Chemical and Biological Sciences Research Highlights

Rapid Threading of Polymers through Mesoporous Silica for Bioinspired Catalytic Polymer Upcycling

We have proved that polyethylene (PE) threads into silica pores, demonstrated that pores induce all-anti conformation of PE, and described in-and-out polymer motion and its energetics.

Controlling Water-Surface Interactions Enhances Catalytic Performance in C-C Bond Forming Reactions

A new catalyst that allows using water instead of organic solvents in C-C bond forming reactions is presented. A simple method is developed for regulating the dielectric properties of solid-liquid interfaces. This approach can decrease the environmental impact of catalytic conversions.

Stability of metal-sulfur complexes on metal surfaces and ramifications for the fluxional dynamics of surfaces under reaction conditions

Theoretical analysis of the stability of M3S3 complexes on various metal M surfaces, and development of a framework to systematically compare this with the gas-phase behavior.

Localization-Based Super-Resolution Cellular Imaging with a Photoactivatable BODIPY Probe

Developed a boron-alkylated BODIPY single-molecule-localization-microscopy (SMLM) probe that is photoactivated with a single low-power visible laser. Nucleophile-containing compounds can be bound to the probe for super-resolution imaging of cellular structures.

microscopy of boron-alkylated BODIPY molecules

Pathway for C1 Conversion into Acetate Energy Carrier is Dictated by Kinetics in both Synthetic and Natural Systems

Metal acetate compounds mediate methane activation; this together with the new oxidative carbonylation suggests new approaches for CH4 utilization in chemical synthesis.

Dynamics of Reactant Binding at the Water-Solid Interface in Nanostructured Pd/CeO2 Catalyst

Understanding how reactants bind to active sites at solid-liquid interfaces is fundamental to guiding the design of new catalysts for conversions via low-energy pathways.

Spatial Distribution of Surface Functional Groups Revealed by DNP-enhanced Solid-State NMR

Understanding the atomic-scale distribution of surface-bound sites is of fundamental importance for rational design of catalysts and other functional materials, yet remained a challenge for spectroscopists.

Spatial distribution of molecules/sites on complex amorphous surface

Predictive Beyond-Mean-Field Rate Equations and Precise Energetics for Catalytic Surface Reactions

A long-standing challenge is the development of realistic molecular-level models for catalytic reactions on metal surfaces under low-pressure conditions. Here interactions between adsorbed reactant species produce subtle reactant adlayer ordering and also impact both (non-reactive) desorption and reaction kinetics.

New Capabilities Developed: Additive Manufacturing of Catalysts

Additive manufacturing enables the development of novel tools for catalysis science by combining customizable support architectures with a wide variety of chemical functionalities.