{"id":665711,"date":"2025-04-27T10:15:16","date_gmt":"2025-04-27T07:15:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/new-review-urges-rigorous-testing-for-single-atom-catalysts-in-industry\/"},"modified":"2025-04-27T10:15:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-27T07:15:16","slug":"new-review-urges-rigorous-testing-for-single-atom-catalysts-in-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/new-review-urges-rigorous-testing-for-single-atom-catalysts-in-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"New review urges rigorous testing for single-atom catalysts in industry"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a25384b33f18\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a25384b33f18\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/new-review-urges-rigorous-testing-for-single-atom-catalysts-in-industry\/#How_it_happened\" >How it happened<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/new-review-urges-rigorous-testing-for-single-atom-catalysts-in-industry\/#What_are_atomically_dispersed_catalysts\" >What are atomically dispersed catalysts?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/new-review-urges-rigorous-testing-for-single-atom-catalysts-in-industry\/#Putting_the_puzzle_together\" >Putting the puzzle together<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2025\/atomically-dispersed-c.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/atomically-dispersed-c.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"In catalysis research, investigators need to carefully control the environment that catalytic materials are exposed to so that they are not poisoned or catalyze undesired side reactions. Here, University of Virginia assistant professor of chemical engineering Jason Bates (left) and Ph.D. student Isaac Boateng discuss the configuration of gases interfaced with an electrochemical reactor system. Credit: Matt Cosner, University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science\">\n<figure class=\"article-img\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2025\/atomically-dispersed-c.jpg\" alt=\"Atomically dispersed catalysts are tough puzzles to solve, but worth the effort\" title=\"In catalysis research, investigators need to carefully control the environment that catalytic materials are exposed to so that they are not poisoned or catalyze undesired side reactions. Here, University of Virginia assistant professor of chemical engineering Jason Bates (left) and Ph.D. student Isaac Boateng discuss the configuration of gases interfaced with an electrochemical reactor system. Credit: Matt Cosner, University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science\" width=\"800\" height=\"528\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-darken text-low-up text-truncate-js text-truncate mt-3\">\n                In catalysis research, investigators need to carefully control the environment that catalytic materials are exposed to so that they are not poisoned or catalyze undesired side reactions. Here, University of Virginia assistant professor of chemical engineering Jason Bates (left) and Ph.D. student Isaac Boateng discuss the configuration of gases interfaced with an electrochemical reactor system. Credit: Matt Cosner, University of Virginia School of Engineering and <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">App<\/a>lied <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"5\" title=\"Science\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Science<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Many modern industrial processes depend on complex chemistry. Take fertilizer production, for example: to make it, companies must first produce ammonia, a key ingredient.<\/p>\n<p>These chemical processes need ingredients of their own\u2014catalysts, which speed up reactions without being consumed or creating unwanted byproducts.<\/p>\n<p>One emerging type of catalyst\u2014known as a &#8220;single-atom&#8221; or &#8220;atomically dispersed&#8221; catalyst\u2014is getting a lot of attention for its potential to make industrial processes cleaner and more efficient. Academic journals are overflowing with studies on them.<\/p>\n<p>Now, thanks to an invitation from the editor of a top scientific journal, a University of Virginia chemical engineer is making sense of all the changes and points the way for future breakthroughs.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_it_happened\"><\/span>How it happened<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An editor at <i>Nature Chemistry<\/i> recently noticed a standout journal article peer review written by Jason Bates, an assistant professor of engineering at UVA&#8217;s School of Engineering and Applied Science. The editor emailed an invitation: Could Bates write a perspective on how to investigate atomically dispersed catalysts to ensure proper rigor and reproducibility?<\/p>\n<p>Publication submissions in this new area of catalysis research are surging, the editor told Bates, but too often, the researchers&#8217; claims promise more than they deliver based on their science.<\/p>\n<p>Bates agreed. His article, &#8220;Progress and pitfalls in designing heterogeneous catalysts with molecular precision,&#8221; was published by <i>Nature Chemistry<\/i> in February.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I hope it will guide research toward the right directions so that we can discover new things faster,&#8221; Bates said, &#8220;without generating misleading conclusions.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_atomically_dispersed_catalysts\"><\/span>What are atomically dispersed catalysts?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Catalysts are widely used in industry to increase efficiency, lower costs and reduce environmental impact. They typically fall into two categories.<\/p>\n<p>Homogeneous catalysts, dissolved in liquid, offer precise control and consistent results. But they are expensive and best suited for high-value, small-scale production, like pharmaceuticals.<\/p>\n<p>Heterogeneous catalysts, which are solid and used at large scales, power industries like fuel refining and fertilizer production. These usually consist of tiny clusters of metal atoms\u2014like platinum or iron\u2014spread over a support material.<\/p>\n<p>But traditional heterogeneous catalysts can wear down under tough operating conditions. Over time, their structure and effectiveness degrade.