Single-atom catalysis
Single atom and hierarchical nanopore catalysts are reducing the need for precious metals, and could clean up the energy and chemical industries, finds Andy Extance
Today chemists’ understanding of exactly how catalysts work is evolving to consider new factors. The focus of researchers is zooming in to individual catalyst atoms. But at the same time such systems need to get reactant chemicals to those atoms. In some cases, this requires new structural solutions to problems at larger scales, also found with more conventional catalysts. And in exploring these new frontiers, researchers are making vital progress towards making our chemical and energy industries more sustainable.