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15th Anniversary of Catalysts—Industrial Development of Catalytic Materials for the Energetic Transition

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A Special Issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344) belonging to the section "Industrial Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 11199

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Editors

Prof. Dr. Guido Busca

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Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Genoa, Via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genoa, Italy
Interests: industrial chemical processes; industrial catalysis; metal catalysts; oxidation catalysts; catalyst carriers; catalysts characterization; catalysts development; mechanism of catalytic reactions
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Dr. Marco Martino

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Energy Technology and Renewable Sources Department (TERIN)—ENEA—Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Piazzale Enrico Fermi, 1, Località Granatello, 80055 Portici, Italy
Interests: hydrogen production and storage, reforming; gasification; propane dehydrogenation; structured catalysts
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Georgios Bampos

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Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; electrochemistry; batteries and fuel cells; hydrogen; bioenergy; carbon capture and sequestration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As you may be aware, the Catalysts journal will celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2026. At this time, the study of catalysis and catalysts has been a key point in developing and improving chemical and energetic industrial processes. However, perspectives on the development of industrial chemistry has progressively changed, from mainly using fossil raw materials, such as coal, oil and natural gas, to renewable raw materials for the production of both chemicals and energy. In fact, catalysis will continue to be a key phenomenon allowing to realize efficiently sustainable chemical and energetic processes upon the expected energy transition. In recent times, a new section has been included in the Catalysts journal, specifically covering the subject of industrial catalysts, i.e., materials that are used in the industry or are very near industrial exploitation. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of our journal, we launch here a Special Issue entitled “15th Anniversary of Catalysts—Industrial Development of Catalytic Materials for the Energetic Transition”, with the aim to contribute to the development and the improvement of catalytic technologies allowing a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases of fossilprigins in the fields of chemicals production, energy production and utilization.

New and more efficient catalytic and electrocatalytic materials are urgently needed to facilitate the desired energetic transition, with the final aim to strongly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases of fossil origin. It is evident that new, more efficient electrode materials are needed to increase the energy density of batteries and to make their recharge faster, as well as to improve their lifetime and reduce the costs of fuel cells and electrolytic cells for green hydrogen production. In parallel, new catalytic systems are needed for producing biofuels and e-fuels efficiently and sustainably in order to feed large and long-trip vehicles, such as transoceanic ships and transcontinental aircrafts.

Prof. Dr. Guido Busca
Dr. Marco Martino
Dr. Georgios Bampos
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

catalysts for energetic transition
electrocatalysts for energetic transition
biofuels
e-fuels
hydrogen adsorption, activation and evolution
hydrodeoxygenation catalysts
bioethanol conversion
catalytic pyrolysis
biogas conversion catalysts
CO₂ hydrogenation catalysts

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 941 KB

Open AccessArticle

Facile Synthesis of (NH₄)₂[Pd(C₂O₄)₂]·2H₂O and Its Application as a New Precursor in the Preparation of Pd-Based Catalysts for VOC Oxidation

by Yangyang Feng, Chang Yao, Jing Jiang, Anli Gao, Guihua Liu, Qiaowen Chang, Weiping Liu and Yunsheng Dai

Catalysts 2026, 16(7), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16070603 - 30 Jun 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 388

Abstract

Developing a water-soluble and chlorine-free palladium compound to replace conventional PdCl₂ or Pd(NO₃)₂ as the precursor for Pd-based catalysts remains both challenging and of considerable significance for highly efficient degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Herein, we report a facile synthetic route to such a Pd compound, (NH₄)₂[Pd(C₂O₄)₂]·2H₂O (denoted as Pd-X5), via a three-step reaction starting from PdCl₂, under mild and readily controllable conditions, rendering the process amenable to industrial manufacture. The molecular structure of Pd-X5 was confirmed mainly by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and ¹³C NMR. The overall yield was greater than 95% and the content of residual chloride was reduced to below 100 ppm. Pd-X5 exhibited high water solubility of 350 g L⁻¹. Subsequently, Pd-X5 was used as a catalytic precursor, and a Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst was prepared by an impregnation technique and evaluated for its catalytic performance in the degradation of VOCs. Compared with Pd(NO₃)₂-derived Pd/Al₂O₃, the Pd-X5-based catalyst exhibited markedly enhanced activity for the oxidation of CH₄ and C₃H₈ at different temperatures and under different contents of water vapor, indicating that Pd-X5 is superior to Pd(NO₃)₂ as a catalytic precursor and has potential application in the production of Pd-based catalysts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts—Industrial Development of Catalytic Materials for the Energetic Transition)

