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A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalytic Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2025) | Viewed by 10133

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Pengwei Huo

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Institute of Green Chemistry and Chemical Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Interests: photocatalysis; CO₂ reduction; energy conversion; nanomaterials design
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Dr. Xin Liu

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Guest Editor

Institute of Green Chemistry and Chemical Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Interests: VOCs degradation; flue gas denitrification; catalytic oxidation; nanomaterials design
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Dr. Zhi Zhu

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Guest Editor

Institute of Green Chemistry and Chemical Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Interests: photocatalysis; photodegradation; wastewater treatment; energy conversion; nanomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Yunlei Zhang

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Guest Editor

Institute of Green Chemistry and Chemical Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; biomass conversion; catalytic oxidation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Minerals are widely distributed across nature, and are often used as a support for catalysts due to their special physical–chemical properties. Generally, most minerals used as catalyst supports have a layered structure, which can be roughly divided into kaolinite, smectite, vermiculite, hydromica, fiber rod stone, etc. In this structure, octahedrons and tetrahedrons can form different layered structures with adjustable ratios, resulting in the controlled pore sizes, surface areas and surface groups. Moreover, after acidification, purification, pillar and calcification, minerals will easily allow reactants to diffuse, transfer and absorb, which is favorable for compounding with catalysts and promotes the efficiency of catalytic treatment for heavy metals, organic pollutants and gas molecules. Thus, developing mineral-based catalysts is an important part of green catalytic technology that should be noticed in environment protection, energy conversion and other green chemical fields. This Special Issue is dedicated to collecting original research on environment protection and energy conversion, and original research, reviews and perspective articles are welcome. All the papers should relate to the following topics:

Synthesis and modification of mineral-based catalysts;
Catalytic pollutant degradation (including air and water pollution treatment);
Catalytic water splitting and H₂ production;
Catalytic CO₂ reduction;
Catalytic conversion of biomass.

If you would like to submit papers to this Special Issue or have any questions, please contact the editor, Mr. Ives Liu (ives.liu@mdpi.com).

Prof. Dr. Pengwei Huo
Dr. Xin Liu
Dr. Zhi Zhu
Dr. Yunlei Zhang
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-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

mineral-based catalysts
pollutant degradation
water splitting
CO₂ reduction
biomass conversion

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 5294 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interfacial Engineering of S-Scheme WO₃/In₂S₃ Heterojunction for Efficient Solar-Driven CO₂ Photoreduction

by Yameng Wang, Ao Xu, Jihui Lang, Bin Zuo, Zihan Yu, Keyu Cui, Xuefei Li, Kewei Zhang, Xin Li, Maobin Wei and Jian Cao

Catalysts 2025, 15(5), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15050460 - 8 May 2025

Viewed by 222

Abstract

CO₂ photoreduction technology offers significant potential for addressing energy and environmental challenges, though its practical application is hindered by insufficient photo-absorption and rapid carrier recombination. Herein, we constructed the WO₃/In₂S₃ S-scheme heterojunction through hydrothermal assembly of two-dimensional WO₃ nanosheets and scale-like In₂S₃ nanoflakes. Systematic characterization via XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM verified the successful preparation of hierarchical nanostructures with optimized interfacial contact in the WO₃/In₂S₃ composites. UV-Vis DRS analysis showed that the photo-absorption range of the catalyst was significantly widened. Photoelectrochemical investigations (EIS, TPR, PL, and LSV) revealed enhanced carrier separation efficiency and reduced recombination kinetics in the heterojunction system. The optimized WO₃/In₂S₃ (WI-60) catalyst had a CO evolution efficiency of 55.14 μmol·g⁻¹ under the UV-Vis light, representing a 3.9-fold enhancement over the pure In₂S₃ (14.08 μmol·g⁻¹). Mechanistic studies through the XPS and band-structure analysis confirmed the establishment of an S-scheme carrier’ transfer pathway, which simultaneously preserved strong redox potentials and promoted the separation process of carriers. This research provides a validated strategy for developing efficient S-scheme photocatalytic systems for solar fuel generation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral-Based Composite Catalytic Materials)

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13 pages, 9751 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Synthesis of Black g-C₃N₄ and Exploration of the Mechanism Underlying the Enhancement of Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction

by Shaokun Lv, Jun Zhang, Xiaoke Chen, Yue Zou, Qiuli Chen, Yongsheng Yan and Pengxin Li

Catalysts 2025, 15(4), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15040349 - 2 Apr 2025

