million annually to explore chemical reactions at the core of solar energy and fuel cells. Researchers from multiple disciplines will work to design faster catalysts, split molecular oxygen, and improve hydrogen reactions.
Researchers bridge the size gap to study kinetic behavior of Ag nanocatalysts using SERS, providing real-time reaction information. The stepped surface of etched nanoparticles mimics sub-5-nm environment, increasing active surface atoms' participation in catalysis.
Researchers used in situ TEM to study the evolution of platinum/cobalt nanoparticles during reactions in oxygen and hydrogen gases. They found that cobalt atoms migrate to form a cobalt oxide epitaxial film, which affects catalytic performance.
Researchers from ETH Zurich have identified a new class of zeolite catalysts that can withstand the formation of hydrocarbon deposits, which clog pores and block active sites. The key to their improved performance lies in the internal structure of the catalysts, with well-connected nano-sized channels and numerous openings.
Researchers have developed a new nickel catalyst that catalyzes the cross-coupling reaction between carbonyl compounds and phenol derivatives to form alpha-arylketones, which are found in many biologically active compounds. The study has potential applications in synthesizing biologically active molecules and organic materials.
A metal-organic framework (MOF) has been found to catalyze the conversion of ethane from natural gas into ethanol, a process previously thought to require complex biological steps. The discovery showcases the potential for laboratory-made materials to mimic nature's processes.
Researchers identified a mutated enzyme called LovD9 that produces simvastatin 1,000 times more efficiently than the natural enzyme. The team used computer simulations and X-ray crystallography to determine the molecular structures of both enzymes, revealing subtle variations in their behavior when immersed in water.
Scientists at Ames Laboratory have developed a nanoparticle that can perform two processing functions at once for green diesel production. Using iron as the catalyst reduces costs and improves efficiency, making it a promising alternative to traditional biodiesel production methods.
Researchers at EPFL used lasers to study how specific vibrations in a water molecule affect its ability to dissociate, enabling the optimization of theoretical models for water dissociation. This breakthrough can impact the design of future catalysts for industrial and commercial chemical reactions.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison develop a dual-catalyst technique using sunlight to control the 'handedness' of product molecules, overcoming UV's limitations. This breakthrough enables easier synthesis of complex chemicals with well-defined chirality.
Researchers have successfully captured a view of a molecular catalyst that converts hydrogen into electricity, confirming previous hypotheses and providing insight into its structure. The study's findings offer potential improvements to hydrogen-powered fuel cells, which could be more expensive but also carbon-neutral.
Researchers have found a novel electrode made of oxide-derived copper that can efficiently convert carbon monoxide into liquid ethanol. The discovery could provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional ethanol production, which relies on land- and water-intensive crops like corn.
Syracuse University chemists discover enzyme-like activity in seven amino acid peptides, shedding light on the origins of life and potential new catalysts for metabolic reactions. The breakthrough supports the theory that amyloid fibrils may have triggered early forms of life.
A UIC chemistry professor has been awarded a prestigious international sustainability grant to lead the US effort in developing novel catalytic methods. The project aims to replace rare metals with inexpensive and abundant metals, reducing environmental pollution and resource depletion.
Chemists at the University of Utah discovered a method to predict chemical reactions using bond vibrations, which can lead to more efficient catalysts for medicines, industrial products, and new materials. The researchers used infrared spectroscopy to analyze bond vibrations and built a mathematical model to predict reaction outcomes.
Researchers at JCAP have developed a new hybrid material that stores nearly 90% of the electrons generated by solar energy in hydrogen molecules. This breakthrough could address one of the major challenges in using artificial photosynthesis to produce renewable solar fuels. The material, which combines gallium phosphide and cobaloxime ...
Researchers at the University of Vienna developed a new, atom-economical chemical synthesis for α-arylated Carbonyl derivatives. The method eliminates the need for additional reagents, reducing product contamination and labor-intensive reaction conditions.
Researchers have identified two intermediate steps in water oxidation reactions using an Earth-abundant solid catalyst, cobalt oxide. This discovery provides a better understanding of the individual events in the four-electron cycle and enables the design of improvements to boost efficiency.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed a new, potentially clean catalyst that can convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methanol with fewer side-products. The nickel-gallium catalyst offers promise for low-cost, low-pressure methanol production using renewable energy sources.
Researchers at Berkeley and Argonne National Labs developed a new class of bimetallic nanocatalysts, hollow polyhedral nanoframes of platinum and nickel, which feature a three-dimensional catalytic surface activity. These catalysts are significantly more efficient and far less expensive than the best platinum catalysts used in today's ...
A UConn team developed a novel process creating monomodal mesoporous metal oxides with uniform pores, allowing targeted molecules to flow in and out of the material. This 'green' technology has significant applications in adsorption, sensors, optics, magnetic, and energy products.
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 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 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 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.