Nano-Catalysts and Their Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanotechnology and Applied Nanosciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2015) | Viewed by 21287

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Faculty of Science, Palacky University Olomouc, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
2. ORD National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
Interests: comprehensively broad research interests ranging from eco-friendly synthetic methods using mechanochemical mixing, photocatalysis, microwaves, ultrasound, etc.; to greener assembly of nanomaterials and sustainable appliances of magnetically retrievable nanocatalysts in benign media, preferably utilizing biomass-derived chemicals including biowaste and economic consumption of agricultural residues
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chemistry in the new millennium is embracing the concept of “nanotechnology” and specifically the “nano-catalysis” to meet the scientific challenges in the important field of catalysis (both homogeneous and heterogeneous). In the catalysis domain, the generation of engineered nanomaterials represent a major breakthrough in material science and nanotechnology-based materials. The effort is to develop eco-friendly synthetic strategies to prepare these nanomaterials via routes that use benign reagents rather than the hazardous substances conventionally used. One of the thrust areas for achieving this target is to explore the generation of efficient catalytic processes, particularly nano-catalysis. The emerging use of shape- and size-selective nano-catalysts facilitate quasi-homogeneous catalysis, thus, encompassing the beneficial attributes of both homogeneous (higher activity) and heterogeneous catalysis (better separation). Among others, the desired approach may encompass alternative activation methodology, such as mechanochemical mixing, and microwave- and ultrasonic irradiation, and the use of nano-catalysts with magnetic core; eco-friendly applications in catalysis could be ideally addressed via magnetically recoverable and recyclable nano-catalysts for oxidation, reduction, and condensation reactions. Essentially, the contributions in this issue will follow “sustainable” principles and would strive to utilize earth-abundant resources (iron and copper) with sparse use of rare and expensive metals.

Dr. Rajender S. Varma
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nano-catalysts
  • magnetic nano-catalysts
  • greener synthesis
  • sustainable chemistry

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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Article
Microwave-Assisted Conversion of Levulinic Acid to γ-Valerolactone Using Low-Loaded Supported Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Porous Silicates
by Alfonso Yepez, Sudipta De, Maria Salud Climent, Antonio A. Romero and Rafael Luque
Appl. Sci. 2015, 5(3), 532-543; https://doi.org/10.3390/app5030532 - 09 Sep 2015
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5871
Abstract
The microwave-assisted conversion of levulinic acid (LA) has been studied using low-loaded supported Fe-based catalysts on porous silicates. A very simple, productive, and highly reproducible continuous flow method has been used for the homogeneous deposition of metal oxide nanoparticles on the silicate supports. [...] Read more.
The microwave-assisted conversion of levulinic acid (LA) has been studied using low-loaded supported Fe-based catalysts on porous silicates. A very simple, productive, and highly reproducible continuous flow method has been used for the homogeneous deposition of metal oxide nanoparticles on the silicate supports. Formic acid was used as a hydrogen donating agent for the hydrogenation of LA to effectively replace high pressure H2 mostly reported for LA conversion. Moderate LA conversion was achieved in the case of non-noble metal-based iron oxide catalysts, with a significant potential for further improvements to compete with noble metal-based catalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Catalysts and Their Applications)
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Article
Synthesis, Characterization and Shape-Dependent Catalytic CO Oxidation Performance of Ruthenium Oxide Nanomaterials: Influence of Polymer Surfactant
by Antony Ananth, Duncan H. Gregory and Young Sun Mok
Appl. Sci. 2015, 5(3), 344-358; https://doi.org/10.3390/app5030344 - 11 Aug 2015
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6844
Abstract
Ruthenium oxide nano-catalysts supported on mesoporous γ-Al2O3 have been prepared by co-precipitation method and tested for CO oxidation. The effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the properties of the catalyst was studied. Addition of the PEG surfactant acted as a [...] Read more.
Ruthenium oxide nano-catalysts supported on mesoporous γ-Al2O3 have been prepared by co-precipitation method and tested for CO oxidation. The effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the properties of the catalyst was studied. Addition of the PEG surfactant acted as a stabilizer and induced a change in the morphology of ruthenium oxide from spherical nanoparticles to one-dimensional nanorods. Total CO conversion was measured as a function of morphology at 175 °C and 200 °C with 1.0 wt.% loading for PEG-stabilized and un-stabilized catalysts, respectively. Conversion routinely increased with temperature but in each case, the PEG-stabilized catalyst exhibited a notably higher catalytic activity as compared to the un-stabilized equivalent. It can be assumed that the increase in the activity is due to the changes in porosity, shape and dispersion of the catalyst engendered by the use of PEG. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Catalysts and Their Applications)
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Review

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Review
Chitosan as a Natural Polymer for Heterogeneous Catalysts Support: A Short Review on Its Applications
by Mengshan Lee, Bo-Yen Chen and Walter Den
Appl. Sci. 2015, 5(4), 1272-1283; https://doi.org/10.3390/app5041272 - 17 Nov 2015
Cited by 114 | Viewed by 7843
Abstract
Chitosan, a bio-based polymer which has similar characteristics to those of cellulose, exhibits cationic behavior in acidic solutions and strong affinity for metals ions. Thus, it has received increased attention for the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts. Recent studies demonstrated that chitosan-based catalysts had [...] Read more.
Chitosan, a bio-based polymer which has similar characteristics to those of cellulose, exhibits cationic behavior in acidic solutions and strong affinity for metals ions. Thus, it has received increased attention for the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts. Recent studies demonstrated that chitosan-based catalysts had high sorption capacities, chelating activities, stability and versatility, which could be potentially applied as green reactants in various scientific and engineering applications. This study intends to review the recent development of chitosan-based catalysts, particularly in the aspects of the main mechanisms for preparing the materials and their applications in environmental green chemistry. Studies on the preparation of catalyst nanoparticles/nanospheres supported on chitosan were also reviewed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Catalysts and Their Applications)
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