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Applications of Catalysis in Organic Chemistry: Sustainable Catalysts for Sustainable Processes

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A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalysis in Organic and Polymer Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2026 | Viewed by 7576

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Dr. Vincenzo Patamia

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Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
Interests: hybrid materials; organic synthesis; supramolecular chemistry; gas adsorption; computational chemistry; computational studies of reaction mechanisms; carbon dioxide conversion; chelating agent

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Catalysis plays a fundamental role in modern organic chemistry, enabling the development of more efficient and selective transformations while reducing energy consumption and waste generation. In the context of sustainable chemistry, the design and application of sustainable catalysts have emerged as a key strategy to minimize the environmental impact of chemical processes.

This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest advances in sustainable catalysis applied to organic transformations, highlighting innovative approaches that utilize catalysts derived from natural sources or synthesized through environmentally benign methods. These sustainable catalysts include polysaccharides, natural clays, bio-derived materials, and catalysts obtained through green synthesis methodologies. Their applications extend across various fields of organic catalysis, such as CO₂ conversion, green synthesis utilizing environmentally friendly solvents, and other relevant transformations contributing to a more sustainable chemical industry. Additionally, this issue seeks to

explore new sustainable processes that leverage these catalysts to develop greener and more efficient methodologies.

Topics of Interest: We invite contributions (original research articles, reviews, and perspectives) on topics including:

The development and application of catalysts derived from renewable resources (e.g., biopolymers, clays, bioderived nanoparticles) in organic reactions.
Green synthesis and environmentally friendly methodologies for catalyst design and preparation.
Catalytic processes for CO₂ conversion and valorization.
Organic transformations using sustainable catalysts in green solvents or solvent-free conditions.
Mechanistic insights and theoretical studies on sustainable catalytic processes.
Development of new sustainable processes utilizing environmentally friendly catalysts.

Dr. Vincenzo Patamia
Guest Editor

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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-blind 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

sustainable catalysis
green chemistry
CO₂ conversion
bio-derived catalysts
renewable materials
ecofriendly organic synthesis

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 3840 KB

Open AccessArticle

Electrodeposited Pd/TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays with Size-Controlled Pd for High-Performance UV and Visible-Light Photocatalytic Water Remediation

by Ayda Mehdaoui, Syrine Sassi, Rabia Benabderrahmane Zaghouani, Hafedh Dhiflaoui, Lofti Khezami, Amal Bouich, Farid Fadhillah, Amine Aymen Assadi, Jie Zhang, Anouar Hajjaji and Bernabé Mari Soucase

Catalysts 2026, 16(4), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16040350 - 14 Apr 2026

Viewed by 337

Abstract

Environmental contamination by persistent industrial dyes such as Amido Black demands highly efficient photocatalysts for advanced water treatment. Structural, chemical, and optical strategies based on TiO₂ nanotube engineering are widely explored for this purpose. In this work, highly ordered TiO₂ nanotube arrays were fabricated by electrochemical anodization and subsequently decorated with Pd nanoparticles via potentiostatic electrodeposition (10–300 s), enabling precise control of Pd nanoparticle size and loading. The resulting materials were systematically characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, UV–vis DRS, and PL spectroscopy, and their properties were correlated with the photocatalytic degradation of Amido Black under both UV and visible light irradiation. The study reveals a clear size-dependent duality in the role of Pd. For intermediate Pd nanoparticles (≈9 nm, 20 s), Pd behaves predominantly as an electron sink, forming an efficient Schottky junction with anatase TiO₂ that markedly suppresses charge carrier recombination. This configuration yields ≈ 97% Amido Black removal after 120 min of UV irradiation, with an apparent rate constant about three times higher than that of bare TiO₂ nanotubes. In contrast, for ultra-small Pd nanoparticles (≈6 nm, 10 s), interfacial defect states sensitize TiO₂ to visible light, enabling ≈ 65% degradation after 270 min and a rate constant roughly four times higher than that of undecorated nanotubes under visible illumination. At long deposition times (≥150 s), Pd agglomeration leads to enhanced photoluminescence and markedly reduced photocatalytic activity, indicating increased recombination and less effective utilization of photogenerated charges. This provides a practical design rule to rationally tailor Pd–TiO₂ nanotube photocatalysts for targeted UV or visible light applications in dye removal and broader environmental remediation scenarios Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Catalysis in Organic Chemistry: Sustainable Catalysts for Sustainable Processes)

