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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 39844

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Prof. Dr. Ákos Kukovecz

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Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Rerrich Bela ter 1, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
Interests: nanoporous materials, heterogeneous catalysis, interface phenomena, process safety, mechanochemistry, one dimensional nanostructures, imaging methods

Dr. Violeta Niculescu

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National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies-ICSI Ramnicu Valcea, 240050 Ramnicu Valcea, Romania
Interests: analytical chemistry; environment; heterogeneous catalysis; life science; nanocatalysts; nanomaterials; nanotechnology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Heterogeneous catalysis has always been about nanomaterials, because the interesting chemistry happens at the atomically structured, high energy interfaces. However, the recent advances in the rational design, conscious engineering and spatiotemporally detailed characterization of advanced nanomaterials have created previously unimaginable opportunities for today’s catalysis scientists. We can design pores, surfaces, edges and defect sites, then use in situ / in operando techniques to monitor the individual steps of catalytic reactions taking place over them. This puts us in the position to serve humanity with much-needed tools for creating a sustainable economy.

This special issue focuses on the synthesis and heterogeneous catalytic applications of advanced inorganic or hybrid nanostructures. All low-dimensional metallic and semiconducting materials are welcome. Reports focusing on the synthesis and characterization of these materials will be considered if a clear link between the structure and the catalytic properties is established. Purely theoretical works are out of the scope of the special issue, but papers combining theory and experiment are encouraged. From the reaction point of view, both model reactions and industrial catalytic applications are welcome. Preference will be given to works with an environmental relevance (e.g. CO₂ reduction, N₂ reduction, ORR, HER, water and air purification etc.)

Prof. Dr. Ákos Kukovecz
Dr. Violeta Niculescu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Nanomaterials
MOFs
Nanoporous materials
ALD
CO2 reduction
N2 reduction
Electrocatalysis
Fuel cells
Photocatalysis
In situ

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 3753 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Calcination Temperature on Various Sources of ZrO₂ Supported Ni Catalyst for Dry Reforming of Methane

by Ahmed Aidid Ibrahim, Anis Hamza Fakeeha, Mahmud Sofiu Lanre, Abdulrhman S. Al-Awadi, Salwa Bader Alreshaidan, Yousef Abdulrahman Albaqmaa, Syed Farooq Adil, Ateyah A. Al-Zahrani, Ahmed Elhag Abasaeed and Ahmed S. Al-Fatesh

Catalysts 2022, 12(4), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12040361 - 23 Mar 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3034

Abstract

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) over an Ni-based catalyst is an innovative research area due to the growing environmental awareness about mitigating global warming gases (CH₄ and CO₂) and creating a greener route of synthesis. Herein, 5% Ni supported on ZrO₂ obtained from various sources was prepared by the impregnation method. The catalysts were calcined at 600, 700, and 800 °C. Furthermore, Ni-RC stabilized with MgO, SiO₂, TiO₂, and Y₂O₃ were tested. Characterization techniques employed comprise the N₂ physisorption, infrared spectroscopy, Raman, thermogravimetric analysis, XRD, and TEM. The results of the present study indicated that the ZrO₂ support source had a profound effect on the overall performance of the process. The best catalyst Ni-RC gave an average conversion of CH₄ and CO₂ of 61.5% and 63.6% and the least deactivation of 10.3%. The calcination pretreatment differently influenced the catalyst performance. When the average methane conversion was higher than 40%, increasing the calcination temperature decreased the activity. While for the low activity catalysts with an average methane conversion of less than 40% the impact of the calcination temperature did not constantly decrease with the temperature rise. The stabilization of Ni-RC denoted the preference Y₂O₃ stabilized catalyst with average values of CH₄ and CO₂ conversion of about 67% and 72%, respectively. The thorough study and fine correlation will be advantageous for technologically suitable Ni-15Y-RC catalysts for DRM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials - Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis)

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16 pages, 4735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Prepared with Carrasquilla Fruit Extract (Berberis hallii) and Evaluation of Its Photocatalytic Activity

by Geovanna Arroyo, Yolanda Angulo, Alexis Debut and Luis Heriberto Cumbal

Catalysts 2021, 11(10), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11101195 - 30 Sep 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2414

