Metallic Nanomaterial Applications in Selective Catalysis and Clean Energy

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2024 | Viewed by 1732

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Materials and Biology, National Institute of Technology, Akita College, Akita 011-8511, Japan
Interests: chemical synthesis of nanomaterials and their applications in catalysis; green chemistry; renewable energy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Catalytic processes account for more than 90% of chemical transformation processes, and the roles of a catalyst include improving the reaction rate and controlling the selectivity of the particular chemical conversion. Concerns about global warming and energy shortages have prompted us to promote reusable nanomaterials for use in green chemistry and clean energy. However, traditional nanomaterials are increasingly inefficient for the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Researchers are evolving the compositions and structures of nanocatalysts to make them more active, selective and stable for the transformation of small organic molecules, biomass upgrading, clean energy production, et cetera.

Metallic nanomaterials are versatile in heterogeneous catalysis, which can be traced back to the 1980s. This current Special Issue of the journal Nanomaterials is aimed at presenting the fabrication of novel metallic nanomaterials for selective catalysis and renewable energy production. I look forward to your contributions of research articles or reviews to this Special Issue in the fields related to, but not limited to, the above.

Prof. Dr. Ming Zhao
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanocatalyst
  • metallic nanomaterials
  • selective catalysis
  • multi-compositional nanomaterials
  • palladium
  • hydrogenation
  • hydrogen evolution
  • biomass upgrading

