Catalysts

It has recently been shown that the biocatalyst iron nitrogenase not only fixes nitrogen, but also carbon dioxide. However, this nitrogenase form has so far been the least studied. Now two proteins have been identified that are crucial for the energy supply of the enzyme. Credit: Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology/GeiselDiscovering essential electron carriers in nitrogenases opens new paths for eco-friendly chemical production, addressing a long-standing research bottleneck.Nitrogenases are considered…

By Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences February 16, 2024New research inspired by the intricate structure of butterfly wings has led to a method for fine-tuning catalytic reactions, enhancing selectivity and efficiency in chemical production. This breakthrough underscores the potential for bioinspired designs to drive industrial innovation. Credit: SciTechDaily.comResearchers expand ways to improve the selectivity of catalytic reactions.Researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of…

By replacing the atoms on one side of the nanosheet with a different element, the team has realized a nanosheet that can spontaneously roll into a scroll when detached from its substrate. Credit: Tokyo Metropolitan UniversityJanus nanosheets bring unprecedented control to preparation of nanoscrolls.Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have come up with a new way of rolling atomically thin sheets of atoms into “nanoscrolls.” Their unique approach uses transition metal dichalcogenide sheets with a different…

Osaka University researchers have developed a more sustainable and cost-effective catalyst for chemical synthesis, significantly reducing the need for rare and expensive metals. Their nickel carbide nanoparticle catalyst efficiently converts nitriles to primary amines under mild conditions, offering a promising solution for the environmentally friendly production of pharmaceuticals and everyday products.A team from Osaka University, along with their collaborators, has created a cost-effective catalyst for a key chemical…

Japanese researchers have innovated a “one-pot” method to produce palladium nanosheets, offering significant improvements in energy efficiency and catalytic activity. This breakthrough in nanotechnology could transform the use of palladium in various industries, marking a significant step towards more sustainable energy solutions. Credit: Minoru OsadaA team from the Institute for Future Materials and Systems at Nagoya University, Japan, has innovated a new “one-pot” technique for creating nanosheets using less rare…

A new protective layer developed by researchers improves gold catalysts’ durability, potentially expanding their industrial applications and efficiency. Credit: SciTechDaily.comA protective layer applied to gold nanoparticles can boost its resilience.For the first time, researchers including those at the University of Tokyo discovered a way to improve the durability of gold catalysts by creating a protective layer of metal oxide clusters. The enhanced gold catalysts can withstand a greater range of physical environments…

New research uncovers how spin effects in iron-catalyzed hydrosilylation influence catalytic behavior, enhancing reaction rates and precision in regioselectivity. This breakthrough offers significant potential for advancing catalyst design.Metal complex catalysts can be categorized from the standpoint of their spin states into two distinct types: closed-shell catalysts and open-shell catalysts. Closed-shell catalysts, which do not possess unpaired electrons and are commonly based on noble metals like palladium, have been…

The first highly efficient, air-stable, and plasmonically activated catalyst for acetylene semi-hydrogenation. Credit: Ms. Gunjan Sharma and Prof. Vivek Polshettiwar, editedA breakthrough plasmonic catalyst, stable in air, revolutionizes acetylene semi-hydrogenation, marking a significant advance in sustainable catalysis.In a significant breakthrough, Prof. Polshettiwar’s group at TIFR, Mumbai has developed a novel “Plasmonic Reduction Catalyst Stable in Air,” defying the common instability of reduction catalysts in the…

The “ten electron rule” offers a straightforward method to design efficient single-atom alloy catalysts by utilizing the periodic table, significantly speeding up the discovery of new catalysts for complex chemical reactions. Credit: SciTechDaily.comThe ‘ten electron’ rule provides guidance for the design of single-atom alloy catalysts for targeted chemical reactions.A collaborative team across four universities have discovered a very simple rule to design single-atom alloy catalysts for chemical reactions. The ‘ten…

A newly developed SA Zn-RuO2 catalyst demonstrates increased durability and favorable characteristics for acidic OER. It holds immense potential for guiding the design of robust and active non-iridium-based OER electrocatalysts, paving the way for practical applications in sustainable energy technologies. Credit: SciTechDaily.comA stable, reactive, and cost-effective ruthenium catalyst for sustainable hydrogen production through proton exchange membrane water electrolysis.Sustainable electrolysis for green hydrogen…