en.Wedoany.com Reported - Researchers from the Samueli School of Engineering at UCLA have discovered that a novel copper-based single-atom alloy catalyst holds promise for optimizing the propylene production process, reducing energy consumption and operational costs. Propylene is a key feedstock for making polypropylene plastics. Current industrial methods are energy-intensive and catalysts are prone to degradation.

In a study published in the journal *Chem Catalysis*, Philippe Sautet and his team used computational modeling to design an alternative catalyst based on single-atom alloys. This material can improve the efficiency of propane dehydrogenation, reduce energy requirements, and inhibit carbon accumulation, thereby preventing process interruptions.

The researchers simulated structures where isolated atoms of hafnium or iridium were embedded in a copper-based alloy. The results showed their catalytic activity outperformed traditional platinum catalysts. Simulation analysis indicated that isolated metal atoms allow for more precise control over the activation of hydrogen-carbon bonds in propane, enhancing propylene selectivity.

Philippe Sautet stated, "Replacing platinum with these materials could enable more efficient production of propylene and hydrogen, while limiting coke formation."

The single-atom alloy structure, by dispersing small amounts of active metal on a copper surface, reduces side reactions and enhances process stability. Sautet explained, "These copper-based single-atom alloys work because of their structure. There is enough active metal to carry out the reaction, but not so much that it creates waste or unwanted byproducts."

These findings are based on computational predictions and require further experimental validation before industrial application. The study notes that past experiments have observed high selectivity in similar catalyst systems, supporting the feasibility of this approach, but scalability still needs to be assessed.

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