Preface
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Published:24 Feb 2014
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SPR: SPR - Catalysis
J. J. Spivey, K. Dooley, and Y. Han, in Catalysis: Volume 26, ed. J. Spivey, K. M. Dooley, and Y. Han, The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2014, vol. 26, pp. 7-9.
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We appreciate the efforts by the authors that bring you the current Specialist Periodical Report. These chapters are particularly relevant to the catalysis community in both and fundamental and more applied catalysis. They represent the collective work of a total of 34 researchers in 8 chapters, which are summarized as follows:
Chapter 1: Basic catalysis on MgO: generation, characterization and catalytic properties of active sites
One of the most studied basic catalysts is MgO and the review by J. I. Di Cosimo, V. K. Díez, C. Ferretti and C. R. Apesteguía of INCAPE in Santa Fe, Argentina highlights recent work, especially their own, on both catalytic structure and function. In contrast to other reviews with a more solid state characterization focus, this contribution emphasizes the surface-adsorbate local interactions. A discussion of the range of sites show how they can be discriminated through use of probe molecules is followed by case studies of three characteristic reactions employing the range of sites present in different ways. There is also an extensive description of how DFT based on cluster models can be applied to the study of adsorbate-catalyst interactions in one such reaction, a transesterification.
Chapter 2: Potential for metal-carbide, -nitride, and -phosphide as future hydrotreating (HT) catalysts for processing of bio-oils
The next review is also from Norway, a joint effort of the Univ. of Science and Technology and Sintef. In this review, Sara Boullosa-Eiras, Rune Lødeng, Håkon Bergem, Michael Stöcker, Lenka Hannevold and Edd Blekkan examine hydrotreating with metal carbides, nitrides and phosphides. While other recent reviews on such catalysts have appeared, this one is different due to its focus on bio-oil upgrading. After a brisk introduction to the various upgrading strategies, there is a detailed review of how these catalysts are properly synthesized. The carbides, phosphides and nitrides are then contrasted with the more traditional oxide-sulfide catalysts both in model compound and real bio-oil reaction studies. A wide range of noble and base transition metals are considered.
Chapter 3: Novel carbon materials modified with heteroatoms as metal-free catalyst and metal catalyst support
Here, Enrique García-Bordejé, Manuel Fernando R. Pereira, Magnus Rönning, De Chen (Instituto de Carboquimica (ICB-CSIC), Spain; Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais (LCM), Laboratório Associado LSRE/LCM, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; Department of Chemical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway) review the discovery of novel carbon materials (carbon nanotubes, graphene) and the application of carbon materials as catalyst and catalyst support. The electronic conductivity, ordered structure and absence of microporosity were pointed to be favorable properties compare with disordered conventional carbon materials. They concluded that the ordered nature of these materials could be precisely functionalized with heteroatoms which have shown good perspectives as metal free catalyst. The more recent catalytic applications of heteroatom doped novel carbon materials both as catalyst and catalyst support were also reviewed.
Chapter 4: Computational catalysis in nanotubes
Jian-guo Wang, Xi Pan, Gui-lin Zhuang and Xiao-hua Lu (Zhejiang University of Technology, China; State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing, China) review computational catalysis in nanotubes. The applications of computer simulations to the recent area of catalysis in carbon nanotubes and metal oxide nanotubes have been summarized. Specifically, this discusses both density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. The authors point out recent research progress in nanotubes and the novel approaches to understand catalytic performance. Particular focus has also been devoted to the formation, structural, and electronic properties of metal oxide nanotubes such as TiO2, ZnO and V2O5 nanotubes. An outlook for computer simulations on catalysis in nanotubes is provided as well.
Chapter 5: Catalytic conversion of syngas to i-butanol – Synthesis routes and catalyst developments: A review
This contribution is a joint work by Louisiana State University (Nachal Subramanian and James Spivey) and Hampton University (Adeyiga Adeyinka), surveying the possibilities for syngas and related conversions to isobutanol. After a short discussion of the rationale for isobutanol as a fuel additive or alternative fuel, the review proceeds through the various proposed processes, including (1) hydroformylation, (2) direct synthesis from syngas, (3) lower alcohol condensations, and (4) lower alcohol homologations with syngas. For (2) and (3), there are more extensive discussions of both the reaction studies and catalysts employed, while for (4) the agreement between thermodynamic modeling and the limited experimental studies is explored.
Chapter 6: Shape selectivity in zeolite catalysis. The Methanol to Hydrocarbons (MTH) reaction
The breadth of catalytic research in fuels production is highlighted this review from the Univ. of Oslo, Shewangizaw Teketel, Marius Erichsen, Francesca Bleken, Stian Svelle, Karl Lillerud and Unni Olsbye. They summarize modern work in methanol to hydrocarbons, a process first studied intensively by Mobil in the ‘70s and ‘80s for gasoline production, but now added catalytic reactions to produce other various olefins. Their review takes a fresh look at the wider range of possible zeolite and SAPO catalysts, the roles of topology and zeolite chemistry in shape selectivity, the greater understanding of mechanism now possible based on several isotopic reaction studies, and the role of theoretical studies in deepening this understanding.
Chapter 7: Catalyst preparation using supercritical fluid precipitation
Simon A. Kondrat and Stuart H. Taylor (Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, UK) consider the use of supercritical fluids for the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts, which may offer number of potential advantages. In this chapter the properties of supercritical fluids in the context of catalyst preparation were discussed, and a number of techniques appropriate for the preparation of materials were described in detail. Those techniques are based around precipitation and include supercritical anti-solvent and rapid expansion techniques, and the use of supercritical fluids as solvents and reactants. Examples of the various techniques were given for catalyst preparation and where possible the advantages of using supercritical preparation have been reviewed in the context of catalyst structure and performance.
Chapter 8: Thermal conversion of biomass–pyrolysis and hydrotreating
Zhiqiang Ma and Jeroen van Bokhoven (Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Laboratory for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland) reviewed the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into renewable fuels and chemicals by thermal processes, especially pyrolysis. They point out biomass-derivative products might serve as feedstock for chemicals and fuels and contribute to a sustainable society. They present progress in producing products by selective pyrolysis, primarily bio-oil. However, bio-oils are often limited in practice by oxygen content, multi-functional types of compounds, and refractory reactivity, all of which it difficult to develop a practical catalytic process. Hydrotreating is considered as a promising route to improve the quality of bio-oil, and this technology has rapidly progressed in the last several years. In this work, state-of-the-art production of bio-oil, with particular focus on hydrotreating, analyzing recent developments and future directions.
We appreciate the Royal Society of Chemistry for publication of this volume, particularly Alice Toby-Brant and Merlin Fox, as well as Sarah Salter and Sylvia Pegg in Production. Of course, suggestions and comments are welcome.