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Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications
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Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021) | Viewed by 35295

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Sophie Hermans

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Guest Editor
Molecular Chemistry, Materials and Catalysis (MOST), Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences (IMCN), UCLouvain, Place Louis Pasteur 1, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Interests: carbon-supported catalysts; biomass valorization; carbohydrate transformations; (nano-)carbon functionalization; nanoparticles synthesis; nanomaterials chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Julien Mahy

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Guest Editor
Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences (IMCN), Université catholique de Louvain, Place Louis Pasteur 1, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Interests: Heterogeneous photocatalysis, sol-gel process, thin inorganic films, SiO2, TiO2, water and air treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last century, industrialization intensified in most countries around the world, and in various fields, particularly the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, horticulture, food, and petroleum industries. This intense industrialization has resulted in the emergence of a large variety of organic pollutants such as dyes, aromatics, pesticides, solvents, EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals) and PPCPs (Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products) and the production of various waste such as wood or forest residues, waste from food crops (wheat straw, bagasse), horticulture (yard waste), or human waste from sewage plants. All this pollution and waste need to be treated and valorized in order to maintain a safe and clean environment.

Numerous innovative catalytic and photocatalytic processes are being developed to transform these by-products of our industries into useful compounds. Given the complex nature of these persistent organic pollutants or biomass starting materials, sophisticated catalytic solids need to be elaborated, presenting for example acid/redox bi-functionality or resistance to hydrolysis. This has been the drive for intense research on advanced catalysts preparative methods. Nano-structuration in particular has been a door-opener in this field of application.

In this special issue entitled “methods for metallic or metallic oxide (photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications”, we welcome all kind of papers (research papers, reviews or communications) dealing with (photo)catalytic aiming at  environmental applications, based on metallic or metallic oxide materials. The paper can concern either the (photo)catalytic transformation of various waste/biomass to produce higher-value chemicals, or the (photo)catalytic degradation of pollutants, with a strong emphasis on innovative preparation methods.

Prof. Dr. Sophie Hermans
Dr. Julien Mahy
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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.

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

  • Synthesis of catalysts
  • Metallic or metallic oxide nanoparticles
  • Supported and unsupported catalysts
  • Photocatalysis
  • Biomass valorization
  • Water and air treatment
  • Waste treatment

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 190 KiB  
Editorial
Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications
by Julien G. Mahy and Sophie Hermans
Catalysts 2022, 12(3), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12030345 - 18 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1727
Abstract
During the last century, industrialization intensified in a growing number of countries around the world, and in various industries, particularly in the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, horticulture, food, and petroleum sectors [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

