Current Status and Future Aspects of Bimetallic and Trimetallic Catalysts

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to provide an overview of the recent applications of bimetallic and trimetallic catalysis, highlighting the growing importance in a number of areas including reforming, hydrodesulfurization, dehydrogenation, aromatization, and polymerization reactions. Such catalysts have gained increasingly more traction due to the synergy of active phases, which is expected to significantly enhance the performance of the process compared to single-metal catalysts. Despite a significant number of researchers focusing their attention on the employment of bimetallic/trimetallic formulations, the catalytic mechanisms that result in the above-described performance improvements have not been clearly illustrated yet. There are still several aspects that need to be investigated in depth; the development of methods for synthesizing bimetallic and trimetallic catalysts with precise control over their composition and morphology is essential in ensuring the desired synergy and in maximizing the catalytic performance. Moreover, the study of methods for improving stability and limiting sintering and poisoning is crucial in reducing the deactivation phenomena.

Thus, this Special Issue seeks to shed light on the benefits of combining various metals (even in very low amounts); in many cases, the synergetic effect between the two or three phases can result in a better active species dispersion, leading to a larger active surface area available for the reactant molecules to interact with. Furthermore, when certain metals are combined, they can form alloys or solid solutions at an atomic level. These structures can exhibit unique electronic and geometric properties that enhance their ability to interact with specific reactants and influence reaction pathways. Even though research has advanced in bimetallic catalysts, adding a third metal increases system complexity. In this context, advanced chemical–physical characterization analyses of the multi-metal catalysts, such as high-resolution electron microscopy and X-ray absorption techniques, can provide valuable insights into these innovative materials.

Both experimental and theoretical works, including original research, review articles, and short communications, are consistent with the scope of this SI and are welcome.

Topics include but are not limited to the following fields:

• Reforming;
• Water–gas shift;
• Hydrogenation/dehydrogenation;
• Aromatization;
• Polymerization;
• Hydrodesulfurization;
• CO₂ electroreduction;
• Alcohol oxidation.

If you would like to submit papers to this Special Issue or have any questions, please contact the in-house editor, Dr.Duangkamon Phuakkhaw (phuakkhaw@mdpi.com).

Dr. Concetta Ruocco
Guest Editor

Dr. Olga Muccioli
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

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• bimetallic catalysts
• trimetallic catalysts
• nanomaterials
• sustainable processes
• reforming
• hydrodesulfurization
• de/hydrogenation
• aromatization
• polymerization
• electrochemical reactions