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Catalysts
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Design and Application of Combined Catalysis
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Design and Application of Combined Catalysis

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 4036

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Feng Wang

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Guest Editor
School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
Interests: laccase production; enzymes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Xiyu Cheng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
Interests: biomaterials and synthetic biology; environmental biotechnology
Dr. Jianhua Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Hohhot 010051, China
Interests: enzyme modification; microbial metabolic regulation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As an efficient and powerful tool, green catalysis is widely used in the catalytic production of various compounds in different fields. Recently, more efficient catalysts and/or novel strategies were developed to improve the catalytic efficiency and reduce the catalysis cost. Among them, combinatorial catalysis allows the exploration of innovative chemical reactions, where the single catalysis mode alone results in a poor reaction with low efficiency or even fails in promoting a reaction. This Special Issue focuses on different combinations of catalysis, such as enzymatic catalysis, chemical catalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, whole-cell-catalysis and so on. The principle for the design of combined catalysis will be discussed and their application will also be included. High-quality manuscripts of original research and critical reviews that address this topic are welcome for submission.

Dr. Feng Wang
Prof. Dr. Xiyu Cheng
Dr. Jianhua Hu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • combined catalysis
  • design
  • mechanism
  • application

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3214 KiB  
Article
Tailoring β-Bi2O3 Nanoparticles via Mg Doping for Superior Photocatalytic Activity and Hydrogen Evolution
by Ibrahim M. Sharaf, Mohamed S. I. Koubisy, Fatemah H. Alkallas, Amira Ben Gouider Trabelsi and Abdelaziz Mohamed Aboraia
Catalysts 2025, 15(6), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15060519 (registering DOI) - 24 May 2025
Abstract
Bismuth oxide (β-Bi2O3) is a promising visible-light-driven photocatalyst due to its narrow direct bandgap, but its practical application is hindered by rapid electron–hole recombination and limited surface active sites. This study demonstrates a sol-gel synthesis approach to tailor β-Bi [...] Read more.
Bismuth oxide (β-Bi2O3) is a promising visible-light-driven photocatalyst due to its narrow direct bandgap, but its practical application is hindered by rapid electron–hole recombination and limited surface active sites. This study demonstrates a sol-gel synthesis approach to tailor β-Bi2O3 nanoparticles through magnesium (Mg) doping, achieving remarkable enhancements in the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and hydrogen evolution. The structural analysis through XRD, SEM, and EDX confirmed Mg-doping concentrations of 0.025 to 0.1 M led to crystallite size reduction from 79 nm to 13 nm, while the UV–Vis bandgap measurement showed it decreased from 3.8 eV to 3.08–3.3 eV. The photodegradation efficiency increased through Mg doping at a 0.1 M concentration, with the highest rate constant value of 0.0217 min−1. The doping process led to VB potential reduction between 3.37 V (pristine) and 2.78–2.91 V across the doped samples when referenced to SCE. The photocatalytic performance of Mg0.075Bi1.925O3 improved with its 3.2 V VB potential because the photoelectric band arrangement enhanced both light absorption and charge separation. The combination of modifications through Mg doping yielded an enhanced photocatalytic performance, which proves that magnesium doping is a pivotal approach to modifying β-Bi2O3 suitable for environmentally and energy-related applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Combined Catalysis)
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15 pages, 5851 KiB  
Article
Unlocking Synergistic Catalysis in NiP: Dual Role of Electronic Structure and Lewis Acidity for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction
by Jiazhou Liang, Jiawei Li, Jiani Yan, Andrew M. Rappe and Jing Yang
Catalysts 2025, 15(5), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15050457 - 7 May 2025
Viewed by 185
Abstract
Nickel phosphides (NixPy) are recognized as promising alternatives to noble-metal catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). NiP, consisting of the equal stoichiometric ratio of Ni and P, could help quantify the catalytic effect of P and Ni. In [...] Read more.