11 pages, 2770 KiB  
Communication
Core/Shell Ag/SnO2 Nanowires for Visible Light Photocatalysis
by Anna Baranowska-Korczyc, Ewelina Mackiewicz, Katarzyna Ranoszek-Soliwoda, Jaroslaw Grobelny and Grzegorz Celichowski
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12010030 - 28 Dec 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2200
Abstract
This study presents core/shell Ag/SnO2 nanowires (Ag/SnO2NWs) as a new photocatalyst for the rapid degradation of organic compounds by the light from the visible range. AgNWs after coating with a SnO2 shell change optical properties and, due to red [...] Read more.
This study presents core/shell Ag/SnO2 nanowires (Ag/SnO2NWs) as a new photocatalyst for the rapid degradation of organic compounds by the light from the visible range. AgNWs after coating with a SnO2 shell change optical properties and, due to red shift of the absorbance maxima of the longitudinal and transverse surface plasmon resonance (SPR), modes can be excited by the light from the visible light region. Rhodamine B and malachite green were respectively selected as a model organic dye and toxic one that are present in the environment to study the photodegradation process with a novel one-dimensional metal/semiconductor Ag/SnO2NWs photocatalyst. The degradation was investigated by studying time-dependent UV/Vis absorption of the dye solution, which showed a fast degradation process due to the presence of Ag/SnO2NWs photocatalyst. The rhodamine B and malachite green degraded after 90 and 40 min, respectively, under irradiation at the wavelength of 450 nm. The efficient photocatalytic process is attributed to two phenomenon surface plasmon resonance effects of AgNWs, which allowed light absorption from the visible range, and charge separations on the Ag core and SnO2 shell interface of the nanowires which prevents recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The presented properties of Ag/SnO2NWs can be used for designing efficient and fast photodegradation systems to remove organic pollutants under solar light without applying any external sources of irradiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications)
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12 pages, 2857 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of Thin Titania Coatings onto the Inner Surface of Quartz Tubes and Their Photoactivity in Decomposition of Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B
by Stanislav D. Svetlov, Dmitry A. Sladkovskiy, Kirill V. Semikin, Alexander V. Utemov, Rufat Sh. Abiev and Evgeny V. Rebrov
Catalysts 2021, 11(12), 1538; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11121538 - 16 Dec 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2766
Abstract
An evaporation-deposition coating method for coating the inner surface of long (>1 m) quartz tubes of small diameter has been studied by the introduction of two-phase (gas-liquid) flow with the gas core flowing in the middle and a thin liquid film of synthesis [...] Read more.
An evaporation-deposition coating method for coating the inner surface of long (>1 m) quartz tubes of small diameter has been studied by the introduction of two-phase (gas-liquid) flow with the gas core flowing in the middle and a thin liquid film of synthesis sol flowing near the hot tube wall. The operational window for the deposition of continuous titania coatings has been obtained. The temperature range for the deposition of continuous titania coatings is limited to 105–120 °C and the gas flow rate is limited to the range of 0.4–1.0 L min−1. The liquid flow rate in the annular flow regime allows to control the coating thickness between 3 and 10 micron and the coating porosity between 10% and 20%. By increasing the liquid flow rate, the coating porosity can be substantially reduced. The coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 chemisorption, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The coatings were tested in the photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue and rhodamine B under UV-light and their activity was similar to that of a commercial P25 titania catalyst. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications)
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13 pages, 2664 KiB  
Article
Influence of Pd and Pt Promotion in Gold Based Bimetallic Catalysts on Selectivity Modulation in Furfural Base-Free Oxidation
by Hisham K. Al Rawas, Camila P. Ferraz, Joëlle Thuriot-Roukos, Svetlana Heyte, Sébastien Paul and Robert Wojcieszak
Catalysts 2021, 11(10), 1226; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11101226 - 12 Oct 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2623
Abstract
Furfural (FF) has a high potential to become a major renewable platform molecule to produce biofuels and bio-based chemicals. The catalytic performances of AuxPty and AuxPdy bimetallic nanoparticulate systems supported on TiO2 were studied in a [...] Read more.
Furfural (FF) has a high potential to become a major renewable platform molecule to produce biofuels and bio-based chemicals. The catalytic performances of AuxPty and AuxPdy bimetallic nanoparticulate systems supported on TiO2 were studied in a base-free aerobic oxidation of furfural to furoic acid (FA) and maleic acid (MA) in water. The characterization of the catalysts was performed using standard techniques. The optimum reaction conditions were also investigated, including the reaction time, the reaction temperature, the metal ratio, and the metal loading. The present work shows a synergistic effect existing between Au, Pd, and Pt in the alloy, where the performances of the catalysts were strongly dependent on the metal ratio. The highest selectivity (100%) to FA was obtained using Au3-Pd1 catalysts, with 88% using 0.5% Au3Pt1 with about 30% of FF conversion at 80 °C. Using Au-Pd-based catalysts, the maximum yield of MA (14%) and 5% of 2(5H)-furanone (FAO) were obtained by using a 2%Au1-Pd1/TiO2 catalyst at 110 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications)
