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Researchers want to produce formaldehyde from CO2
FOCUS materials were exposed to a combination of methane and hydrogen while slowly increasing the temperature at 900 degC. Platinum nanoclusters are formed on tungsten oxide at the lowest temperatures. The team has also developed mixed-metal shells and cores. Methanol electrooxidation tests revealed that platinum-ruthenium- and Pt-coated tungsten titanium carbide catalysts are 10 times as active as and more stable than commercial catalysts.
Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 23 May 2016, 94 (21), 9 (Website: http://cen.acs.org/index.html) © American Chemical Society 2016.
Carbon-coated iron catalyst structure could lead to more-active fuel cells Fuel cells have long held promise as power sources, but low efficiency has created obstacles to realizing that promise. Researchers at the University of Illinois and collaborators have identified the active form of an iron-containing catalyst for the trickiest part of the process: reducing oxygen gas, which has two oxygen atoms, so that it can break apart and combine with ionized hydrogen to make water. The finding could help researchers refine better catalysts, making fuel cells a more energy and costefficient option for powering vehicles and other applications.
Original Source: Nanotechnology Now, 15 Sep 2016, (Website: http://www.nanotech-now. com/) © 7thWave Inc 2016.
Researchers gain control over nanoscale structure of catalysts Recent studies on controlling nanoscale structure of catalysts are described. Researchers at the University of Leuven and Utrecht University have created a way to place platinum nanoparticles in so-called hydrocracking catalysts to improve them. The catalysts consist of acidic microporous zeolite and a new metal mixed with a binder such as alumina. These can convert long-chain petroleum hydrocarbons to shorter ones. Scientists at Tianjin University have developed a way to generate hollow titania nanospheres selectively designed with two types of catalysts. The interior surfaces of the spheres are attached with platinium nanoparticles, while the exterior portions have manganese oxide spikes. The novel nanoparticles are designed to capitalize on light absorption in TiO2. The same researchers previously attempted to keep the charges on light absorption of TiO2 separate from composites possessing TiO2. They formed a process to place the catalytic charge accurately. The new method completely separated platinum particles and manganese oxide charge traps.
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Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 18 Jan 2016, 94 (3), 32-33 (Website: http://cen.acs.org/index.html) © American Chemical Society 2016.
Modified graphene catalyzes CO2 reduction Scientists from University of Tokyo, Japan have modified a graphene catalyst, doped with nickel-nitrogen complex, which reduces CO2 to CO efficiently. At 900 degC and under an inert environment, the researchers heat-treated graphene oxide (GO) and nickelpentaethylenehexamine to make Ni-N modified grapheme (Ni-N-Gr). The team discovered that the nickel atoms were uniformly dispersed in the graphene sheets and were coordinated by nitrogen atoms. They also found out that nitrogen and nickel were essential for the high catalytic activity of the modified graphene in reducing CO2 to CO selectively. The team concluded that the Ni-N are the catalytically active sites.
Original Source: ChemistryViews, 18 Sep 2016, (Website: http://www.chemistryviews. org) © WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA 2016.
Researchers want to produce formaldehyde from CO2 The German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) is sponsoring (€ 1.5 M) a joint research project of BASF SE, Heidelberg University, LMU Munich and hte GmbH as of Oct 2016. The aim of the project, in which the "Catalysis Research Laboratory'' (CaRLa) jointly operated by Heidelberg University and BASF SE will be involved, is to develop catalyst systems allowing the selective hydrogenation of CO2 to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is an important basic chemical used mainly for the manufacture of polymers but also as a synthesis component for the creation of more complex molecules. At present, the chemical industry produces more than 13 M tonnes/y of formaldehyde worldwide by oxidation of methanol. Direct access through hydrogenation of CO2 would have the advantage that in the synthesis - depending on the methanol production route - either a hydrogen or a carbon monoxide equivalent can be saved compared to the existing production process, as a contribution to saving resources. Most of the activities are fundamental research performed at the partners in academia. Important application aspects in potential production processes are also considered. HTE GmbH will accompany the project by providing screening capacities, while BASF SE as a large formaldehyde producer will coordinate the project and assess the potential for economic and technological implementation.
