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Tea powered iron nanoparticles help biochar fertilizers feed crops more slowly and sustainably

A new study presents a greener way to make slow-release fertilizers that reduce nutrient loss and improve crop growth. The tea-based fertilizer, made with iron nanoparticles, biochar, and biodegradable materials, slows down nutrient release, retains soil moisture, and improves fertilizer efficiency.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2026

Coffee waste turned into clean air solution: researchers develop sustainable catalyst to remove toxic hydrogen sulfide

A team of environmental chemists developed a new catalyst made from discarded coffee grounds that efficiently removes hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic industrial gas, while producing elemental sulfur. The material was produced through a two-step process and demonstrated outstanding performance during laboratory testing.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

From palm waste to carbon catcher: Malaysian scientists turn agricultural leftovers into high-performance CO₂ spongeg

Researchers at Universiti Sains Malaysia create a new material capable of capturing carbon dioxide from the air using oil palm ash, achieving impressive adsorption capacity and stability. Machine learning predictions also enabled the design of a highly optimized mesoporous structure.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2025

How pore interconnectivity between components boosts diffusion and catalytic efficiency in industrial zeolite-based catalysts

Researchers designed model cracking catalysts with controlled interfacial channel connectivity, enabling exploration of structure-diffusion-reaction relationships. Advanced characterization techniques revealed a pronounced 'funnel effect' from mesopores, accelerating interfacial diffusion and enhancing catalytic efficiency.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 13, 2025

New model revolutionizes zeolite catalyst design for enhanced stability

Researchers developed a theoretical model describing metal cluster migration and aggregation within individual zeolites, revealing key factors affecting catalyst stability. The model shows that increasing zeolite support properties can achieve 'migration-aggregation-self locking' of Pt species, creating ultra-stable catalysts.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 28, 2025

Dimethoxymethane carbonylation and disproportionation over extra‐large pore zeolite ZEO‐1: Reaction network and mechanism

Researchers have developed a novel catalyst, ZEO-1, which exhibits high selectivity and stability in carbonylation and disproportionation reactions. The study reveals that ZEO-1's large cages promote DMM carbonylation and those in small cages favor DMM disproportionation.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateApr 3, 2025

Researchers reveal role of zeolite zcid site accessibility in syngas conversion

Researchers investigated MOR zeolite's unique pore structure, finding acid sites within 8-membered ring side pockets as active sites for syngas-to-ethylene conversion. A critical threshold of 60 nm was identified for 12MR channel length, optimizing ZnAlOx-MOR bifunctional catalysts with high CO conversion and ethylene selectivity.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 18, 2025

Microwaving waste cooking oil into useful chemicals

A team from Kyushu University has developed a zeolite catalyst that can be heated using microwaves to speed up the conversion of fatty acid esters to olefins. This process improves energy efficiency and reduces carbon dioxide production, offering a more sustainable chemical industry.

SourceKyushu University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2024

Montana State researcher studies nano-scale materials that mimic enzymes to convert CO2 into chemical building blocks

A Montana State University researcher has developed nano-scale materials that can convert carbon dioxide into chemical building blocks, marking a potential step forward in reducing atmospheric CO2. The materials mimic enzymes and have the ability to selectively capture CO2 from the air.

SourceMontana State University·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2024

Transition-metal-free zeolite catalyst for direct conversion of methane to methanol

Researchers have discovered a novel transition-metal-free aluminosilicate ferrierite zeolite catalyst that enables direct conversion of methane to methanol. The new process achieves 305 π mol gˑ minǘ methanol production rate with high selectivity, presenting an environmentally friendly solution for converting greenhouse gases into valu...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 3, 2024

A novel multifunctional catalyst turns methane into valuable hydrocarbons

A novel multifunctional catalyst has been developed to convert methane into valuable hydrocarbons, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The catalyst's spatial distribution of Cu and acid sites determines the final products, with uniform distribution leading to stable and efficient methanol production.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

Advanced nuclear magnetic resonance technique developed to reveal precise structural and dynamical details in zeolites

Researchers have developed a novel technique to analyze zeolites using 17O solid-state NMR. They improved the spectral resolution by addressing an often-neglected interaction and gained valuable information on zeolite structures. The technique revealed atomic-scale local environments of catalytically important moieties.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 17, 2024

How does zeolite-encapsulated metal catalysts act on hydrogen-related catalytic reactions?

