The Applications of Heterogeneous Catalysis in Energy Utilization

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalysis for Sustainable Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 3

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: industrial catalysis; heterogenous catalysis; catalytic hydrogenation; aromatic compound; value-added conversion; fine chemicals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: single-atom catalysis; noble metal catalysis; biomass conversion; C-O bond cleavage; hydrogenolysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Heterogeneous catalysis emerged as a core technological pillar driving energy conversion, environmental remediation, and green synthesis in fine chemicals. Currently, traditional heterogeneous catalytic systems face challenges such as low catalytic activity, poor selectivity, insufficient stability, and harsh reaction conditions. However, breakthroughs in novel catalytic material design, reaction mechanism innovation, and industrial-scale-up applications are injecting new momentum into the development of heterogeneous catalysis technology.

The Special Issue, "The Applications of Heterogeneous Catalysis in Energy Utilization", is dedicated to building a cutting-edge platform for exchanging achievements in the field of heterogeneous catalysis in energy conversion and utilization. It focuses on collecting original research papers, systematic reviews, and forward-looking commentaries that focus on the research and development of heterogeneous catalytic materials, analysis of reaction mechanisms, process optimization, and practical applications. The goal of this Special Issue is to summarize innovative progress in this field, promote the translation of heterogeneous catalysis technology from basic research to key industrial scenarios (e.g., energy, environment, and chemical engineering), and help address major global needs in energy and the environment.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

-Design and preparation of novel heterogeneous catalytic materials: e.g., single-atom catalysts, metal–organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts, two-dimensional material-based catalysts, composite metal oxide catalysts, and innovations in the regulation of their catalytic performance;

-Applications of heterogeneous catalysis in energy utilization: including photo/electro-driven heterogeneous catalytic hydrogen production, production of high-value chemicals, and catalytic conversion of biomass resources to liquid fuels;

-Research on reaction mechanisms and kinetics of heterogeneous catalysis: revealing catalytic reaction pathways, active site mechanisms, and deactivation causes based on in situ characterization techniques (e.g., in situ XRD, in situ Raman, in situ XPS) and theoretical calculations (DFT);

-Industrial scale-up and engineering of heterogeneous catalytic systems, including optimization of catalytic reactor design, large-scale catalyst preparation processes, reaction process intensification technologies, and cost control strategies;

-Life cycle assessment (LCA) and sustainability analysis of heterogeneous catalysis technology: evaluating the environmental impact, energy consumption, and economic feasibility of the technology throughout the entire life cycle, from raw material preparation, catalyst production, and process operation to waste recycling.

Prof. Dr. Zhongyi Liu
Dr. Qiaoyun Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • heterogeneous catalysis
  • design of catalysts
  • reaction mechanism
  • novel catalytic systems
  • catalysis technology
  • catalytic material

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This special issue is now open for submission.
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