Novel microbial Pd catalysts from waste for sustainable synthesis

Palladium (Pd) is a widely used catalyst in the modern chemical and pharmaceutical industries and is in short supply due to increasing global demand and supply chain pressures.

Our recent studies have shown that the bacterium Desulfovibrio alaskensis can be used to recover Pd from waste for reuse as nanoparticle catalysts which work under energy-efficient manufacturing conditions.

The Pd catalysts derived from the bacteria display enhanced chemical properties and can catalyse the formation of small molecules of use in the pharmaceutical industry.

Here, we will:

1. Optimise the nanoparticles for this catalysis
2. Devise routes for their reuse and remanufacture so that the Pd can be continuously recovered and reused
3. Expand the portfolio of reactions catalysed by the bacterially derived Pd and demonstrate catalysis with other metal nanoparticles.

This emerging biotechnology paves the way for the sustainable use of Pd, creating new circular pathways to improved Pd catalysts and replacing the current linear model of Pd catalyst use, which creates waste, is unsustainable and reliant on insecure supply chains.