Nanocatalysis: Catalysis with Nanoscale Materials

Abstract

This chapter is intended to provide readers with basic information on the synthesis, characterization, and potential applications of nanostructured catalysts. The chapter starts with a brief introduction of nanomaterials and catalysis. It then introduces nanocatalysis. The chapter then delves into discussions of the different types of nanocatalytic materials and the notable synthetic methods used for making them, followed by the fundamental aspects of their size‐ and shape‐dependent catalytic properties and structure–catalytic property relationships. The chapter also includes discussion on the properties of various nanostructured catalysts. In each topic, there are mentions of the various applications or potential applications of nanoscale materials for catalysis of numerous important chemical reactions, ranging from those that enable the efficient production of commodity and value‐added chemical products to those that allow the generation of renewable energy. Finally, the chapter outlines the authors' opinions on the future outlooks of the field of nanocatalysis. Most of the discussions will rely on notable, but not exhaustive, examples from the literature.