June 2023

CSI Communication
Monthly Newsletter of Catalysis Society of India
Circulated to all CSI Members

Important Announcement:

CSI newsletter shall be pleased to publish half a page write-up under the title, Centre of
Excellence in Catalysis Research in India from any Indian Academics, Research laboratories or
of Catalysis Society of India
Industrial organizations. You may send your brief write-up on your research activities to us
which will be published in coming issues of CSI.
You can also share your recent happy moments like publications, granted patents, technology
commercialization, fellowship, awards, etc. to highlight in the CSI communication.

Commercial & Policies

▪ India's crude oil demand growth to overtake China's by 2027: IEA

The growth in demand for oil in India will overtake that in China by 2027, said a report by the
International Energy Agency (IEA). The United States, China, and India are the world’s three
largest oil consumers in that order. China will in 2023 account for nearly 60 per cent of global
growth in oil demand.
Source: https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/india-to-overtake-china-as-world-
s-second-largest-oil-consumer-by-2027-iea-123061400601_1.html

▪ World's Largest Propane Dehydrogenation Unit

Honeywell announced that it will help SASA Polyester Sanayi A.Ş. to build the world's largest
Propane Dehydrogenation (PDH) unit in Turkey, usinng latest generation Honeywell Oleflex™
technology. The facility aims to produce 1 million tons of propylene per year. The Honeywell UOP
Oleflex™ process is used for the production of lightweight olefins from lightweight paraffin via
catalytic dehydrogenation, while providing a source from which polymer-quality propylene and
isobutylene can be obtained.
Source: Source: Honeywell 11/05/2023

▪ CO2-conversion catalyst for making ‘e-fuels’

Infinium (Sacramento, Calif.; www.infiniumco.com) recently announced that it has manufactured
ton-level quantities of a proprietary catalyst that is integral in the company’s process for making
liquid fuels from waste CO2 and hydrogen derived from renewable power. Infinium plans to
manufacture commercial volumes of CO2-derived diesel, aviation fuel and naphtha — known as
electrofuels (e-fuels) — starting at the end of 2023. The catalyst is a key technology for the first

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stage of the synthetic fuels process in which waste CO2 from an industrial point source, such as
an ethanol- or ammonia-production facility, is reduced to CO in a reverse water-gas-shift (RWGS)
reaction. The proprietary RWGS catalyst is now being manufactured in Infinium’s Sacramento
facility.
In the second stage of the liquid-fuels process, the CO from the first step undergoes a synthesis
reaction with renewably generated H2. Infinium also has developed a proprietary conversion
catalyst that is an alterative to traditional Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, and is specially engineered
to limit the formation of long hydrocarbon chains, keeping molecules in the range that can be
used for vehicle fuels. This second catalyst has been operated commercially in gas-to-liquids
(GTL) facilities and has been commercially manufactured for several years.

▪ This photocatalytic reactor system makes chemicals without fossil fuels

Syzygy has developed, scaled and integrated its core technologies, incubated at, and licensed
from, Rice University (Houston; www.rice.edu), into a universal photocatalytic reactor platform
(photo), which includes the Rigel photoreactor and the proprietary photocatalyst that enables
light-driven chemical reactions at unprecedented efficiency.
The breakthrough involves embedding a nanoparticle of a traditional catalyst material into the
surface of a larger, light-harvesting plasmonic nanoparticle. This two-part nanoparticle structure,
known an antenna-reactor complex, provides more efficient capture and transfer of light energy
to the reactive sites on the catalyst, effectively replacing the need for thermal energy from the
combustion of fossil fuels with light. They could replace traditional rare, expensive catalytic
metals, like ruthenium, with abundant, affordable light-reactive metals like iron.

Source: Syzygy Plasmonics

Rigel photoreactors feature a photocatalyst-filled sleeve surrounded by a light box. Each reactor
is fully contained in an outer shell. Banks of these reactors can be stacked to offer flexible
installation sizes ranging from 1 to 100 ton/d of product, such as H2, methanol and fuels.
Syzygy has three field trials planned for 2023, located in North Carolina, California and South
Korea. Last August, for example, the company announced a joint development agreement with
Lotte Chemical, Lotte Fine Chemical and Sumitomo Corp. of Americas to test a fully electric

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chemical reactor for clean hydrogen production. The reactor will be installed and brought online
in the second half of 2023 at Lotte facilities in Ulsan, South Korea.

