Catalysis and Carbon-Based Materials

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalytic Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 11153

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Chemical and Environmental Technology, ESCET, Rey Juan Carlos University, Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Spain
2. Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
Interests: carbon-based materials; nanostructured materials; magnetic composites; carbon electrodes; geopolymers; advanced oxidation processes; electro-Fenton; wastewater treatment; municipal solid wastes treatment and management; reactor modelling and design (kinetic modeling)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; magnetic nanocatalysts; carbon-based materials; design, preparation, and characterization of catalysts; advanced oxidation processes; environmental catalysis; catalytic wet peroxide oxidation; valorization of sub-products; chemical engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Carbon catalysts and materials, the focus of the present Special Issue, are very important in many fields of science, engineering and technology, which is why papers reporting on “carbon materials” are published in journals in a wide range of specialties. Even when targeting a specific subject (e.g., the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials or activated carbon applications), a large number of scientific papers are published. This is mainly due to the existence of several carbon sources, production methods and widespread applications of carbon materials, as a result of the ability of carbon atoms to bond with each other in various ways to form linear, planar and tetrahedral bonding arrangements, thus producing carbon materials with a large range of properties and applications. In addition, their physicochemical characteristics, such as electrical and thermal conductivity, surface area and porosity, surface chemistry and mechanical properties, may be tuned for specific applications by several methods, such as doping, functionalization and graphitization, among others.

Carbon materials such as activated carbons, carbon blacks and graphitic materials, have been used for decades in adsorption and heterogeneous catalysis, either as catalyst supports or as catalysts themselves. Activated carbons are some of the most known and used materials, due to their high-surface-area which makes them exceptional adsorbents for several applications, such as drinking water, wastewater and gas purification. Their predominant applications include adsorption, filling (in rubber production) or use as refractory materials. However, their application in the catalyst market has gained increasing attention specially of its use as catalyst support. An example can be found in hydrogenation reactions, where those carbon materials are used to support precious metals due to their high thermal stability in reducing atmospheres and their ability to facilitate the preparation of well-dispersed metal particles on surfaces that do not exhibit acid–base properties. The recovery and recycling of metals, particularly of noble metals, is simplified with carbons, as these supports can be burned off. In addition, novel carbon nanomaterials and carbon composites are synthesized day by day or find applications in new scientific fields.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide readers with the latest research progress and state-of-the-art technologies developed in the manufacture, properties and applications of carbon materials in catalysis.

We would like to express our wholehearted thanks to all authors who consider participating in this Special Issue. Their willingness to share their knowledge is greatly appreciated. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all assistants who helped to produce this Special Issue.

Dr. Jose Luis Diaz de Tuesta
Prof. Dr. Helder T. Gomes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • char
  • activated carbon
  • carbon materials
  • nanostructured carbons
  • carbon composites
  • carbon catalysts
  • carbonaceous supports
  • activation methods
  • carbonization
  • graphitization
  • superporous materials
  • doped carbons
  • functionalized carbons
  • carbon surface chemistry
  • carbon molecular sieves
  • ordered mesoporous carbons
  • carbon-coated materials