Original source: BASF, 29 Sep 2016, (BASF, website: http://www.basf.com/) © BASF 2016.
Catalyst combo could oxidize biomass alcohols Scientists at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, have designed an energy-efficient dual electrocatalyst system using (2,2'bipyridine)Cu(II) and TEMPO (2,2,6,6tetramethyl-1-piperidine N-oxyl) as catalytic redox partners in a two-electron oxidation of alcohols. This catalyst system can be used in biomass-powered fuel cells. The two-catalyst oxidations operate at a more-efficient electrode potential, a reduction of 0.5 volt, and are fivefold faster, versus with TEMPOonly reactions, which requires running fuel cells at high electrode potentials.
Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 4 Jul 2016, 94 (27), 11 (Website: http://cen.acs.org/index.html) © American Chemical Society 2016.
For younger-looking skin, try a pinch of platinum A group of researchers MIT, have designed an elastic "second skin'' that decreases the appearance of wrinkles and bags under the eyes. A polysiloxane-based cream is applied directly to the skin, which is followed by applying a cream that consists of a small amount of platinum catalyst. Olivo Laboratories aims to sell commercialize the material, which could also be utilized as a wound dressing or as a protective barrier for skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema.
Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 16 May 2016, 94 (20), 9 (Website: http://cen.acs.org/index.html) © American Chemical Society 2016
Crafty cobalt polyborylations Researchers at Princeton University have created a way to add not just one boronate group to the methyl group of toluene but an unprecedented 2-3, depending on the ratio of the amount of catalyst, the reactants and the reaction time. The new technology works on branched alkylarenes and involves new alpha-diimine cobalt dialkyl and bis (carboxylate) catalysts developed by the university. Precious-metal catalysts such as rhodium and iridium are used to promote C-H borylation reactions, which result in aryl boronate product. This boronate product is being used as an intermediate in crosscoupling and other reactions to finalize functionalization of C-H bond.
Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 25 Jan 2016, 94 (4), 26 (Website: http://cen.acs.org/index.html) © American Chemical Society 2016.
Iron-sulfur gel provides possible green route to ammonia Researchers at Northwestern University intend to design a green route to synthesize
November 2016
Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 23 May 2016, 94 (21), 9 (Website: http://cen.acs.org/index.html) © American Chemical Society 2016.
Carbon-coated iron catalyst structure could lead to more-active fuel cells Fuel cells have long held promise as power sources, but low efficiency has created obstacles to realizing that promise. Researchers at the University of Illinois and collaborators have identified the active form of an iron-containing catalyst for the trickiest part of the process: reducing oxygen gas, which has two oxygen atoms, so that it can break apart and combine with ionized hydrogen to make water. The finding could help researchers refine better catalysts, making fuel cells a more energy and costefficient option for powering vehicles and other applications.
Original Source: Nanotechnology Now, 15 Sep 2016, (Website: http://www.nanotech-now. com/) © 7thWave Inc 2016.
Researchers gain control over nanoscale structure of catalysts Recent studies on controlling nanoscale structure of catalysts are described. Researchers at the University of Leuven and Utrecht University have created a way to place platinum nanoparticles in so-called hydrocracking catalysts to improve them. The catalysts consist of acidic microporous zeolite and a new metal mixed with a binder such as alumina. These can convert long-chain petroleum hydrocarbons to shorter ones. Scientists at Tianjin University have developed a way to generate hollow titania nanospheres selectively designed with two types of catalysts. The interior surfaces of the spheres are attached with platinium nanoparticles, while the exterior portions have manganese oxide spikes. The novel nanoparticles are designed to capitalize on light absorption in TiO2. The same researchers previously attempted to keep the charges on light absorption of TiO2 separate from composites possessing TiO2. They formed a process to place the catalytic charge accurately. The new method completely separated platinum particles and manganese oxide charge traps.
6
ON
C ATA LY S T S
Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 18 Jan 2016, 94 (3), 32-33 (Website: http://cen.acs.org/index.html) © American Chemical Society 2016.
