Combinatorial high throughput methodologies: the potentials in heterogeneous catalysts synthesis, screening and discovery—a review

Abstract

Background Catalysis represents a critical field that greatly contributes to human living, technology, economic growth and the environment. Compact catalysts have frequently been applied in manufacturing a range of substances and fuels, thus essentially subsidising income and good living. Catalysts offer significant ecological profits, such as catalytic transformers, fuel cell technology, chemical production and environmental cleaning in automobiles. Still, the use of catalysts is anticipated to raise due to the need to discover ecologically responsive production pathways and affordable products. Main body of the abstract Since its discovery, catalysis has played a vital role in a range of fields, from industrial production, sustainable energy strategy and environmental cleaning to the pharmaceutical industry. The discovery and use of catalysts mark a critical aspect in chemistry due to the raising need for greater output plus effectiveness in industry and cleaner production. Despite their importance, the invention of catalysts remained a challenge as it relied on trial-and-error tactics. Customarily, catalysts were developed using various tiresome, time-wasting and usually one-at-a-time techniques characterised and screened for activity and modified until no extra improvements were necessary. However, with the advancement in science and technology, catalyst discovery has been made more accessible and faster through combinatorial techniques. Combinatorial experimentation technologies in chemistry are a fast emerging field that includes the formulation and fast creation of a combination of material libraries and parallel screening for particular chemical or physical characteristics of concern in a general economical and compelling style. These techniques in heterogeneous catalysis are essential for the quick invention of catalysts and for improving the available ones. The rapid and economic invention of catalysts and optimisation of the available ones attract much industrial interest. Short conclusion The present review uncovers catalysis development, progress, history and some applications. The latest developments and challenges associated with using high throughput experimentation techniques in synthesising, optimising, discovering and screening catalysts are discussed. A high throughput experimentation approach is potential in catalysis and is promising.