Chemical engineering articles from across Nature Portfolio

The behaviour of nanoconfined water can be very different from that of the bulk and is challenging to understand at a molecular level. Now, molecular simulations and kinetic experiments provide insight into the increased activity of hydronium ions in water nanoconfined within zeolite pores.

A microlithography technique can be used to create pixelated silicone-integrated hole transport layers for high-density organic light-emitting diodes that can reduce electrical crosstalk and improve luminance and efficiency.

Supported noble metal catalysts are widely applied in hydrogenation catalysis but are limited by their high costs and susceptibility to sintering. Now, a nanoscale confinement strategy is developed to stabilize few-atom platinum clusters, preserving their nuclearity and catalytic activity under harsh reaction conditions.

The selective and rapid reduction of nitrate at low concentration is technically challenging. Here, the authors report an electrified membrane loaded with Sn pair-atom catalysts that realizes near-complete removal of 10 mg-N/L nitrate and ~100% N₂ selectivity during electro-filtration.

Non-thermal plasma offers a remarkable alternative to traditional catalysis methods, meeting the rising demands for essential chemicals like fertilizers and fuels. This Comment explores how this approach can support sustainability goals by promoting economic growth, and decentralizing chemical production processes.

The behaviour of nanoconfined water can be very different from that of the bulk and is challenging to understand at a molecular level. Now, molecular simulations and kinetic experiments provide insight into the increased activity of hydronium ions in water nanoconfined within zeolite pores.

Linda Brösgen describes the use of characterization techniques in paired flow electrosynthesis for coproducing bio-based polymers and green hydrogen.

As customer-driven demand for sustainable solutions increases, so does the clamor for more efficient post-consumer plastic recycling methods. While recycling reactor conditions can be explored experimentally, it is advantageous to employ in silico methods. This Comment focuses on detailed mechanistic approaches for modeling the depolymerization of plastics, the current state of this field and the directions it should take.

Sujit Datta demonstrates how scaling arguments, thermodynamics and transport phenomena can be deployed to describe the motion of microbial collectives.

A microlithography technique can be used to create pixelated silicone-integrated hole transport layers for high-density organic light-emitting diodes that can reduce electrical crosstalk and improve luminance and efficiency.