Highlights from Faraday Discussion: Designing New Heterogeneous Catalysts, London, UK, April 2016

The Faraday Discussion on the design of new heterogeneous catalysts took place from 4–6 April 2016 in London, United Kingdom.</p

Production Pathways of Acetic Acid and Its Versatile Applications in the Food Industry

Acetic acid is a commodity chemical with the global demand of approximately 15 million tons per year with several applications in the chemical and food industry. The production of acetic acid can be widely categorized into chemical and fermentative routes, with the chemical route being the predominant one in the current industrial practice. In this chapter, we have reviewed the most recent developments in acetic acid production and applications over past two decades, including process intensification and catalysis by keeping the main emphasis on process sustainability. Acetic acid is used in several industrial sectors such as chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, polymer and paints, food and beverages. Furthermore, acetic acid has several applications in food industry and is traditionally known as vinegar. In addition, it is an acidulant, which is used to give a characteristic flavor profile to food. It can be used for microbial decontamination of meat and as a mild descaling agent in the food industry. More recently, acetic acid is reported to be used as an antimicrobial edible food coating agent. The diversified food culture has a significant demand in the development of such kind of innovation and acetic acid can be an efficient solution

α-Alkylation of Aliphatic Ketones with Alcohols: Base Type as an Influential Descriptor

Current global challenges associated with energy security and climate emergency, caused by the combustion of fossil fuels (e.g., jet fuel and diesel), necessitate the accelerated development and deployment of sustainable fuels derived from renewable biomass-based chemical feedstocks. This study focuses on the production of long-chain (straight and branched) ketones by direct α-alkylation of short chain ketones using both homogenous and solid base catalysts in water. Thus, produced long-chain ketones are fuel precursors and can subsequently be hydrogenated to long-chain alkanes suitable for blending in aviation and liquid transportation fuels. Herein, we report a thorough investigation of the catalytic activity of Pd in combination with, (i) homogenous and solid base additives; (ii) screening of different supports using NaOH as a base additive, and (iii) a comparative study of the Ni and Pd metals supported on layered double oxides (LDOs) in α-alkylation of 2-butanone with 1-propanol as an exemplar process. Among these systems, 5%Pd/BaSO4 with NaOH as a base showed the best results, giving 94% 2-butanone conversion and 84% selectivity to alkylated ketones. These results demonstrated that both metal and base sites are necessary for the selective conversion of 2-butanone to alkylated ketones. Additionally, amongst the solid base additives, Pd/C with 5% Ba/hydrotalcite showed the best result with 51% 2-butanone conversion and 36% selectivity to the alkylated ketones. Further, the screening of heterogenous acid-base catalysts 2.5%Ni/Ba1.2Mg3Al1 exhibited an adequate catalytic activity (21%) and ketone selectivity (47%)

Novel Ionic Liquid Synthesis of Bimetallic Fe–Ru Catalysts for the Direct Hydrogenation of CO2 to Short Chain Hydrocarbons

The selective hydrogenation of CO2 for the production of net-zero fuels and essential chemical building blocks is a promising approach to combat climate change. Key to this endeavor is the development of catalysts with high activity and selectivity for desired hydrocarbon products in the C2–C5 range. The process involves a two-step reaction, starting with the reverse water–gas shift (RWGS) reaction and proceeding to the Fischer–Tropsch reactions under high pressure. Understanding the catalyst features that control the selectivity of these pathways is crucial for product formation, as well as identifying morphological changes in the catalysts during the reaction to optimize their performance. In this study, an innovative method for synthesizing iron–ruthenium bimetallic catalysts is introduced, capitalizing on the synergistic effects of these metals as active phases. This method leverages ionic liquids as solvents, allowing for the precise and uniform distribution of active metal phases. Advanced characterizations and extensive catalytic tests have demonstrated that the use of ionic liquids outperformed traditional colloid-based techniques, resulting in superior selectivity for target hydrocarbons. The success of this inventive approach not only advances the field of CO2 hydrogenation catalysis, but also represents a significant stride towards sustainable e-fuel production

Ionic Liquid Synthesis of Catalysts for Direct CO2 Hydrogenation to shortchain hydrocarbons

The direct conversion of carbon dioxide into lower olefins (C2-C4) is a highly desirable process as a sustainable production route1,2. These lower olefins, such as ethylene, propylene, and butenes, are crucial components in the chemical industry and for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The reaction proceeds via two main consecutive reactions: Reverse Water Gas Shift (RWGS) to produce CO followed by the further conversion of CO to hydrocarbons via the Fischer−Tropsch reaction3. Recent studies 45highlight the cost-effectiveness and satisfactory performance of Fe-based catalysts in both reaction steps, while exploring bimetallic catalysts, particularly Ru and Fe combinations, to enhance olefin selectivity6., with precise MNP synthesis as a crucial factor for performance control.The study introduces a novel approach for synthesizing iron-ruthenium bimetallic catalysts that utilizes ionic liquids as solvents7, ensuring precise and uniform distribution of active metal phases. Advanced characterizations and extensive tests reveal that this method surpasses traditional colloid-based techniques, resulting in superior selectivity for target hydrocarbons

Influence of pretreatment on surface interaction between Cu and anatase-TiO2 in the simultaneous photoremediation of nitrate and oxalic acid

This research work was partly supported by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) of Nigeria. We are grateful to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi-Nigeria for the award of fellowship to Haruna Adamu.Peer reviewedPostprin

Novel synthesis approaches for CO2 Hydrogenation catalysts using Ionic Liquids

The conversion of carbon dioxide into lower olefins (C2-C4) represents a highly desirable process for establishing a sustainable production pathway. These lower olefins, including ethylene, propylene, and butenes, play pivotal roles in the chemical industry and the production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The reaction unfolds through two consecutive primary processes: Reverse Water Gas Shift (RWGS), generating CO, followed by the subsequent transformation of CO into hydrocarbons through the Fischer−Tropsch reaction. Recent research has underscored the cost-effectiveness and satisfactory performance of Febased catalysts in both reaction steps, with an exploration of bimetallic catalysts, particularly combinations of Ru and Fe, aimed at enhancing olefin selectivity. Precise synthesis of multinanoparticle (MNP) becomes a critical factor for performance control in this context. The study introduces an innovative approach to synthesize iron-ruthenium bimetallic catalysts, utilizing ionic liquids as solvents. This method ensures the precise and uniform distribution of active metal phases. Advanced characterizations and extensive tests reveal that this technique outperforms traditional colloid-based methods, resulting in superior selectivity for the desired hydrocarbons