From Followers to Frontiers: China's Catalytic Odyssey in Chemical Science

Introduction: The Silent Force That Shapes Our World

Imagine a technological revolution so subtle that most people never see it, yet so powerful it determines what fuels our vehicles, how we produce life-saving medications, and whether we can solve our most pressing environmental challenges. This is the world of catalysis—the science of speeding up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. Catalysts are the unsung heroes of modern civilization, enabling everything from the synthesis of life-saving pharmaceuticals to the production of fertilizers that feed billions.

For China, the journey in catalytic science represents one of the most compelling stories of scientific transformation in modern history. From following established international research to pioneering entirely new frontiers, China's catalytic community has emerged as a global powerhouse through decades of dedication, collaboration, and breakthrough innovation. This article traces China's remarkable odyssey in catalysis—from its humble beginnings to its current position at the forefront of one of chemistry's most critical fields.

The Early Days: Building Foundations (1950s-1980s)

China's catalytic science had humble beginnings in the mid-20th century. During the 1950s, opportunities to study catalysis were limited to just a handful of universities, primarily Jilin University, Xiamen University, and Peking University, where early knowledge transfers occurred through specialists from the Soviet Union ¹ .

1950s

Foundational years with Soviet collaboration at key universities

1960s

Development stagnated due to societal challenges and "human factors" ³

1980s

Reopening of China and international exchange programs

Early catalytic research laboratories laid the foundation for future breakthroughs

The field faced severe disruptions during the 1960s, when development stagnated for over a decade due to societal challenges—what researchers would later describe as "serious obstacles by human factors" that cost China precious years of scientific development ³ . Despite these challenges, the dedication of China's first generation of catalytic scientists kept the field alive through its most difficult period.

The reopening of China in the 1980s marked a dramatic turning point. The Chinese government began dispatching numerous visiting scholars and students to the United States, Europe, and Japan, while simultaneously inviting prominent international scientists to visit China ¹ . The Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) alone sent approximately 100 scholars and students abroad during this decade ¹ . This international exchange program proved transformative—while some scholars remained overseas to establish distinguished careers, most returned to China and would become the leading voices in Chinese catalysis ¹ .

Theoretical Foundations and Key Concepts

As China's catalytic capabilities matured, researchers began developing their own theoretical frameworks and innovative approaches. The concept of surface bond theory, pioneered by Zhang Duyu and Guo Xiexian in the 1960s, represented one of China's earliest original contributions to catalytic theory ^{3 8} . This framework for understanding how molecules interact with catalyst surfaces would influence decades of subsequent research.

Chinese scientists also made strategic decisions about research focus that would shape the field's development. Rather than attempting to cover all areas of catalysis equally, they concentrated efforts on three main sectors: the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), universities, and industrial research facilities ³ . This tripartite approach created a robust ecosystem where basic science could rapidly translate into practical applications.

Research methodologies evolved significantly during this period. Early work relied heavily on reaction kinetics as the primary investigative tool, but the introduction of surface science and nanoscience approaches dramatically advanced and deepened fundamental explorations ³ . As researchers gained access to more sophisticated characterization techniques, catalysis in China began transitioning from what many had considered an "art" to a rigorous predictive science ³ .

China's Catalytic Rise: From Participation to Leadership

China's integration into the global catalytic community accelerated through strategic participation in international organizations. Chinese scientists like Professors Tsai Khirui and Guo Xiexian were elected as directors of the International Catalysis Council beginning in 1984, establishing China's voice in global catalytic governance ¹ . This representation continued through subsequent generations with scientists like Li Can and He Mingyuan, and eventually Bao Xinhe and Wang Ye ¹ .

The new millennium brought exponential growth in both fundamental research and technological applications. Chinese researchers made landmark contributions across diverse catalytic domains, including:

Spotlight on Single-Atom Catalysis: A Chinese Innovation

Perhaps no Chinese innovation has transformed catalytic science more dramatically than the pioneering concept of single-atom catalysis introduced by Academician Zhang Tao of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics ⁴ . This breakthrough, which earned Zhang the 2025 Citation Laureate Award—making him the first scientist from mainland China to receive this honor—represents a paradigm shift in how we design and understand catalysts at the most fundamental level ^{4 9} .