Zeolite-encapsulated metal catalysts show improved hydrogen-related catalytic reactions due to confinement effect, reducing sintering and leaching. Advanced characterization techniques are used to study fine structure of metal sites, enabling better understanding of catalytic performance.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 20, 2023

Researchers create a new 3D extra-large pore zeolite that opens a new path to the decontamination of water and gas

Researchers have developed a new pure silica zeolite with extra-large pores in all three dimensions, enabling efficient removal and recovery of volatile organic compounds from gas streams. The discovery has potential applications in catalysis and drug delivery, and could be used to decontaminate sites where harmful chemicals are produced.

Building the best zeolite

Researchers have developed new methods to prepare state-of-the-art zeolites with nano-sized dimensions and hierarchical structures, critical for industrial applications. The findings emphasize the importance of smaller size and structure in determining performance.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalNature Synthesis·DateAug 11, 2022

Researchers reveal oxygenate-based routes in syngas conversion over oxide-zeolite bifunctional catalysts

A research team discovered oxygenate-based routes in syngas conversion over oxide-zeolite (OXZEO) bifunctional catalysts using solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The study revealed the mechanistic difference between OXZEO and traditional zinc oxide and zeolite catalysts.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 23, 2022

Zeolite nanotube discovery made by researchers at Georgia Tech

The discovery of single-walled zeolitic nanotubes by researchers at Georgia Tech, Stockholm University, and Penn State University has the potential to revolutionize the field of materials science. The team found a unique arrangement of atoms in the zeolite nanotube walls that allows it to form as a 1D tube rather than a 2D or 3D material.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2022

Zeolites’ isotopes defy nature

Researchers analyzed ancient zeolite specimens to discover that some prefer lighter isotopes, while others prefer heavier ones. This finding could help quantify temperatures in geologic systems and mitigate human-caused climate change.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2021

Scientists discover zeolite-tailored active site proximity for efficient production of pentanoic biofuels

Researchers design a new strategy for producing pentanoic biofuels by synthesizing Ru metal nanoclusters confined within zeolite Y. This approach boosts chemoselectivity and promotes catalytic activity. The findings extend the notion of 'the closer, the better' into biomass catalysis.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 1, 2021

Cu-based small-pore zeolites for deNOx

Cu-based small-pore zeolites have been demonstrated to be promising candidates for NH3-SCR catalysts due to their unique structural features and physicochemical properties. The latest advances in Cu-SSZ-13 applied to the NH3-SCR reaction highlight the significant opportunity presented by zeolite-based catalysts.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMar 17, 2021

Better catalysts for a sustainable bioeconomy

The researchers recommend returning to classic zeolites, which are efficient catalysts that can be modified and adapted for specific purposes. The team found inconsistencies in the literature on how aluminium atoms catalyse reactions, highlighting the need for further understanding of these active centres.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 21, 2020

Researchers discover new building blocks of catalyst zeolite nanopores

Scientists at UMass Amherst have discovered a new way to understand the structure and vibrations of zeolites, which are used in refining petroleum and biomass. The team's findings provide insights into the formation of nanopores and dynamical behaviors, leading to potential advances in materials for clean energy and carbon capture.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 9, 2020

Creating new molecular sieves

A team of researchers from the University of Delaware and Jilin University has synthesized the most stable crystalline porous material on record, a polyarylether-based covalent organic framework. This material can sift antibiotic residue out of water in a pH ranging from 1 to 13 and is stable up to 400 degrees Celsius.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJun 6, 2019