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Ruthenium-catalyzed amide reduction to amines under mild conditions
- By Frontis Energy
- 24/04/2026
- 0 comments
DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.30340.08323 Converting amides into primary amines is a seemingly simple reaction that has frustrated chemists for decades. Amides are everywhere: in pharmaceuticals, polymers, agrochemicals, and biological systems. However, their remarkable stability makes them notoriously resistant to selective reduction. Traditional routes often require harsh conditions, multi‑step sequences, or indirect detours via nitriles or activated intermediates. In a recent Nature Communications article, researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis in Rostock, Germany, report a general..
Life cycle analysis of natural graphite
- By Frontis Energy
- 11/03/2026
- 0 comments
DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.19123.59682 For the production of lithium-ion batteries, lithium is a crucial raw material, but also graphite. The widespread use of graphite is attributed to its low price, natural availability, high energy and power density, and long lifespan. This makes graphite a very advantageous choice for anodes in lithium-ion batteries. As alternatives to lithium-graphite anodes, silicon anodes have been explored in recent years due to their high theoretical capacity, availability, and low cost. However, issues such as volumetric expansion and reliability reduce the chan..
Electrochemical formate as precursor for microbial ectoine
- By Frontis Energy
- 23/02/2026
- 0 comments
DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.12412.71044 Ectoine is a valuable raw material for the cosmetics industry and is used in day creams and for UV protection. Its synthesis involves several chemical transformations based on complex raw materials, which makes its production expensive. In the search for simpler raw materials, CO₂ is particularly interesting. Among the emerging strategies for utilizing CO₂ as a raw material, its electrochemical reduction into fuels and other raw materials has gained significant attention. In an earlier article, we had already reported on our own experiments. One of the ea..
Ammonia electrosynthesis in a palladium membrane flow cell
- By Frontis Energy
- 30/01/2026
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Ammonia (NH₃) is a crucial raw material for fertilizer production and a potential renewable, carbon-free energy storage solution. It is produced in the Haber-Bosch process using natural gas (CH4). During this process, natural gas is converted into hydrogen (H₂) and CO₂ by steam reforming. The Haber-Bosch process accounts for approximately 1-3% of global CO₂ emissions. This method requires stable energy supply and CAPEX intensive facilities, leading to highly centralized ammonia production. In contrast, alternative electrochemical pathways for ammonia production represent sustainable and decent..
Polyelectrolyte coatings for ion-exchange membranes in electrodialysis
- By Frontis Energy
- 12/01/2026
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DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.20145.13929 Ion exchange membranes are key components for various electrochemical technologies in water treatment and energy storage, such as electrodialysis, membrane electrolysis, and flow batteries. These membranes are characterized by a high concentration of charged groups, which can be either cationic (positively charged) or anionic (negatively charged). The function of an ion exchange membrane is to facilitate the transport of counterions while limiting the loss of water and co-ions. The efficiency of cation exchange membranes is affected by unwanted co-ion and..
Sulfonated clay and carbon nanotubes Nafion™-based proton exchange membranes
- By Frontis Energy
- 23/12/2025
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The demand for sustainable energy has accelerated the development of electrochemical systems for energy conversion. This includes, in particular, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). PEMFCs offer numerous advantages, including high energy density, low operating temperatures, fast start-up times, and compact design. These characteristics make them especially suitable for mobile and decentralized energy applications. The development of high-performance proton exchange membranes is crucial for the advancement of fuel cell technology, particularly under demanding operating conditions. ..
Conducting polymers for sustainable water treatment and energy
- By Frontis Energy
- 11/12/2025
- 0 comments
DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.13132.07045 Carbon based materials have a broad range of applications such as energy storage and conversion, electronics, nanotechnology, water purification, and catalysis. They are made of an element which is available everywhere. In recent times, the electrochemical features of carbon-based electrodes are being enhanced by using conducting polymers. Carbon cloth, woven from carbon microfibers, serves as a promising carbon-based electrode, which acts as a durable and cost-effective medium for facilitating electrochemical reactions that degrade pollutants and improve..
Stability of anion exchange membranes for electrolysis
- By Frontis Energy
- 01/12/2025
- 0 comments
DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.18396.65927 Energy security and climate change are among the greatest challenges of our time. To reduce dependence on fossil fuels, renewable energy sources are emerging as key solutions for sustainable energy production. To this end, scalable solutions are essential for storing and transporting renewable energy. Hydrogen produced in water electrolyzers and reconverted into electricity in fuel cells can help balance the seasonal variability of renewable energy. Fuel cells have the potential to significantly contribute to the decarbonization of the transport sect..
Advancing wastewater sustainability: Nafion™-powered ammonium recovery
- By Chizoba Ezugwu
- 25/10/2025
- 0 comments
DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.24268.68488 With global population growth and the resulting increase in environmental stress, the need for sustainable wastewater treatment is becoming ever more urgent. Traditional methods focus on removing pollutants but often overlook the opportunity to recover valuable resources. One such resource is ammonium. This nitrogen-containing molecule promotes growth and is a key component of fertilizers. When mishandled, such as through over-fertilization, ammonium becomes one of the main contributors to nitrogen pollution. A promising solution lies in bioelectrical sys..
Rainwater Harvesting for a Circular Economy in Water Management
- By Chizoba Ezugwu
- 26/09/2025
- 0 comments
Water is not only a vital resource, but also indispensable for agriculture, industry, public health, and urban infrastructure. However, this essential resource is increasingly under pressure worldwide. Climate change, population growth, and poor management practices have led to reduced water availability and declining quality. Extreme weather events such as droughts, heatwaves, and falling river levels are occurring more frequently, threatening ecosystems, food production, and economic stability. In response, governments, researchers, and businesses are developing innovative strategies to prot..