Matthew Cude, Development Editor – Page 5 – Catalysis Science & Technology Blog

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London Catalysis Winter Seminar 2012

26 Jan 2012

Poster prize winner KimFung Li with Dr James Wilton-Ely

Imperial College hosted the first seminar of the new catalysis initiative between Imperial and University College London last week, bringing together a variety of scientists including academics, industrial scientists and students. Topics covered during the day included homogeneous, heterogeneous, bio-catalysis, engineering, synthesis, nanotechnology and polymers.

As well as a wide range of lectures there was also a poster session and we are proud to announce that the winner of the Catalysis Science & Technology poster prize was KimFung Li for his poster titled “Feasibility of CO2 photoconversion to fuel by robust photocatalyst NaTaO3.” While there was a huge range of excellent research posters, his environmentally friendly project looking into the regeneration of fuel from CO2 using photo-catalysis was particularly outstanding, congratulations again KimFung Li!

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Hot Article: Powerful water

26 Jan 2012

One of the obstacles in using H₂ as an energy source is generating H₂ gas and while the photocatalysis of water has been widely studied, catalysts which operate under visible light have been rather under-utilised.

Su Su Khine Ma, Kazuhiko Maeda and Kazunari Domen have developed a ZrO₂-modified tantalum oxynitride photocatalyst which operates at wavelengths > 420 nm and in their Hot article discuss a range of preparations using different Zr precursors under different conditions. All articles in Catalysis Science & Technology are free to access for the duration of 2012 so you can see full details of their investigation and the factors that affect H₂ evolution by downloading their full paper.

Modification of TaON with ZrO2 to improve photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity under visible light: influence of preparation conditions on activity
Su Su Khine Ma, Kazuhiko Maeda and Kazunari Domen
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY00499B

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Happy Chinese New Year

23 Jan 2012

The Catalysis Science & Technology team wishes you every success in the Year of the Dragon, and we hope that you enjoy your New Year holiday.

Remember as a newly launched journal all articles in Catalysis Science & Technology are free to access for the duration of 2012 including these recently promoted Hot Articles:

Decoupling porosity and compositional effects on desilicated ZSM-5 zeolites for optimal alkylation performance
Maria Milina, Sharon Mitchell, Zair Domínguez Trinidad, Danny Verboekend and Javier Pérez-Ramírez
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY00456A

Synthesis of high-quality I–III–VI semiconductor supported Au particles and their catalytic performance
Xiao Wang, Dapeng Liu, Shuyan Song and Hongjie Zhang
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2CY00372D

“On-water” rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation for the production of linear alcohols
Olivier Diebolt, Christian Müller and Dieter Vogt
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2CY00450J

Material science for the support design: a powerful challenge for catalysis
Alberto Villa, Marco Schiavoni and Laura Prati
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY00355D

Catalytsis Science & Technology supports an online virtual web community for catalysis chemists, providing links to international research groups, conferences and events, and highlighting the latest research in the field. Be a part of this by accessing the Catalytsis Science & Technology blog, liking us on facebook, following us on twitter or signing up to our e-alert service.

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Hot Article: Optimising Alkylation in Desilicated ZSM-5

21 Jan 2012

ZSM-5 is a crystalline zeolite structure used in the petroleum industry as a heterogeneous catalyst for hydrocarbon isomerization reactions. Modification of the microporous structure is being investigated to improve the catalytic potential of the zeolites, alkaline treatment can desilicate the structure and introduce interconnected mesopores. However a consequence of this is the production of extra-framework aluminium and amorphous alumina, which can realuminate on the external surface and affect pore direction.

Acid washing after alkali leaching aims to restore the original framework composition and can enhance the micropore volume, mesoporous surface area, and crystallinity. The effects of these modifications to the ZSM-5 structure undoubtedly affect the catalytic properties as the alkali and acid treatments alter the porosity and composition of the catalyst.

This Hot article by Javier Perez-Ramirez et al. at ETH Zurich aims to de-couple the effects of porosity and composition using the alkylation of toluene (and cyclohexylbenzene) with benzyl alcohol as a model reaction. Alkaline-treated ZSM-5 zeolites are prepared with and without subsequent acid treatment and their catalytic properties determined, the separate effects of porosity and composition are then examined with some very insightful results.

Decoupling porosity and compositional effects on desilicated ZSM-5 zeolites for optimal alkylation performance
Maria Milina, Sharon Mitchell, Zair Domínguez Trinidad, Danny Verboekend and Javier Pérez-Ramírez
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY00456A

All articles are free to access in Catalysis Science & Technology for the duration of 2012, you can also keep up to date with latest news in catalysis by liking us on facbook, following us on twitter and signing up to our e-alert service.

