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Mysterious organic scum boosts chemical reaction efficiency, may reduce chemical waste
Illinois researchers are part of multi-institutional team that found that solvents spontaneously react with metal nanoparticles to form reactive complexes that can improve catalyst performance and simultaneously reduce the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing. Reprinted with permission from D. Flaherty et al., Science 371:6529 (2021).
Graphic courtesy Alex Jerez, Imaging Technology Group – Beckman Institute.
Graduate students Abinaya Sampath, left, and Tomas Ricciardulli; professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering David Flaherty; and graduate student Jason Adams.
Photo by L. Brian Stauffer.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Chemical manufacturers frequently use toxic solvents such as alcohols and benzene to make products like pharmaceuticals and plastics. Researchers are examining a previously overlooked and misunderstood phenomenon in the chemical reactions used to make these products. This discovery brings a new fundamental understanding of catalytic chemistry and a steppingstone to practical applications that could someday make chemical manufacturing less wasteful and more environmentally sound.