▪ G20 policy paper moots global fund for EV battery mineral recycling capacity
As the demand for Lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) soars, a policy brief created for
an official engagement group of the G20 has suggested setting up a global fund to invest in
increasing recycling capacities.
Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/g20-policy-paper-moots-global-fund-
for-ev-battery-mineral-recycling-capacity/article66972186.ece

▪ Chemical firm Lubrizol to invest $150 mn to build CPVC resin plant in Gujarat
US-based specialty chemical company Lubrizol Corporation on Monday announced investment
commitments of over $150 million across several projects in its portfolio in the country. The
proposed investment will go into building the world's largest CPVC resin plant at Vilayat in Gujarat
in partnership with Grasim Industires; doubling its CPVC capacity at its Dahej Gujarat plant to 1.4
lakh tonne; opening a second grease lab in Navi Mumbai, the Berkshire Hathaway-owned
company said in a statement.
Source: https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/chemical-firm-lubrizol-to-invest-
150-mn-to-build-cpvc-resin-plant-in-guj-123061900465_1.html

▪ Sinopec Xinjiang Kuqa green hydrogen pilot project commences operation

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (HKG: 0386, "Sinopec") announced that the Green
Hydrogen Pilot Project ("Project") constructed by the company in Kuqa City of Aksu Prefecture,
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has commenced operation. Green hydrogen is produced by
facilities powered by renewable power sources such as solar and wind energy, minimizing the
carbon footprint across the entire production process. The Project takes advantage of
photovoltaic resources in Kuqa to achieve 20,000 tons per annum of green hydrogen by using
solar power to electrolyze water, along with the capacity to store 210,000 cubic meters of
hydrogen and transport 28,000 cubic meters per hour.
Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/sinopec-xinjiang-kuqa-green-
hydrogen-pilot-project-enters-operation-leading-chinas-green-hydrogen-development-
301868808.html

▪ Johnson Matthey partners with Diffusion Alloys to boost supply chain for low carbon
hydrogen
Johnson Matthey (JM) and Diffusion Alloys, a specialist diffusion coatings producer,
are partnering to scale-up production and enable the increasing demand for low-carbon
hydrogen used to reduce global carbon emissions. By partnering, JM and Diffusion Alloys will
share their areas of expertise and ensure a robust supply chain for the coated components
deployed in JM’s low- carbon (blue) hydrogen offering. Hydrogen corrosion (also called hydrogen
embrittlement), occurs when hydrogen atoms diffuse into a metal; diffusion coating puts a protective
layer on the surface of the metal to hinder the diffusion of hydrogen atoms into the metal lattice.

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Source:https://www.greencarcongress.com/2023/07/20230702-
jm.html#:~:text=02%20July%202023,to%20reduce%20global%20carbon%20emissions.

▪ LG Chem Starts Mass Production of Single-Crystal High-Nickel Cathodes in Korea

LG Chem announced that it has started Korea’s first-ever mass production of single-crystal high-
nickel cathodes for next-generation batteries. Production started on June 26, 2023, at the
company's cathode plant located in Cheongju so the first batches of new battery materials will
be sent to global clients starting in July. According to LG Chem, which stands behind the LG Energy
Solution battery manufacturer, single-crystal cathodes (made from single particles of several
metals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese) are essential for next gen batteries as they can
boost the battery lifespan by more than 30 percent and increasing the capacity by 10 percent or
more compared to the current solution.
Source: https://insideevs.com/news/674589/lg-chem-production-single-crystal-cathodes/

▪ LG Chem plan to expand carbon nanotube market

LG Chem announced that it has started construction of its fourth carbon nanotube (CNT) plant at
its its Daesan Complex. LG Chem’s CNT 4 Plant is slated for operation in 2025 and will contribute
to doubling LG Chem’s annual CNT production capability to 6,100 tons. Prior to this, LG Chem’s
1,200-tons CNT 3 Plant in Yeosu was also recently put into full operation, enabling LG Chem to
secure a total production of 2,900 tons/year, adding on to the existing 1,700 tons.
Source: https://insideevs.com/news/674589/lg-chem-production-single-crystal-cathodes/

