Finding treasures with physics: The fingerprint matrix
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 6-Oct-2025 23:11 ET (7-Oct-2025 03:11 GMT/UTC)
While molecular cages offer high selectivity, previous versions lacked visible-light sensitivity, hindering their use in mild photochemical synthesis. We engineered a platinum(II)-based M6L4 cage that acts as a visible-light-responsive nanoreactor, achieving perfect stereo- and site-selective cross-[2+2] cycloadditions of inert substrates. This innovation enabled the first catalytic cross-[2+2] cycloaddition using supramolecular confinement, opening new avenues for highly controlled, light-driven organic synthesis.
CAS Academician, Prof. Jihong Yu, and her team from Jilin University developed a post-treatment strategy based on metal replacement reaction using commercial ZSM-5 zeolite as a carrier, and successfully encapsulated a highly active PtCu alloy catalyst in the pores of the zeolite. In the study, Cu²⁺ ions were first introduced into the pores of the zeolite through ion exchange, and then reduced at high temperature to form a Cu@MFI intermediate; then the Pt component was introduced through a metal replacement reaction, and a PtCu alloy was formed in the pores of the zeolite through high temperature reduction. The prepared PtCu₅@MFI-K (Pt/Cu=1/5) showed excellent catalytic performance in the propane dehydrogenation reaction, with a propane conversion rate of 49.7%, a propylene selectivity of more than 90%, and good cyclic stability. This study provides a new low-cost and efficient synthesis strategy for the development of high-performance alloy@zeolite catalysts. These results were published as an open access article in CCS Chemistry, the flagship journal of the Chinese Chemical Society.
When it comes to clean energy, solar and wind often dominate the headlines. But in the lush, river-rich landscapes of Southeast Asia, another renewable powerhouse is quietly making waves—hydropower. A major new study published on August 4, 2025, in Carbon Research proves that hydropower isn’t just a side player in the region’s energy mix—it’s a leading force in cutting carbon emissions, with the potential to reshape the future of sustainable development.
MIT engineers developed a palladium membrane, used for filtering gas mixtures to produce pure hydrogen, that remains resilient at much higher temperatures. The filters could be used in advanced separation methods that enable cheaper, more efficient generation of hydrogen fuel.