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21 pages, 41143 KiB  
Article
Crystalline ZnO Photocatalysts Prepared at Ambient Temperature: Influence of Morphology on p-Nitrophenol Degradation in Water
by Julien G. Mahy, Louise Lejeune, Tommy Haynes, Nathalie Body, Simon De Kreijger, Benjamin Elias, Raphael Henrique Marques Marcilli, Charles-André Fustin and Sophie Hermans
Catalysts 2021, 11(10), 1182; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11101182 - 28 Sep 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2643
Abstract
Since the Industrial Revolution, technological advances have generated enormous emissions of various pollutants affecting all ecosystems. The detection and degradation of pollutants has therefore become a critical issue. More than 59 different remediation technologies have already been developed, such as biological remediation, and [...] Read more.
Since the Industrial Revolution, technological advances have generated enormous emissions of various pollutants affecting all ecosystems. The detection and degradation of pollutants has therefore become a critical issue. More than 59 different remediation technologies have already been developed, such as biological remediation, and physicochemical and electrochemical methods. Among these techniques, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been popularized in the treatment of wastewater. The use of ZnO as a photocatalyst for water remediation has been developing fast in recent years. In this work, the goals are to produce ZnO photocatalysts with different morphologies, by using a green sol-gel process, and to study both the influence of the synthesis parameters on the resulting morphology, and the influence of these different morphologies on the photocatalytic activity, for the degradation of an organic pollutant in water. Multiple morphologies were produced (nanotubes, nanorods, nanospheres), with the same crystalline phase (wurtzite). The most important parameter controlling the shape and size was found to be pH. The photoactivity study on a model of pollutant degradation shows that the resulting activity is mainly governed by the specific surface area of the material. A comparison with a commercial TiO2 photocatalyst (Evonik P25) showed that the best ZnO produced with this green process can reach similar photoactivity without a calcination step. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications)
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15 pages, 4427 KiB  
Article
Photocatalysis over N-Doped TiO2 Driven by Visible Light for Pb(II) Removal from Aqueous Media
by Endang Tri Wahyuni, Titi Rahmaniati, Aulia Rizky Hafidzah, Suherman Suherman and Adhitasari Suratman
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 945; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080945 - 5 Aug 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2590
Abstract
The photocatalysis process over N-doped TiO2 under visible light is examined for Pb(II) removal. The doping TiO2 with N element was conducted by simple hydrothermal technique and using urea as the N source. The doped photocatalysts were characterized by DRUVS, XRD, [...] Read more.
The photocatalysis process over N-doped TiO2 under visible light is examined for Pb(II) removal. The doping TiO2 with N element was conducted by simple hydrothermal technique and using urea as the N source. The doped photocatalysts were characterized by DRUVS, XRD, FTIR and SEM-EDX instruments. Photocatalysis of Pb(II) through a batch experiment was performed for evaluation of the doped TiO2 activity under visible light, with applying various fractions of N-doped, photocatalyst mass, irradiation time, and solution pH. The research results attributed that N doping has been successfully performed, which shifted TiO2 absorption into visible region, allowing it to be active under visible irradiation. The photocatalytic removal of Pb(II) proceeded through photo-oxidation to form PbO2. Doping N into TiO2 noticeably enhanced the photo-catalytic oxidation of Pb(II) under visible light irradiation. The highest photocatalytic oxidation of 15 mg/L Pb(II) in 25 mL of the solution could be reached by employing TiO2 doped with 10%w of N content 15 mg, 30 min of time and at pH 8. The doped-photocatalyst that was three times repeatedly used demonstrated significant activity. The most effective process of Pb(II) photo-oxidation under beneficial condition, producing less toxic and handleable PbO2 and good repeatable photocatalyst, suggest a feasible method for Pb(II) remediation on an industrial scale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications)
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10 pages, 1470 KiB  
Article
Study of the Direct CO2 Carboxylation Reaction on Supported Metal Nanoparticles
by Fabien Drault, Youssef Snoussi, Joëlle Thuriot-Roukos, Ivaldo Itabaiana, Jr., Sébastien Paul and Robert Wojcieszak
Catalysts 2021, 11(3), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11030326 - 4 Mar 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3958
Abstract
2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (2,5-FDCA) is a biomass derivate of high importance that is used as a building block in the synthesis of green polymers such as poly(ethylene furandicarboxylate) (PEF). PEF is presumed to be an ideal substitute for the predominant polymer in industry, the [...] Read more.