Abstract

In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were obtained using a green-chemistry procedure. For this protocol, the Carrasquilla extract (CE) (Berberis hallii) and a AgNO₃ solution were used as the reducing agent and the metal precursor, respectively. The as-prepared AgNPs after characterization were then used to evaluate the degradation of the methylene blue (MB), the safranin (SF), and the mixture of both dyes in the aqueous phase under solar light irradiation. The photocatalytic activity of AgNPs for the degradation of the MB (k = 0.0092 min⁻¹) was higher than the SF (k = 0.00016 min⁻¹) due to the susceptibility of the thiazine ring of the MB to photodegradation contrasted to the phenyl phenazine of the SF. However, SF was mostly removed by adsorption with a maximum uptake of 2907 mg/g. Overall, this eco-friendly and green conversion of silver ions to metallic elements avoids the use of toxic chemicals and could be applied for the degradation/adsorption of dyes used in several industrial processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials - Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis)

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13 pages, 4623 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Removal of Tar Contents Derived from Lignocellulosic Biomass Gasification Facilities Using MgAl-LDH@clinoptilolite

by I-Tae Kim, Kwang-Ho Ahn, Jinhong Jung, Yoonah Jeong, Dong-Chul Shin and Ye-Eun Lee

Catalysts 2021, 11(9), 1111; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11091111 - 16 Sep 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3218

Abstract

Gasification of lignocellulosic biomass requires the effective removal method of tar. This study focused on the application of specially designed Mg/Al-layered double hydroxides clinoptilolite (Mg/Al-LDH@clinoptilolite) to improve the removal efficiency of tar, which would eventually lead to enhancing the power efficiency of gasification, preventing damage to facilities, and deducing durability improvement plans. Zeolite-layered double hydroxides impregnated with clinoptilolite, a natural zeolite, and Mg/Al-layered double hydroxide incorporated into conventional water scrubbers were prepared to enhance the removal efficiency of the tar and improve the quality of the syngas produced during the gasification process. The simultaneous removal of moisture and CO₂ in the syngas was also investigated during the removal of the tar. The drastic decrease in tar and CO₂ concentration was confirmed, which triggered a relative increase in the effective content of inflammable gas. The findings of the present study provide a practical approach to increasing power efficiency and durability during the gasification of lignocellulosic biomass. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials - Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis)

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19 pages, 6371 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Efficient Rice-Husk-Derived Silica Nanocatalysts for Organic Dye Removal from Water

by Violeta-Carolina Niculescu and Maria Simona Raboaca

Catalysts 2021, 11(7), 815; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11070815 - 4 Jul 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4143

Abstract

Rice is the second most extensively consumed food ingredient, and its by-products in the paddy field include rice husk and straw. Rice husk ash, resulting from rice husk burning, is considered an environment menace, inducing negative effects on the area in which it is disposed of. In this study, rice husk was applied as a silicate source to obtain mesoporous silica material. Characterization techniques confirmed the well-ordered mesophase and resemblance of mesoporous silica resulting from rice husk ash with one obtained from conventional silica sources. The mesoporous silica material was further used as catalyst support. The resulting catalysts were used for rhodamine 110 oxidation, proving high potential for oxidizing hazardous organic compounds, such as dyes from water, resulting in environmentally harmless products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials - Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis)

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10 pages, 2027 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Binder-Free Construction of a Methanol Tolerant Pt/TiO₂/Carbon Paper Anode by Atomic Layer Deposition

by Gergő Ballai, Tamás Gyenes, Henrik Haspel, Lívia Vásárhelyi, Imre Szenti, Dániel Sebők, Zoltán Kónya and Ákos Kukovecz

Catalysts 2021, 11(2), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11020154 - 22 Jan 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2532

Abstract

Direct liquid fuel cells are very appealing alternatives for fighting climate change, particularly in the field of personal mobility solutions. This is especially true for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) that use and burn safe fuels that are readily available from sustainable sources using well-established C₁ chemistry. However, DMFCs also have some serious competitive disadvantages, like the high cost of the noble metal catalysts, the difficulties of the catalyst application, and the poisoning of the catalyst due to carbon monoxide formation. Here we demonstrate that depositing platinum on TiO₂ by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is an easy, reproducible method for the synthesis of TiO₂-supported platinum catalyst for methanol oxidation with superior anti-poisoning properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials - Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis)

