Catalyst
In today’s industrial world, optimizing chemical reactions and reducing energy consumption are of great importance. Catalysts as substances that accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed during the process play a crucial role in many industries. With technological advancements and the growing demand for improved efficiency and cost reduction, nanomaterials, due to their unique properties have emerged as an ideal option for use in catalysts
What is a Catalyst?
Catalysts are substances that increase the rate of chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy. These materials are divided into two categories: homogeneous catalysts and heterogeneous catalysts. Homogeneous catalysts exist in the same phase as the reactants and are typically used in solutions but heterogeneous catalysts are in a different phase with the reaction occurring on their surface.
Catalysts play a very important role in industry, and some of their main applications in various industries are listed below:
Petrochemical Industry
In this industry, catalysts are used to convert crude oil and natural gas into petrochemical products such as alcohols, ethylene, propylene, and other hydrocarbon derivatives. For example, alumina and silica catalysts are used to catalyze cracking reactions and chemical conversions in the production processes of benzene and ethylene.
Food Processing Industry
In food processing, catalysts are used to accelerate biochemical reactions. For example, in the hydrogenation process of vegetable oils to produce semi-solid oils, nickel, palladium, and zinc catalysts are used.
Automotive Industry
Catalysts are used in vehicle exhaust systems to reduce the emission of harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (HC). Platinum and rhodium catalysts are used to convert these gases into harmless substances like water and carbon dioxide.
Power Industry
In power plants, catalysts are used to reduce air pollution by converting nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides into harmless compounds such as water and carbon dioxide.
Electronics and Nanotechnology Industries
In these industries, nanostructured catalysts such as graphene and metal nanoparticles are used for chemical and electrochemical reactions in the production processes of semiconductor materials and nanomaterials.
Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials are materials with nanometer-scale dimensions (ranging from one to one hundred nanometers). Because of their high surface-to-volume ratio and unique physical and chemical properties, they have attracted significant attention. These materials have found extensive applications in various fields of science and technology due to their exceptional mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. Some factors that influence the catalytic properties of nanomaterials include:
Particle Size
The size of nanoparticles directly affects the reactivity surface of the particles and the number of catalytic sites. Smaller particle sizes, in relation to the size of the catalytic sites, improves the catalytic activity.
Crystal Structure
The crystal structure of nanomaterials can significantly influence catalytic activity. Structures that have the greatest structural alignment with catalytic sites show higher activity.
Particle Size Distribution
The particle size distribution is also of significant importance. A uniform distribution of nanoparticles improves the catalyst’s activity significantly.
Surface Area
Increasing the surface area of nanoparticles increases the number of catalytic sites which in turn improves catalytic activity.
Chemical Composition
The selection of catalytic components and chemical compounds plays a crucial role in improving the activity and selectivity of the catalyst.
Bond Strength
The bond strength between nanoparticles is also of high importance. Strong bonds can improve the strength and stability of the catalyst under various conditions.
Some of nanomaterials produced by NanoSanjesh Company with applicability in various industries, including petrochemicals are
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NP)
Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are well-known for their widespread use in a variety of industries, pharmaceuticals, and nanobiotechnology. They are also considered one of the most efficient recyclable catalytic systems. Notably, in the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts, precisely defined materials are used. This not only help address global energy and environmental issues but also provide a wide array of new opportunities for exploring and creating new catalysts. ZnO-NPs, given their structure have been used as efficient nano-catalysts for various organic processes. A key feature of ZnO-NP is its increased surface to volume ratio. When examining the oxides of different metals, zinc oxide stands out as the most suitable catalyst for reducing time and temperature required for synthesis. This is due to its larger surface area and catalytic effectiveness.
Copper Oxide Nanoparticles (CuO-NP)
Copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures form an attractive group of nanomaterials that have been the subject of intensive research over the past two decades. These nanomaterials have gained significant attention due to their easy accessibility and low cost for various applications, including gas adsorbents, gas sensors, electrode materials, and efficient heterogeneous catalysts. The surface reaction of CuO and its oxidation capability are of particular importance in improving catalytic activity, making them highly significant in industrial applications
Graphene Nanoparticles (G-NP)
Graphene oxide can be obtained by oxidizing graphite, which results in the formation of numerous oxygen-containing functional groups in the carbon structure. On one hand, these groups reduce the electrical conductivity of the carbon groups, and on the other hand, they can serve as nucleation sites. During the preparation of the catalyst, some of the functional groups are reduced, leading to an increase in conductivity. Many nucleation sites in the structure of the functional groups are responsible for better dispersion and the production of smaller nanoparticles. Due to the significance of the highly active surface of catalysts, graphene oxide can be used as a catalyst. To enhance the conductivity of graphene oxide, reduction processes are often carried out, during which many of the functional groups are removed. The reduction of GO can reduce the number of nucleation sites, resulting in better dispersion and an increase in catalyst particle size. These factors can influence the catalytic activity of the prepared catalysts
Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoparticles (MoS2))
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a member of the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). It has gained significant attention because of its unique atomic structure, remarkable performance, low cost, and high abundance. The catalytic chemistry of MoS2 is highly diverse and it has been used for decades as a water treatment catalyst in oil refineries. Some notable features of this catalyst in water treatment include its ability to selectively remove sulfur and nitrogen atoms from crude oil hydrocarbons and control hydrogenation to produce high-value and ultra-clean fuels. Recently, it has been discovered that MoS2, as a low-cost non-noble metal catalyst, performs excellently for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in electrochemical cells for water splitting.
