August 5, 2019

Scientists create artificial catalysts inspired by living enzymes

Stanford researchers have made a significant advance in the development of artificial catalysts for making cleaner chemicals and fuels at an industrial scale.

Scientists create artificial catalysts inspired by living enzymes.
Scientists have invented an enzyme-like catalyst made of soft polymers (purple) and a hard palladium core (pink). When heated, the palladium chemically converts molecules of oxygen and carbon monoxide (yellow and orange) into carbon dioxide. The reaction stops when the polymers are saturated with carbon dioxide, a strategy used by living enzymes. Research is underway to develop catalysts that convert natural gas to methanol at low temperatures.  (Greg Stewart/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)

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