Preface Free

In Chapter 1, P. Panagiotopoulou (Technical University of Crete, Greece) and X. E. Verykios (University of Patras, Greece) reviews recent reports on Metal–Support interactions of Ru-based catalysts under conditions of CO and CO₂ Hydrogenation. In this chapter, Several parameters about metal–support interactions including the nature of both the metallic phase and the support, the morphology and size of metal particles, the oxidation state of the metal, as well as the nature and specific conditions under which the reaction is taking place have been reviewed. Such interactions give rise to electronic, geometric and bifunctional effects, which strongly influence the reactivity of reactant molecules in a number of applications. Ruthenium particles dispersed on oxide supports is a well-known catalyst formulation for its capacity to undergo metal–support interactions, a parameter that could be utilized to influence the activity and selectivity of several catalytic reactions, including the CO and CO₂ hydrogenation. Finally, the general subject of metal–support interactions occurring over Ru based catalysts is discussed in detail with respect to (a) various physicochemical and operating parameters and (b) their effect in hydrogenating both CO and CO₂.

In Chapter 2, X. Yan, J. Lu, Q. Wang (Taiyuan University of Technology, China), Y. Du, B. Qin, H. Wang (SINOPEC Dalian Research Institute of Petroleum and Petrochemicals, China), R. Li (Taiyuan University of Technology China), and Ben W.-L. Jang (Texas A&M University, USA) review the work on Ni Catalysts from Laboratory Investigations to Chemical Industry. Heterogeneous Ni catalysts exhibit promising interests and applications in laboratory and industry. It is thus desirable for researchers to discover and design efficient catalysts from both economic and ecological aspects. In this chapter, the authors discuss the maximum Ni utilization, such as single atom Ni catalysts and some novel methods for superior metal utilization, the importance of interface between Ni and support, the effect of location between Ni and support on catalytic performance, and the industrial application and reuse of the Ni catalyst. The illustration from this chapter would bridge the gap from academic studies in laboratory to practical applications in industry not only for catalysis field but also for environmental protection.

In Chapter 3, D. Jain and U. S. Ozkan (Ohio State University, USA) discuss electrocatalytic applications of heteroatom-doped carbon nanostructures. This chapter highlights the importance of carbon nanostructures in four emerging low temperature electrocatalytic technologies: (i) energy storage in the form of unitized regenerative fuel cells and secondary zinc–air batteries; (ii) electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction; (iii) halogen production using oxygen depolarized cathodes and (iv) direct electrochemical hydrogen peroxide synthesis. Additionally, it summarizes the challenges as well as the progress in the development of carbon-based catalysts for these applications, understanding electrocatalytic reaction mechanisms while gaining insights into the nature of catalytically active sites which will be useful in a rational catalyst design.

In Chapter 4, Yang Liu (Dalian University of Technology, China) reviews catalytic decomposition of gas-phase benzene with respect to material design, reaction mechanism and future prospect. In this chapter, benzene is taken as the target volatile organic compound (VOC) and focus on the development during the past twenty years, including preparation and modification of the materials for gaseous benzene oxidation and the mechanisms for the catalytic benzene oxidation. Finally, the possible future prospects for material design are also be discussed.

In Chapter 5, researchers from University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA (W. Diao; J. M. M. Tengco; A. M. Gaffney – also from Idaho National Laboratories, USA; J. R. Regalbuto; and J. R. Monnier) review the concepts of electroless deposition (ED) methods for preparation of bimetallic catalysts where both metals are co-existent in the same particle in a relatively-controlled manner of preparation. The compositions of the bimetallic particles can be varied in a systematic manner by changing the amount and rate of second metal deposited on the base metal. Higher coverages of the second metal result in formation of core–shell bimetallic particles that give more efficient use of the shell metal component and electronic epitaxial effects at the core–shell interface. Adjustment of ED parameters make it possible to conduct ED over a very wide combination of metals and metal salts. Continuous ED can be extended to co-deposition of two metal salts to give ultimate control of formation of uniform, bimetallic shells that provide the possibility of surface alloys with unique properties and stability.

In Chapter 6, D. N. Rainer (University of St Andrews, UK) and M. Mazur (Charles University, Czech Republic) provide an overview focused on electron microscopy and related characterization techniques as well as their utilization in the fields of design, synthesis, and formation of crystals, characterization, and performance of zeolites as heterogeneous catalysts. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy describe the morphology and surface of crystals of zeolite catalysts. Transmission electron microscopy, including scanning mode (STEM), supported by electron diffraction methods can give crucial information about structure, especially when conventional methods are limited for the full description of solid catalysts, like zeolites. Often those techniques are supported by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for the elemental analysis of the samples.

In Chapter 7, H. Qiu (Zhengzhou University, China) discusses the concepts of catalysis and surface science and the several promising aspects of surface science studies related to heterogeneous catalysis. Emphasis is given to the microscopic view on catalytic reactions, structural and electronic requirement of a catalyst, the surface science approaching to explore mechanism of heterogeneous catalytic reactions occurring on surface, subsurface and supported metal nanoparticles, and the development of operando surface science techniques.

In Chapter 8, L. Hu (Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia, Spain), D. Pinto (Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands), and A. Urakawa (Japan Science and Technology Agency) review oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) to produce ethane and ethylene. Despite the extensive efforts over the last three decades, our general understanding on OCM is rather poor due to the complexity arising from the reaction network, and also from the various gradients such as temperature and gaseous concentration present in OCM reactors. This chapter highlights reactions active under OCM conditions and how they are interlinked. Special emphasis is given on space-resolved analytical methodologies as promising key enabling tools towards rational development of catalytic materials and processes for OCM.

James J. Spivey, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA

Yi-fan Han, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

Dushyant Shekhawat, U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Morgantown, USA