Researchers claim chemistry breakthrough for environmental cleanup

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University today said they’ve discovered small molecule catalysts that offer strong potential for cleaning up toxic substances like waste water and fuel.

The research team says it has characterized catalysts known as Tetra-Amido Macrocyclic Ligands (TAMLs) and claim they have big potential for replacing industrial practices used in remediating environmental problems. Today, there's a shortage of highly effective solutions for remediating polluted environments, according to researchers.

Terry Collins, Thomas Lord Professor of Chemistry and director of the Center for Green Science at Carnegie Mellon presented his team's research findings today at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia.

In the research lab, these Fe-TAMLs demonstrated a high degree of effectiveness in cleaning waste water from textile manufacturing, reducing fuel pollutants as well as treating pulp and paper processing byproducts.

Researchers say these green catalysts are mimics of peroxidase enzymes. When these enzymes are combined with hydrogren peroxide, they are able to convert harmful pollutants into less toxic substances.

The catalysts are comprised of basic elements such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen and surround a reactive iron core of Fe-TAMLs. Another benefit of this composition is strong chemical bonds can’t apparently be easily broken by highly reactive oxygen intermediaries formed during the reaction with hydrogen peroxide.

The researchers say that by understanding the basic mechanics of oxidation reactions, they’re able to tune the catalysts for even better performance.

Cleantech developments making news in the past 24 hours

• Qteros claims 15-fold improvements in cellulosic ethanol yield
• Solairedirect raises €20M to move into commercial solar
• Intel, Numonyx open $20M water treatment plant in Israel
• Booming data-center business creates troubles for India

View the last week of cleantech developments here | Subscribe to full feed