Greener Assembly of Nano Catalysts and Sustainable Applications of Magnetically Retrievable and Plasmonic Nano Catalysts

Abstract

Since ages, catalysts have played a pivotal role in accelerating the production and lowering the cost of a plethora of industrially important commodities. The latest in the scenario are nanocatalysts, which offer a wide array of advantages ranging from improved reaction rates to higher rates of recyclability. However, factors such as stability and support systems must be fine-tuned to achieve maximum efficiency. In accordance with the principle of sustainability, green synthesis methods have propelled the development of a range of nanocatalysts that can be applied in various domains, such as the food industry and biofuel production. Simultaneously, heterogeneous catalysis is gaining more attention globally, primarily due to the ease of recoverability of the nanocatalysts and in this context, magnetically retrievable nanocatalysts are indeed a boon for the green synthesis and sustainable production. Nanocomposites combining plasmonic and catalytic components with noble metal nanoparticles (Au and Ag) and doped semiconductor nanostructures have gained interest in recent years owing to their utility in multiple sectors by virtue of their ability to convert sunlight to chemical energy. The current review describes some methods for the synthesis of such nanocatalysts and their applications in diverse domains.

Graphical Abstract