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17 pages, 9059 KB

Open AccessArticle

NiFe Bimetallic Doped Geopolymer Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution and Overall Water Splitting

by Jian Gong, Qian Dong, Xiaomei Peng, Yan He, Xuemin Cui and Leping Liu

Catalysts 2026, 16(6), 508; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16060508 - 1 Jun 2026

Viewed by 535

Abstract

Achieving efficient overall water splitting with non-precious metal catalysts remains a significant challenge due to the sluggish kinetics of both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we report a nickel–iron bimetallic doped geopolymer electrocatalyst (Ni_0.9Fe_0.1-GP) fabricated via a one-step alkali activation method on 316L stainless steel. Structural characterizations reveal that Fe³⁺ incorporation alters the distribution of Na⁺ and Ni²⁺ within the geopolymer network and modulates the Ni electronic structure. Electrochemical measurements show that Ni_0.9Fe_0.1-GP delivers an HER overpotential of 332.42 mV and an OER overpotential of 227.31 mV at 10 mA cm⁻², outperforming Ni-GP and bare 316L SS. The practical operating voltage of Ni_0.9Fe_0.1-GP is 1.81 V, while the two-electrode electrolyzer delivers a comparable current density at 1.90 V (after accounting for uncompensated system resistances). Long-term stability tests demonstrate the superior durability of Ni_0.9Fe_0.1-GP during HER, OER, and overall water splitting. Mechanistic studies reveal the dual role of Fe³⁺: substantially increasing the electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) while modulating the Ni electronic structure, and improving structural stability through strong chemical anchoring within the geopolymer network. This work provides new insights into cost-effective bifunctional electrocatalysts and expands the application of geopolymers as functional catalytic supports for water splitting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts—Industrial Development of Catalytic Materials for the Energetic Transition)

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13 pages, 1157 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrazine-Assisted CO₂ Capture and TiO₂ Photoinduced Reactivity for Artificial Photosynthesis-Inspired Hydrogen Evolution

by Sergio Odin Flores Valle, Ektaí López Ángeles and Daniel Martín Márquez López

Catalysts 2026, 16(6), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16060491 - 23 May 2026

Viewed by 552

Abstract

A TiO₂/hydrazine system was investigated as a proof-of-concept platform for coupling chemical CO₂ capture with light-driven H₂ evolution under UV irradiation. Hydrazine served as the CO₂ capture agent, leading to the formation of carbamate-type intermediates, while TiO₂ acted as the photoresponsive solid. FT-IR, UV-Vis, and mass spectrometry analyses supported carbamate formation after CO₂ uptake and confirmed H₂ generation during irradiation, reaching a maximum of 33.2 μmol under the conditions evaluated. Deuterated experiments showed no detectable HD or D₂, indicating that H₂ evolution predominantly proceeded via hydrazine dehydrogenation rather than direct water splitting. On the basis of the available spectroscopic evidence, a tentative pathway involving carbamate intermediates and nitrogen-containing oxidation products is proposed. However, key control experiments required to confirm a strictly photocatalytic origin of H₂ evolution were not performed in the present exploratory study. Therefore, the observed behavior is more appropriately interpreted as preliminary photoinduced reactivity in a TiO₂/hydrazine/CO₂ system rather than definitive proof of a fully established photocatalytic mechanism. Overall, the results establish a preliminary proof of concept, while the limitations related to control experiments, product identification, quantification, and reproducibility are recognized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts—Industrial Development of Catalytic Materials for the Energetic Transition)

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19 pages, 4999 KB

Open AccessArticle

Tailoring Active-Site Density in Ni/Al-MCM-41 Catalysts for Ethanol-Assisted CO₂ Reforming: Impact of Ni Loading on Catalytic Performance

by Fatima Seerat, Muhammad Azriel Irfan Bin Azhar, Alaa Dhari Jawad Al-Bayati, Sarah R. Al-Karkhi, Zainab Y. Shnain and Bamidele Victor Ayodele

Catalysts 2026, 16(5), 463; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16050463 - 16 May 2026

