Net Zero Transition: Possible Implications for Catalysis

Abstract

This Viewpoint discusses the implications of the net zero energy transition on traditional chemical feedstocks and catalytic elements. While the full impact of the upcoming changes is difficult to assess, some trends from scenarios already underway can be mapped. For example, a steady growth in electric passenger vehicles will diminish transportation-related petroleum refining output, which could then create chemical feedstock gaps and changes in the supply/demand dynamics of certain critical metals. These impacts could present unexpected opportunities for emerging feedstocks such as biomass, sequestered CO2, and recycled carbon to bridge the supply gaps, even within the next decade. Further, catalytic metals such as Pd, Rh, and Pt will be displaced from petroleum refining and automotive exhaust catalytic converter applications and potentially become more available for producing chemicals and aviation fuels from emerging feedstocks. At the same time, metals such as Co and Ni, which are currently considered to be earth abundant, will face increasing demand in energy storage applications and thus could become less attractive for catalytic applications. The availability of carbon-free hydrogen and oxygen will facilitate the march toward decarbonization of the chemical industry. Finally, the enormity of displaced petroleum refining assets offers the possibility of repurposing some of them to process emerging feedstocks. These disruptions will have profound implications in future catalysis research and must be considered for a well-guided transition toward industrial sustainability.

Perspectives from the 2022 Cohort of the American Chemical Society Summer School on Green Chemistry & Sustainable Energy

“…For example, complementary characterization strategies and catalyst evaluation studies can be used to provide insights into how synthetic strategies can maximize the proportion of the catalytically active and selective sites in catalyst materials . In addition, the energy transition will impact traditional chemical feedstocks as well as the metals used for various catalytic applications and future catalysis research should evolve toward addressing some of the challenges posed by emerging feedstocks such as biomass and recycled plastics . For example, in biomass upgrading, catalyst evaluation should be conducted under conditions that minimize leaching of metals into the postreaction solution and reactor design approaches that enable effective catalyst and thermal energy use can improve the greenness of catalytic processes .…”

Defining and Advancing Sustainable Chemistry: A Discussion around the Recent National Science and Technology Council Report

“…Acquiring meaningful metrics for sustainable chemistry requires trusted data supported by Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse (FAIR) principles for equal access and reproducible results. Going forward, reliable data on the demand/supply dynamics of metals used in renewable energy generation and energy storage, and their toxicity, will be especially critical for overall process sustainability analysis. Sustainable chemistry innovations will likely arise from the knowledge discoveries made by both humans and machines utilizing multiple data sets over different sectors; this naturally leads to the greater need to foster connections between chemists and data scientists.…”

Transitioning towards Net-Zero Emissions in Chemical and Process Industries: A Holistic Perspective

“…Process optimization and advanced catalysts. Improving the efficiency of chemical processes and developing advanced catalysts [124,125], can reduce energy consumption and emissions through increased conversion and selectivity and milder operating conditions with respect to temperature and pressure. Optimization techniques, for example process intensification [126,127] and heat integration [128], enhance the overall energy efficiency and sustainability of chemical production.…”