Some of tomorrow's catalysts for processing renewable and non-renewable feedstocks, diminishing anthropogenic carbon dioxide and increasing the production of energy

Abstract

A wide-ranging overview is presented of the likely impact that heterogeneous catalytic systems will play in tackling some critically important societal and environmental issues in the future.

On choosing the most appropriate catalysts for the conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels and other commodities, and on the environmentally benign processing of renewable and nonrenewable feedstocks

“…In Erb's work, Rubisco chemistry figures eminently: Rubisco is D-ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxyglucose. This is a member of the carboxylase family of enzymes-see Thomas and Harris [5] for more details. Rubisco chemistry has also influenced the recent, ingenious work of Kanan et al [15,16].…”

“…One of us (JMT) has recently given an account of many of the ways in which the action subsumed by this sub-heading can be fulfilled; and the reader is referred to that article, Ref [5]. There are, however, many more factors to outline in addition to those contained in Ref [5].…”

“…There are, however, many more factors to outline in addition to those contained in Ref [5]. Three particular issues are considered here: catalytic cracking; the generation of bio-oil from renewable feedstocks; and the emergence of a new class of heterogeneous catalysts, i.e.…”

“…A selection of important manufacturing processes that can be improved by utilizing designed new solid catalysts are given in the review by Harris and Thomas [5] and also in Refs. 1, 2, 13.…”

“…Moreover, even before presenting my KOPRC talk at Oxford, I had reviewed in detail the many facets that arise in considering how humankind is going to cope with powering the planet in an environmentally responsible manner in the next 50 years and beyond-see, for example, Refs. [1][2][3][4][5]. See also the definitive review by Centi and co-workers [6] published in 2015, and references therein.…”