Expanding the Boundaries of Catalysis: sub-ambient temperature redox behaviour of metallozeolites

Metal-containing zeolites are robust, tunable materials widely applied in catalysis. Our recent discovery of unexpected redox activity in Fe-zeolites at sub-ambient temperatures (below 20 °C) reveals a previously unrecognized phenomenon. This low-temperature reactivity, confirmed in collaboration with the Wakihara Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, is observed in the -90 to 50 °C range and challenges established views in zeolite chemistry. Such behavior enables new opportunities in cryogenic applications relevant to space technology, energy systems, and environmental solutions. Despite the inherent challenges of sub-ambient analysis, such as condensation and reduced kinetics, targeted experimental strategies have enabled reliable characterization. Only some type of iron species seems to be active under these conditions, prompting further investigation. This proposal aims to explore this unique redox behavior to design next-generation materials operable in extreme environments.