Transition Metals Nanocatalysis

A special issue of Applied Nano (ISSN 2673-3501).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2022) | Viewed by 7901

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Production Engineering and Management, Technical University of Crete, 73100 Chania, Greece
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; surface science; materials science; rational design of metal oxides; nanocatalysis; promotion in catalysis; metal–support interactions; structure–property relationships
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In view of the unprecedented energy and environmental issues currently faced, heterogeneous catalysis is expected to have a key role in the near future toward a sustainable development. Heterogeneous catalysis has recently gained considerable attention from both the scientific and industrial community, as it is a field of diverse applications, including, among others, the field of energy production, conversion, and storage, as well as the remediation of the environment through the abatement of hazardous substances, signifying its pivotal role in the world economy.

In view of the above aspects, the rational design and development of highly efficient and cost-effective (electro)catalysts are of paramount importance. Among the different types of catalysts, the metal oxides (MOs) of earth-abundant and inexpensive transition metals have gained particular attention due to their particular properties in conjunction to their lower cost. More importantly, the fine-tuning of the local surface structure of MOs through appropriate nanosynthesis and/or promotional/modification routes can adjust the size, shape, and electronic state of different counterparts with great implications on intrinsic reactivity and metal–support interactions. This “fine-tuning” approach is expected to lead to the development of highly active, low-cost nanocomposites for real-life applications.

The present themed Special Issue is mainly focused on recent theoretical and experimental advances in relation to the synthesis, characterization, and fine-tuning of transition metal catalysts at nanoscale. In particular, advanced nanosynthesis and optimization routes toward the development of highly active transition metals nanocatalysts for energy or environmental applications are perfectly matched to this themed issue. In addition, advanced characterization methods and in-depth experimental and computational studies toward a fundamental understanding of metal–support interactions and structure–property relationships are very welcomed.

Dr. Michalis Konsolakis
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Nanomaterials
  • Transition metals
  • Heterogeneous catalysis/electocatalysis/photocatalysis
  • Novel synthetic methods
  • Catalysts promotion
  • Metal–support interactions
  • Ceria-based oxides, perovskites, hexa-aluminates, hydrotalcites, spinels, etc.
  • Shape and size effects in catalysis
  • Advanced characterization studies

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 31721 KiB  
Article
Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Activity of UiO-66-NH2 in the Esterification of Levulinic Acid
by Daiana A. Bravo Fuchineco, Angélica C. Heredia, Sandra M. Mendoza, Enrique Rodríguez-Castellón and Mónica E. Crivello
Appl. Nano 2021, 2(4), 344-358; https://doi.org/10.3390/applnano2040025 - 10 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3718
Abstract
The massive use of petroleum and its possible exhaustion are driving the current research trend to study alternative raw materials from biomass for organic reactions. In this context, the present article presents a study of the catalytic esterification of levulinic acid, a platform [...] Read more.
The massive use of petroleum and its possible exhaustion are driving the current research trend to study alternative raw materials from biomass for organic reactions. In this context, the present article presents a study of the catalytic esterification of levulinic acid, a platform molecule, with ethanol. Metal-organic framework (MOF) type compounds UiO-66-NH2 have been synthesized. Zirconium was incorporated, using zirconium chloride as a metal precursor, together with 2-aminoterephthalic acid as an organic binding agent. An alternative route of synthesis was proposed using more favorable conditions from an economic and environmental point of view, replacing dimethylformamide by 50 and 75% acetone as substitute solvent. The physicochemical properties of the materials were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared Spectrometry with Fourier Transform (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES) and N2 adsorption to understand their morphology, crystalline, chemical and pore structure. The progress of the reaction was followed by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. The catalytic activity result of MOF25% in autoclave reactor, showed 100% of selectivity to ethyl levulinate and a turnover number (TON) of 66.18 moles of product/moles of Zr. This good catalytic performance obtained by partial solvent replacement in the synthetic material provides a more economical and eco-friendly process for ethyl levulinate generation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transition Metals Nanocatalysis)
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12 pages, 1810 KiB  
Article
Importance of Doping Sequence in Multiple Heteroatom-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide as Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysts
by Jin Hee Kim, Jong Hun Han, Jae-Hyung Wee, Go Bong Choi, Seungki Hong and Yoong Ahm Kim
Appl. Nano 2021, 2(3), 267-277; https://doi.org/10.3390/applnano2030019 - 07 Sep 2021
Viewed by 2931
Abstract
Multiple heteroatom-doped graphene is of great interest for developing an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). To maximize the electrocatalytic performance of doped graphene, the competitive doping mechanism caused by the different atomic sizes of dopants should be developed. Herein, three different [...] Read more.
Multiple heteroatom-doped graphene is of great interest for developing an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). To maximize the electrocatalytic performance of doped graphene, the competitive doping mechanism caused by the different atomic sizes of dopants should be developed. Herein, three different heteroatoms (e.g., N, P and B) are competitively introduced into reduced graphene oxide (RGO) using both single- and two-step processes. The total quantity of heteroatoms for ternary RGO synthesized using the two-step process is lower than that when using the single-step process. Higher ORR electrocatalytic activity for the two-step-synthesized RGO compared to the single-step-synthesized RGO can be explained by: (a) a high amount of P atoms; (b) the fact that B doping itself decreases the less electrocatalytic N moieties such as pyrrole and pyridine and increases the high electrocatalytic moieties such as quaternary N; (c) a high amount of B atoms itself within the RGO act as an electrocatalytic active center for O2 adsorption; and (d) a small amount of substitutional B might increase the electrical conductivity of RGO. Our findings provide new insights into the design of heteroatom-doped carbon materials with excellent electrocatalytic performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transition Metals Nanocatalysis)
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