METAL MOLECULES AS DRIVERS OF CHANGE
Climate change is undoubtedly the biggest environmental challenge today and social concern is growing every year. In this context, the drive for a global economy that respects low greenhouse gas emissions and strives for climate neutrality is growing. Decarbonization plays a major role in this challenge, as it represents the reduction of carbon emissions into the atmosphere from different industrial processes. However, to decarbonize, it’s necessary to achieve the energy transition, a structural change that removes carbon from energy production. Thus, different industries are seeking to transform their production processes, reducing emissions and making them more sustainable and respectful of the climate challenge. Within this landscape, NANOGAP’s innovative Metal Molecules emerge as crucial allies in the energy revolution, assuming a pivotal role in leading the decarbonization sector.
THE PERFECT SUSTITUTE IN CATALYSIS
Metal Molecules based catalysts can replace conventional catalysts, to improve reaction rates and yields. But what exactly are catalysts? They are substances that expedite or speed up chemical reactions, rendering processes like oxidation, reduction, hydrogenation, or dehydrogenation notably more efficient. Due to the unique nature of Metal Molecules, different catalytic mechanisms are possible including thermo-catalytic, photo-catalytic and electro-catalytic giving broad industrial applicability.
It’s quite remarkable that Metal Molecules can not only supplant traditional catalysts but also introduce new catalytic advantages making new reactions possible. This derives from the unique properties inherent in these NANOGAP -patented Metal Molecules, clusters of a few atoms in size, where the cluster’s shape and size hold greater significance than the choice of elements they are composed of. Therefore, the way in which they catalyze the reaction is also unique.
In this way, when they catalyze a reaction, Metal Molecules can, among other things, achieve lower activation energies, increase selectivity and the degree of conversion of reactants to products, and act at much lower temperatures and pressures than traditional catalysts with increased catalyst stability and lifetime. What does this have to do with the decarbonization process? Well, in many cases, Metal Molecule catalyst can be used in existing industrial processes, increasing efficiency and lowering energy consumption. They can also be used to develop completely new processes for production of 100% clean energy.
METAL MOLECULES AND CLEAN FUEL
A prime example of this is the production of 100% clean hydrogen by the company Hysun, where Metal Molecules play a fundamental role in its innovative technology. Hydrogen is one of the leading molecules in the decarbonization process, as it is a molecule with the ability to power a huge range of sectors, from transport to heating, everyday household appliances or industry. However, its large-scale industrial production is derived from natural gas, which entails high levels of greenhouse gas releases.
However, Hysun takes advantage of the catalytic activity of Metal Molecules to solve this problem and generate 100% clean hydrogen, whose production does not emit polluting gases and represents a clean and sustainable fuel. The thermo-photocatalytic process is based on solar concentrated sunlight converting water to very pure hydrogen.
In addition, the very high solar efficiency of Metal Molecules catalysts greatly reduces the costs of hydrogen production, making it possible for 100% clean hydrogen to compete in the market with grey hydrogen, but without the associated pollution. Metal Molecules thus ensure a sustainable fuel alternative that is just as economical as those that are not.
There is no doubt that the transformative potential of Metal Molecules goes far beyond efficiency in industrial reactions; it represents a commitment to a future in which decarbonization is a palpable reality in all industries, driving a more environmentally aligned global economy.