Lectures

J.-M. Basset (École Supérieure Chimie Physique Électronique de Lyon, France) described in his plenary lecture: ‘Catalysis: From Molecules to Materials’, the progress of molecular and supramolecular chemistry for the rational design of catalysts. With numerous examples, such as for the pgm-catalysed metathesis of olefins, he gave illustrations of new developments.

In a lecture entitled ‘New Thermally Stable Catalysts via Encapsulation of Metal Nanoparticles in MeO_x Empty Spheres’, M. Paul, M. Comotti, P. Arnal, P. Bazula and F. Schüth (Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany) outlined an elegant synthesis of metal particles such as gold nanoparticles in a ZrO₂ hollow sphere. The Au nanoparticles are covered by SiO₂, which is then coated with ZrO₂. The SiO₂ can be removed chemically. The remaining ZrO₂ with encapsulated Au is thermally stable, and the Au particles are protected from sintering. The method can also be used for other precious metals such as platinum and palladium.

M. Beller (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V., Universität Rostock, Germany) gave a lecture on ‘Homogeneous Catalysis – A Key Technology for the 21st Century’. As examples of topics successfully addressed, in terms of both fundamental research and technical application, Beller cited Pd-catalysed C–C coupling reactions and atom-efficient carbonylations.

Poster Contributions

G. Incera Garrido, F. C. Patcas, G. Upper, M. Türk and B. Kraushaar-Czarnetzki (Universität Karlsruhe, Germany), presented a poster entitled: ‘Preparation of Pt/SnO₂ Supported Catalysts for the CO-Oxidation: Comparison between Classical and Supercritical Pt Deposition’. The catalyst, prepared via supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) deposition of Pt, oxidised CO at 80°C with remarkable activity, whereas the catalyst made via conventional aqueous preparation shows no activity below 150°C.

S. Kureti and F. J. P Schott (Universität Karlsruhe) presented a poster about ‘Reduction of NO_x by H₂ on Pt Containing Catalysts in Diesel Exhaust’. The preferred techniques to meet emission standards are NOx storage catalyst (NSR) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR), using NH₃ as reductant. However, a serious constraint on these technologies is that efficient NOx conversion is only achieved above 150°C. The European Commission Motor Vehicle Emissions Group (MVEG) (2) estimates that the exhaust temperature of diesel passenger cars is below 150°C for about 60% of the time, indicating a need for a technique to convert NOx in the low temperature range. The reduction of NOx by H₂ on Pt catalysts is considered to be a promising method. However, it is well known that the H₂/NOx reaction on classical Pt/Al₂O₃ gives N₂O. To obtain selective production of N₂, the catalyst was modified. The best catalyst so far gave 80% selectivity to N₂.

A. Boonyanuwat, A. Jentys and J. A. Lercher (Technische Universität München, Germany) reported on: ‘Hydrogen Production by Aqueous-Phase Reforming of Glycerol on Supported Metal Catalysts’. Platinum and palladium on alumina show the best selectivities to hydrogen (greater than 90%), while rhodium also gave alkane selectivity. A stability test was carried out for two weeks at 498 K and 29 bars. During this time, the activity of the catalysts was almost constant.

Concluding Remarks

In summary, the meeting in Weimar, the beautiful city of Goethe and Schiller, covered the whole range of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis from fundamental studies to industrial catalysis.

The 41. Jahrestreffen Deutscher Katalytiker will again take place in Weimar, from 27th to 29th February 2008 (3).