▪ BASF opens battery materials production, recycling plant in German

BASF has officially opened its co-located battery material production and recycling facility in
Schwarzheide, Germany, marking what the German-based chemical and materials company says
is the first production facility for high-performance cathode active materials (CAM) in Germany
and the first fully automated large-scale CAM production facility in Europe.
Source: https://www.thediplomat.ro/2023/07/04/basf-opens-co-located-battery-materials-
and-recycling-center-in-germany/

Scientific Updates
▪ Selective production of ethylene glycol at high rate via cascade catalysis
Ethylene glycol is currently produced
via an energy intensive two step
thermocatalytic process that results in
substantial CO2 emissions. Sustainable
ethylene glycol production via ethylene
electro-oxidation powered by
renewable electricity is desirable;
however, direct ethylene electro-
oxidation suffers from unsatisfactory
product selectivity, particularly at high production rates. Cascade strategy for efficient and

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selective production of pure ethylene glycol solution under ambient conditions with no
detectable by-product formation is reported. Specifically, ethylene is converted to ethylene
glycol on a catalyst/solid-acid composite using electrochemically generated hydrogen peroxide
as the oxidant. Using an integrated solid-electrolyte reactor, high electron utilization efficiency
of 60–70% at industrially relevant current densities (100–500 mA cm−2) for ethylene glycol
production with full product selectivity (~100%) is achieved.
Source: Nature Catalysis, 2023, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-023-00977-6
▪ Methyl formate as a hydrogen energy carrier
Industrially available bulk chemical (methyl formate, MF) is proposed as an efficient
and practical hydrogen storage material. Utilizing appropriate catalysts, hydrogen
production from MF is significantly faster than with other established chemical
hydrogen carriers, such as formic acid and methanol, under very mild conditions. The
optimized MF dehydrogenation system presented here is highly active (maximum
turnover frequency (TOFmax) > 44,000 h−1 and turnover number > 100,000) and
selective (CO undetectable). Moreover, the solvent-free MF dehydrogenation
demonstrates its application potential.
Source: Nature Catalysis, 2023, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-023-00959-8

▪ Role of Catalytic Conversions of Ethylene Carbonate, Water, and HF in Forming the Solid-
Electrolyte Interphase of Li-Ion Batteries
A detailed experimental and theoretical study of the
electrochemistry of ethylene carbonate (EC) and its
chemical relationship with trace amounts of water and
HF across a vast range of electrode materials, from well-
ordered single crystals to realistic graphite electrodes is
discussed. The electrocatalytic nature of EC, HF, and
water electroreductions at all interfaces, and unveil the
catalytic role of water in EC electroreduction is revealed.
Source: ACS Catalysis 2023 https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.3c01531

▪ Polarization Manipulation of NiO Nanosheets Engineered with Fe/Pt Single Atoms for High-
Performance Electrocatalytic Overall Alkaline Seawater Splitting
A strategy to modulate the anchored metallic
single atoms by manipulating the surface
polarization of the support, which is
demonstrated to be effective in designing
alkaline seawater electrocatalysts is reported.
Specifically, Mn doping in weak-polarized NiO
nanosheets is introduced to modulate its surface
polarization and thereby regulate the electronic
metal–support interaction between anchored
Pt/Fe single atoms and NiO support. The optimized Pt1/MnNiO||Fe1/MnNiO electrode pair

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exhibits superior overall alkaline seawater-splitting performance, achieving an impressive low
cell voltage of 1.44 V at a current density of 10 mA cm–2.
Source: ACS Catalysis https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.3c00915

▪ Single-Atom Fe Catalyst for Catalytic Ethane Dehydrogenation to Ethylene

A simple wet impregnation method was utilized
to synthetize of Fe−Al2O3 catalysts. The Fourier
transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
revealed that abundant OH group attached to
the support (Al2O3) surface facilitating formation
of isolated Fe single atom. High resolution
transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and
extended X-ray absorption fine structure
(EXAFS) confirmed the Fe single atom architecture. Fe−Al 2O3 (4.5 wt %) performed enhanced
stability and activity on ethane dehydrogenation reaction.
Source: Chem Cat Chem 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202201612

