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Rare-Earth Europium substitution allows for more control over CO₂-to-fuel conversion

Researchers at AIMR discovered that Europium substitution in Cu2O catalysts allows for selective control of electrochemical CO2 reduction products. By leveraging the Eu3+/Eu2+ redox couple, they demonstrated how subtle changes in electronic structure can favor either C-C coupling or deep hydrogenation.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 12, 2025

DGIST transforms carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming, into a useful catalyst material!

Researchers developed a technology that efficiently converts carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide by precisely controlling the interaction between rhodium and a zinc-based carrier. This breakthrough enables selective conversion at lower temperatures than previously possible, increasing production rates of useful industrial materials.

100% CO2 to Ch4 conversion achieved with non-precious Co@ZnO catalyst in hot water

Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University developed a novel hydrothermal CO2 methanation process using a non-precious Co@ZnO catalyst, achieving 100% conversion of CO2 to methane under optimized conditions. This innovation offers a sustainable and efficient solution for CO2 utilization in sustainable energy production.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2025

Researchers tune active sites of bimetallic catalysts with atomic precision

Scientists developed a method to densely populate and precisely position isolated Pt atoms on α-Fe nanoparticles, enhancing the intrinsic activity of hydrogenation reactions. This achievement resolves the activity-selectivity trade-off in hydrogenation reactions by fine-tuning the coordination environment of the active site.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChem·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 8, 2025

Green hydrogen could reach economic viability by co-production of valuable chemicals

Researchers have discovered a way to make solar hydrogen production economically viable by co-producing high-value chemicals like methylsuccinic acid. By coupling the photoelectrochemical (PEC) process with hydrogenation, the cost of hydrogen drops significantly, making it competitive with fossil gas.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2023

Opening a new frontier: PdMo intermetallic catalyst for promoting CO2 utilization

Researchers developed a stable and active catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation at room temperature, achieving high conversion efficiency comparable to state-of-the-art heterogeneous catalysts. The PdMo intermetallic catalyst was synthesized via a simple ammonolysis process and demonstrated robustness and durability in various conditions.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2023

Primeval reaction pathways

A team of researchers has discovered that a reaction sequence from the reverse Krebs cycle can take place without enzymes under metal or meteorite catalysis. The study suggests that simple organic molecules existed on early Earth, even before life as we know it developed.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 2022

Nonthermal plasma-promoted CO2 hydrogenation in presence of alloy catalysts

Researchers from Tokyo Tech investigated nonthermal plasma-promoted CO2 hydrogenation on Pd2Ga/SiO2 catalysts, revealing a more than two-fold increase in CO2 conversion compared to thermal methods. The study provides mechanistic insights into the NTP-activated species and metallic catalyst interaction.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2022

Caught in the act: Key chemical intermediates in pollutant-to-fuel reaction identified

Scientists from the University of Tsukuba have experimentally measured hydrogenation of copper-adsorbed formate, a crucial step in converting carbon dioxide into methanol fuel. The study found that at temperatures above 200K, atomic hydrogen can catalyze the reaction, producing a product that decomposes back into gaseous formaldehyde.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 6, 2022

Fuel from waste wood

Researchers at TUM have developed a new process for producing ethanol from waste wood and hydrogen, resulting in a lower cost compared to traditional methods. The process has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% and can be used as a low-carbon fuel alternative.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalFrontiers in Energy Research·DateMar 29, 2022

Researchers propose new method for electrocatalytic hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene under room temperature

Researchers develop highly efficient electrocatalytic hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene under room temperature, using water as a hydrogen source and reducing energy consumption. The process achieves high Faradaic efficiency and selective ethylene production via electron-coupled proton transfer pathways.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 8, 2021

Lattice softness: Key to the identification of metals with high

Researchers have discovered that lattice softness is the dominant factor affecting a metal's ability to hydrogenate, enabling the expedited development of hydrogen storage materials. This parameter can also be used to evaluate the hydrogenation ability of intermetallic compounds.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 30, 2021

Plasma-zapping process could yield trans fat-free soybean oil product

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a hydrogenation process that uses high-voltage atmospheric cold plasma (HVACP) to solidify soybean oil for food processing without creating trans fats. The new process is more efficient and environmentally friendly, with the potential to produce safe plant oils on a large scale.

SourcePurdue University·JournalInnovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies·DateDec 1, 2016

Adding hydrogen to graphene

Researchers at IBS discovered that hydrogenation of single-layer graphene proceeds rapidly over the entire surface, while few-layer graphene reacts slowly from the edges. Hydrogenation changes graphene's optical and electric properties. The study also found that defects or edges are necessary for the reaction to occur.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 3, 2016

Small is different

Researchers at TUM and Georgia Institute of Technology found that the size of platinum catalyst particles significantly affects reactivity, with clusters having fewer atoms showing lower activity. The discovery could lead to more efficient production of margarine and other chemicals, as well as new materials.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2016

Making hydrogenation greener

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.

SourceMcGill University·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateJun 27, 2013