Special Issue "Heterogeneous Catalysis"

Guest Editor
Dr. Eric Guibal
Ecole des Mines d'Alčs, Laboratoire Génie de l'Environnement Industriel, 6 Avenue de Clavières, F-30319 Alès, Cedex, France
E-Mail:
Interests: treatment of wastewaters (metals, dyes); adsorption & biosorption process; liquid/liquid extraction processes; coagulation & flocculation; catalytic processes; synthesis of new materials based on biopolymers (physical and chemical modifications)

Dear Colleagues,

Heterogeneous catalysis is key step in the synthesis pathway of a number of products in fields as diverse as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals but also in environmental applications;. The specific properties brought to the reaction by the supports open the route to enhanced efficiency, selectivity in synthesis, and improved competitiveness. This special issue of molecules dedicated to Heterogeneous Catalysis calls for both fundamental and applied contributions in this field of growing academic and industrial interests. Special attention will be paid to the characterization of materials (surface properties, diffusion characteristics), the identification of mechanisms and limiting steps, and the contribution of support properties to the orientation/selectivity of catalytic reactions. A special attention will be paid to original supports (based on renewable resources).

Dr. Eric Guibal
Guest Editor

Submission

• heterogeneous catalysis
• support characterization
• surface properties
• porosity
• kinetics
• governing rate
• selectivity
• reaction pathways
• modeling
• alternative supports

Manuscript ID: Molecules-heterocat-20090929-Avgouropoulos-gr
Title: A review of preferential CO oxidation reaction over CuO-CeO₂ catalysts
Author: George Avgouropoulos
Affiliation: Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Institute of Chemical, Engineering and High Temperature Chemical Processes (ICE-HT), P.O. Box 1414, GR, 26504 Patras, Greece; E-mail: geoavg@iceht.forth.gr
Abstract: Optimum operation of Low Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (LT-PEMFCs) with hydrogen-rich gas mixture obtained from liquid hydrocarbon or alcohol fuels requires complete CO removal, in order to avoid poisoning of anode electrocatalysts and degradation of the cell performance. Although, the water-gas shift reaction provides primary CO conversion, an additional CO removal step is necessary due to thermodynamic limitations. Among the currently available methods, the preferential catalytic CO oxidation process, also known as PROX reaction, is the most studied and preferable one. Non-precious metal-based catalysts, mainly CuO-CeO₂ catalysts, have been proposed as one of the best PROX candidates. These catalysts are able to operate in a temperature range of 100-200°C with almost ideal selectivity. They are also very stable under reaction conditions and can tolerate high concentrations of CO₂ and H₂O. Compared to the Pt group-based catalysts, they exhibit superior activity and selectivity. Compared to the gold catalysts, they are less active, but much more selective and stable. This article reviews the advances achieved in the development of CuO-CeO₂ catalysts for purification of hydrogen via PROX reaction.

Manuscript ID: Molecules-heterocat-20091001-Hajek-cz
Type of Paper: Review
Title: Microwave-Enhanced Heterogeneous Catalysis
Author: M. Hajek, E-mail: hajek@icpf.cas.cz
Abstract: The review is focused on the effects of microwave irradiation on heterogeneous catalytic systems. Presented results show significant increase in reaction rates and product selectivity enhancement under microwave conditions as compared to convenmtional heating methods. The most probable explanation to understand the mechanism of microwave effects on chemical catalytic reactions is presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the investigation of the application of microwave heating to a range of heterogeneous catalytic systems both in gas and liquid phase. It is explained what are microwave effects and possibility of their utilization in organic synthetic reactions. Special attention is paid to the microwave effects like fast heating, volumetric heating, superheating, selective heating and simultaneous cooling. Definition of microwave effects is provided and experimental arrangement is briefly described.