Researchers from the University of Alicante (UA) in Spain and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) in Brazil have achieved a breakthrough in decarbonizing the chemical industry.
They developed a new class of hybrid catalytic materials where the heating phase is integrated within the catalyst. This innovation replaces heat generated by fossil fuels with renewable electrical energy, drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
The new material consists of zeolites synthesized with silicon carbide nanoparticles, enhancing microwave absorption and electromagnetic induction. This design allows faster, localized heat transfer, improving the efficiency of chemical reactions and reducing energy consumption by 40%.
Experiments demonstrated the material's effectiveness in mesitylene and benzyl alcohol alkylation, a key reaction in petrochemistry. These catalysts are ideal for energy-intensive industrial processes like biomass transformation and carbon valorization.
A joint European patent application protects the technology, currently in lab validation and available for licensing.