Scientists make major breakthrough

RESEARCHERS at the Daresbury Laboratory, near Warrington, have made a major breakthrough in our understanding of a 2D material, molybdenum disulphide – a key ingredient used in industrial refinery catalysts.
Understanding the structure of the material at the atomic level has led them to a new way to boost its efficiency.
This could mean cheaper and more efficient catalysts for oil refineries in the near future, promoting a cleaner environment and helping industry to deal with increasingly stringent environmental legislation.
The research was carried out at the SuperSTEM National Facility at Daresbury, led by Danish catalysis and technology company,
Haldor Topsøe A/S, in collaboration with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (USA).
It has now been published in the prestigious chemistry journal, Angewandte Chemie.
Professor Quentin Ramasse, scientific director at SuperSTEM said: “What this research gives us is a deeper understanding into the atomic structure of molybdenum disulphide which could lead to significant improvements in the way industrial catalysts are fine-tuned in the near future, making them more efficient and cheaper to manufacture and upscale.
“This is chemistry at the single atom level working towards a new generation of catalysts for both a cleaner environment and positive economic benefits for industry.”
Gasoline, diesel and other fossil fuels contain small amounts of sulphur and nitrogen which are emitted
into the atmosphere during fuel combustion. These elements are harmful to human health and the environment, and are a major source of acid rain. Catalysts are required in oil refineries to reduce these harmful emissions.