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3539 KiB  
Article
Iron Carbide Nanoparticles Embedded in Edge-Rich, N and F Codoped Graphene/Carbon Nanotubes Hybrid for Oxygen Electrocatalysis
by Xiaochang Qiao, Yijie Deng, Xiaochang Cao, Jiafeng Wu, Hui Guo, Wenhuang Xiao and Shijun Liao
Catalysts 2022, 12(9), 1023; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12091023 - 09 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1692
Abstract
Rational design of cost-effective and efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is urgently desired for rechargeable metal–air batteries and regenerative fuel cells. Here, the Fe3C nanoparticles encapsulated in N and F codoped [...] Read more.
Rational design of cost-effective and efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is urgently desired for rechargeable metal–air batteries and regenerative fuel cells. Here, the Fe3C nanoparticles encapsulated in N and F codoped and simultaneously etched graphene/CNTs architecture catalyst (Fe3C@N-F-GCNTs) was synthesized by a simple yet cost-effective strategy. The as-prepared Fe3C@N-F-GCNTs exhibited excellent ORR and OER performances, with the ORR half-wave potential positive than that of Pt/C by 14 mV, and the OER overpotential lowered to 432 mV at the current density of 10 mA·cm−2. In addition, the ΔE value (oxygen electrode activity parameter) increased to 0.827 V, which is comparable to the performance of the best nonprecious metal catalysts reported to date. When it was applied in a Zn–air battery as a cathode, it achieved a peak power density of 130 mW·cm−2, exhibiting the potential for large-scale applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis and Carbon-Based Materials)
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15 pages, 4895 KiB  
Article
Catalytic Activity of Carbon Materials in the Oxidation of Minerals
by Aura Alejandra Burbano, Gabriel Gascó, Jorge Paz-Ferreiro and Ana Méndez
Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12080918 - 19 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1331
Abstract
This study aims to advance the knowledge of using carbon materials as catalysts in the oxidation of chalcopyrite. For this, two different materials (a commercial activated carbon (CC) and commercial biochar (BC)) were added to chalcopyrite ore (CPY) at three weight ratios (1:1, [...] Read more.
This study aims to advance the knowledge of using carbon materials as catalysts in the oxidation of chalcopyrite. For this, two different materials (a commercial activated carbon (CC) and commercial biochar (BC)) were added to chalcopyrite ore (CPY) at three weight ratios (1:1, 1:0.5, and 1:0.25). Mixtures were treated with sulfuric/ferric solution for 96 h at 90 °C. Experimental results showed that extraction of copper from CPY was around 36%, increasing to higher than 90% with the addition of CC or BC at the proper ratio. The best result (99.1% Cu extraction) was obtained using a 1:1 ratio of CPY:CC. Analysis of solid residues shows that CC, with a high surface area, adsorbs sulfur onto its surface, limiting elemental sulfur formation. Additionally, the treatment of CPY in the CC’s presence transforms the chalcopyrite into CuS. Sulfur adsorption or CuS formation was not observed after the leaching of chalcopyrite with BC. However, the addition of BC to CPY at a ratio of 1:0.25 also increased the extraction of copper to 91.1%. Two carbon materials were oxidized after treatment with a sulfuric/ferric solution, and BC probably displayed catalytic properties in the leaching medium. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis and Carbon-Based Materials)
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18 pages, 3827 KiB  
Article
Carbon Aerogel-Supported Iron for Gasification Gas Cleaning: Tars Decomposition
by Oscar Gómez-Cápiro, Kimberley Matschuk, Tim Schulzke, Romel Jiménez Concepción and Luis E. Arteaga-Pérez
Catalysts 2022, 12(4), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12040391 - 31 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1558
Abstract
Tar removal from gasification gases is a determinant step to guarantee the operational feasibility of gasification-to-chemicals/energy systems. However, this is a very complex process requiring catalytic materials to proceed under reasonably low temperatures and to convert the tars into fuel gases (i.e., CH [...] Read more.
Tar removal from gasification gases is a determinant step to guarantee the operational feasibility of gasification-to-chemicals/energy systems. However, this is a very complex process requiring catalytic materials to proceed under reasonably low temperatures and to convert the tars into fuel gases (i.e., CHx). The use of Fe-based catalysts for application has been reported before, however, there are still unsolved questions related to its stability and interaction with some species of gasification gases. Therefore, we evaluated carbon-supported Fe for the decomposition of tar using simulated gasification gases, and toluene, naphthalene, and benzene as models for tar. The effects of temperature (565 < T < 665 °C) and co-feeding CO on the catalytic activity and stability were inspected at laboratory and bench scales. The activity of catalysts for decomposing tars was in the following order: benzene > toluene e > naphthalene. Moreover, there was evidence validating a reversible elemental step toluene⇔benzene over the Fe surface. The characterization of the spent catalysts evidenced the oxidation of the active phase and the carbon deposition on the surface. The formation of FexOy caused a marked loss of activity. Conversely, the carbides were stable and still active for tar decomposition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis and Carbon-Based Materials)
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17 pages, 1735 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Pretreatments for Highly Concentrated Leachate Waters to Enhance the Performance of Catalytic Wet Peroxide Oxidation with Sustainable Low-Cost Catalysts
by Gabriel de Freitas Batista, Fernanda F. Roman, Jose L. Diaz de Tuesta, Raquel Vieira Mambrini, Paulo Praça and Helder T. Gomes
Catalysts 2022, 12(2), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12020238 - 20 Feb 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1948
Abstract
Matured compost, derived from a mechanical and biological treatment (MBT) plant, was used as a precursor to produce catalysts through hydrothermal and thermal carbonization, HC and PC, respectively. HC and PC displayed suitable properties to act as catalysts in the catalytic wet peroxide [...] Read more.
Matured compost, derived from a mechanical and biological treatment (MBT) plant, was used as a precursor to produce catalysts through hydrothermal and thermal carbonization, HC and PC, respectively. HC and PC displayed suitable properties to act as catalysts in the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) treatment of the highly polluted leachate waters generated in the same MBT plant (TOC0 = 27 g L−1; COD0 = 60 g L−1; BOD5,0 = 23 g L−1). The influence of catalyst loading and pH were studied, considering multiple additions of H2O2. The best experimental conditions found were T = 80 °C, pH0 = 3.0, 7.2 g L−1 of HC catalyst, 85.7 g L−1 of H2O2, added in five batches in one-hour intervals between each addition. Under these experimental conditions, removals of 43%, 52%, 93%, 82%, 35%, 95% and 93% for the COD, TOC, BOD5, aromaticity, chlorides, turbidity and color number (CN) were, respectively, observed. Ion exchange resins and coagulation–flocculation were studied as pretreatment options to reduce the complexity of the leachate waters and enhance the CWPO results. Both strategies resulted in higher mineralization and enhanced the consumption efficiency of H2O2H2O2). The sequential treatment using coagulation–flocculation and CWPO with PC catalyst showed the best results, achieving abatement of 94%, 70%, 98%, 93%, 31%, 96% and 95% for COD, TOC, BOD5, aromaticity, chlorides, turbidity and CN, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis and Carbon-Based Materials)
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Review

