Nanodiamonds doped with palladium demonstrated high catalytic activity, particularly for tolane C=C and C≡C bond hydrogenation.

Nanoparticles consisting of nanodiamond cores and highly curved, defective graphitic shells show high catalytic activity and selectivity over a long period of time. In contrast to industrial Fe catalysts, steam decoking of the catalyst is not required. Credit: DS Su

Nanodiamonds were found 2.8 times more efficient than conventional potassium-iron catalyst for dehydrogenating ethylbenzene. Nanodiamond catalyst can revolutionize the chemical industry, particularly styrene production.