Abstract

ZANELLA, Rodolfo. Aplicación de los nanomateriales en catálisis. Mundo nano [online]. 2014, vol.7, n.12, pp.66-82.  Epub June 21, 2021. ISSN 2448-5691.

In this contribution the main concepts of catalysis are defined. The importance of catalytic processes in everyday life and in some processes that occur in the nature are described. The implications of the physical, chemical and physicochemical properties of nanomaterials in heterogeneous catalytic processes are explained. The effect of the size and shape of the nanoparticles on the catalytic efficiency is discussed. In addition, some of the most important applications of nanocatalysts are described, for example the abatement of air and water pollution, the production and purification of fuels, as well as industrial and fine chemicals applications for production of substances of very high commercial value as drugs, essences, pesticides and others. One section is devoted to photocatalytic processes. In these reactions, in addition to the nanostructured solid, the presence of light (ultraviolet or visible) is required to carried out the catalytic process. The photocatalytic reactions are of great importance in the degradation of organic and inorganic pollutants in water, in the production of hydrogen and other alternative fuels, and in the synthesis of chemicals of high commercial value.

Keywords : heterogeneous catalysis; nanomaterials; photocatalysis; nanocatalysts applications.