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 8622 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Silver-Modified Nanoporous Silica Materials for Enhanced Iodine Removal
by Ahmed Elmekawy, Qui Quach and Tarek M. Abdel-Fattah
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(13), 1143; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14131143 - 3 Jul 2024
Viewed by 346
Abstract
In aquatic environments, the presence of iodine species, including radioactive isotopes like 129I and I2, poses significant environmental and health concerns. Iodine can enter water resources from various sources, including nuclear accidents, medical procedures, and natural occurrences. To address this [...] Read more.
In aquatic environments, the presence of iodine species, including radioactive isotopes like 129I and I2, poses significant environmental and health concerns. Iodine can enter water resources from various sources, including nuclear accidents, medical procedures, and natural occurrences. To address this issue, the use of natural occurring nanoporous minerals, such as zeolitic materials, for iodine removal will be explored. This study focuses on the adsorption of iodine by silver-modified zeolites (13X-Ag, 5A-Ag, Chabazite-Ag, and Clinoptilolite-Ag) and evaluates their performance under different conditions. All materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopey (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), powdered X-ray diffraction (P-XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), and nitrogen adsorption studies. The results indicate that Chabazite-Ag exhibited the highest iodine adsorption capacity, with an impressive 769 mg/g, making it a viable option for iodine removal applications. 13X-Ag and 5A-Ag also demonstrated substantial adsorption capacities of 714 mg/g and 556 mg/g, respectively, though their behavior varied according to different models. In contrast, Clinoptilolite-Ag exhibited strong pH-dependent behavior, rendering it less suitable for neutral to slightly acidic conditions. Furthermore, this study explored the impact of ionic strength on iodine adsorption, revealing that Chabazite-Ag is efficient in low-salinity environments with an iodine adsorption capacity of 51.80 mg/g but less effective in saline conditions. 5A-Ag proved to be a versatile option for various water treatments, maintaining its iodine adsorption capacity across different salinity levels. In contrast, Clinoptilolite-Ag exhibited high sensitivity to ionic competition, virtually losing its iodine adsorption ability at a NaCl concentration of 0.1 M. Kinetic studies indicated that the pseudo-second-order model best describes the adsorption process, suggesting chemisorption mechanisms dominate iodine removal. Chabazite-Ag exhibited the highest initial adsorption rate with a k2 value of 0.002 mg g−1 h−1, emphasizing its superior adsorption capabilities. Chabazite and Clinoptilolite, naturally occurring minerals, provide eco-friendly solutions for iodine adsorption. Chabazite superior iodine removal highlights its value in critical applications and its potential for addressing pressing environmental challenges. Full article
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14 pages, 1913 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Electronic Properties and Stability of Rh3 Clusters on Rutile TiO2 for Potential Photocatalytic Applications
by Moteb Alotaibi
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(12), 1051; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14121051 - 19 Jun 2024
Viewed by 429
Abstract
Addressing the pressing needs for alternatives to fossil fuel-based energy sources, this research explores the intricate interplay between Rhodium (Rh3) clusters and titanium dioxide (TiO2) to improve photocatalytic water splitting for the generation of eco-friendly hydrogen. This research applies [...] Read more.
Addressing the pressing needs for alternatives to fossil fuel-based energy sources, this research explores the intricate interplay between Rhodium (Rh3) clusters and titanium dioxide (TiO2) to improve photocatalytic water splitting for the generation of eco-friendly hydrogen. This research applies the density functional theory (DFT) coupled with the Hartree–Fock theory to meticulously examine the structural and electronic structures of Rh3 clusters on TiO2 (110) interfaces. Considering the photocatalytic capabilities of TiO2 and its inherent limitations in harnessing visible light, the potential for metals such as Rh3 clusters to act as co-catalysts is assessed. The results show that triangular Rh3 clusters demonstrate remarkable stability and efficacy in charge transfer when integrated into rutile TiO2 (110), undergoing oxidation in optimal adsorption conditions and altering the electronic structures of TiO2. The subsequent analysis of TiO2 surfaces exhibiting defects indicates that Rh3 clusters elevate the energy necessary for the formation of an oxygen vacancy, thereby enhancing the stability of the metal oxide. Additionally, the combination of Rh3-cluster adsorption and oxygen-vacancy formation generates polaronic and localized states, crucial for enhancing the photocatalytic activity of metal oxide in the visible light range. Through the DFT analysis, this study elucidates the importance of Rh3 clusters as co-catalysts in TiO2-based photocatalytic frameworks, paving the way for empirical testing and the fabrication of effective photocatalysts for hydrogen production. The elucidated impact on oxygen vacancy formation and electronic structures highlights the complex interplay between Rh3 clusters and TiO2 surfaces, providing insightful guidance for subsequent studies aimed at achieving clean and sustainable energy solutions. Full article
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10 pages, 2863 KiB  
Article
Solvothermal Fabrication of Mesoporous Pd Nano-Corals at Mild Temperature for Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
by Ming Zhao, Koh-ichi Maruyama and Satoshi Tanaka
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(10), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14100876 - 17 May 2024
Viewed by 546
Abstract
Porous metallic nanomaterials exhibit interesting physical and chemical properties, and are widely used in various fields. Traditional fabrication techniques are limited to metallurgy, sintering, electrodeposition, etc., which limit the control of pore size and distribution, and make it difficult to achieve materials with [...] Read more.
Porous metallic nanomaterials exhibit interesting physical and chemical properties, and are widely used in various fields. Traditional fabrication techniques are limited to metallurgy, sintering, electrodeposition, etc., which limit the control of pore size and distribution, and make it difficult to achieve materials with high surface areas. On the other hand, the chemical preparation of metallic nanoparticles is usually carried out with strong reducing agents or at high temperature, resulting in the formation of dispersed particles which cannot evolve into porous metal. In this study, we reported the simple fabrication of coral-like mesoporous Pd nanomaterial (Pd NC) with a ligament size of 4.1 nm. The fabrication was carried out by simple solvothermal reduction at a mild temperature of 135 °C, without using any templates. The control experiments suggested that tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) played a critical role in the Pd(II) reduction into Pd nanoclusters and their subsequent aggregation to form Pd NC, and another key point for the formation of Pd NC is not to use a strong reducing agent. In alkaline water electrolysis, the Pd NC outperforms the monodisperse Pd NPs and the state-of-the-art Pt (under large potentials) for H2 evolution reaction, probably due to its mesoporous structure and large surface area. This work reports a simple and novel method for producing porous metallic nanomaterials with a high utilization efficiency of metal atoms, and it is expected to contribute to the practical preparation of porous metallic nanomaterials by solvothermal reductions. Full article
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