Nickel phosphides (NixPy) are recognized as promising alternatives to noble-metal catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). NiP, consisting of the equal stoichiometric ratio of Ni and P, could help quantify the catalytic effect of P and Ni. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) is employed to investigate the OER mechanism on NiP surfaces. We found that P atoms help stabilize O* at the adsorption sites. The rich electron donation from the Ni atom can alter the local charge distribution and enhance the interaction between O* and P atoms. Both oxygen intermediate adsorption energy and OER overpotential exhibit linear correlations with the charge of adsorption sites. Electron loss at the site induces the overall system to exhibit Lewis acidic characteristics, facilitating the OER and leading to a substantial overpotential reduction of up to 0.61 V compared to Lewis basic structures. Leveraging electronic structure theory and Lewis acid–base theory, we offer a new insight into the OER mechanism on the NiP surface, demonstrating that the catalytic activity of bulk metallic surface materials like NiP can be optimized by tailoring the local surface chemical environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Combined Catalysis)
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13 pages, 4956 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Photocatalytic Properties of Reduced Graphene Oxide-Coated Zirconium Dioxide and Their Impact on Structural and Morphological Features
by Norhan Farghly, M. Abu El-Oyoun, A. Abousehly, Fatemah H. Alkallas, Amira Ben Gouider Trabelsi, E. R. Shaaban and Abdelaziz Mohamed Aboraia
Catalysts 2025, 15(3), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15030289 - 19 Mar 2025
Viewed by 456
Abstract
Semiconductor photocatalytic technology demonstrates strong potential as a solution to defend environmental systems while converting energy. The photocatalytic behavior of traditional ZrO2 catalysts suffers a major disadvantage because their activity remains low in visible light applications. XRD together with SEM, as well [...] Read more.
Semiconductor photocatalytic technology demonstrates strong potential as a solution to defend environmental systems while converting energy. The photocatalytic behavior of traditional ZrO2 catalysts suffers a major disadvantage because their activity remains low in visible light applications. XRD together with SEM, as well as EDX and EIS techniques, were utilized to evaluate the synthetic materials. This study demonstrated that the development of RGO-modified ZrO2 heterostructures delivered substantial increases in photocatalytic functionality through effective photogenerated charge separation mechanisms. Tests showed the RGO/ZrO2 heterostructures exhibited outstanding photocatalytic behavior that led to an 80% MB solution breakdown in 120 min while exceeding electrocatalytic parameters in multiple tests. The experimental data from UV–vis spectroscopy combined with electrochemical analysis and radical trapping methods demonstrated that heterostructure improvement resulted from higher light absorption rates and effective active site exposure while providing better electron/hole pair separation. This research establishes S-scheme heterostructures to enable advancements in environmental protection alongside energy conversion technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Combined Catalysis)
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14 pages, 2694 KiB  
Article
Sunlight-Driven Synthesis of TiO2/(MA)2SnCl4 Nanocomposite Films for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants
by Abdellah Kaiba, Amani M. Alansi, Ali Oubelkacem, Ilyas Chabri, Salah T. Hameed, Naveed Afzal, Mohsin Rafique and Talal F. Qahtan
Catalysts 2025, 15(3), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15030214 - 24 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 605
Abstract
In this study, a TiO2/(MA)2SnCl4 nanocomposite film was synthesized using a sustainable, sunlight-driven approach, demonstrating enhanced photocatalytic performance for environmental remediation. TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) were dispersed in ethanol and mixed with a methylammonium (MA) and [...] Read more.
In this study, a TiO2/(MA)2SnCl4 nanocomposite film was synthesized using a sustainable, sunlight-driven approach, demonstrating enhanced photocatalytic performance for environmental remediation. TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) were dispersed in ethanol and mixed with a methylammonium (MA) and SnCl2 precursor solution, followed by drop-casting onto a glass substrate and exposure to direct sunlight for 2 h. Sunlight served as an energy source, facilitating in situ structural modifications and leading to the formation of a well-integrated TiO2/(MA)2SnCl4 hybrid structure, where TiO2 was effectively encapsulated. Characterization revealed a band gap reduction from 3.1 eV (TiO2-NPs) to 2.6 eV in the nanocomposite, extending light absorption into the visible range. The formation of Sn–O–Ti interactions enhanced charge separation, minimized electron–hole recombination, and improved charge carrier dynamics. Photocatalytic degradation tests using methylene blue (MB) under sunlight showed that the nanocomposite film achieved 90% MB degradation within 60 min, outperforming TiO2-NPs, which achieved only 75% degradation. The presence of oxygen vacancies (OVs) generated during sunlight exposure further enhanced photocatalytic efficiency by acting as charge traps and reaction sites. This study introduces a green synthesis strategy leveraging sunlight as a renewable energy source, marking the first integration of (MA)2SnCl4 with TiO2-NPs for enhanced photocatalysis. The synergistic effects of extended visible-light absorption, defect engineering, and efficient charge separation make TiO2/(MA)2SnCl4 nanocomposite films a scalable, cost-effective solution for water purification applications, offering a promising solar-driven approach to addressing global water contamination challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Combined Catalysis)