Viewed by 299

Abstract

The use of solar energy to convert CO₂ into value-added chemicals is a promising sustainable development strategy. In this study, a black graphitic carbon nitride (CN-B) photocatalyst was fabricated through a single-step calcination process, employing phloxine B and urea as the precursor materials. The catalysts were characterized using TEM, XRD, FTIR, XPS and so on. The amount of prepolymer phloxine B was 25 mg, 35 mg and 45 mg, respectively, and the obtained samples were CN-B-0.025, CN-B-0.035 and CN-B-0.045. All samples were used for visible-catalyzed CO₂ reduction. The experimental findings indicate that the CO evolution rate of the optimal photocatalyst CN-B-0.035 reaches 27.56 μmol g_cat.⁻¹ h⁻¹. This value is nine-fold higher than that of pure CN, which has a CO evolution rate of 3.22 μmol g_cat.⁻¹ h⁻¹. The excellent photocatalytic reduction performance is due to the following factors: Firstly, the exceedingly thin nanosheet structure of the catalyst enhances the velocity of the charge transfer, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis shows that the nanosheet thickness of the catalyst CN-B is significantly thinner. Secondly, the light absorption capacity of the catalyst is enhanced. The absorbance of CN-B increases significantly in the ultraviolet region and extends to the near-infrared region, as shown with UV diffuse reflection spectroscopy. Finally, the photothermal effect of CN-B causes the catalyst temperature to rise rapidly from 20 °C to 131 °C within 120 s, which further promotes photogenerated carrier separation. This research offers a novel approach to the development of photocatalysts aimed at the photothermal-assisted photocatalytic conversion of CO₂. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral-Based Composite Catalytic Materials)

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13 pages, 3642 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient Catalytic Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid Using a Natural Mineral Vermiculite-Loaded Gold–Palladium Bimetallic Catalyst

by Hongke Li, Yiwang Li, Qinghua Xia, Yiran Liu, Wen Guan and Yao Chen

Catalysts 2024, 14(12), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14120949 - 22 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 920

Abstract

Upgrading the bio-derived platform chemical 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into the high value-added bioplastic monomer 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is a promising pathway for biomass conversion. In this work, the natural and abundant available mineral vermiculite was employed as a carrier for loading a Au-Pd bimetal catalyst. Due to the high dispersion of bimetallic nanoparticles, this synthesized vermiculite-supported Au-Pd bimetal catalyst revealed excellent catalytic performance for the aerobic oxidation of HMF to FDCA. By adjusting the ratio of Au and Pd metals, the catalytic performance of the catalyst can be optimized. Finally, 100% HMF conversion and 99.9% FDCA yield could be obtained under the conditions of Au/Pd = 2/1, 2 h, 2 MPa O_2, and 100 °C. The catalyst revealed good stability, and the FDCA yield can be maintained at 90.1% after five recycle usages. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized catalysts were characterized by various characterization methods. It could be concluded that the high dispersion and alloying effect of bimetallic nanoparticles promoted the activation of reactants and intermediates, resulting in the effective production of FDCA. This study could provide ideas and references for the development and utilization of natural minerals and also offer a new way to realize the efficient conversion of HMF to FDCA under green conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral-Based Composite Catalytic Materials)

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13 pages, 7474 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Construction of ZnCdS Quantum-Dot-Modified CeO₂ (0D–2D) Heterojunction for Enhancing Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction and Mechanism Insight

by Junzhi Yan, Yuming Sun, Junxi Cai, Ming Cai, Bo Hu, Yan Yan, Yue Zhang and Xu Tang

Catalysts 2024, 14(9), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14090599 - 6 Sep 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1497

Abstract

It is important to improve the separation ability of photogenerated electrons and the adsorption capacity of carbon dioxide (CO₂) for efficient photoreduction of CO₂. Here, we synthesized ZnCdS quantum dots (ZCS-QDs) and cerium dioxide nanosheets (CeO₂) using the solvothermal method and calcination method. We combined CeO₂ and ZCS-QDs to effectively enhance the charge separation efficiency, and the lifetime of photogenerated electrons was increased 4.5 times. The CO evolution rate of the optimized composite (ZCS-QDs/CeO₂) was up to 495.8 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, and it had 100% product selectivity. In addition, the stability remained high after five cycles. The CO₂ adsorption capacity of the catalyst surface was observed by in situ FTIR. The test results showed that improving CO₂ capture ability and promoting photogenic electron separation had positive effects on enhancing photoreduction of CO₂. This study provides a reference for constructing a zero-dimensional–two-dimensional (0D–2D) heterojunction and explores potential CO₂ reduction reaction mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral-Based Composite Catalytic Materials)