▪ Recent research advances on catalysts for selective hydrogenation of acetylene

Selective hydrogenation of ethyne to ethylene is of
great potential for large and medium-sized ethylene
plants. In the reaction of selective hydrogenation of
ethyne, catalysts play crucial roles in selectively
driving the target reaction while suppressing the
occurrence of side reactions. Up to now, a number of
catalysts have been designed for selective
hydrogenation of ethyne, which could roughly be
divided into Pd-based catalysts, Ni-based catalysts, IB
metal-based catalysts, bimetallic/trimetallic
catalysts, and others, according to the nature of the
active centers. The recent progress of these
categories of catalysts in selective hydrogenation of
ethyne is summarized in this work and the underlying reaction mechanism is unraveled, targeting
design of better catalysts for selective hydrogenation of ethyne and advancing this research field.
Source: Catalysis Science and Technology 2023, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CY00615H

Catalysis Research out of India

1. Ravi Ranjan, Jyoti Tekawadia, Ruchi Jain, Nitin B Mhamane, Thirumalaiswamy Raja,
Chinnakonda S Gopinath “Co3O4 for sustainable CO2 reduction and possible fine-tuning
towards selective CO production” Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 144459
2. Aniruddha Singha, Anil Chandra Kothari, Rajaram Bal, Biswajit Chowdhury, Dioxygen-
Triggered Oxidation of Benzylic C-H Bonds: Insight of the Synergistic Effect of Cu-Fe Bimetallic
Oxide, Reaction Chemistry & Engineering, 2023, DOI:10.1039/D3RE00116D

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3. Priyanka V Jawale, Bhalchandra M Bhanage “Carbonylative Self‐Coupling of Aryl Boronic Acids
Using a Confined Pd Catalyst within Melamine Dendron and Fibrous Nano‐Silica: A CO
Surrogate Approach” Chemistry–A European Journal, 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202301381
4. Babak Jaleh, Aida Moradi, Mahtab Eslamipanah, Sadegh Khazalpour, Haniyeh Tahzibi, Saeid
Azizian, Manoj B Gawande, “Laser-assisted synthesis of Au NPs on MgO/chitosan:
Applications in electrochemical hydrogen storage, Journal of Magnesium and Alloys, 2023
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jma.2023.05.003
5. Rahul P Gaikwad, Arun D Kute, Manoj B Gawande, “Strategies for the Preparation of
Nanocatalysts and Supports Under Solvent‐Free Conditions” Solvent‐Free Methods in
Nanocatalysis: From Catalyst Design to Applications, 31-68, 2023, Wiley‐VCH GmbH
6. Arjun K Manal, Ganapati V Shanbhag, Rajendra Srivastava, “Design of a Bifunctional Catalyst
by Alloying Ni with Ru-Supported H-Beta for Selective Hydrodeoxygenation of Bisphenol A
and Polycarbonate Plastic Waste” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2023, 338, 123021
7. Rochak Mittal, Vivek Ranade, “Bioactives from microalgae: A review on process
intensification using hydrodynamic cavitation” Journal of Applied Phycology, 2023, 1129-
1161
8. Sujanya Maria Ruban, Kavitha Ramadass, Gurwinder Singh, Siddulu Naidu Talapaneni, Gunda
Kamalakar, Chandrakanth Rajanna Gadipelly, Lakshmi Kantham Mannepalli, Yoshihiro Sugi,
Ajayan Vinu.” Organocatalysis with carbon nitrides” Science and Technology of Advanced
Materials, 2023, 2188879
9. Rakhi Vishwakarma, Chathakudath P Vinod, Virendra Rathod, Mannepalli Lakshmi Kantam,
“Wadsworth–Emmons Reaction by Using the Fluorapatite Catalyst: Kinetic Studies” Industrial
& Engineering Chemistry Research, 2023, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2023, 62, 20, 7901–7911
10. Rakhi Vishwakarma, C. P. Vinod, Virendra Rathod, Lakshmi Kantam Mannepalli,” Imine Oxidation
Catalysed by Zinc Hydroxyapatite: Kinetic Studies” 2023
https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202203503
11. Dhananjay S Doke, Mohan K Dongre, Shubhangi B Umbarkar, “Dehydration of Lactate to Acrylate
Using Alkaline Earth Metal Modified Hydroxyapetite” Catalysis Letters, 2023
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10562-023-04329-8

