CO2 conversion covers a wide range of possible application areas from fuels to bulk and commodity chemicals and even to specialty products with biological activity such as pharmaceuticals. In the present review, we discuss selected examples in these areas in a combined analysis of the state-of-the-art of synthetic methodologies and processes with their life cycle assessment. Thereby, we attempted to assess the potential to reduce the environmental footprint in these application fields relative to the current petrochemical value chain. This analysis and discussion differs significantly from a viewpoint on CO2 utilization as a measure for global CO2 mitigation. Whereas the latter focuses on reducing the end-of-pipe problem “CO2 emissions” from todays’ industries, the approach taken here tries to identify opportunities by exploiting a novel feedstock that avoids the utilization of fossil resource in transition toward more sustainable future production. Thus, the motivation to develop CO2-based chemistry does...

Sustainable Conversion of Carbon Dioxide: An Integrated Review of Catalysis and Life Cycle Assessment

The recent developments and trends in combustion science towards the synthesis of nanomaterials are discussed. Different modifications made to conventional combustion approaches for preparation of nanomaterials are critically analyzed. Special attention is paid to various applications of combustion synthesized nanosized products.

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Combustion synthesis and nanomaterials

Solution combustion is an exciting phenomenon, which involves propagation of self-sustained exothermic reactions along an aqueous or sol–gel media. This process allows for the synthesis of a variety of nanoscale materials, including oxides, metals, alloys, and sulfides. This Review focuses on the analysis of new approaches and results in the field of solution combustion synthesis (SCS) obtained during recent years. Thermodynamics and kinetics of reactive solutions used in different chemical routes are considered, and the role of process parameters is discussed, emphasizing the chemical mechanisms that are responsible for rapid self-sustained combustion reactions. The basic principles for controlling the composition, structure, and nanostructure of SCS products, and routes to regulate the size and morphology of the nanoscale materials are also reviewed. Recently developed systems that lead to the formation of novel materials and unique structures (e.g., thin films and two-dimensional crystals) with unusual...

Solution Combustion Synthesis of Nanoscale Materials

Selective catalytic reduction with NH3 (NH3-SCR) is the most efficient technology to reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from coal-fired industries, diesel engines, etc. Although V2O5-WO3(MoO3)/TiO2 and CHA structured zeolite catalysts have been utilized in commercial applications, the increasing requirements for broad working temperature window, strong SO2/alkali/heavy metal-resistance, and high hydrothermal stability have stimulated the development of new-type NH3-SCR catalysts. This review summarizes the latest SCR reaction mechanisms and emerging poison-resistant mechanisms in the beginning and subsequently gives a comprehensive overview of newly developed SCR catalysts, including metal oxide catalysts ranging from VOx, MnOx, CeO2, and Fe2O3 to CuO based catalysts; acidic compound catalysts containing vanadate, phosphate and sulfate catalysts; ion exchanged zeolite catalysts such as Fe, Cu, Mn, etc. exchanged zeolite catalysts; monolith catalysts including extruded, washcoated, and metal-mesh/foam-based monolith catalysts. The challenges and opportunities for each type of catalysts are proposed while the effective strategies are summarized for enhancing the acidity/redox circle and poison-resistance through modification, creating novel nanostructures, exposing specific crystalline planes, constructing protective/sacrificial sites, etc. Some suggestions are given about future research directions that efforts should be made in. Hopefully, this review can bridge the gap between newly developed catalysts and practical requirements to realize their commercial applications in the near future.

Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx with NH3 by Using Novel Catalysts: State of the Art and Future Prospects.

Trends in NOx abatement: A review

Energy-efficient and sustainable processes for the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from carbohydrates are in high demand. Bivalent ion-exchanged microwave-synthesized ZnxTPA/γ-Al2O3 was employed for the direct conversion of carbohydrates into HMF. The as-synthesized samples were structurally characterized by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Thermal characterization was performed by TG-DTA. The surface morphology was analysed by FE-SEM, and surface area analysis was performed. The surface acidities of the as-synthesized catalysts were elucidated by pyridine FTIR spectra and NH3-TPD. The catalytic performance was thoroughly studied as a function of Zn2+ doping, reaction temperature, catalysts loading, and effect of solvents. Microwave-synthesized Zn0.5TPA/γ-Al2O3 exhibited excellent catalytic fructose dehydration, with 88% HMF yield at 120 °C for 2 h. The surface Bronsted acidity was found to be crucial for optimum catalytic activity.

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A novel microwave-assisted hydrothermal route for the synthesis of ZnxTPA/γ-Al2O3 for conversion of carbohydrates into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Unprecedented Electroreduction of CO2 over Metal Organic Framework-Derived Intermetallic Nano-Alloy Cu0.85Ni0.15/C

In this work, metallic Pt has been dispersed on as synthesized ZIF-8, and the metal supported catalyst has been explored for NOx reduction. The synthesized materials crystallized in body centered cubic lattice with truncated cubic particle morphology, and the Pt nano-particles were observed in its highly dispersed state over the surface. Due to the high surface area, porosity, and basic imidazolate link ZIF-8 showed very high NO adsorption capability, which was further enhanced due to Pt dispersion on the material. The Pt dispersion on ZIF-8 also exhibited a very low temperature H2 dissociation. The Pt/ZIF-8 showed promising low temperature reduction of NOx with good recyclability and thermal stability compared to other zeolitic catalysts. The low temperature high reactivity has been ascribed to the high dispersion of the Pt nanoparticles and its interaction with the support ZIF-8.

Sounak Roy

Papers

A novel microwave-assisted hydrothermal route for the synthesis of ZnxTPA/γ-Al2O3 for conversion of carbohydrates into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Unprecedented Electroreduction of CO2 over Metal Organic Framework-Derived Intermetallic Nano-Alloy Cu0.85Ni0.15/C

Low temperature catalytic reduction of NO over porous Pt/ZIF-8

Can titanium oxide nanotubes facilitate intracellular delivery by laser-assisted photoporation?

Scalable Free-Radical Polymerization Based Sol–Gel Synthesis of SrTiO3 and its Photocatalytic Activity