Structures, activities, and mechanisms under the spectroscopes: the quest for unveiling the nature of active sites for highly selective CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

Since the industrial revolution in the 1760s, the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere has been rising incessantly driving global warming closer to the point of no return. The world requires urgent actions to not only reduce CO2 emissions but also capture the CO2 for utilization to mitigate the future environmental crisis. CO2 hydrogenation to...

Metal containing nanoclusters in zeolites

The molecular-sized void space of the zeolitic micropores is perfect matrices to encapsulate and stabilize multicomponent and multifunctional complexes that can be used as active sites for a wide range of important catalytic transformations. In this article, we discuss and analyze the key developments of the last decade in the catalytic...

Automated high-resolution sampling and multi-mode operando spectroscopy of (bio-)chemical reactions for kinetic analysis, reaction characterization, and quality control

This invention describes an apparatus that enables the automated removal of small samples from fluids such as those encountered in (bio-)chemical reactors. These samples can then be used for, e.g., kinetic analysis and quality control applications. The system was explicitly designed to be compatible with harsh and aggressive reaction conditions...

Silica-Supported PdGa Nanoparticles: Metal Synergy for Highly Active and Selective CO₂-to-CH₃OH Hydrogenation

The direct conversion of CO₂to CH₃OH represents an appealing strategy for the mitigation of anthropogenic CO₂emissions. Here, we report that small, narrowly distributed alloyed PdGa nanoparticles, prepared via surface organometallic chemistry from silica-supported Ga^IIIisolated sites, selectively...

Operando spectroscopic methods to study electrochemical processes

Fossil resources are being depleted, while the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere rises. There clearly is a strong and immediate need for a radical energy transition. Renewable energy is growing strongly as supplier of fossil-free electricity, but it needs large-scale and long-term storage options in order to be able to make a real impact on...