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41 pages, 3920 KiB  
Review
Carbon-Based Materials for Oxidative Desulfurization and Denitrogenation of Fuels: A Review
by Fernanda F. Roman, Jose L. Diaz de Tuesta, Adrián M. T. Silva, Joaquim L. Faria and Helder T. Gomes
Catalysts 2021, 11(10), 1239; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11101239 - 15 Oct 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3678
Abstract
Sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) are elements naturally found in petroleum-based fuels. S- and N-based compounds in liquid fuels are associated with a series of health and environmental issues. Thus, legislation has become stricter worldwide regarding their content and related emissions. Traditional treatment [...] Read more.
Sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) are elements naturally found in petroleum-based fuels. S- and N-based compounds in liquid fuels are associated with a series of health and environmental issues. Thus, legislation has become stricter worldwide regarding their content and related emissions. Traditional treatment systems (namely hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation) fail to achieve the desired levels of S and N contents in fuels without compromising combustion parameters. Thus, oxidative treatments (oxidative desulfurization–ODS, and oxidative denitrogenation-ODN) are emerging as alternatives to producing ultra-low-sulfur and nitrogen fuels. This paper presents a thorough review of ODS and ODN processes applying carbon-based materials, either in hybrid forms or as catalysts on their own. Focus is brought to the role of the carbonaceous structure in oxidative treatments. Furthermore, a special section related to the use of amphiphilic carbon-based catalysts, which have some advantages related to a closer interaction with the oily and aqueous phases, is discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis and Carbon-Based Materials)
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