▪ Upcoming Symposium/Conferences/Seminars

1. SusChemE 2.0, International Conference on Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2023 is

being organized in Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) Mumbai, India along with the
Catalysis Society of India during 14th-16th September 2023.
2. Indian Membrane Society is organizing an International Conference on “Membrane based
Separations: Past, Present & Future” during 16th -18th October 2023 at MS University of
Baroda along with CSIR-CSMCRI, Bhavnagar.
3. 6th International Oil & Gas Chemistry, Chemicals & Additives Conference (IOGCA 2023) from
12-13th September 2023 at Ahmedabad http://oilfieldchemical.org/
4. 15th European congress on Catalysis [ Europacat-15] Prague, Czech Republic, August 27 –
September 1, 2023. https://www.europacat2023.cz/

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5. International Conference on Organometallics and Catalysis from 30th – 2nd Nov 2023 at Goa,
India https://www.icoc2023.com
6. 2nd International Conference on Catalysis and Chemical Engineering, November 09-10, 2023
Millennium Hotel Paris Charles De Gaulle, Paris, France
https://scisynopsisconferences.com/catalysis/
7. 9th Conference of the Federation of the European Zeolite Associations (FEZA 2023) Portorož-
Portorose, Slovenia 02nd - 06 July 2023 https://www.feza2023.org/en/
8. 4th International, Refinery & Petrochemical Technology, Conference & Exhibition on 8th & 9th
August 2023 in New Delhi.
9. International Catalysis Conference ICC 2023 from 15th-17th September 2023 at Miami USA
https://www.catalysisworldconference.com/
10. 17th Edition of International Conference on Catalysis, Chemical Engineering and Technology”
(Catalysis 2023) will be hosted as Hybrid Event during October 26th-28th, 2023, at Boston,
Massachusetts, USA.

Announcements
▪ CSI welcome the following newly joined life members

Sr. No. Member Name Life Membership Number

1 Smt. Nandana Chakinala LM1088
2 Dr. Nitin Chaudhari LM1089
3 Dr. Eramoni Saikia M1090
4 Dr. Sushant Kumar LM1091
5 Dr. Anubendu Adhikary LM1092
6 Dr. Yuvaraj Gangarajula LM1093
7 Dr. Bitupon Borthakur LM1094
8 Dr. Arun Kumar LM1095
9 Kum. Minu Kumari LM1096
10 Dr. Soyebkhan Pathan LM1097
11 Dr. N. Manikanda Prabu LM1098
12 Dr. Govindhan Perumal LM1099
13 Dr. Ujjwal Pal LM1100
14 Shri. KARTHIKEYAN C LM1101
15 Dr. Sreekala Rugmini LM1102

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▪ CSI Congratulates the following CSI members on the recognition they have received recently.

Name Achievement
Padma Shri Professor 1) Inducted as a Fellow of the US
Ganapati D. Yadav, FTWAS, National Academy of Inventors (INA) in
FNA, FNASc, FRSC (UK), Washington DC on June 27, 2023.
FIChemE (UK), FIIChE 2) Declared Second Nagarjun Award by
Emeritus Professor of Hindu Research Foundation bestowed on
Eminence & Former Vice him in Nagpur on October 29, 2023.
Chancellor & R.T. Mody
Distinguished Professor J.C.
Bose National Fellow (Govt. of India),
ICT Mumbai

❖ Quote of the Month

Editorial Team
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal:
it is the courage to continue that counts." Dr. Sharad Lande
- Winston Churchill
Dr. Raksh Vir Jasra

Disclaimer: The information presented in this newsletter is published in open domain

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