Led by Prof. Matthew Rosseinsky (University of Liverpool) & Prof. Graham Hutchings (Cardiff University)
The project “Exploiting the New CORE Effect for Enhanced Catalysis”, led by Matthew Rosseinsky (University of Liverpool) and Graham Hutchings (Cardiff University), will develop a transformative approach to redox catalysis based on the recently discovered cooperative redox enhancement (CORE) effect.
CORE arises from electronic interactions between distinct metal nanoparticles supported on conducting materials, enabling efficient electron transfer between catalytic sites, and significantly enhancing reaction rates while reducing energy demand. Building on this breakthrough, the project aims to design next-generation catalysts that couple thermochemical and electrochemical processes, targeting more efficient and sustainable oxidation reactions central to chemical manufacturing. By focusing on support conductivity—particularly through tailored modification of TiO₂ via doping and defect control—the team will systematically tune electronic properties to optimise catalyst performance and unlock new pathways for challenging transformations, including CO₂ conversion to higher-value chemicals.
The programme combines materials discovery, catalyst synthesis, advanced characterisation and reaction testing across Liverpool and Cardiff, creating a powerful platform to understand and exploit the CORE phenomenon. Iterative development will link support design, nanoparticle interfaces, and catalytic function, supported by high-throughput synthesis and emerging predictive modelling approaches to accelerate discovery. By extending CORE-enabled catalysts across a range of gas-phase small-molecule transformations, the project will establish a new paradigm for catalyst design that integrates electronic structure control with scalable materials engineering. Closely aligned with the Hub’s Net Zero and Sustainability themes, this ambitious collaboration has the potential to deliver step-change improvements in energy efficiency and enable new routes to low-carbon chemical production.
