Zeolites: The inside story
Cars that run on biomass-derived fuel and homes heated by wind energy that was generated weeks ago are ideas that need advances in catalysis. A class of catalysts known as zeolites has been used for decades, but many of their properties are not well understood. The February 2015 issue of The Molecular Bond, published by the Department of Energy's EMSL, a national scientific user facility, focuses on zeolite research enabled by the facility. For example, Dr. Chuck Peden of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Institute for Integrated Catalysis discusses zeolite-based catalysts to reduce automotive emissions. He talks about the copper-based zeolite Cu-SSZ-13, which removes nitrogen oxides in lean-burn (more air, less fuel) engines, eventually converting them to nitrogen. Using EMSL resources, Peden and his colleagues characterized the atomic intricacies of the catalyst, answering fundamental questions about its structure and behavior. Read more.
Catalyzing Collaboration and Conversation at the Nation's Largest Chemistry Gathering
A solitary chemist in a science lab is an image best left to movie screens. Today's scientists are connected. At the Institute for Integrated Catalysis, led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, researchers conduct studies, write reviews, and mentor scientists from around the world. For example, Janos Szanyi, Chuck Peden, and Feng Gao worked with experts at University College London to discuss the current state of the science on two heat stable zeolites for controlling automotive emissions. This type of connection often occurs online or in the lab around a specific project. But, at the American Chemical Society spring meeting, scientists shared ideas, recognized their peers, and focused on a broader topic. Read more.
Three Minutes of Discovery:
Zeolites: Exploring Molecular Channels
Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Institute for Integrated Catalysis are studying the fundamental mechanics of zeolites—crystalline structures that play a key part in catalysis. Learn more about the study and synthesis of these important materials in this video. Watch this video and learn more.
May 2015
Catalysis News & Research:
Dongsheng Li and David Heldebrant Receive DOE Early Career Research Awards. They are two of just 44 people nationwide to receive the annual awards, selected from more than 600 applications. They will receive 5-year research grants to create new materials for energy storage and reduce carbon emissions. Read more.
Mimicking Biology to Create Fast, Efficient Catalysts. Pond scum is probably not the first thing that comes to find when you think about the future of energy storage. Yet, simple bacteria in the muck found in lakes and ponds pack electrical energy into chemical bonds and release that energy when it's needed. Read about the advances made over the last 5 years in mimicking Mother Nature. Read more.
The Softer Side of Control. Creating bare, two-metal particles without clumping or capping provides insights into potential substitutes for costly platinum in fuel cell catalysts. Read more.
Sailing Through Uncharted Waters to Discover Catalysts' Secrets. Scientists review the state of the science for catalysis in water and other liquids. Read more.
In the Heat of the Reaction, a Single Atom Delivers. Converting carbon monoxide in fuel cells with a gold catalyst hinges on one ion shuttling the critical electron. Read more.
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