About this Research Topic
Porous materials have shown remarkable versatility in the field of catalysis, ranging from oxidative to electro- or photocatalysis, as a result of their high internal area, fast mass diffusion, and simplicity of fine-tuning the surface chemistry.
The heterogenization of catalytic active species is highly desirable as it allows for the recovery and recyclability of catalysts. Porous materials, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), mesoporous silicas, zeolites, or carbon materials, are exceptional candidates to accommodate homogeneous catalytic species owing to their chemical and thermal stability while enabling accessibility to reactants. Moreover, porous frameworks are increasingly applied as catalysts themselves. Recent advances in structural characterization techniques have led to so-called defect engineering through modulated synthesis. The possibility to tune the porosity and chemical composition of such materials allows the creation of catalytic active sites and the development of specific functionalities on otherwise inactive materials.
The Research Topic welcomes contributions dealing with the development of novel catalysts based on porous frameworks with appealing catalytic properties for sustainable processes. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- preparation of heterogeneous catalysts through the incorporation of guest species on porous frameworks;
- design of surface-engineered porous materials for the enhancement of the catalytic performance;
- development of novel catalytic systems for the production of clean fossil fuels;
- green processes for the production of energy, such as the catalytic valorization of biomass;
- efficient catalytic strategies towards the reduction of carbon dioxide, namely hydrogenation of CO2 or conversion of CO2 into alcohols
- development of promising materials for alternative energy sources, including electro- or photocatalytic production of hydrogen
Keywords: porous materials, sustainable catalysis, renewable energies, energy production, heterogeneous catalysis, selective oxidation, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.