Congratulations to Prof. Edman Tsang Shik-chi, Prof. Benedict Lo Tsz-woon, and Dr Li Guangchao of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology on publishing a paper in Science titled “Atomic Locations and Adsorbate Interactions of Al Single and Pair Sites in H-ZSM-5 Zeolite”.
Zeolites are essential in the petrochemical industry, but their atomic mysteries of aluminum location as active sites have long puzzled scientists. A groundbreaking study from researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Oxford University has finally shed light on the elusive locations of aluminum atoms within zeolite structures. By utilizing synchrotron resonant soft X-ray diffraction (RSXRD) alongside molecular adsorption methods, the team has mapped the precise locations of ‘single’ and ‘paired’ aluminum atoms. This pivotal discovery paves the way for the design of more efficient and targeted zeolite catalysts, enhancing chemical production processes to be faster, more energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. The implications stretch far beyond petrochemicals, promising advancements in renewable energy and pollution control. This research, published in Science on January 24, 2025, heralds a new era of smarter, greener chemical manufacturing.
To read the article in Science, please visit here.
