High Throughput Catalyst Screening: Do not forget parallel synthesizers

Parallel synthesizers, in the context of catalyst research and development, refer to equipment or systems that allow for the simultaneous preparation and testing of multiple catalyst samples under controlled conditions. These synthesizers are particularly useful in the field of combinatorial chemistry and high-throughput experimentation. We at Amar have been producing a variety of models for this use case in Catalysis.

Catalysis is still both a science and an art. In spite of the best insights from theory and simulations catalysis researchers still need to create multiple formulations and actually test them to understand parameters such as yield and selectivity. Before the discovery of an optimal catalyst for processes such as reforming thousands of formulations may have to be tried. This process makes it a must to use high throughput strategies and our parallel synthesizer models form a crucial component in an experimental catalysis lab.

Instead of synthesizing and testing catalysts one at a time, researchers can use HTE approaches to rapidly screen a large number of catalyst candidates. Amar Parallel Synthesizers

are models that allow researchers to conduct multiple synthesis or testing reactions simultaneously, often in an array format. For catalyst synthesis, this might involve the simultaneous preparation of multiple solid catalyst samples with varying compositions.

Parallel synthesis strategies have several advantages:

• Efficiency: Reduces the time required for the discovery of new catalysts or optimization of existing ones.
• Consistency: Parallel synthesizers can ensure that each sample is treated under the same conditions, which is crucial for comparative studies. E.g., the same hydrogen pressure or Temperature conditions. Especially when testing catalysts from different vendors an exact apple-to-apples comparison is essential and fair. If there are variations in parameters over the course of an experiment it is essential that all catalyst samples are subject to the exact same variations.
• Automation: Some operations can be further automated with robotic intervention e.g., sampling or preparation, meaning they can be programmed to conduct a series of operations without manual intervention, further speeding up the research process. At Amar, we are still in development mode for such tools to be developed.

Typical application industries include petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and materials science. Parallel synthesizers are essential tools for researchers looking to optimize catalysts for specific reactions, improve selectivity, or increase catalyst longevity. Refer to our parallel synthesizers catalogue for further details.

Most experiments vary parameters such as those in the list below and look at comparative performance differences across catalysts. Parallel synthesizers can save huge amounts of effort and time when such a large set of parameters are under consideration.

• Catalyst composition e.g., metal ratios
• Effects of promoters or modifiers such as Rhenium, Cobalt, etc.
• Comparative Poison Resistance to Chlorine, Sulfur, etc.
• Support effects: e.g., changing support from alumina, silica, carbon, zeolites, and more.
• Activation / pre-treatment conditions: Before use, catalysts often undergo treatments such as calcination (heating in air/oxygen) or reduction (heating in hydrogen or another reducing agent). The conditions (temperature, duration, atmosphere) of these treatments can significantly influence catalyst behaviour.
• Particle sizes and pore structure.
• Reaction conditions e.g., T, P, gas ratios, etc., reaction time, etc.

Please subscribe to our mailing list to be notified of future blog posts that will go into the details of some of the above parameters and how they affect catalyst design.

Note that our parallel synthesizers can vary some of the above parameters but additional protocols may be needed for automating all the screening process. Typically, robots are required which are not yet available in the Amar profile of products.

Remember our in-house process experts have many years of catalysis experience and are always around to guide you. Please contact us for your next project. [email protected]