Company UK
This company has developed a range of patented organometallic compounds that can deposit nanoscale metal features by photo-irradiation, e-beam bombardment or active ion bombardment. These materials are attracting industrial attention as a potential solution to interconnect technology for generation 5 chips and beyond.
The ability of these materials to deposit fine line definition also attracts interest as sensor precursor compounds owing to the ability to tune the surface atom/bulk atom ratio hence minimising noise from the sensor.
Background
Catalysts and the products made with them are all around us, even though most people neither know what a catalyst is or what they do. Virtually every polymer, whether it is a synthetic fibre, plastic resin, or elastomer, is made with a catalytic process. Other chemicals, from pharmaceuticals to pesticides, are produced catalytically. And there is an entire body of catalysis in the growth area of environmental correction; the most obvious examples are catalytic converters on automobiles that clean up auto exhausts.
In general, the catalyst industry is driven by cost-effectiveness. A successful catalyst must promote or allow a chemical reaction to occur more easily (in practice, more cheaply). Cost control is also important in the environmental management industry but the main driver for environmental expenditures is legislation.
Strong environmental regulations typically play an important role in the adoption of cleaner production solutions, particularly where enforcement is effective. The opportunity to achieve process efficiencies that improve product yields and decrease wastes can be a significant incentive, as well as the chance to derive economic returns from recycling wastes. In addition, the desire to maintain a good public image or to restore a tarnished image may also be an important driver.
CFC Destruction Technology
The group has identified the role of active hydrogen on a novel palladium/zinc catalyst for the hydrogenolysis of chlorofluorocarbons to fluoroalkanes. Kinetic analysis of the products from the reaction confirms the synergistic role of the zinc and palladium junctions in the dehydrochlorination process. Patents have been granted in Europe and USA for the novel catalyst. The research programme includes the scale up of CFC/halocarbon destruction technology. The work to date confirms that halogen retention by the catalyst is suppressed relative to a standard alumina supported palladium system.
Three Way Catalysis for Vehicle Exhaust
The emissions from a petrol engine contain carbon monoxides, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Three-way catalysts operate in a closed-loop system including a lambda, or oxygen, sensor to regulate the air:fuel ratio on petrol engines. The catalyst can then simultaneously oxidise CO and HC to CO2 and water while reducing NOx to nitrogen.
The competitive advantage of the company’s technology is that it is more cost-effective than current offerings. It is based upon palladium and zinc rather than the traditional combinations of platinum, palladium and rhodium, which are associated with a high cost of manufacturing. Impressive results from tests have not only confirmed its cost/ benefit edge but there are also indications of improved fuel consumption rates.
Lean Burn Technology
New technologies are being constantly introduced in new automobiles and enhanced versions of current models. Lean burn combustion has been developed by many manufacturers. Until recently the EU discouraged the development of this technology in favour of “greener” TWC technology and lean burn has been further disadvantaged because it cannot currently meet NOx emissions limits without compromising energy efficiency.
A potential solution, The NOx Reduction Catalyst, looks like solving the ammonia (NH3) emissions problem and further stimulating the market for lean burn.
The company's palladium/zinc technology has a novel characteristic that lends itself to the conversion of NOx back into nitrogen and oxygen. Although the exact mechanism has yet to be understood and subject to a research programme there is independent experimental data to support the claim.
