Professor Aditya Bhan, Distinguished Professor University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and his research team have developed a new method for selectively combusting individual molecules in hydrocarbon mixtures. This advancement could transform industrial chemical processes by improving energy efficiency and reducing pollutant emissions. The research, demonstrates a catalyst-driven approach that targets specific molecules without affecting others in complex mixtures, offering potential applications in fuel production, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers.
Jacob, M., Nguyen, H., Raj, R., Garcia-Barriocanal, J., Hong, J., Perez-Aguilar, J. E., Hoffman, A. S., Mkhoyan, K. A., Bare, S. R., Neurock, M., & Bhan, A. (2025). Selective chemical looping combustion of acetylene in ethylene-rich streams. Science, 387(6735), 744–749. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ads3181
In conventional combustion, hydrocarbons are typically burned indiscriminately at high temperatures to generate heat. This approach is energy-intensive and inefficient when the goal is to remove trace contaminants. Bhan’s team demonstrated that a bismuth oxide catalyst can selectively combust acetylene molecules in the presence of ethylene, a process that is particularly relevant for polyethylene production. Polyethylene manufacturing often requires the removal of trace acetylene to prevent catalyst poisoning, and current methods to achieve this are energy-demanding.
Aditya Bhan, a Distinguished professor at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities stated,
“No one else has shown that you could combust one hydrocarbon present in low concentrations, in mixtures with others”.
The bismuth oxide catalyst operates through chemical looping, supplying its own oxygen for combustion rather than relying on external oxygen sources. In this process, the catalyst releases oxygen to burn targeted molecules and can then be reoxidized for repeated cycles without significant loss of activity. This approach not only enables selective combustion but also mitigates flammability risks associated with conventional methods. Matthew Jacob, a chemical engineering Ph.D. candidate and first author of the study, explained that the catalyst can repeatedly provide oxygen and maintain reactivity, making it an efficient and controllable tool for industrial applications.
The selective combustion method has broader implications for industries that rely on catalytic processes. Removing small concentrations of specific hydrocarbon contaminants has traditionally been challenging and energy-intensive. The ability to target individual molecules without affecting the surrounding mixture could lead to more energy-efficient production processes for plastics, fuels, and chemicals. Professor Matthew Neurock, senior co-author of the study, emphasized that this technique allows manufacturers to remove contaminants in a gas mixture selectively, without interfering with other valuable molecules, which could improve overall process efficiency.
Beyond practical applications, the study provides new insights into catalyst behavior at a molecular level. Simon Bare, a Distinguished Scientist at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and co-author of the research, highlighted that understanding how molecules interact with catalyst surfaces can inform the design of more efficient catalysts across a range of chemical processes. The research demonstrates that catalysts can be adapted to target specific reactions, improving not only energy efficiency but also sustainability in industrial chemical production.
The study was conducted collaboratively with researchers including Huy Nguyen, Rishi Raj, Javier Garcia-Barriocanal, Jiyun Hong, Jorge E. Perez-Aguilar, Adam S. Hoffman, and K. Andre Mkhoyan. Their combined expertise in chemical engineering, materials science, and catalysis allowed the team to investigate both the practical and theoretical aspects of selective chemical looping combustion.
As industries seek methods to reduce energy consumption and minimize environmental impact, innovations like this one highlight the value of fundamental research in chemistry and materials science. By understanding the molecular-level interactions that govern catalysis, researchers can develop smarter, more sustainable industrial processes, advancing both efficiency and environmental responsibility.
This breakthrough in selective combustion is likely to influence future research in catalysis, fuel processing, and chemical manufacturing, providing a model for how precision at the molecular level can translate into substantial improvements in large-scale industrial operations.
Adrian graduated with a Masters Degree (1st Class Honours) in Chemical Engineering from Chester University along with Harris. His master’s research aimed to develop a standardadised clean water oxygenation transfer procedure to test bubble diffusers that are currently used in the wastewater industry commercial market. He has also undergone placments in both US and China primarely focused within the R&D department and is an associate member of the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
