
Molecular Structure, Biology, Molecule, Proton
Scientists have discovered a new process to break bulk metal into atoms to produce heterogeneous catalysts without any chemical waste, which will lead to new sustainable ways of making and using molecules in the most atom-efficient way.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham have demonstrated that “naked” Pt atoms can be dispersed onto powder supports directly by splitting bulk metal to atoms at the record-breaking rate of four and a half thousand trillion atoms per second (4.5 x 1015 atom/s) by magnetron sputtering. The method is scalable and solvent-free and opens the door for fabrication of valuable catalyst materials where Pt atoms are supported on powder particles. The study has been published in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s peer-reviewed Journal of Materials Chemistry A.
Catalysts enable nearly 80% of industrial chemical processes that deliver the most vital ingredients of our economy, from materials (such as polymers) and pharmaceuticals to agrochemicals including fertilisers and crop protection. The high demand for catalysts means that global supplies of many useful metals, including gold, platinum and palladium, are becoming rapidly depleted.
To protect these metal supplies it is vital to utilise each and every atom to its maximum potential. Atomic dispersion of metals in the support materials is one of the most powerful strategies for increasing the active surface area available for catalysis. The properties of the metal atoms can change drastically when compared with metal nanoparticles, leading to new phenomena otherwise inaccessible at the macroscale.
Traditionally methods for the preparation of atomically dispersed metal catalysts are based on either wet-chemistry (i.ereduction of metal salts) or atomic layer deposition (ALD). Industrial scale-up of these methods is difficult because they require multiple steps and/or high temperatures, generate large amounts of chemical waste, and are not readily generalisable across supports and metal catalysts.
This new research demonstrates how magnetron sputtering enables the production of atomically dispersed metals, including platinum, cobalt and nickel in the current publication, in any support material in a sustainable and scalable fashion. This method has been used in the glasscoating and semiconductors industry, and has now been adapted to make atomically dispersed metal catalysts.
The research team used analytical and imaging techniques to demonstrate the Pt atoms were atomically dispersed over the entire surface of the powder support and then applied this catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen production.
At the heart of our method individual metal atoms are knocked out of the bulk metal one by one by a fast beam of argon ions creating a shower of metal atoms raining onto the support material. The desired quantity of metal atoms can be generated on demand within seconds, but controlling their distribution on the powder support still remains a challenge. We are making good progress with designing innovative mixing systems for magnetron sputtering process and filed for a patent earlier this year.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Sustainable catalyst production
- How digital fashion is making physical fashion more sustainable
Digital technologies are already being used to lower the fashion industry's environmental footprint and promote more sustainable production.
- Public-private partnerships: Catalyst for a sustainable tomorrow
Public-private partnerships have been utilised as a means of implementing a diverse range of environmentally sustainable initiatives. Public-private partnerships play a vital role in addressing ...
- Launch Event "Towards Zero Waste: a catalyst for delivering the Sustainable Development Goals"
This webinar serves as the official launch of the UNEP International Environment Technology Centre's latest report, titled "Towards Zero Waste: A Catalyst for Advancing the Sustainable Development ...
- NewHydrogen CEO Steve Hill Discusses Advancements in Sustainable Hydrogen Catalysts with Hampton University Energy Expert
Dr. Mohamed Noufal elaborates on reproducible catalysts, green hydrogen, and affordable clean energySANTA CLARITA, Calif., Nov. 21, 2023 (GLOBE ...
- COP28 in Dubai: A catalyst for sustainable transformation
In a prelude to COP28, Construction Week Middle East and Oil & Gas Middle East are hosting a high-profile sustainability dialogue at its HQ. COP28 in Dubai: A catalyst for sustainable transformation.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Sustainable catalyst production
[google_news title=”” keyword=”sustainable catalyst production” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Catalyst production
- Paper Excellence extends curtailment of paper operations at Catalyst Crofton mill to end of February 2024
The continued curtailment means that approximately 70 paper operations employees will not return to work in December.
- New catalyst promotes mixed plastics recycling
The oganocatalyst deconstructs mixed plastics at different temperatures, which facilitates recovering their individual monomers separately, in reusable form. Source: Jill Hemman/U.S. Oak Ridge ...
- Catalyst Pharmaceuticals
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company, which engages in developing and commercializing novel medicines for patients living with rare diseases including Lambert-Eaton ...
- Curtailment of paper operations at Catalyst Crofton mill extended 90 days
Parent company Paper Excellence Canada announced Thursday the curtailment of paper operations at the Crofton facility has now been extended to the end of February 2024, with no end in sight, due to ...
- New approach developed for electrocatalytic H₂O₂ production and biomass upgrading
Scientists from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have synthesized an oxygen-coordinated Fe single atom and atom cluster catalyst that exhibits superior ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Catalyst production
[google_news title=”” keyword=”catalyst production” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]