Nanometal Thermocatalysts: Transformations, Deactivation, and Mitigation

Abstract

Nanometals have been proven to be efficient thermocatalysts in the last decades. Their enhanced catalytic activity and tunable functionalities make them intriguing candidates for a wide range of catalytic applications, such as gaseous reactions and compound synthesis/decomposition. On the other hand, the enhanced specific surface energy and reactivity of nanometals can lead to configuration transformation and thus catalytic deactivation during the synthesis and catalysis, which largely undermines the activity and service time, thereby calling for urgent research effort to understand the deactivating mechanisms and develop efficient mitigating methods. Herein, the recent progress in understanding the configuration transformation‐induced catalytic deactivation within nanometals is reviewed. The major pathways of configuration transformations, and their kinetics controlled by the environmental factors are presented. The approaches toward mitigating the transformation‐induced deactivation are also presented. Finally, a perspective on the future academic approaches toward in‐depth understanding of the kinetics of the deactivation of nanometals is proposed.

Influence of Annealing Atmospheres on Photoelectrochemical Activity of TiO2 Nanotubes Modified with AuCu Nanoparticles

“…As they exhibit extraordinary magnetic, optical, electronic, and catalytic features, they can be applied in many fields of nanotechnology. − However, combination of two different metals forming bimetallic NPs can show a superior performance. Namely, the functionality of nanometals can be enhanced by joining different metallic components . So far, different kinds of bimetallic NPs have been reported, such as platinum, nickel, iron, palladium, and gold based ones.…”

“…Namely, the functionality of nanometals can be enhanced by joining different metallic components. 5 So far, different kinds of bimetallic NPs have been reported, such as platinum, 6 nickel, 7 iron, 8 palladium, 9 and gold 10 based ones. When it comes to the fabrication of bimetallic NPs, there are basically two different routes.…”