The Groundbreaking Experiment

Single-atom catalysis began with a deceptively simple yet revolutionary idea: what if we could disperse catalytic metals as isolated individual atoms rather than the traditional clusters or nanoparticles? This approach would maximize efficiency since every metal atom would be accessible for chemical reactions, potentially achieving unprecedented activity and selectivity.

Zhang and his team developed innovative methods to stabilize individual metal atoms on specially designed support surfaces, preventing these atoms from aggregating into larger clusters during catalytic reactions. The key insight was recognizing that carefully engineered support materials with specific defect sites could act as "traps" that would anchor individual metal atoms in place.

Visualization of single-atom catalysis with isolated metal atoms on a support surface

The Scientist's Toolkit: Key Research Reagents and Materials

The advancement of catalytic science in China has relied on sophisticated research tools and materials that enable precise design and characterization of catalytic systems. Here are some essential components of the catalytic researcher's toolkit:

From Laboratory to Industry: Catalysis Serving Society

The ultimate measure of catalytic science lies in its ability to address practical challenges, and here China's contributions have been particularly significant. Chinese researchers have developed advanced hydrocracking catalysts and technologies that have transformed petroleum refining, enabling more efficient production of clean transportation fuels from heavy crude oil fractions ⁷ . These innovations include "tailor-made" catalysts specifically designed for different refinery feedstocks and operational requirements ⁷ .

In environmental protection, Chinese catalytic scientists have developed technologies for vehicular emissions control, including novel monolithic catalysts for motorcycle exhaust systems that meet increasingly stringent emission standards ⁸ . Similar approaches have been applied to industrial pollution control, helping reduce the environmental impact of China's rapidly growing manufacturing sector.

The energy sector has particularly benefited from Chinese catalytic innovations. Research on fuel cell catalysts has led to improved electrode materials that enhance efficiency while reducing reliance on expensive platinum group metals ³ . Meanwhile, electrocatalytic water splitting systems have advanced the production of green hydrogen as a clean energy carrier, with Chinese researchers developing novel catalyst materials like Ru-doped CoS₂ that demonstrate exceptional activity and stability ⁵ .

As Professor Min Enze wisely noted, China must remember that "although at the time China is among the catalytic big countries, we must still remember there is still a long way to go to make us a catalytically strong power" ¹ . This balanced perspective—recognizing achievements while acknowledging the journey ahead—has characterized China's approach to catalytic science.

Conclusion: The Future of Chinese Catalysis

China's journey in catalytic science represents one of the most successful transformations in modern scientific history. From building foundational capabilities in the 1950s-1980s, through integrating with the global community at the turn of the millennium, to pioneering breakthrough innovations like single-atom catalysis in the 21st century, Chinese researchers have established their nation as a catalytic powerhouse.

Future Research Directions

• Photocatalysis for solar energy conversion
• Electrocatalysis for renewable energy storage
• Biocatalysis for sustainable chemical production
• Nanoscale catalysis for precision manufacturing

The next generation of Chinese catalysis researchers

The future of Chinese catalysis appears bright, with emerging generations of researchers building upon this impressive legacy. The 2023 "Catalysis Rising Stars in China" special issue highlighted the work of outstanding early-career Chinese researchers, ensuring a continuous pipeline of talent that will drive the field forward ⁵ . These new investigators are exploring frontiers in photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, biocatalysis, and nanoscale catalysis with implications for renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and advanced manufacturing.

As Chinese catalysis continues to evolve, its success will increasingly depend on the same factors that brought it this far: sustained investment in fundamental research, openness to international collaboration, willingness to tackle practical challenges, and—most importantly—the creativity and dedication of its scientific community. The odyssey of Chinese catalysis, from its modest beginnings to global impact, offers both inspiration and confidence that the field will continue to make indispensable contributions to science and society in the decades ahead.