Advances in Nanocatalysis Research for Carbon Nanotubes Formation and Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol

Catalysts daily accelerate and boost thousands of different chemical reactions, and thereby form the basis for the multibillion dollar chemical industry worldwide and indispensable environmental protective technologies. Research in nanotechnology and nanoscience is expected to have a great impact on the development of new catalysts. The detailed understanding of chemistry of nanostructures and the ability to control materials on the nanometer scale will ensure a rational and costefficient development of new and more capable catalysts for a chemical process. Recently, countries in Asia are setting up nanotechnology initiatives. Some of the major initial advances are expected to come in areas of increasing rates of reaction using nanocatalysts in catalytic processes. Although most production by catalysis is performed in large-scale reactors, the reaction that actually takes place in the catalyst occurs on the surface of highly dispersed metallic particles with typical dimensions of 1 – 100 nm (Fig. 1). Catalysts are perhaps the first industrial nanotechnology. It is well known that the catalytic activity of supported metal catalysts is strongly dependent on the size and shape of the metal particles. Nanoparticle catalysts are highly active since most of the particle surfaces can be available to catalysis. Many of the nanocatalysts have found applications in ammonia synthesis, environmental protection, photocatalysis, waste removal, fiber and mechanical industries. Advances in Nanocatalysis Research for Carbon Nanotubes Formation and Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol