The science of accelerating chemical reactions using catalysts, including heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, enzyme catalysis, catalyst design, reaction mechanisms, and industrial catalytic processes
5 papersThis perspective article highlights the potential of chemical looping beyond combustion (CLBC) for various chemical production processes. It suggests that CLBC can reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions compared to current technologies by enabling process intensification, reactive separation, and more efficient utilization of lattice oxygen in redox catalysts.
This study demonstrates a novel method for electrochemically converting nitrate, a common water pollutant, into valuable ammonia. Using a single-atom iron catalyst, the researchers achieved a high ammonia Faradaic efficiency of ~75% and a considerable yield rate, suggesting a potential sustainable route for both wastewater treatment and ammonia production.
An "inverse" catalyst, with zirconia islands dispersed on copper nanoparticles, is shown to be up to three times more active than traditional copper-zirconia catalysts for methanol synthesis from CO2. This enhanced activity is attributed to the formation of a highly reactive formate intermediate (HCOO-Cu) at the copper-zirconia interface, facilitating faster hydrogenation steps.
This paper introduces a new electrocatalyst, CoP-CNS, that converts nitrate to ammonia with record-breaking efficiency. They found that the key is maintaining a good balance of active hydrogen, the stuff that actually drives the reaction, which opens new doors for large-scale, eco-friendly ammonia production and even carbon capture.
This paper demonstrates a novel tandem catalyst system consisting of core-shell Cu/CuOx and Co/CoO phases for the efficient electroreduction of nitrate to ammonia. By exploiting the distinct potential-dependent activities of these phases, the catalyst achieves a high NH3 yield rate of 1.17 mmol cm−2 h−1 in 0.1 M NO3− at −0.175 V vs. RHE and a Faradaic efficiency of >93% at pH 13, surpassing most previous reports.