Other articles which may of interest from the Pérez-Ramírez group include:

Design of hierarchical zeolite catalysts by desilication
Danny Verboekend and Javier Pérez-Ramírez
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, 1, 879-890
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00150G, Minireview

Mesoporous ZSM-22 zeolite obtained by desilication: peculiarities associated with crystal morphology and aluminium distribution
Danny Verboekend, André M. Chabaneix, Karine Thomas, Jean-Pierre Gilson and Javier Pérez-Ramírez
CrystEngComm, 2011, 13, 3408-3416
DOI: 10.1039/C0CE00966K, Paper

Hierarchical zeolites: enhanced utilisation of microporous crystals in catalysis by advances in materials design
Javier Pérez-Ramírez, Claus H. Christensen, Kresten Egeblad, Christina H. Christensen and Johan C. Groen
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2008, 37, 2530-2542
DOI: 10.1039/B809030K, Critical Review

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FineCat 2012 – Symposium on catalysis for fine chemicals

19 Jan 2012

The first FineCat symposium on catalysis for fine chemicals will be held in Palermo, Italy, on April 18-19, 2012. The deadline for both oral and poster abstracts is 10th March and the symposium will be held in Steri Palace, hall of Palermo’s University Rectorate, one of the most beautiful medieval buildings in Palermo!

The symposium will cover some of the latest developments in catalysis science and technology within one of the symposium themes:
Green catalytic processes
Organo- and biocatalysis
Asymmetric heterogeneous catalysis
Atom Economy and clean technology
Green reaction media
Heterogeneous catalysis under flow conditions

The meeting aims to provide an opportunity for contact between academic and industrial researchers, manufacturers and users of solid catalysts for the efficient and selective production of fine chemicals.

The symposium ties in well with the 2011 themed issue of Catalysis Science & Technology, Heterogeneous catalysis for fine chemicals, and the journal is proud to offer a Catalysis Science & Technology poster prize.

For more details on FineCat2012, including abstract submission, registration and details of plenary lectures from Gadi Rothenberg and Graham Hutchings please visit the FineCat2012 website.

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Hot Perspective: Catalytic Supports

19 Jan 2012

Heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis are two very distinct classes of catalysts, while the former is commonly easier to recover and re-use the latter is often more selective. This review by Prati et al. (Universita degli Studi di Milano) covers the recent advances in catalysts on supports, in particular the support of metal nanoparticles and their catalytic properties.

The accessibility of the particle surface plays an important role in activity with a high surface area giving a higher reaction rate, however it has also been shown that incarceration of particles inside support cavities can be beneficial with respect to resisting leaching and coarsening.

For full details of this topical review and its findings you can download this Hot Perspective now as all articles in Catalysis Science & Technology are free to access for the duration of 2012.

Material science for the support design: a powerful challenge for catalysis
Alberto Villa, Marco Schiavoni and Laura Prati
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY00355D

Other interesting articles on nano-scale catalysis can also be found here.

To keep up to date with the latest news in Catalysis Science & Technology you can like us on facebook, follow us on twitter and sign up to the e-alert service.

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Advances in catalysis at the nano-scale

16 Jan 2012

The ability to visualise and manipulate materials at the nano-scale has changed the way we think about all topics in science, including catalysis. There has been substantial research into the production, application and mechanisms of nano-catalysts given the industrial, economic and environmental benefits they can bring. A few interesting reviews from Catalysis Science & Technology which highlight such developments are listed below and are free to access for the duration of 2012.

Studying Fischer–Tropsch catalysts using transmission electron microscopy and model systems of nanoparticles on planar supports
P. C. Thüne, C. J. Weststrate, P. Moodley, A. M. Saib, J. van de Loosdrecht, J. T. Miller and J. W. Niemantsverdriet
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, 1, 689-697
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00056J

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles for asymmetric catalysis—a perfect match
Kalluri V. S. Ranganath and Frank Glorius
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, 1, 13-22
DOI: 10.1039/C0CY00069H

Unique catalytic features of Ag nanoclusters for selective NOx reduction and green chemical reactions
Kenichi Shimizu, Kyoichi Sawabe and Atsushi Satsuma
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, 1, 331-341
DOI: 10.1039/C0CY00077A

