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Catalysis: Where We Are and Where We Go
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Catalysis: Where We Are and Where We Go

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalytic Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 4162

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Diana Sannino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
Interests: catalysis; environmental depollution; characterization of materials; nanomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Catalysis has been defined in various ways, gaining paradigmatic importance due to its relevance within all transformational processes, including life. Its application has been extensively studied since its definition, by J.J. Berzelius in 1836. Later, the actions of catalysts in chemical processes, defining the improved activity, the enhanced selectivity, the milder operative conditions, its stability, and finally the cost, have been described.

Several trends have been observed in terms of catalysis, such as the boost to the heterogenization of homogeneous catalysts, research into low cost substitutes for noble metals, and the sustainability of chemical processes, implying the use of green catalysts.

This Special Issue wants to examine the actual intersection of the heterogenous catalysis with the recently affirmed field of nanomaterials, taking into consideration the awareness of the methods and the techniques that join the two disciplines. In addition, combined technologies, such as photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and plasmacatalysis, require more focus, offering novel routes to difficult reactions, such as CO2 reduction.

Papers, short communications, and reviews regarding catalytic processes both at and far from the thermodynamic equilibrium are welcomed, as well as the progress of refining, petrochemical processes, environmental protection, and biomass conversion.

Dr. Diana Sannino
Guest Editor

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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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

  • heterogeneous catalysis
  • nanostructured catalysts
  • nanoporous catalysts
  • catalyst nanoengineering
  • combined catalytic technologies
  • electro catalysis
  • plasma catalysis
  • photocatalysis