2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (2,5-FDCA) is a biomass derivate of high importance that is used as a building block in the synthesis of green polymers such as poly(ethylene furandicarboxylate) (PEF). PEF is presumed to be an ideal substitute for the predominant polymer in industry, the poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Current routes for 2,5-FDCA synthesis require 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) as a reactant, which generates undesirable co-products due to the complicated oxidation step. Therefore, direct CO2 carboxylation of furoic acid salts (FA, produced from furfural, derivate of inedible lignocellulosic biomass) to 2,5-FDCA is potentially a good alternative. Herein, we present the primary results obtained on the carboxylation reaction of potassium 2-furoate (K2F) to synthesize 2,5-FDCA, using heterogeneous catalysts. An experimental setup was firstly validated, and then several operation conditions were optimized, using heterogeneous catalysts instead of the semi-heterogeneous counterparts (molten salts). Ag/SiO2 catalyst showed interesting results regarding the K2F conversion and space–time yield of 2,5-FDCA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications)
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20 pages, 12467 KiB  
Article
Morphology Regulation Mechanism and Enhancement of Photocatalytic Performance of BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I) via Mannitol-Assisted Synthesis
by Patrycja Wilczewska, Aleksandra Bielicka-Giełdoń, Karol Szczodrowski, Anna Malankowska, Jacek Ryl, Karol Tabaka and Ewa Maria Siedlecka
Catalysts 2021, 11(3), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11030312 - 26 Feb 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3351
Abstract
BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I) photocatalysts with dominant (110) facets were synthesized via a mannitol-assisted solvothermal method. This is the first report on the exposed (110) facets-, size-, and defects-controlled synthesis of BiOX achieved by solvothermal synthesis with mannitol. This polyol alcohol [...] Read more.
BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I) photocatalysts with dominant (110) facets were synthesized via a mannitol-assisted solvothermal method. This is the first report on the exposed (110) facets-, size-, and defects-controlled synthesis of BiOX achieved by solvothermal synthesis with mannitol. This polyol alcohol acted simultaneously as a solvent, capping agent, and/or soft template. The mannitol concentration on the new photocatalysts morphology and surface properties was investigated in detail. At the lowest concentration tested, mannitol acted as a structure-directing agent, causing unification of nanoparticles, while at higher concentrations, it functioned as a solvent and soft template. The effect of exposed (110) facet and surface defects (Bi(3−x)+, Bi4+, Bi5+) of BiOX on the photocatalytic activity of nanomaterials under the UV–Vis irradiation were evaluated by oxidation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an anticancer drug, and by reduction of Cr(VI). Additionally, the influence of crucial factors on the formation of BiOX in the synthesis with mannitol was discussed extensively, and the mechanism of BiOX formation was proposed. These studies presented a new simple method for synthesizing BiOX without any additional surfactants or shape control agents with good photocatalytic activity. The study also provided a better understanding of the effects of solvothermal conditions on the BiOX crystal growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications)
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17 pages, 5415 KiB  
Article
Visible Light Driven Photocatalytic Decolorization and Disinfection of Water Employing Reduced TiO2 Nanopowders
by Xiaolan Kang, Chrysanthi Berberidou, Augustinas Galeckas, Calliope Bazioti, Einar Sagstuen, Truls Norby, Ioannis Poulios and Athanasios Chatzitakis
Catalysts 2021, 11(2), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11020228 - 9 Feb 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3032
Abstract
Defect-engineering of TiO2 can have a major impact on its photocatalytic properties for the degradation of persisting and non-biodegradable pollutants. Herein, a series of intrinsic and extrinsic defects are induced by post annealing of crystalline TiO2 under different reducing atmospheres. A [...] Read more.
Defect-engineering of TiO2 can have a major impact on its photocatalytic properties for the degradation of persisting and non-biodegradable pollutants. Herein, a series of intrinsic and extrinsic defects are induced by post annealing of crystalline TiO2 under different reducing atmospheres. A detailed optoelectronic characterization sheds light on the key characteristics of the defect-engineered TiO2 nanopowders that are linked to the photocatalytic performance of the prepared photocatalysts. The photodegradation of a model dye, malachite green, as well as the inactivation of bacterial endospores of the Geobacillus stearothermophilus species were studied in the presence of the developed catalysts under visible light illumination. Our results indicate that a combination of certain defects is necessary for the improvement of the photocatalytic process for water purification and disinfection under visible light. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications)
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18 pages, 5884 KiB  
Article
Tuneable Functionalization of Glass Fibre Membranes with ZnO/SnO2 Heterostructures for Photocatalytic Water Treatment: Effect of SnO2 Coverage Rate on the Photocatalytic Degradation of Organics
by Vincent Rogé, Joffrey Didierjean, Jonathan Crêpellière, Didier Arl, Marc Michel, Ioana Fechete, Aziz Dinia and Damien Lenoble
Catalysts 2020, 10(7), 733; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10070733 - 2 Jul 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2811
Abstract
