Catalysis: Hair Color Replaces Gold and Platinum

Fossil fuels will not be around forever. Researchers at the Johannes Kepler University have found a way to produce less costly artificial fuels.

[Translate to Englisch:] Philipp Stadler:„Wir haben bereits erfolgreich Materialien getestet." Credit: JKU/Stadler
[Translate to Englisch:] Philipp Stadler:„Wir haben bereits erfolgreich Materialien getestet." Credit: JKU/Stadler

Artificially produced fuels differ from conventional fuels due to their complex manufacturing process. Catalysts are required in order to produce a synthetic fuel. The metals that serve as catalysts - such as platinum or tungsten - are not easily available and can be costly. The international research project Sustainable Catalysis (SusCat) has found a way to produce cheaper and sustainable catalysts. The project leaders are Assistant Professor Philipp Stadler (Institute of Physical Chemistry) and the Japanese researcher Tsukasa Yoshida from the Yamagata University. "The idea is simple," explains Prof. Stadler, "we look at the solutions nature has already provided us with and, for example, incorporate catalytic sequences of enzymes in semiconductor polymers." Examples include natural coloring found in human hair.

This material is similar to the metallic catalysts and can be activated using electric current. Prof. Stadler is pleased with the results and added, "We have already successfully tested materials that are on par with metal systems. These materials can soon be used for various catalytic processes and can replace costly elements such as platinum or gold. "

That research project begins on May 1 and is the first joint project between the JKU and Yamagata University.