Solid–solid catalysis for sustainable alloy synthesis (opens in new tab)

Metal production causes 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with most metals extracted from oxide ores via fossil-based pyrometallurgy, including melting. Solid-state hydrogen-driven redox reduction is not only a sustainable alternative, but can also be used to integrate reduction, in situ alloying of mixed oxides and microstructure design in one single process. Upon co-reduction of a Fe2O3–NiO mixture with hydrogen, we report a distinct type of solid–solid catalytic interaction between p...