Articles tagged with "catalyst"
Scientists use catalyst to convert methane into bioactive compounds
A research team at Spain’s Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS), led by Martín Fañanás, has developed a novel catalytic method to directly convert methane and other natural gas components into valuable chemical building blocks. This breakthrough enables the synthesis of bioactive compounds, demonstrated by the production of dimestrol—a non-steroidal estrogen used in hormone therapy—directly from methane for the first time. The method bypasses traditional challenges associated with methane’s chemical inertness and the generation of unwanted byproducts, offering a more sustainable and efficient route to pharmaceutical ingredients and industrial chemicals without relying on complex refinery processes. The key innovation lies in a supramolecular catalyst based on a tetrachloroferrate anion stabilized by collidinium cations, which precisely controls radical intermediates during the allylation reaction. This control prevents excessive chlorination side reactions that had previously limited yields and practical application. The catalyst operates under mild conditions, enhancing scalability and versatility across various natural
materialscatalystmethane-conversionbioactive-compoundschemical-synthesissupramolecular-catalystsustainable-chemistryNew Catalyst Cuts The Cost Of Green Hydrogen
The article highlights a significant advancement in reducing the cost of green hydrogen production through a new catalyst developed by a collaboration between US startup Plug Power, Dutch firm VSParticle, and the University of Delaware. Green hydrogen, produced by splitting water using renewable electricity, typically relies on iridium-based catalysts, which are highly efficient but expensive and scarce. VSParticle’s innovation uses 90% less iridium than conventional catalysts by employing a novel dry deposition manufacturing process instead of traditional spray coating. This method not only optimizes iridium usage but also eliminates the need for harmful PFAS-based polymers and solvents, resulting in a more sustainable and cost-effective catalyst. The new catalyst features a uniform, nanoporous structure that significantly increases the active surface area of iridium, enhancing efficiency while reducing material costs. VSParticle reports achieving high efficiency with just 0.4 milligrams of iridium per square centimeter, compared to the usual 1-2 milligrams, and aims to bring the cost of green hydrogen down to $
energygreen-hydrogencatalystiridiumPEM-electrolysisrenewable-energyhydrogen-productionNew catalyst cuts iridium use by 80% for cheaper green hydrogen
Researchers at Rice University have developed a novel catalyst that reduces iridium usage in proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers by over 80%, a breakthrough that could significantly lower the cost and improve the scalability of green hydrogen production. Iridium, a rare and expensive metal essential for current PEM electrolyzers due to its durability in acidic water-splitting environments, poses a major supply and economic challenge for expanding hydrogen fuel technologies. The new catalyst, named Ru₆IrOₓ, embeds iridium atoms within a ruthenium oxide lattice rather than coating the surface, enhancing stability by protecting ruthenium atoms from dissolution under harsh electrochemical conditions. The Ru₆IrOₓ catalyst demonstrated industrial-grade performance by sustaining a current density of 2 amperes per square centimeter for over 1,500 hours with minimal degradation, matching the activity of pure iridium catalysts while drastically reducing iridium content. Industrial tests confirmed its durability and efficiency, suggesting that durable PEM electrolyzers can be produced
energygreen-hydrogencatalystiridium-reductionPEM-electrolyzerssustainable-energyhydrogen-productionCommon mineral ‘green rust’ could make hydrogen cars, ships a reality
Researchers at Japan’s National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) have developed a cost-effective, high-performance catalyst for hydrogen storage by modifying a common mineral called green rust, an iron hydroxide. This catalyst enables the release of hydrogen from sodium borohydride (NaBH4) through hydrolysis at room temperature without relying on expensive precious metals like platinum, addressing a major challenge in hydrogen fuel technology. The modification involves treating green rust particles with copper chloride, creating nanoscale copper oxide clusters that serve as highly active sites for hydrogen production. The catalyst also harnesses solar energy, with the green rust structure absorbing sunlight and transferring energy via copper clusters to enhance the hydrolysis reaction’s efficiency and hydrogen generation rate. Performance tests showed that this catalyst achieves hydrogen production rates comparable to or exceeding those of traditional precious metal catalysts, while maintaining durability over repeated use. Its room-temperature operation, simple production, and compatibility with existing hydrogen systems position it as a promising solution to advance clean hydrogen energy, particularly when combined with
energyhydrogen-storagegreen-rustcatalysthydrogen-fuel-cellsclean-energymaterials-scienceInnovative catalyst transforms plastic trash into liquid fuels
A research team led by the University of Delaware has developed an innovative mesoporous MXene catalyst that significantly improves the conversion of plastic waste into liquid fuels. This catalyst enhances the hydrogenolysis process, which breaks down polymers in plastics using hydrogen gas and a catalyst. Unlike conventional catalysts that struggle with bulky polymer molecules, the mesoporous MXene catalyst features silica pillars inserted between its stacked two-dimensional layers, allowing polymers to flow more easily and increasing reaction rates nearly twofold. Tested on low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a common plastic, the catalyst not only accelerated the conversion but also improved fuel quality by producing liquid fuels efficiently while minimizing unwanted byproducts like methane. The success of this catalyst is attributed to the stabilization of ruthenium nanoparticles within the MXene layers, which enhances both speed and selectivity in the plastic-to-fuel conversion. This advancement points to a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly method for plastic upcycling, turning plastic waste into valuable fuels and chemicals rather than letting it accumulate as