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11 pages, 9812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molybdenum and Nickel Nanoparticles Synthesis by Laser Ablation towards the Preparation of a Hydrodesulfurization Catalyst

by Viviana Londoño-Calderón, Rogelio Ospina, Jhonatan Rodriguez-Pereira, Sergio A. Rincón-Ortiz and Elisabeth Restrepo-Parra

Catalysts 2020, 10(9), 1076; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10091076 - 18 Sep 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3133

Abstract

A clean straightforward laser ablation method in deionized (DI) water is reported for the synthesis of Molybdenum (Mo) and Nickel (Ni) nanoparticles (NPs). The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the as-synthesized nanoparticles were investigated. Particle size was estimated to be less than 10 nm, the UV–vis spectra of the samples show the formation of H₂MoO₄ and NiO. The XRD results for the Ni sample show the presence of two phases, cubic nickel oxide, and an fcc metallic nickel phase, indicating the possible formation of Ni/NiO compound. The nanoparticles synthesized were used as precursors in the production of a NiMo/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst. The textural and structural properties, chemical composition, and catalytic performance in a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) reaction are reported. The textural and structural properties results show the lack of pore-blocking due to the small sizes and the distribution of the metallic nanoparticles on the support. Chemical composition measured by XPS shows a ratio Ni/Mo of 1.34. Therefore, possibly Ni was deposited on Mo covering part of its active area, occupying active sites of Mo, removing its effective surface and resulting in a relatively low conversion of DBT (17%). A lower Ni/Mo ratio is required to improve the model system, which could be achieved by changing parameters at the production of the nanoparticles. The model system can also be further tuned by changing the size of the nanoparticles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials - Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis)

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17 pages, 4714 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Renewable Butene Production through Dehydration Reactions over Nano-HZSM-5/γ-Al₂O₃ Hybrid Catalysts

by Arno de Reviere, Tom Vandevyvere, Maarten K. Sabbe and An Verberckmoes

Catalysts 2020, 10(8), 879; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10080879 - 4 Aug 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4482

Abstract

The development of new, improved zeolitic materials is of prime importance to progress heterogeneous catalysis and adsorption technologies. The zeolite HZSM-5 and metal oxide γ-Al₂O₃ are key materials for processing bio-alcohols, but both have some limitations, i.e., HZSM-5 has a high activity but low catalytic stability, and vice versa for γ-Al₂O₃. To combine their advantages and suppress their disadvantages, this study reports the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic results of a hybrid nano-HZSM-5/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst for the dehydration of n-butanol to butenes. The hybrid catalyst is prepared by the in-situ hydrothermal synthesis of nano-HZSM-5 onto γ-Al₂O₃. This catalyst combines mesoporosity, related to the γ-Al₂O₃ support, and microporosity due to the nano-HZSM-5 crystals dispersed on the γ-Al₂O₃. HZSM-5 and γ-Al₂O₃ being in one hybrid catalyst leads to a different acid strength distribution and outperforms both single materials as it shows increased activity (compared to γ-Al₂O₃) and a high selectivity to olefins, even at low conversion and a higher stability (compared to HZSM-5). The hybrid catalyst also outperforms a physical mixture of nano-HZSM-5 and γ-Al₂O₃, indicating a truly synergistic effect in the hybrid catalyst. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials - Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis)

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15 pages, 4624 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Phyto-Mediated Catalyst, and Its Application for a Selective Oxidation of (VAL) into Vanillin under Visible Light

by Afnan Al-Hunaiti, Qassem Mohaidat, Ibrahim Bsoul, Sami Mahmood, Deeb Taher and Tareq Hussein

Catalysts 2020, 10(8), 839; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10080839 - 24 Jul 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4115

Abstract

Here, we report an efficient and highly selective oxidation of lignin model substrate using phyto-mediated ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticle using Boswellia carterii extract. The nanocatalyst with an average size of 8 nm showed excellent photocatalytic activity of the synthesized carbonyl containing products under visible light irradiation. The catalytic activity and selectivity towards oxidation of vanillyl alcohol to vanillin with selectivity up to 99% at conversion over 98% and turn-over frequency values up to 1600 h⁻¹ were obtained in the presence of H₂O₂ and base. The cubic spinel nano-ZnFe₂O₄ catalyst was characterized by powder-XRD, FESEM, HR-TEM and Mössbauer analysis. The demonstrated catalyst was robust and stable under the reaction conditions. Furthermore, it was easy to be separated from the reaction mixture and be reused for subsequent reactions up to 5 times without significant reactivity or selectivity loss. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials - Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis)