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13 pages, 4821 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Cu-Site Modification of g-C₃N₄/CeO₂-like Z-Scheme Heterojunction for Enhancing CO₂ Reduction and Mechanism Insight

by Yiying Zhou, Junxi Cai, Yuming Sun, Shuhan Jia, Zhonghuan Liu, Xu Tang, Bo Hu, Yue Zhang, Yan Yan and Zhi Zhu

Catalysts 2024, 14(8), 546; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14080546 - 20 Aug 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1095

Abstract

In this work, the successful synthesis of a Cu@g-C₃N₄/CeO₂-like Z-scheme heterojunction through hydrothermal and photo-deposition methods represents high CO₂ reduction activity with remarkable CO selectivity, as evidenced by the impressive CO yield of 33.8 μmol/g for Cu@g-C₃N₄/CeO₂, which is over 10 times higher than that of g-C₃N₄ and CeO₂ individually. The characterization and control experimental results indicate that the formation of heterojunctions and the introduction of Cu sites promote charge separation and the transfer of hot electrons, as well as the photothermal effect, which are the essential reasons for the improved CO₂ reduction activity. Remarkably, Cu@g-C₃N₄/CeO₂ still exhibits about 92% performance even after multiple cycles. In situ FTIR was utilized to confirm the production of COOH* at 1472 cm⁻¹ and to elucidate the mechanism behind the high selectivity for CO production. The study’s investigation into the wide-ranging applicability of the Cu@g-C₃N₄/CeO₂-like Z-scheme heterojunction catalysts is noteworthy, and the exploration of potential reaction mechanisms for CO2 reduction adds valuable insights to the field of catalysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral-Based Composite Catalytic Materials)

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15 pages, 5759 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Facile Preparation of Attapulgite-Supported Ag-AgCl Composite Photocatalysts for Enhanced Degradation of Tetracycline

by Xiaojie Zhang, Huiqin Wang and Chenlong Yan

Catalysts 2024, 14(7), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14070464 - 19 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1009

Abstract

In this study, Ag-AgCl/attapulgite (Ag-AgCl/ATP) composites were synthesized via a direct precipitation method using ATP nanorods as a catalyst supporter. ATP nanorods helped to increase the dispersion of Ag-AgCl particles and broaden the light absorption spectrum, which would also help to increase the active site of the catalyst to promote the degradation of tetracycline (TC). The photocatalytic activity of the Ag-AgCl/ATP composites was evaluated through the degradation of TC, identifying the loading amount of Ag-AgCl, the concentration of TC, and the reaction temperature as critical factors influencing activity. Specifically, the optimal conditions were observed when the loading of Ag-AgCl was 75%, resulting in a photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 77.65%. Furthermore, the highest degradation efficiency (85.01%) was achieved with a TC concentration of 20 mg/L at 20 °C. Radical trapping experiments suggested that the superoxide anion radical (·O₂⁻) was the primary active species in the degradation process, although hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and holes (h⁺) also contributed. Reusability tests confirmed that the Ag-AgCl/ATP composites exhibited excellent stability and could be effectively reused. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral-Based Composite Catalytic Materials)

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14 pages, 4664 KiB

Open AccessArticle

PAN/TiO₂ Ultrafiltration Membrane for Enhanced BSA Removal and Antifouling Performance

by Yinshan Xie, Xinning Wang, Hulin Li, Tao Wang, Wei Feng and Jian Li

Catalysts 2023, 13(10), 1320; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13101320 - 23 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2233

Abstract

Membrane separation has been widely utilized to eliminate pollutants from wastewater. Among them, a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) ultrafiltration (UF) membrane has presented outstanding stability, and distinguished chemical and thermal properties. However, UF membranes inevitably incur fouling issues during their operation procedure caused by contaminant adhesion on the membrane surface, which would restrict the operational efficiency and increase the maintenance cost. The conventional physical and chemical cleaning is not an effective technique to reduce the fouling due to the additional chemical addition and inevitable structure damage. Recently, UF membranes combined with photocatalytic materials are suggested to be a useful approach to conquer the membrane fouling issues. Herein, TiO₂ nanoparticles were utilized to blend with a PAN casting solution for fabricating a composite UF membrane via a phase inversion method. With a certain TiO₂ addition, the obtained membranes presented an enhancement of hydrophilicity, which could promote the water permeability and antifouling performance. The optimized M3 membrane prepared with 15.0 wt% PAN and 0.6 wt% TiO₂ exhibited an excellent water permeability up to 207.0 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ with an outstanding 99.0% BSA rejection and superior antifouling property. In addition, the photocatalytic TiO₂ nanoparticles endowed the M3 membrane with a remarkable self-cleaning ability under the UV irradiation. This facile construction method offered new insight to enhance the UF membrane separation performance with an enhanced antifouling ability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral-Based Composite Catalytic Materials)

