Most researchers demonstrate new chemical catalysis methods to make plastic production more energy-efficient

Northwestern Engineering researchers demonstrated a new chemical catalysis method that can use less energy to increase the yield of propylene

As one of the highest-volume chemical products, propylene produced annually is worth more than 100 billion U.

For a long time, researchers have been studying a technology called oxidative dehydrogenation, which is a propylene production method that is not restricted by propane and is not restricted by high temperatures

Justin Notestein, professor of chemical and biological engineering at the McCormick School of Engineering, said that this reaction is effective, but similar to turning on a gas grill to cook at home, you will not produce propylene, but just Burn propane

On March 19, a paper titled "Tandem In2O3-Pt/Al2O3 Catalyst for Coupling of Propane Dehydrogenation to Selective H2 Combustion" was published in the "Science" magazine

In this new method, the researchers designed two catalysts with nano-scale proximity: a platinum-based catalyst that can selectively remove hydrogen from propane to produce propylene; the other indium oxide-based catalyst can be selected Naturally burns hydrogen, but does not burn propane or propylene

We found that nanostructures are indeed important, and Notestein said that indium oxide on platinum works well

The team’s tests significantly increased the production of propane to produce propylene

No one has proven that the yield exceeds these thermodynamic limits.

The simple design of the system can be further optimized by adjusting the reactor conditions and changing the two catalyst components

Notestein, director of the Center for Catalysis and Surface Science at the Northwest Institute for Sustainable and Energy Research, said that because we rely on a proven design-build-test cycle in engineering technology, there may be more improvements

These findings can also further improve the energy efficiency of many plastics used in structural and material applications

Notestein said that although plastic has suffered a lot of damage, it is essential to modern society, including efforts to make society more energy-efficient