Viewed by 537

Abstract

The interest in more sustainable energy sources has necessitated research in hydrogen production from various reliable pathways. This study investigates the potential of hydrogen production by ethanol-assisted CO₂ reforming over Al-MCM-41-supported Ni catalysts considering the effect on the catalytic performance and stability. The Ni/Al-MCM-41 catalysts were synthesized via wet impregnation method and characterized using different instruments and techniques. Evidence of the formation of well-crystallized Ni nanoparticles dispersed on the Al-MCM-41 support was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The amount of Ni loading, which varied from 5 to 15%, was confirmed using energy-dispersive analysis, while the mesoporous nature of the Ni/Al-MCM-41 was ascertained using N₂ physisorption analysis. The performance of the Ni/Al-MCM-41 catalyst as a function of the ethanol conversion, CO₂ conversion, hydrogen and CO yield is strongly corrected with Ni loading and reaction temperature. The ethanol conversion and hydrogen yield increase with the increase in reaction temperature. At a reaction temperature of 550 °C the lowest ethanol conversion and hydrogen yield of 32.3% and 33.7% were obtained over the 5 wt% Ni/Al-MCM-41 catalyst, while the highest ethanol conversion of 87.4% and hydrogen yield of 75.5% were obtained over the 15% Ni/Al-MCM-41 at 700 °C. The 15 wt% catalyst achieves the most balanced syngas profile at 700 °C, where the H₂ and CO yields are optimized through the synergistic consumption of both ethanol and CO₂. It can be inferred that the reaction follows a bifunctional pathway whereby the Ni active sites are responsible for the ethanol dissociation while the CO₂ adsorption and activation are enhanced by the Al-MCM-41 support. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts—Industrial Development of Catalytic Materials for the Energetic Transition)

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15 pages, 3062 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Hierarchical ZnCo CNFs@CNTs as High-Performance Bifunctional Air Electrodes for Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries

by Zhixin Wang, Yingjie Chen, Likai Jin, Fanzhen Kong, Beili Pang, Qian Zhang, Jianguang Feng, Liyan Yu and Lifeng Dong

Catalysts 2026, 16(4), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16040331 - 3 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1058

Abstract

Carbon-based bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts with rationally designed architectures are essential for high-performance rechargeable zinc–air batteries (ZABs), yet the concurrent optimization of catalytic activity, durability, and mass transport remains challenging. Herein, hierarchical ZnCo carbon nanofibers/carbon nanotubes (CNFs@CNTs) are fabricated via single-nozzle electrospinning followed by melamine-assisted pyrolysis under a ZnCl₂-regulated atmosphere. During thermal treatment, Co species embedded within carbon nanofibers catalyze in situ carbon nanotube growth, while ZnCl₂ vapor modulates the carbonization process and surface chemistry, collectively generating a hierarchical CNFs@CNTs architecture with high surface area and abundant exposed active sites. As a result, ZnCo CNFs@CNTs exhibit outstanding bifunctional ORR/OER activity, surpassing Zn-free and Co-free counterparts. Combined structural and electrochemical analyses reveal that the synergistic interaction between Co active centers and Zn-assisted carbon structural regulation enhances reaction kinetics and long-term stability. When implemented as air electrodes in rechargeable ZABs, ZnCo CNFs@CNTs deliver high power density, reduced charge–discharge polarization, and excellent cycling durability, demonstrating strong practical applicability. This work presents an effective strategy for constructing hierarchical CNFs@CNTs composites via electrospinning and dual-component thermal regulation, offering new insights into the design of high-efficiency bifunctional air electrodes for advanced ZABs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts—Industrial Development of Catalytic Materials for the Energetic Transition)

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12 pages, 3035 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Fe-NC@NiFe-LDH Derived from Iron-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks as an Efficient Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalyst for Zn–Air Batteries

by Pengfei Sha, Zhi Ling, Kaifa Liu, Di Chen, Beili Pang, Fengying Yan, Jing Sui, Qian Zhang, Jianhua Yu, Liyan Yu and Lifeng Dong

Catalysts 2026, 16(2), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16020152 - 3 Feb 2026