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25 pages, 10137 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Tuning Methanol Transformation Pathways for Sustainable Steam Reforming: Na-Promotion Effects on Ag/m-ZrO₂ Catalysts

by Corbin W. Eaton, Savana R. Alt, Michela Martinelli, Donald C. Cronauer, A. Jeremy Kropf and Gary Jacobs

Catalysts 2026, 16(4), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16040314 - 1 Apr 2026

Viewed by 376

Abstract

This work investigates the influence of sodium promotion on Ag/m-ZrO₂ catalysts for methanol steam reforming (MSR), focusing on activity, selectivity, surface chemistry, and mechanistic pathways. Temperature programmed reduction (TPR), XANES/EXAFS, CO₂ TPD, DRIFTS, and temperature programmed surface reaction methods were combined with fixed bed MSR testing to develop an integrated structure–function understanding of Na-modified Ag-ZrO₂ interfaces. Na addition systematically increases surface basicity, stabilizes strongly basic O²⁻ sites, and weakens the ν(CH) vibrational mode of surface formate, thereby facilitating C–H bond scission and accelerating decarboxylation to CO₂. At moderate promoter levels (0.5–1.0 wt.% Na), the catalysts show significantly enhanced CO₂ selectivity and increased conversion relative to unpromoted Ag/m-ZrO₂, while CH₄ formation remains negligible. Excessive Na (≥1.8 wt.%) leads to slower formate decomposition, greater carbonate stabilization, and suppressed conversion, revealing a narrow optimum around 1 wt.% Na. Short-term stability testing demonstrates steady conversion and product selectivity for both unpromoted and Na-promoted catalysts, with the latter maintaining markedly higher CO₂ selectivity. Although Pt/YSZ retains far superior intrinsic activity at ~10× higher space velocity, Ag offers a cost-advantaged alternative where lower cost metals are desirable. Collectively, these findings show that Na promotion enables tunable MSR selectivity on Ag/m-ZrO₂ by directing formate decomposition toward the CO₂-forming pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Catalysis in Organic Chemistry: Sustainable Catalysts for Sustainable Processes)

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20 pages, 2705 KB

Open AccessArticle

Green Synthesis of ZnO/Fe₂O₃ Nanocomposites Using Urtica dioica Extract: Evaluation of Photocatalytic, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activities

by Lotfi Mouni, Abdelwahab Rai, Nesrine Tabchouche, Asma Silem, Ikram Guellati, Ghania Mousli, Muhammad Imran Kanjal, Amine Aymen Assadi, Farid Fadhillah, Fekri Abdulraqeb Ahmed Ali and Jean-Claude Bollinger

Catalysts 2026, 16(3), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16030276 - 20 Mar 2026

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Abstract

The escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the environmental impact of industrial pollutants, particularly synthetic dyes, emphasize the pressing requirement for novel solutions. This study investigates the green synthesis of ZnO/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites using Urtica dioica extract with the aim of achieving dual functionality as both antimicrobial agents and photocatalysts for pollutant degradation. The nanocomposites were synthesized with varying loads of Fe₂O₃ (5–50%) and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). XRD analysis confirmed the presence of both the hexagonal wurtzite ZnO phase and the α-Fe₂O₃ hematite phase in all the composites, while DRS analysis revealed that the bandgap energy decreased progressively (from 1.89 to 1.72 eV) as the Fe₂O₃ content increased. The photocatalytic efficiency of the composites was evaluated by degrading methylene blue (MB), Congo Red (CR) and safranin O (SO) dyes under visible light. This demonstrated that the degradation performance depends on the composition, with the best activity being observed at 5% Fe₂O₃. Antioxidant activity was assessed using a DPPH• free radical scavenging assay. This showed that Urtica dioica extract exhibits superior radical scavenging capacity (maximum inhibition of 38%) compared to ZnO/Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (maximum inhibition of 18%). The antibacterial efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated using direct confrontation and disk diffusion methods. This revealed that the activity was dose- and light-dependent, with enhanced performance under light exposure (10 mm inhibition zone) compared to dark conditions (1 mm). This study demonstrates the successful green synthesis of biphasic ZnO/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites with promising photocatalytic and antimicrobial properties. While the results suggest possible synergistic interactions between the oxides, the underlying mechanisms, including potential charge transfer effects, require further investigation using advanced characterization techniques. Using Urtica dioica extract as a biogenic source provides a promising eco-friendly approach to synthesizing nanomaterials, with potential applications in wastewater treatment and the biomedical field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Catalysis in Organic Chemistry: Sustainable Catalysts for Sustainable Processes)