energycatalystplastic-recyclingMXenenanomaterialssustainable-fuelschemical-engineeringNew catalyst fights seawater corrosion for hydrogen production
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) have developed a novel MXene-based composite catalyst that significantly improves the durability and efficiency of seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production. Seawater electrolysis has been hindered by chloride ions that corrode electrodes, limiting system lifespan. By deliberately oxidizing MXene and combining it with nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) through high-energy ball milling, the team created a catalyst that exhibits about five times higher current density and twice the durability compared to conventional catalysts. This composite also strongly repels chloride ions, reducing corrosion risks and enabling stable hydrogen output directly from seawater. The catalyst’s performance was validated not only in laboratory conditions but also in an actual electrolysis unit cell, demonstrating its practical viability. The process yields uniform and reproducible catalysts suitable for mass production, addressing the critical balance between conductivity, durability, and performance needed for scaling up hydrogen systems worldwide. Supported by Korean energy research institutions and published in the journal ACS Nano
energyhydrogen-productioncatalystMXeneseawater-electrolysiscorrosion-resistancematerials-sciencePlastic Recycling Not Requiring Sorting Could Be Coming - CleanTechnica
Northwestern University chemists have developed a novel plastic upcycling process using an inexpensive nickel-based catalyst that can selectively break down polyolefin plastics—primarily polyethylene and polypropylene, which constitute nearly two-thirds of global plastic use. This catalyst enables the recycling of large volumes of unsorted polyolefin waste, bypassing the traditionally labor-intensive sorting step. The catalyst converts low-value solid plastics into liquid oils and waxes, which can be upcycled into higher-value products like lubricants, fuels, and candles. Notably, it can also process plastics contaminated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a toxic polymer that typically hinders recycling efforts. Polyolefins are ubiquitous in everyday items such as condiment bottles, milk jugs, plastic wrap, and disposable utensils, and they are mostly single-use plastics with very low recycling rates globally—ranging from less than 1% to 10%. This low recycling rate is largely due to the chemical resilience of polyolefins, which consist of
materialsplastic-recyclingcatalystpolyolefinsupcyclingsustainabilitychemical-engineeringNew catalyst breaks down mixed plastics into fuels at low heat
Northwestern University chemists have developed an innovative nickel-based catalyst that efficiently converts mixed single-use polyolefin plastics—such as milk jugs, plastic wraps, and disposable utensils—into valuable oils, waxes, and lubricants at relatively low temperatures and pressures. This process bypasses the traditionally necessary and labor-intensive sorting step, addressing a major bottleneck in plastic recycling. Unlike existing methods that require high heat and expensive catalysts, this single-site nickel catalyst operates at temperatures 100 degrees lower and half the hydrogen pressure, using significantly less catalyst material while achieving tenfold greater activity. The catalyst selectively breaks down branched polyolefins, enabling a cleaner and more efficient chemical recycling that produces high-quality products suitable for upcycling. A notable and unexpected finding was the catalyst’s improved performance in the presence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a toxic polymer that typically inhibits recycling processes. Even with PVC constituting up to 25% of the plastic mix, the catalyst maintained and enhanced its activity,
materialscatalystplastic-recyclingnickel-catalystchemical-recyclingpolyolefinssustainable-materialsScientists cut platinum use in hydrogen production with new catalyst
Chinese researchers from Beijing University of Technology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a novel platinum-cobalt (PtCo) alloy catalyst supported on MXene, a conductive layered material, to improve hydrogen production efficiency while significantly reducing platinum usage. Platinum is the most effective catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water splitting but is costly and rare, limiting large-scale clean hydrogen production. By dispersing PtCo alloy particles uniformly on MXene nanosheets, the team leveraged MXene’s large surface area and excellent electrical conductivity to enhance charge transfer, lower reaction activation energy, and expose more active catalytic sites. Testing in acidic conditions demonstrated that the PtCo/MXene catalyst achieved low overpotentials (60 mV at −10 mA/cm² and 152 mV at −100 mA/cm²) and maintained stable performance, indicating strong practical potential. Computer simulations showed that cobalt incorporation modified platinum’s electronic structure, boosting catalytic activity and facilitating faster electron transfer and hydrogen release. This breakthrough offers
energyhydrogen-productioncatalystplatinum-cobalt-alloyMXeneclean-energyrenewable-energyCatalyst mimics photosynthesis to turn CO2 into clean industrial fuel
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a novel catalyst inspired by photosynthesis that converts carbon dioxide (CO2) into formate, a valuable industrial chemical, using only light, protons, and electrons. This ruthenium-based catalyst mimics the natural process of photosynthesis by storing solar energy in chemical bonds through proton and electron transfers triggered by light. The innovation addresses the urgent need to reduce atmospheric CO2 by not only capturing it but also transforming it into useful compounds for fuels, pharmaceuticals, and antimicrobial products. The team redesigned the catalyst’s structure by surrounding the metal center with ligand “petals,” shifting the chemical activity from the metal to the ligands. This approach prevents CO2 from binding directly to the metal, which traditionally leads to side reactions and catalyst degradation. As a result, the process selectively produces formate without generating competing byproducts like hydrogen or carbon monoxide. Additionally, this ligand-based mechanism allows for flexibility in the choice of the central metal; while ruthenium was used
energycatalystphotosynthesiscarbon-captureCO2-conversionrenewable-energychemical-synthesis