NanoSelect catalysts are characterized by unimodal metal particles on the nanometer scale. Reducing the size of metal particles to nanometers:
- Greatly increases the metal surface area available per gram of metal used
- Boosts the catalytic activity
- Demonstrates different catalytic behavior
For example, the NanoSelect catalysts Pt-100 and Pt-200 were specifically developed to perform selective nitro group reduction. This is achieved with at least 25% less Pt compared to the vanadium-promoted Pt catalyst systems while delivering similar selectivity towards selective amine production. Two other NanoSelect catalysts, i.e. Pt-110 and Pt-210, also provide high activity and selectivity in nitro group reductions and in addition prevent accumulation of hydroxylamine intermediates. In the field of Pd-based catalysts, the NanoSelect technology was used to develop LF-100 and LF-200 catalysts as eco-friendly, lead-free replacements of Lindlar catalysts. In addition to the fact that lead is not required anymore, also the Pd content is reduced by almost 90% while maintaining equal activity.