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13 pages, 4072 KiB  
Article
High-Performance Photocatalytic Degradation—A ZnO Nanocomposite Co-Doped with Gd: A Systematic Study
by Aeshah Alasmari, Nadi Mlihan Alresheedi, Mohammed A. Alzahrani, Fahad M. Aldosari, Mostafa Ghasemi, Atef Ismail and Abdelaziz M. Aboraia
Catalysts 2024, 14(12), 946; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14120946 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1127
Abstract
This research aims to analyze the improvement in the photocatalytic properties of ZnO nanoparticles by incorporating Gd. In order to understand the influence of incorporating Gd into the ZnO matrix, the photocatalytic activity of the material is compared at various Gd concentrations. Different [...] Read more.
This research aims to analyze the improvement in the photocatalytic properties of ZnO nanoparticles by incorporating Gd. In order to understand the influence of incorporating Gd into the ZnO matrix, the photocatalytic activity of the material is compared at various Gd concentrations. Different doping concentrations of Gd ranging from 0 to 0.075 are incorporated into ZnO and the synthesized ZnO-Gd nanocomposites are investigated using structural, morphological, and optical analyses using XRD, SEM, and UV-vis spectroscopy, respectively. The photocatalytic performance of the synthesized ZnO-Gd nanocomposites is determined via the degradation of organic contaminants under visible light. Regarding the latter, the results suggest that photocatalytic efficiency increases with increasing Gd doping levels up to an optimal doping concentration. The enhancement of the photocatalytic performance of Gd-doped ZnO is explained, along with the mechanism related to the availability of new pathways for charge carrier recombination. Among all of them, the 0.075 Gd-doped ZnO catalyst exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity which degrades 89% of MB dye after being irradiated with UV light for 120 min. However, pure ZnO degrades only 40% of MB dye within the same testing conditions. In closing, this work confirms the applicability of Gd-doped ZnO nanocomposites as photocatalysts in cleaning up the environment and in wastewater treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Combined Catalysis)
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16 pages, 2437 KiB  
Article
Highly Efficient Degradation of 2-Methylisoborneol by Laccase Assisted by a Micro-Electric Field
by Ling Xu, Beidian Li, Tingting Liu, Anzhou Ma, Guoqiang Zhuang, Jingya Qian, Yi Cui, Shuhao Huo, Jiexiang Xia and Feng Wang
Catalysts 2024, 14(9), 649; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14090649 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1050
Abstract
Taste and odor (T&O) compounds have emerged as crucial parameters for assessing water quality. Therefore, identifying effective methodologies for the removal of these compounds is imperative. In this study, an effective approach utilizing laccase assisted by a micro-electric field was developed for the [...] Read more.
Taste and odor (T&O) compounds have emerged as crucial parameters for assessing water quality. Therefore, identifying effective methodologies for the removal of these compounds is imperative. In this study, an effective approach utilizing laccase assisted by a micro-electric field was developed for the degradation of 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB). For this purpose, the optimal conditions for the laccase-catalyzed degradation of 2-MIB were determined, and they were pH 4.0, 25 °C, 150 rpm, 0.1 U/mL of laccase, and 200 ng/L of 2-MIB. Under these specified conditions, the degradation efficiency of 2-MIB was approximately 78% after a 4 h reaction period. Subsequently, the introduction of an electric field yielded a synergistic effect with the enzyme for 2-MIB degradation. At an electric current intensity of 0.04 A over a 4 h duration, the degradation efficiency increased to 90.78%. An analysis using SPME-GC/MS provided information on the degradation intermediates of 2-MIB resulting from laccase-catalyzed degradation, electrocatalytic degradation, and micro-electric-assisted laccase degradation. The potential degradation pathways of 2-MIB illustrated that these three methods result in common degradation products, such as capric aldehyde, nonylaldehyde, and 2-ethylhexanol, and their final products include 3-pentanone, acetone, and 2-butanone. This study provides an enzyme–electrochemical method for the efficient and rapid degradation and removal of 2-MIB. The strategy of laccase catalysis assisted by a micro-electric field has good potential for the removal of pollutants from the natural environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Combined Catalysis)
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