Design and Synthesis of Next-Generation Catalysts for Efficient Green Chemical Reactions
A special issue of Chemistry (ISSN 2624-8549). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalysis".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 1259
Special Issue Editor
Interests: the design of heterogeneous catalysts for efficient hydrogen production; storage and high-value utilization of hydrogen; high-value conversion of carbon-based energy small molecules (CO, CO2, CH4, CH3OH and CH3CH2OH, etc.) and exploration of new cascade catalytic reaction processes; biomass catalysis, including thermal catalysis, photo/photothermal catalysis and electrocatalytic biomass conversion to produce hydrogen and high-value-added chemicals
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The development of efficient green chemical processes is essential for addressing the dual challenges of the global energy crisis and environmental sustainability. One particularly promising strategy involves coupling green hydrogen production with the selective hydrogenation of CO2 to generate high-value-added chemicals. This approach not only mitigates carbon emissions but also enables the synthesis of fuels and feedstocks via renewable pathways. In this context, biomass electrooxidation offers a transformative route to enhance the energy efficiency of water electrolysis by replacing the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with value-generating oxidation reactions. This substitution can significantly lower the energy input required for hydrogen production, while simultaneously producing valuable chemicals. Notable examples include the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), glucose to glucaric acid and formic acid, glycerol to glyceric acid and formic acid, and cyclohexanol to adipic acid. Meanwhile, the availability of low-cost green hydrogen opens up efficient catalytic routes for CO2 valorization through selective hydrogenation. Using advanced heterogeneous catalysts, CO2 can be converted into carbon monoxide, methanol, higher alcohols, light olefins, gasoline, jet fuel, and aromatic hydrocarbons, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil-derived pathways. This special issue aims to showcase recent advances in the design, synthesis, and mechanistic understanding of next-generation catalysts that enable these and other green transformations. We welcome contributions focused on catalytic innovations in biomass electrooxidation, CO2 hydrogenation, and related processes that support the development of circular and low-carbon chemical technologies.
Prof. Dr. Ming Xu
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- green hydrogen
- water electrolysis
- electrochemical biomass biorefinery
- spin-dependent electrocatalysts
- coupling reaction
- CO2 conversion
- selective hydrogenation
- high-value-added chemicals
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