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18 pages, 4038 KB

Open AccessArticle

Highly Efficient and Stable Ni-Cs/TS-1 Catalyst for Gas-Phase Propylene Epoxidation with H₂ and O₂

by Ziyan Mi, Huayun Long, Yuhua Jia, Yue Ma, Cuilan Miao, Yan Xie, Xiaomei Zhu and Jiahui Huang

Catalysts 2025, 15(7), 694; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15070694 - 21 Jul 2025

Viewed by 1775

Abstract

The development of non-noble metal catalysts for gas-phase propylene epoxidation with H₂/O₂ remains challenging due to their inadequate activity and stability. Herein, we report a Cs⁺-modified Ni/TS-1 catalyst (9%Ni-Cs/TS-1), which exhibits unprecedented catalytic performance, giving a state-of-the-art PO formation rate of 382.9 g_PO·kg_cat⁻¹·h⁻¹ with 87.8% selectivity at 200 °C. The catalyst stability was sustainable for 150 h, far surpassing reported Ni-based catalysts. Ni/TS-1 exhibited low catalytic activity. However, the Cs modification significantly enhanced the performance of Ni/TS-1. Furthermore, the intrinsic reason for the enhanced performance was elucidated by multiple techniques such as XPS, N₂ physisorption, TEM, ²⁹Si NMR, NH₃-TPD-MS, UV–vis, and so on. The findings indicated that the incorporation of Cs⁺ markedly boosted the reduction of Ni, enhanced Ni⁰ formation, strengthened Ni-Ti interactions, reduced acid sites to inhibit PO isomerization, improved the dispersion of Ni nanoparticles, reduced particle size, and improved the hydrophobicity of Ni/TS-1 to facilitate propylene adsorption/PO desorption. The 9%Ni-Cs/TS-1 catalyst demonstrated exceptional performance characterized by a low cost, high activity, and long-term stability, offering a viable alternative to Au-based systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Catalysis in Organic Chemistry: Sustainable Catalysts for Sustainable Processes)

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22 pages, 5238 KB

Open AccessReview

Recent Progress in Polyamide Recycling for Sustainable Circular Economy

by Yahui Liu, Zixin Qi, Jiaxing Zhang, Mengfan Wang, Shengping You and Wei Qi

Catalysts 2026, 16(4), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16040340 - 9 Apr 2026

Viewed by 642

Abstract

Polyamide (PA) is widely used as a high-performance engineering thermoplastic in automotive components and textiles, due to its superior mechanical strength and chemical resistance. However, the increase in PA waste has posed significant challenges to resource sustainability and environmental protection. Despite breakthrough development achieved in PA recycling, key barriers remain in process scale-up and high-value recovery. This review examines the current state of PA recycling, analyzing the research prospects of mechanical and chemical recycling from economic feasibility and environmental impact. We present discussions on innovative recycling approaches for PA, including upcycling, molecular design of novel PA derivatives, chemo-biological coupling and solvent-based recovery, offering potential solutions to the sustainable circular economy and green cycles. Finally, by presenting case studies, we highlight pathways toward future innovation that inform industrial-scale implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Catalysis in Organic Chemistry: Sustainable Catalysts for Sustainable Processes)

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19 pages, 281 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceReview

Heterogeneous Catalysts from Food Waste for Biodiesel Synthesis—A Comprehensive Review

by Violeta Makarevičienė, Ieva Gaidė and Eglė Sendžikienė

Catalysts 2025, 15(10), 957; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15100957 - 5 Oct 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2405

Abstract

The transesterification process of vegetable oil applied in biodiesel synthesis is catalytic. Industrial production uses chemical catalysts that are difficult to separate from the product, regenerate, and reuse, which is why there is a search for new catalysts that are of natural origin or obtained from various types of waste. Calcium oxide is widely used as a heterogeneous catalyst, and can be obtained from calcium carbonate. The article reviews the possibilities of using eggshells as a catalyst for biodiesel synthesis: the optimal calcination conditions, the efficiency of the obtained catalyst, the optimal transesterification conditions, and the influence of various factors on biodiesel yield. It also discusses the possibilities and conditions for regenerating the catalyst and reusing it. Another food industry waste containing calcium compounds is animal bones, from which an effective biodiesel synthesis catalyst can be obtained. Before use, the bones are also crushed and calcined. The article presents the conditions for catalyst preparation and catalytic activity, and the possibilities for its enhancement by incorporating other elements, as well as the dependence of ester yields on transesterification conditions. The process of catalyst regeneration and reuse is discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Catalysis in Organic Chemistry: Sustainable Catalysts for Sustainable Processes)

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