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37 pages, 31186 KiB

Open AccessReview

Application of Graphene-Based Solar Driven Interfacial Evaporation-Coupled Photocatalysis in Water Treatment

by Yining Zhang, Huiqin Wang and Jisheng Zhang

Catalysts 2025, 15(4), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15040336 - 31 Mar 2025

Viewed by 621

Abstract

The global shortage of freshwater resources and the energy crisis have propelled solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) coupled with photocatalytic technology to become a research focus in efficient and low-carbon water treatment. Graphene-based materials demonstrate unique advantages in SDIE–photocatalysis integrated systems, owing to their broadband light absorption, ultrafast thermal carrier dynamics, tunable electronic structure, and low evaporation enthalpy characteristics. This review systematically investigates the enhancement mechanisms of graphene photothermal conversion on photocatalytic processes, including (1) improving light absorption through surface morphology modulation, defect engineering, and plasmonic material compositing; (2) reducing water evaporation enthalpy via hydrophilic functional group modification and porous structure design; (3) suppressing heat loss through thermal insulation layers and 3D structural optimization; and (4) enhancing water transport efficiency via fluid channel engineering and wettability control. Furthermore, salt resistance strategies and structural optimization significantly improve system practicality and stability. In water treatment applications, graphene-based SDIE systems achieve synergistic “adsorption–catalysis–evaporation” effects, enabling efficient the degradation of organic pollutants, reduction in/fixation of heavy metal ions, and microbial inactivation. However, practical implementation still faces challenges including low steam condensation efficiency, insufficient long-term material durability, and high scaling-up costs. Future research should prioritize enhancing heat and mass transfer in condensation systems, optimizing material environmental adaptability, and developing low-cost manufacturing processes to promote widespread application of graphene-based SDIE–photocatalysis integrated systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral-Based Composite Catalytic Materials)

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23 pages, 8720 KiB

Open AccessReview

Agricultural Plastic Mulch: A Brief Review of Development, Composition and Catalytic Upcycling Strategies

by Yang Wan, Yangyang Yang and Weiqiang Zhou

Catalysts 2025, 15(4), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15040310 - 25 Mar 2025

Viewed by 596

Abstract

Agricultural plastic mulch film, valued for its superior heat insulation and moisture retention, is widely used globally but has led to significant microplastic accumulation in soils, threatening agricultural ecosystems. This paper reviews its development and environmental impact, focusing on recycling and upcycling technologies, particularly catalytic recovery methods (with nearly 100% conversion efficiency) such as photocatalysis, thermocatalysis, and photothermal catalysis. It analyzes technical challenges and future directions in upcycling, emphasizing the role of catalysis in converting waste plastic mulch into hydrocarbon resources. This paper also evaluates the progress and challenges of biodegradable alternatives. By offering scientific insights and innovative approaches, it aims to reduce plastic mulch pollution, enhance resource utilization, and promote sustainable agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral-Based Composite Catalytic Materials)

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27 pages, 4885 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Advances in the Preparation of Carrier-Based Composite Photocatalysts and Their Applications

by Huiqin Wang, Chenlong Yan, Mengyang Xu and Xianghai Song

Catalysts 2025, 15(3), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15030286 - 19 Mar 2025

Viewed by 389

Abstract

Photocatalytic technology offers significant advantages in addressing water pollution and energy regeneration challenges. Notably, photocatalytic CO₂ reduction technology can convert CO₂ into stable, efficient, and clean carbon compounds such as carbon monoxide, methane, ethylene, and other high-value compounds, providing a novel approach to mitigating the global energy crisis and maintaining the carbon balance. However, traditional semiconductor photocatalytic materials face limitations in photocatalytic degradation and reduction due to their low light energy utilization, severe photocorrosion, rapid photogenerated carrier recombination, and slow electron transport rates. Recent studies have shown that introducing various carrier materials can effectively address these issues. Carrier materials, with their unique properties, enhance semiconductor composite photocatalyst systems, promoting photogenerated carrier separation and improving light energy utilization. This review introduces different carrier materials used in photocatalyst fabrication, systematically explains the preparation strategies for carrier-based composite photocatalysts, and summarizes their applications. Finally, future developments in this field are discussed. This review aims to provide diverse strategies for designing carrier-based photocatalysts, leveraging the special effects of carrier materials to control semiconductor composite modes, interface behaviors, and energy band structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral-Based Composite Catalytic Materials)

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