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13 pages, 2799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Colorimetric Aptamer Sensor Based on the Enhanced Peroxidase Activity of Functionalized Graphene/Fe₃O₄-AuNPs for Detection of Lead (II) Ions

by Zui Tao, You Zhou, Nuo Duan and Zhouping Wang

Catalysts 2020, 10(6), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10060600 - 29 May 2020

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 4782

Abstract

Lead (II) is regarded as one of the most hazardous heavy metals, and lead contamination has a serious impact on food chains, human health, and the environment. Herein, a colorimetric aptasensor based on the graphene/Fe₃O₄-AuNPs composites with enhanced peroxidase-like activity has been developed to monitor lead ions (Pb²⁺). In short, graphene/Fe₃O₄-AuNPs were fabricated and acted as an enzyme mimetic, so the color change could be observed by chromogenic reaction. The aptamer of Pb²⁺ was decorated on the surface of the amine magnetic beads by streptavidin–biotin interaction, and the complementary strands of the aptamer and target Pb²⁺ competed for the binding Pb²⁺ aptamer. In the presence of Pb²⁺, aptamers bonded the metal ions and were removed from the system by magnetic separation; the free cDNA was adsorbed onto the surface of the graphene/Fe₃O₄-AuNPs composites, thus inhibiting the catalytic activity and the color reaction. The absorbance of the reaction solution at 652 nm had a clear linear correlation with the Pb²⁺ concentration in the range of 1–300 ng/mL, and the limit of detection was 0.63 ng/mL. This assay is simple and convenient in operation, has good selectivity, and has been used to test tap water samples, which proves that it is capable for the routine monitoring of Pb²⁺. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials - Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis)

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10 pages, 4024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

NaBiS₂ as a Novel Indirect Bandgap Full Spectrum Photocatalyst: Synthesis and Application

by Huanchun Wang, Zheng Xie, Xuanjun Wang and Ying Jia

Catalysts 2020, 10(4), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10040413 - 9 Apr 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4004

Abstract

Photocatalysts with a superior activity range, from ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR) light, are attractive for solar utilization. From this perspective, sulfides are promising due to their narrower bandgap than oxides. In this report, NaBiS₂ was synthesized hydrothermally under mild conditions by adjusting the alkaline amount. The rough NaBiS₂ nanosheets possessed various surface atomic configurations on their surfaces, including amorphous clusters and amorphous nano-domains, revealed by HRTEM. A theoretical investigation of the band structure employing the density functional theory (DFT) method for the first time indicated that NaBiS₂ is an indirect bandgap semiconductor with a narrow bandgap of 1.02 eV. Experimentally, it showed excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl blue under UV, visible light and NIR light due to its experimental bandgap width of 1.32 eV. A degradation rate of 99.6% was reached after 80 min under full spectrum irradiation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials - Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis)

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12 pages, 3099 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of KCoMoS₂ Catalyst Structures on the Catalytic Performance of Higher Alcohols Synthesis via CO Hydrogenation

by Niannian Qin, Xiaoliang Mu, Lu Zhao and Kegong Fang

Catalysts 2020, 10(2), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10020151 - 25 Jan 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2726

Abstract

Different structures of cobalt and potassium modified molybdenum sulfide catalyst (KCoMoS₂) were synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis, coprecipitation and reverse microemulsion methods. Nitrogen adsorption, XRD, TEM, XPS and HAADF-STEM-EDS techniques were used to characterize the catalysts structures. The results indicate that the molybdenum sulfide-based catalyst synthesized by the reverse microemulsion method possessed less sheets with small lateral dimensions, while the catalysts prepared by the former two methods contained a higher number of stacking MoS₂ layers. In the test of higher alcohol synthesis from CO hydrogenation, it was found that the catalyst synthesized by the reverse microemulsion method exhibited the best CO conversion and C₂₊OH selectivity among the prepared catalysts. The correlation study between the catalysts structure and the reaction properties implies that the shorter and thinner molybdenum sulfide sheet structure favored for the exposure of the active sites, which, in turn, brought about an enhanced CO conversion and more C₂₊OH formation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials - Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis)

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