The construction of a ZnO/SnO2 heterostructure is considered in the literature as an efficient strategy to improve photocatalytic properties of ZnO due to an electron/hole delocalisation process. This study is dedicated to an investigation of the photocatalytic performance of ZnO/SnO2 heterostructures [...] Read more.
The construction of a ZnO/SnO2 heterostructure is considered in the literature as an efficient strategy to improve photocatalytic properties of ZnO due to an electron/hole delocalisation process. This study is dedicated to an investigation of the photocatalytic performance of ZnO/SnO2 heterostructures directly synthesized in macroporous glass fibres membranes. Hydrothermal ZnO nanorods have been functionalized with SnO2 using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. The coverage rate of SnO2 on ZnO nanorods was precisely tailored by controlling the number of ALD cycles. We highlight here the tight control of the photocatalytic properties of the ZnO/SnO2 structure according to the coverage rate of SnO2 on the ZnO nanorods. We show that the highest degradation of methylene blue is obtained when a 40% coverage rate of SnO2 is reached. Interestingly, we also demonstrate that a higher coverage rate leads to a full passivation of the photocatalyst. In addition, we highlight that 40% coverage rate of SnO2 onto ZnO is sufficient for getting a protective layer, leading to a more stable photocatalyst in reuse. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications)
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22 pages, 4360 KiB  
Article
Efficient N, Fe Co-Doped TiO2 Active under Cost-Effective Visible LED Light: From Powders to Films
by Sigrid Douven, Julien G. Mahy, Cédric Wolfs, Charles Reyserhove, Dirk Poelman, François Devred, Eric M. Gaigneaux and Stéphanie D. Lambert
Catalysts 2020, 10(5), 547; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10050547 - 14 May 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3423
Abstract
An eco-friendly photocatalytic coating, active under a cost-effective near-visible LED system, was synthesized without any calcination step for the removal of organic pollutants. Three types of doping (Fe, N and Fe + N), with different dopant/Ti molar ratios, were investigated and compared with [...] Read more.
An eco-friendly photocatalytic coating, active under a cost-effective near-visible LED system, was synthesized without any calcination step for the removal of organic pollutants. Three types of doping (Fe, N and Fe + N), with different dopant/Ti molar ratios, were investigated and compared with undoped TiO2 and the commercial P25 photocatalyst. Nano-crystalline anatase-brookite particles were successfully produced with the aqueous sol-gel process, also at a larger scale. All samples displayed a higher visible absorption and specific surface area than P25. Photoactivity of the catalyst powders was evaluated through the degradation of p-nitrophenol in water under visible light (>400 nm). As intended, all samples were more performant than P25. The N-doping, the Fe-doping and their combination promoted the activity under visible light. Films, coated on three different substrates, were then compared. Finally, the photoactivity of a film, produced from the optimal N-Fe co-doped colloid, was evaluated on the degradation of (i) p-nitrophenol under UV-A light (365 nm) and (ii) rhodamine B under LED visible light (395 nm), and compared to undoped TiO2 film. The higher enhancement is obtained under the longer wavelength (395 nm). The possibility of producing photocatalytic films without any calcination step and active under low-energy LED light constitutes a step forward for an industrial development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications)
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14 pages, 2299 KiB  
Article
Influence of Water-Miscible Organic Solvent on the Activity and Stability of Silica-Coated Ru Catalysts in the Selective Hydrolytic Hydrogenation of Cellobiose into Sorbitol
by Tommy Haynes, Sharon Hubert, Samuel Carlier, Vincent Dubois and Sophie Hermans
Catalysts 2020, 10(2), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10020149 - 23 Jan 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2833
Abstract
Ruthenium nanoparticles supported on carbon black were coated by mesoporous protective silica layers (Ru/CB@SiO2) with different textural properties (SBET: 280–390 m2/g, pore diameter: 3.4–5.0 nm) and were tested in the selective hydrogenation of glucose into sorbitol. The [...] Read more.
Ruthenium nanoparticles supported on carbon black were coated by mesoporous protective silica layers (Ru/CB@SiO2) with different textural properties (SBET: 280–390 m2/g, pore diameter: 3.4–5.0 nm) and were tested in the selective hydrogenation of glucose into sorbitol. The influence of key parameters such as the protective layer pore size and the solvent nature were investigated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses proved that the hydrothermal stability was highly improved in ethanolic solution with low water content (silica loss: 99% in water and 32% in ethanolic solution). In this work, the strong influence of the silica layer pore sizes on the selectivity of the reaction (shifting from 4% to 68% by increasing the pores sizes from 3.4 to 5 nm) was also highlighted. Finally, by adding acidic co-catalyst (CB–SO3H), sorbitol was obtained directly through the hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellobiose (used as a model molecule of cellulose), demonstrating the high potential of the present methodology to produce active catalysts in biomass transformations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metallic or Metallic Oxide (Photo)catalysts for Environmental Applications)
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