New “Atom Abstraction” Strategy Promises Greener, More Efficient Propylene Production

A research team from Tianjin University in China has reported a groundbreaking advance that achieves nearly 100% utilization of platinum atoms in catalytic reactions. Catalysts, often referred to as the “heart” of the modern chemical industry, are indispensable in accelerating countless chemical reactions. Precious metals like platinum are among the most effective catalysts, but their scarcity and high cost make every atom invaluable.

Published in the prestigious journal Science, the team’s study, titled Full Utilization of Noble Metals by Atom Abstraction for Propane Dehydrogenation introduces an innovative “atom abstraction” strategy. This breakthrough holds the potential to transform global propylene production by making it both greener and more efficient.

Propylene, one of the world’s highest-volume chemicals, is a critical feedstock for plastics, rubber, fibers, pharmaceuticals and more. In 2023, China alone produced around 60 million metric tons, one third of global output, with a market value exceeding 600 billion RMB (or 84 billion USD). While propane dehydrogenation (PDH) has become a mainstream method for propylene production due to its economic and energy advantages, traditional catalysts suffer from low atomic utilization. Large numbers of precious metal atoms remain trapped inside catalyst particles, unable to participate in reactions, resulting in high costs, low efficiency, and sustainability challenges.

Led by Professor Jinlong Gong, Tianjin University’s team has developed a new catalyst design that selectively attracts platinum atoms from deep inside particles to the surface. This process achieves near-total exposure of platinum atoms to reactants, enabling almost complete atomic utilization. Experiments show the approach maintains high catalytic activity and long-term stability, while cutting platinum consumption by about 90% compared to conventional catalysts.

“This work not only realizes near-complete utilization of precious metal atoms but also opens a new paradigm for designing efficient catalysts,” said Professor Gong. “Our goal is to continue integrating fundamental research with industrial application, providing critical technologies for the green and low-carbon transformation of the chemical sector.”

The achievement addresses long-standing bottlenecks in the propylene industry, reducing reliance on scarce precious metals and lowering costs, while advancing greener, more efficient industrial processes. Analysts say the work places China at the forefront of advanced catalyst research and offers a potentially transformative path for the global chemical industry. 

By Eva Yin