Themed collection 25 years of The Netherlands’ Catalysis and Chemistry Conference (NCCC)
Best-of-both-worlds computational approaches to difficult-to-model dissociation reactions on metal surfaces
To achieve chemical accuracy methods for dissociative chemisorption on metals must use adjustable hybrid density functionals fitted to barriers computed with first principles methods, and dynamics methods accurately describing non-adiabatic effects.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 480-506
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC06004K
A mini review on aromatization of n-alkanes
React. Chem. Eng., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00384E
The effect of polyunsaturation – insights into the hydroformylation of oleochemicals
2Analytic evidence is given on how polyunsaturated fatty acids considerably reduce the activity of the homogeneously catalysed hydroformylation of technical-grade oleochemicals.
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2024,14, 5551-5558
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CY00839A
Probing machine learning models based on high throughput experimentation data for the discovery of asymmetric hydrogenation catalysts
High-throughput experimentation and computational chemistry were used to build machine learning models for Rh-catalyzed asymmetric olefin hydrogenation, identifying numerous factors affecting the accuracy of selectivity and reactivity predictions.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 13618-13630
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC03647F
Genesys-Cat: automatic microkinetic model generation for heterogeneous catalysis with improved Bayesian optimization
Genesys-Cat facilitates automated microkinetic model development for catalytic reactions based on a rule-based reaction network generator and enhanced Bayesian optimization.
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2025,15, 750-764
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CY01344A
Selective catalytic hydrogenation of C2H2 from plasma-driven CH4 coupling without extra heat: mechanistic insights from micro-kinetic modelling and reactor performance
Selective C2H4 synthesis from a nanosecond pulsed CH4 plasma followed by catalytic C2H2 hydrogenation: micro-kinetic modelling and reactor performance.
EES. Catal., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EY00203B
Unravelling the deactivation of CuZnO-based catalysts at the industrial scale: a micro to macro scale perspective
Minimizing pressure drop is essential for high productivity, energy efficiency, and catalyst longevity in hydrogenation reactors, shown in a downflow adiabatic reactor with corresponding inlet and outlet temperatures.
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CY01323A
Structural contributions of Zn in enhancing CO2 hydrogenation to methanol over ZnxZrOy catalysts
While Zn and Zr are selective towards CO production, the addition of Zn to ZrO2 shifts the selectivity to methanol by inducing a phase transformation from tetragonal to cubic ZrO2, enhancing methanol synthesis efficiency in CO2 hydrogenation.
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2025,15, 563-579
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CY01175A
The influence of size, metal loading and oxygen vacancies on the catalytic performance of Au/CeO2−x in the sunlight-powered reverse water gas shift reaction
This study reports the conversion of CO2 and H2 to CO and H2O at low temperature and low pressure (up to 203 °C, p = 3.5 bar) using plasmonic Au/CeO2−x photocatalysts, with mildly concentrated sunlight as the sole energy source (up to 9 kW m−2).
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2025,15, 486-500
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CY01194E
Relationship between Lewis acid sites and carbohydrate reactivity over Sn-β catalysts
Sn-β is a promising Lewis acid zeolite for carbohydrate conversion.
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2025,15, 396-404
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CY01147C
An exploration of the electrocatalytic activity of nickel boride nanocrystals in the oxidation of 5-HMF
The inherent electrocatalytic activity of nickel boride nanocrystals was investigated in the electrochemical oxidation of a bio-based platform chemical as hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) to a valuable product as furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA).
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2025,15, 457-475
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CY01220H
Insight into the influence of Re and Cl on Ag catalysts in ethylene epoxidation
Crystalline AgReO4 was formed in Re-promoted Ag catalysts. The effect of Re on catalysis and EO isomerization was tested without and with the industrially relevant ethyl chloride. EO isomerization was greatly affected by both Re and Cl.
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2025,15, 323-333
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CY00858H
Evaluating the electronic structure and stability of epitaxially grown Sr-doped LaFeO3 perovskite alkaline O2 evolution model electrocatalysts
O2 evolution activity of La1−xSrxFeO3 depends on the presence of hole states below the conduction-band-minimum, whose stability is compromised by Sr-leaching.
RSC Appl. Interfaces, 2025,2, 122-129
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LF00260A
GOCIA: a grand canonical global optimizer for clusters, interfaces, and adsorbates
A versatile, general-purpose, and efficient grand canonical global optimizer for clusters, interfaces, and adsorbates.
Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2025,27, 696-706
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CP03801K
Evolution of Mo species and ZSM-5 microstructure with temperature and its impact on methane dehydroaromatisation activity
Wavelet analysis on Mo K-edge data from Mo-ZSM-5 reveals the presence of mononuclear sites after activation and subsequent zeolite collapse.
Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024,26, 30055-30065
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CP02949F
Molecular structure and composition elucidation of an industrial humin and its fractions
The structure of humins, a major side-product of carbohydrate biorefining, is complex and to a large extent unknown. A multitechnique characterization of an industrial humin provides new structural insights.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 7739-7751
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC00429A
Mechanistic understanding of the thermal-assisted photocatalytic oxidation of methanol-to-formaldehyde with water vapor over Pt/SrTiO3
Thermal-assisted photocatalytic methanol conversion with water vapour over Pt/SrTiO3 facilitates formaldehyde formation from surface-absorbed methoxy; formyl is the key intermediate in concurrent reactions, and formate poisons the catalyst.
Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024,26, 14960-14969
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CP01106F
About this collection
Since its birth, NCCC has served as the premier forum to discuss advancements in catalysis research and to foster a dynamic exchange of innovative ideas among academic and industrial scientists in The Netherlands and in Flanders, Belgium. It has a strong focus on young and upcoming researchers, bringing them into contact with the more established and experienced researchers in the field. This collection intends to showcase a variety of fundamental and applied catalysis research widely recognised by scientists worldwide as an extraordinary hub for catalysis that is driven jointly by a community of strong academic groups, industry and commercial activities. This collection covers the breadth of catalysis science & engineering.
Guest Edited by: Atsushi Urakawa (Technische Universiteit Delft), Petra De Jongh (Universiteit Utrecht), Pieter Bruijnincx (Universiteit Utrecht), Moniek Tromp (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen), Caroline Paul (Technische Universiteit Delft), Sammy Verbruggen (Universiteit Antwerpen) and Matthijs Ruitenbeek (Dow Benelux BV).