Nanokinetics for nanocatalysis
Dmitry Yu. Murzin
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, 1, 380-384
DOI: 10.1039/C0CY00084A

Mimicking nature’s strategies for the design of nanocatalysts
Rohit Bhandari, Ryan Coppage and Marc R. Knecht
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00350J

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N-Heterocycles via zeolite catalysts

04 Jan 2012

N-Heterocycles are important in agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, as solvents and reagents. The compounds are widely distributed in nature and the synthesis of specific N-heterocycles is a topic of great interest. This thorough review by V. V. Krishna Mohan Kandepi and Nama Narender examines the application of zeolite molecular sieves to produce a wide range of N-heterocyclic compounds. The authors discuss syntheses from pyridine to bis(indolyl)phenylmethane, an anti-oxidant useful in cancer prevention.

The advantages to using these shape selective acid catalysts include thermal stability, re-usability and they are environmentally friendly. To find out more access this Perspective for free in Catalysis Science & Technology, where all are articles are free to access for the duration of 2012.

Synthesis of N-heterocyclic compounds over zeolite molecular sieve catalysts: an approach towards green chemistry
V. V. Krishna Mohan Kandepi and Nama Narender
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY00162D, Perspective

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Catalysis Science & Technology has its first Christmas!

23 Dec 2011

What a year Catalysis Science & Technology has had, Volume 1 contains no less than 9 Issues and 1696 pages! It has been a fantastic launch for the journal as we see our first Christmas since publishing Issue 1 in April and things are looking very bright for 2012. We saw our first themed issue ‘Heterogeneous catalysis for fine chemicals’ with Guest Editors Mario Pagliaro and Graham Hutchings and we have blogged about 47 ‘Hot Articles’ throughout the year.

We have published original research papers, communications, Minireviews and Perspectives across the breadth of the field, including homogeneous catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, biocatalysis and catalysis in technology. It is the season of festivities which can occasionally lead to over-indulgence, so remember, if you need to take an afternoon off to relax and digest, all articles in Catalysis Science & Technology are free to access for the duration of 2011 and 2012!

You can also browse the Catalysis Science & Technology blog and facebook page or keep up to date with events real time by following us on twitter or signing up to e-alerts

Here is just a small selection of review articles that may be of interest over the holidays:

Nanokinetics for nanocatalysis
Dmitry Yu. Murzin
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, 1, 380-384
DOI: 10.1039/C0CY00084A, Minireview

Asymmetric catalysis using iron complexes – ‘Ruthenium Lite’?
Muftah Darwish and Martin Wills
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00390A, Perspective

Metal–organic frameworks as heterogeneous catalysts for oxidation reactions
Amarajothi Dhakshinamoorthy, Mercedes Alvaro and Hermenegildo Garcia
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, 1, 856-867
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00068C, Perspective

Design strategies for engineering selectivity in bio-inspired heterogeneous catalysts
David J. Xuereb and Robert Raja
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, 1, 517-534
DOI: 10.1039/C0CY00088D, Perspective

Recent progress in the electrochemical conversion and utilization of CO2
Neil S. Spinner, Jose A. Vega and William E. Mustain
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, 2, 19-28
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00314C, Perspective

An introduction to X-ray absorption spectroscopy and its in situ application to organometallic compounds and homogeneous catalysts
Ryan C. Nelson and Jeffrey T. Miller
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY00343K, Perspective

Organometallic hydrogen transfer and dehydrogenation catalysts for the conversion of bio-renewable alcohols
Andrew C. Marr
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00338K, Perspective

Happy Christmas from the Catalysis Science & Technology team!

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Nanoflower photocatalysts

23 Dec 2011

This ‘advance article’ minireview from Liwu Zhang and Yongfa Zhu covers the interesting topic of converting photon energy into chemical energy to decompose organic contaminants. There are many types of heterogeneous photocatalyst which can do this, however many of them work only in the UV region of the spectrum. The authors here look at the family of Bi₂WO₆ compounds which are highly active under visible light, the photocatalytic mechanism of the nanoplates is revealed and several methods to develop and improve the catalysts is discussed.

All articles in Catalysis Science & Technology are free to access for 2012, which covers topics including biocatalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalysis and organocatalysis. Accepted manuscripts are also published as soon as possible in a citable form.

A review of controllable synthesis and enhancement of performances of bismuth tungstate visible-light-driven photocatalysts
Yongfa Zhu and Liwu Zhang
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY00411A
Received 05 Oct 2011, Accepted 11 Dec 2011
First published on the web 12 Dec 2011

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