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1238

Abstract

The rational design and synthesis of efficient and durable bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of great significance and challenging for rechargeable zinc–air batteries. While much attention has been devoted to enhancing ORR performance in recent studies, the effectiveness of OER is equally crucial for charging performance of Zn–air batteries. In this work, NH₂-MIL-101(Fe) is employed as a precursor to derive Fe-NC through a straightforward pyrolysis method. Subsequently, NiFe-LDH is synthesized on the surface of Fe-NC via a wet-chemical process to obtain Fe-NC@NiFe-LDH. Capitalizing on the synergistic interplay between Fe-NC, serving as the ORR active site, and NiFe-LDH, acting as the OER active site, Fe-NC@NiFe-LDH demonstrates remarkable bifunctional electrocatalytic performance, boasting a positive half-wave potential of 0.83 V for ORR and a low potential of 1.68 V for OER at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², alongside exceptional stability in alkaline environments. Furthermore, the Fe-NC@NiFe-LDH-based Zn–air battery exhibits outstanding discharge and charge performance, maintaining excellent cycling stability over 600 h (3600 cycles). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts—Industrial Development of Catalytic Materials for the Energetic Transition)

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21 pages, 5441 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Plasma-Emitted Photons in Plasma-Catalytic CO₂ Splitting over TiO₂ Nanotube-Based Electrodes

by Palmarita Demoro, Nima Pourali, Francesco Pio Abramo, Christine Vantomme, Evgeny Rebrov, Gabriele Centi, Siglinda Perathoner, Sammy Verbruggen, Annemie Bogaerts and Salvatore Abate

Catalysts 2026, 16(2), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16020137 - 2 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1922

Abstract

The plasma-catalytic conversion of CO₂ is a promising route toward sustainable fuel and chemical production under mild operating conditions. However, many aspects still need to be better understood to improve performance and better understand the catalyst-plasma synergies. Among them, one aspect concerns understanding whether photons emitted by plasma discharges could induce changes in the catalyst, thereby promoting interaction between plasma species and the catalyst. This question was addressed by investigating the CO₂ splitting reaction in a planar dielectric barrier discharge (pDBD) reactor using titania-based catalysts that simultaneously act as discharge electrodes. Four systems were examined feeding pure CO₂ at different flow rates and applied voltage: bare titanium gauze, anodically formed TiO₂ nanotubes (TiNT), TiNT decorated with Ag–Au nanoparticles (TiNTAgAu), and TiNT supporting Ag–Au nanoparticles coated with polyaniline (TiNTAgAu/PANI). The TiNTAgAu exhibited the highest CO₂ conversion (35% at 10 mL min⁻¹ and 5.45 kV) and the most intense optical emission, even in the absence of external light irradiation, suggesting that the improvement is primarily attributed to plasma–nanoparticle interactions and self-induced localized surface plasmon resonance (si-LSPR) rather than conventional photocatalytic pathways. SEM analyses indicated severe plasma-induced degradation of TiNT and TiNTAgAu surfaces, leading to performance decay over time. In contrast, the TiNTAgAu/PANI catalyst retained structural integrity, with the polymeric coating mitigating plasma etching while maintaining competitive efficiency. There is thus a complex behavior with catalytic performance governed by nanostructure stability, plasmonic enhancement, and the interfacial protection. The results demonstrate how integrating plasmonic nanoparticles and conductive polymers can enable the rational design of durable and efficient plasma-photocatalysts for CO₂ valorization and other plasma-assisted catalytic processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts—Industrial Development of Catalytic Materials for the Energetic Transition)

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22 pages, 5608 KB

Open AccessArticle

ZSM-5 Nanocatalyst from Rice Husk: Synthesis, DFT Analysis, and Au/Pt Modification for Isopropanol Conversion

by Ebtsam K. Alenezy, Sahar A. El-Molla, Karam S. El-Nasser, Ylias Sabri and Ibraheem O. Ali

Catalysts 2026, 16(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16010110 - 22 Jan 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1649