<\/p>\n<p>Atomically dispersed catalysts aim to combine the best of both worlds: the precision of homogeneous systems with the durability and scalability of heterogeneous ones. Instead of metal clusters, these use single metal atoms anchored to a solid surface, which serve as the reaction sites.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They&#8217;re attractive,&#8221; Bates said, &#8220;because you can design them with the specificity of a homogeneous catalyst, but they function in practical environments like a heterogeneous one.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This matters because many industrial processes have already reached peak efficiency with current <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a>. Take ammonia production again: while the process itself emits little CO\u2082, making the hydrogen it requires does\u2014because that hydrogen comes from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So, we need new ways to make hydrogen in a less carbon-intensive way,&#8221; Bates said. &#8220;Atomically dispersed catalysts could be part of the solution.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"ads w-100 my-4 article-main__more bg-light p-3 border\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-3\">\n        Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over <strong>100,000 subscribers<\/strong> who rely on Phys.org for daily insights.<br \/>\n        Sign up for our <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\">free newsletter<\/a> and get updates on breakthroughs,<br \/>\n        innovations, and research that matter\u2014<strong>daily or weekly<\/strong>.\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Putting_the_puzzle_together\"><\/span>Putting the puzzle together<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Atomically dispersed catalysts allow for precise design\u2014but they&#8217;re still complex systems. Testing and characterizing them requires painstaking work, which Bates argues is too often skipped or rushed.<\/p>\n<p>He likens their structure to a jigsaw puzzle. There are many methods for finding the pieces, but they must be assembled to get a complete picture.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Many researchers will put down one piece and say, now I know what the rest of the puzzle looks like without considering the alternative hypotheses and techniques,&#8221; he said. &#8220;The reality of research in this area is that you almost never can get every piece of the puzzle.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Bates believes the field needs to slow down and focus on repeatable, rigorous science. Only then, he argues, can researchers confidently understand what they&#8217;ve made\u2014and how to make it better.<\/p>\n<p>His paper has already struck a chord. E. Charles Sykes, a professor of chemistry at Tufts University who reviewed Bates&#8217; work for <i>Nature Chemistry<\/i>, agreed with the call for caution.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The myriad reports of new atomically dispersed catalysts are often not well-characterized or tested. This limits fundamental insight,&#8221; Sykes said. &#8220;Jason&#8217;s review points out many of the common pitfalls and should serve as a guide for the ever-growing community.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-main__more p-4\">\n<p><strong>More information:<\/strong><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJason S. Bates, Progress and pitfalls in designing heterogeneous catalysts with molecular precision, <i>Nature Chemistry<\/i> (2025). <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-doi=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/s41557-024-01731-6\" target=\"_blank\">DOI: 10.1038\/s41557-024-01731-6<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"d-inline-block text-medium mt-4\">\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProvided by<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUniversity of Virginia<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"icon_open\" href=\"http:\/\/www.virginia.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<use href=\"https:\/\/phys.b-cdn.net\/tmpl\/v6\/img\/svg\/sprite.svg#icon_open\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- print only --><\/p>\n<div class=\"d-none d-print-block\">\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Citation<\/strong>:<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNew review urges rigorous testing for single-atom catalysts in industry (2025, April 26)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tretrieved 27 April 2025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfrom https:\/\/phys.org\/<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>\/2025-04-urges-rigorous-atom-catalysts-industry.html\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script id=\"facebook-jssdk\" async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more Like this articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/category\/sciencee\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Science category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2025-04-urges-rigorous-atom-catalysts-industry.html\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In catalysis research, investigators need to carefully control the environment that catalytic materials are exposed to so that they are not poisoned or catalyze undesired side reactions. Here, University of Virginia assistant professor of chemical engineering Jason Bates (left) and Ph.D. student Isaac Boateng discuss the configuration of gases interfaced with an electrochemical reactor system&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":665712,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/atomically-dispersed-c.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-665711","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sciencee"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/665711","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=665711"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/665711\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/665712"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=665711"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=665711"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=665711"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}