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 3203 KiB  
Article
From Pollutant Removal to Renewable Energy: MoS2-Enhanced P25-Graphene Photocatalysts for Malathion Degradation and H2 Evolution
by Cristian Martínez-Perales, Abniel Machín, Pedro J. Berríos-Rolón, Paola Sampayo, Enrique Nieves, Loraine Soto-Vázquez, Edgard Resto, Carmen Morant, José Ducongé, María C. Cotto and Francisco Márquez
Materials 2025, 18(11), 2602; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18112602 - 3 Jun 2025
Viewed by 580
Abstract
The widespread presence of pesticides—especially malathion—in aquatic environments presents a major obstacle to conventional remediation strategies, while the ongoing global energy crisis underscores the urgency of developing renewable energy sources such as hydrogen. In this context, photocatalytic water splitting emerges as a promising [...] Read more.
The widespread presence of pesticides—especially malathion—in aquatic environments presents a major obstacle to conventional remediation strategies, while the ongoing global energy crisis underscores the urgency of developing renewable energy sources such as hydrogen. In this context, photocatalytic water splitting emerges as a promising approach, though its practical application remains limited by poor charge carrier dynamics and insufficient visible-light utilization. Herein, we report the design and evaluation of a series of TiO2-based ternary nanocomposites comprising commercial P25 TiO2, reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), with MoS2 loadings ranging from 1% to 10% by weight. The photocatalysts were fabricated via a two-step method: hydrothermal integration of rGO into P25 followed by solution-phase self-assembly of exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets. The composites were systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity was assessed through two key applications: the degradation of malathion (20 mg/L) under simulated solar irradiation and hydrogen evolution from water in the presence of sacrificial agents. Quantification was performed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and thermal conductivity detection (GC-TCD). Results showed that the integration of rGO significantly enhanced surface area and charge mobility, while MoS2 served as an effective co-catalyst, promoting interfacial charge separation and acting as an active site for hydrogen evolution. Nearly complete malathion degradation (~100%) was achieved within two hours, and hydrogen production reached up to 6000 µmol g−1 h−1 under optimal MoS2 loading. Notably, photocatalytic performance declined with higher MoS2 content due to recombination effects. Overall, this work demonstrates the synergistic enhancement provided by rGO and MoS2 in a stable P25-based system and underscores the viability of such ternary nanocomposites for addressing both environmental remediation and sustainable energy conversion challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis: Where We Are and Where We Go)
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20 pages, 14968 KiB  
Article
Plasma Photocatalysis: A Novel Approach for Enhanced Air Disinfection in Centralised Ventilation Systems
by Hanna Koshlak, Leonid Lobanov, Borys Basok, Tetyana Hrabova and Pavlo Goncharov
Materials 2025, 18(8), 1870; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18081870 - 19 Apr 2025
Viewed by 353
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for sustainable and scalable air disinfection technologies in HVAC systems, addressing the limitations of energy-intensive and chemically intensive conventional methods. This study developed and evaluated a pilot experimental installation integrating plasma chemistry and photocatalysis for airborne [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for sustainable and scalable air disinfection technologies in HVAC systems, addressing the limitations of energy-intensive and chemically intensive conventional methods. This study developed and evaluated a pilot experimental installation integrating plasma chemistry and photocatalysis for airborne pathogen and pollutant mitigation. The installation, designed with a modular architecture to simulate real-world HVAC dynamics, employed a bipolar plasma ioniser, a TiO2 photocatalytic module, and an adsorption-catalytic module for ozone abatement. Characterization techniques, including SEM and BET analysis, were used to evaluate the morphology and surface properties of the catalytic materials. Field tests in a production room demonstrated a 60% reduction in airborne microflora in three days, along with effective decomposition of ozone. The research also determined the optimal electrode geometry and interelectrode distance for stable corona discharge, which is essential for efficient plasma generation. Energy-efficient design considerations, which incorporate heat recovery and heat pump integration, achieved a 7–8-fold reduction in air heating energy consumption. These results demonstrate the potential of integrated plasma photocatalysis as a sustainable and scalable approach to enhance indoor air quality in centralised HVAC systems, contributing to both public health and energy efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis: Where We Are and Where We Go)
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22 pages, 2917 KiB  
Article
A Study of Redox Properties of Ceria and Fe-Ceria Solid Materials Through Small Molecules Catalytic Oxidation
by Riccardo Balzarotti, Andrea Basso Peressut, Gabriella Garbarino, Elena Spennati, Juan Felipe Basbus, Maria Paola Carpanese, Saverio Latorrata, Cinzia Cristiani and Elisabetta Finocchio
Materials 2025, 18(4), 806; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040806 - 12 Feb 2025
Viewed by 678
Abstract
This work presents a study of the redox properties of CeO2 particles with (FeCeHS) and without (CeHS) Fe2O3 impregnation, as possible innovative catalysts for oxidation and combustion reactions as well as CO2 activation. The topic, therefore, is part [...] Read more.
This work presents a study of the redox properties of CeO2 particles with (FeCeHS) and without (CeHS) Fe2O3 impregnation, as possible innovative catalysts for oxidation and combustion reactions as well as CO2 activation. The topic, therefore, is part of a broader analysis of environmental catalysis, which aims to reduce the emissions of polluting substances and improve the exploitation of energy resources, with consequent progress in the eco-friendly field. Different laboratory techniques (Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet–Visible (UV-Vis), and Fourier Transform–Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies) point out that iron oxide is deposited on the surface of ceria, which maintains its lattice structure, although the particle morphology is slightly changed. Methanol and ethanol adsorption and conversion were evaluated on these catalysts by Temperature Programmed Surface Reaction (TPSR) and by in situ FT-IR spectroscopy of the probe redox properties, evidencing the formation of surface oxidized intermediates and combustion products. The FeCeHS catalyst demonstrates, in our reaction conditions, a good combustion activity in total oxidation of oxygenated molecules, hindering the formation of formaldehyde from methanol and reducing the quantity of CO produced by the partial oxidation reaction. A cooperative effect is suggested by the mixture of these two metals in the oxidation process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis: Where We Are and Where We Go)
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12 pages, 6641 KiB  
Article
Effect of Electrodeposition Conditions on Adsorption and Photocatalytic Properties of ZnO
by Alina Pruna, Iulian Poliac, David Busquets-Mataix and Antonio Ruotolo
Materials 2025, 18(3), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030497 - 22 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 800
Abstract
The electrodeposition of ZnO films was studied using potentiostatic mode in varying conditions including the presence of graphene oxide (GO) as a buffer layer and an additional deposition step. The obtained films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier [...] Read more.
The electrodeposition of ZnO films was studied using potentiostatic mode in varying conditions including the presence of graphene oxide (GO) as a buffer layer and an additional deposition step. The obtained films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effect of electrodeposition conditions on the adsorption and photocatalytic properties of ZnO nanostructured films was analyzed by using methylene blue (MB) as a model dye molecule and exposure to UV light. The results indicated a marked effect of GO content in the buffer layer and the duration of nucleation on the properties of electrodeposited ZnO films. Lower GO content and an additional deposition step of 60 s resulted in the best adsorption and photocatalytic activity, these being 7 and 5-folds, respectively, in comparison to ZnO in absence of these adjustments. The MB photodegradation was found to follow first-order kinetics, the rate constant reaching a value of 2.38 × 10−3 min−1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis: Where We Are and Where We Go)
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26 pages, 2299 KiB  
Article
Investigation of MO Adsorption Kinetics and Photocatalytic Degradation Utilizing Hollow Fibers of Cu-CuO/TiO2 Nanocomposite
by George V. Theodorakopoulos, Sergios K. Papageorgiou, Fotios K. Katsaros, George Em. Romanos and Margarita Beazi-Katsioti
Materials 2024, 17(18), 4663; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17184663 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1242
Abstract
This comprehensive study explores the kinetics of adsorption and its photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) using an advanced copper-decorated photocatalyst in the form of hollow fibers (HFs). Designed to boost both adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity, the photocatalyst was tested in batch [...] Read more.
This comprehensive study explores the kinetics of adsorption and its photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) using an advanced copper-decorated photocatalyst in the form of hollow fibers (HFs). Designed to boost both adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity, the photocatalyst was tested in batch experiments to efficiently remove MO from aqueous solutions. Various isotherm models, including Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich, along with kinetic models like pseudo-first and pseudo-second order, Elovich, Bangham, and Weber–Morris, were utilized to assess adsorption capacity and kinetics at varying initial concentrations. The results indicated a favorable MO physisorption on the nanocomposite photocatalyst under specific conditions. Further analysis of photocatalytic degradation under UV exposure revealed that the material maintained high degradation efficiency and stability across different MO concentrations. Through the facilitation of reactive oxygen species generation, oxygen played a crucial role in enhancing photocatalytic performance, while the degradation process following the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. The study also confirmed the robustness and sustained activity of the nanocomposite photocatalyst, which could be regenerated and reused over five successive cycles, maintaining 92% of their initial performance at concentrations up to 15 mg/L. Overall, this effective nanocomposite photocatalyst structured in the form of HF shows great promise for effectively removing organic pollutants through combined adsorption and photocatalysis, offering valuable potential in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis: Where We Are and Where We Go)
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