Modified graphene catalyzes CO2 reduction Scientists from University of Tokyo, Japan have modified a graphene catalyst, doped with nickel-nitrogen complex, which reduces CO2 to CO efficiently. At 900 degC and under an inert environment, the researchers heat-treated graphene oxide (GO) and nickelpentaethylenehexamine to make Ni-N modified grapheme (Ni-N-Gr). The team discovered that the nickel atoms were uniformly dispersed in the graphene sheets and were coordinated by nitrogen atoms. They also found out that nitrogen and nickel were essential for the high catalytic activity of the modified graphene in reducing CO2 to CO selectively. The team concluded that the Ni-N are the catalytically active sites.
Original Source: ChemistryViews, 18 Sep 2016, (Website: http://www.chemistryviews. org) © WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA 2016.
Researchers want to produce formaldehyde from CO2 The German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) is sponsoring (€ 1.5 M) a joint research project of BASF SE, Heidelberg University, LMU Munich and hte GmbH as of Oct 2016. The aim of the project, in which the "Catalysis Research Laboratory'' (CaRLa) jointly operated by Heidelberg University and BASF SE will be involved, is to develop catalyst systems allowing the selective hydrogenation of CO2 to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is an important basic chemical used mainly for the manufacture of polymers but also as a synthesis component for the creation of more complex molecules. At present, the chemical industry produces more than 13 M tonnes/y of formaldehyde worldwide by oxidation of methanol. Direct access through hydrogenation of CO2 would have the advantage that in the synthesis - depending on the methanol production route - either a hydrogen or a carbon monoxide equivalent can be saved compared to the existing production process, as a contribution to saving resources. Most of the activities are fundamental research performed at the partners in academia. Important application aspects in potential production processes are also considered. HTE GmbH will accompany the project by providing screening capacities, while BASF SE as a large formaldehyde producer will coordinate the project and assess the potential for economic and technological implementation.
Original source: BASF, 29 Sep 2016, (BASF, website: http://www.basf.com/) © BASF 2016.
Catalyst combo could oxidize biomass alcohols Scientists at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, have designed an energy-efficient dual electrocatalyst system using (2,2'bipyridine)Cu(II) and TEMPO (2,2,6,6tetramethyl-1-piperidine N-oxyl) as catalytic redox partners in a two-electron oxidation of alcohols. This catalyst system can be used in biomass-powered fuel cells. The two-catalyst oxidations operate at a more-efficient electrode potential, a reduction of 0.5 volt, and are fivefold faster, versus with TEMPOonly reactions, which requires running fuel cells at high electrode potentials.
Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 4 Jul 2016, 94 (27), 11 (Website: http://cen.acs.org/index.html) © American Chemical Society 2016.
For younger-looking skin, try a pinch of platinum A group of researchers MIT, have designed an elastic "second skin'' that decreases the appearance of wrinkles and bags under the eyes. A polysiloxane-based cream is applied directly to the skin, which is followed by applying a cream that consists of a small amount of platinum catalyst. Olivo Laboratories aims to sell commercialize the material, which could also be utilized as a wound dressing or as a protective barrier for skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema.
Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 16 May 2016, 94 (20), 9 (Website: http://cen.acs.org/index.html) © American Chemical Society 2016
Crafty cobalt polyborylations Researchers at Princeton University have created a way to add not just one boronate group to the methyl group of toluene but an unprecedented 2-3, depending on the ratio of the amount of catalyst, the reactants and the reaction time. The new technology works on branched alkylarenes and involves new alpha-diimine cobalt dialkyl and bis (carboxylate) catalysts developed by the university. Precious-metal catalysts such as rhodium and iridium are used to promote C-H borylation reactions, which result in aryl boronate product. This boronate product is being used as an intermediate in crosscoupling and other reactions to finalize functionalization of C-H bond.
Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News, 25 Jan 2016, 94 (4), 26 (Website: http://cen.acs.org/index.html) © American Chemical Society 2016.
Iron-sulfur gel provides possible green route to ammonia Researchers at Northwestern University intend to design a green route to synthesize
November 2016