IIT Guwahati’s New ‘Pincer Catalyst’

Recently, IIT Guwahati announced that its researcher has developed a new catalyst for Clean: Hydrogen Production from Wood Alcohol.

About the Development

  • Developed by: Researchers at IIT Guwahati
  • Use: Catalyst for clean hydrogen production

Key Point

  • Researchers at IIT Guwahati led by Akshai Kumar A.S., Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry have developed a new catalyst for clean hydrogen production from wood alcohol with no side production of carbon dioxide.
  • The chemical reaction also produces Formic acid as a byproduct which is a major industrial chemical.
  • This new catalyst has a pincer (crab-like) design hence the name.
What are Catalyst?

  • Catalysis is the process of increasing the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a substance known as a catalyst.
  • Catalysts are not consumed in the reaction and remain unchanged after it.