Abstract

Silica extracted from rice straw was utilized to synthesize nanoscale ZSM-5 zeolite, which was further modified with platinum (Pt) or gold (Au). The structural properties of the materials were examined using XRD, SEM, and BET analysis, while acidity distribution was determined by in situ FT-IR through pyridine adsorption. The zeolitic samples were evaluated as catalysts for isopropanol conversion in the temperature range of 150–275 °C. Modification of HZSM-5 with Au and Pt introduced additional active metal sites and enhanced the acidity of the catalyst, thereby lowering the activation energy for dehydration reactions and improving catalytic performance. Both acetone and propene were produced from isopropanol conversion across all catalysts, with oligomerization occurring at temperatures above 200 °C. Among the catalysts, HZSM-5 modified with 4% Pt or 4% Au exhibited superior conversion rates and selectivity to propene, achieving 92% selectivity at 200 °C. The enhanced propylene selectivity and stability of Au/HZSM-5 are associated with preserved medium-strength acid sites, as evidenced by in situ FT-IR pyridine adsorption, particularly the band at 1457 cm⁻¹. Theoretical studies indicated that incorporating noble metals such as Au and Pt enhances the stability of the zeolite structure, which is consistent with the experimental results, suggesting new potential for advanced catalysis and material science applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts—Industrial Development of Catalytic Materials for the Energetic Transition)

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Review

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56 pages, 13031 KB

Open AccessReview

Copper-Based Bimetallic Catalysts for CO₂ Hydrogenation to Methanol: Interfacial Synergy, Reaction Pathways, and Rational Design

by Wenqian Zhang, Zehui Wu, Xudong Wang, Hongying Liu, Botao Zuo, Yunjia Liu, Haixia Cun and Bang Gu

Catalysts 2026, 16(9), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16090809 - 7 Sep 2026

Viewed by 307

Abstract

CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol is a key route for carbon recycling within the carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) framework. Cu-based catalysts are widely employed because of their low cost and high methanol selectivity, yet monometallic Cu suffers from sintering, limited CO₂ activation, and competing reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reactions. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in Cu-based bimetallic catalysts, categorized as Cu-p-block, Cu-noble metal, Cu-transition metal, and Cu-rare-earth metal systems. Throughout this review, the term “bimetallic catalysts” broadly refers to Cu-based systems containing a second metallic element, which may be present as a metallic alloy, an intermetallic compound, an atomically dispersed promoter species, or an oxide promoter or support component that forms Cu-M or Cu-MO_x interfacial structures. Experimental findings and density functional theory calculations are integrated to clarify how second metals regulate electronic structures, interfacial sites, oxygen vacancies, and hydrogen activation, thereby governing the competition between the formate pathway and RWGS. The dynamic evolution of active sites and the concentration-dependent role of reaction-generated water are also discussed. Finally, current challenges in machine learning-assisted catalyst development are assessed, and future directions involving operando characterization, hydrophobic interface engineering, reactor-level water management, and interpretable data-driven catalyst design are proposed to guide catalyst optimization and practical implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts—Industrial Development of Catalytic Materials for the Energetic Transition)

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30 pages, 2449 KB

Open AccessReview

Unveiling the Role of Ga- and Cr-Based Catalysts in CO₂-Assisted Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane: Mechanistic and Support-Acid/Base Perspectives

by Georgios Bampos, Panagiota Natsi and Paraskevi Panagiotopoulou

Catalysts 2026, 16(2), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16020163 - 3 Feb 2026

Viewed by 2120

Abstract

Propylene (C₃H₆) is a vital building block in the chemical industry as it serves as a key raw material for producing plastics, synthetic fibers and numerous daily-use chemicals. However, the current production routes of C₃H₆ are energy-intensive and face sustainability challenges, prompting the scientific community to explore alternative technologies for its production. The oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP) using CO₂ as a soft oxidant offers a safe and sustainable pathway for C₃H₆ production, where CO₂ can act as a hydrogen scavenger, coke suppressor and site re-activator. Gallium- and chromium-based catalysts are among the most studied systems for CO₂-assisted ODHP, yet they operate by distinct mechanisms: Ga catalysts follow pathways where both acidic and basic sites are involved, while Cr catalysts rely on redox cycles involving variations in the oxidation state of chromium. In addition to performance and reaction mechanism, Ga- and Cr-based catalysts differ markedly in terms of sustainability, with Cr systems facing environmental and regulatory challenges associated with Cr⁶⁺ species toxicity, while Ga systems, although less toxic, are constrained by gallium scarcity and cost. This review compares Ga- and Cr-based catalysts side by side, emphasizing how support effects, addition of promoters and mechanistic insights fine tune their performance. The aim is to highlight the advantages, the limitations as well as the sustainability implications of these materials and finally to outline future directions for designing more efficient and environmentally friendly catalysts for propylene production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts—Industrial Development of Catalytic Materials for the Energetic Transition)

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