In this thesis, the focus is on the study of new catalytic properties of unsupported nanoporous metals in heterogeneous organic reactions under liquid-phase conditions. The author was the first to fabricate nanoporous copper with tunable nanoporosity and apply it for organic reactions. The catalyst can be reused up to ten times without loss of catalytic activity. In addition, the author developed the highly selective semihydrogenation of alkynes using nanoporous gold as a catalyst for the first time, affording Z-alkenes in 100% selectivity, which cannot be realized by traditional catalysts. All of the results described here will help readers to develop new catalytic performance of nanoporous metals for organic reactions.

A comprehensive introduction to the design, synthesis, characterization, and catalytic properties of nanoporous catalysts for the biomass conversion With the specter of peak oil demand looming on the horizon, and mounting concerns over the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions, biomass has taken on a prominent role as a sustainable alternative fuel source. One critical aspect of the biomass challenge is the development of novel catalytic materials for effective and controllable biomass conversion. Edited by two scientists recognized internationally for their pioneering work in the field, this book focuses on nanoporous catalysts, the most promising class of catalytic materials for the conversion of biomass into fuel and other products. Although various catalysts have been used in the conversion of biomass-derived feedstocks, nanoporous catalysts exhibit high catalytic activities and/or unique product selectivities due to their large surface area, open nanopores, and highly dispersed active sites. This book covers an array of nanoporous catalysts currently in use for biomass conversion, including resins, metal oxides, carbons, mesoporous silicates, polydivinylbenzene, and zeolites. The authors summarize the design, synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties of these nanoporous catalysts for biomass conversions, discussing the features of these catalysts and considering future opportunities for developing more efficient catalysts. Topics covered include: Resins for biomass conversion Supported metal oxides/sulfides for biomass oxidation and hydrogenation Nanoporous metal oxides Ordered mesoporous silica-based catalysts Sulfonated carbon catalysts Porous polydivinylbenzene Aluminosilicate zeolites for bio-oil upgrading Rice straw Hydrogenation for sugar conversion Lignin depolymerization Timely, authoritative, and comprehensive, Nanoporous Catalysts for Biomass Conversion is a valuable working resource for academic researchers, industrial scientists and graduate students working in the fields of biomass conversion, catalysis, materials science, green and sustainable chemistry, and chemical/process engineering.

Hydrogenation with Low-Cost Transition Metals describes recent developments in the preparation of catalysts and their catalytic abilities in chemoselective hydrogenation for the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds. Emphasizing the use of low-cost metals (Cu, Ni, Fe, and Ag) that are often present in the form of nanoparticles, the book provides valuable reaction mechanism schemes, engineering solutions, and perspective for the field.

With the increasing demand for optimization of energy storage, maintenance of the environment, and effective production, control on nanostructures of catalysts and optimization of their organization have become key to achieving high efficiency and specificity in energy and material conversion systems. This book emphasizes and summarizes the novel design of soft matters (molecules, polymers, assembled motifs, etc.) for nanocatalysts and nanocatalyst supports. The diversity or specialty of soft matters offers a new perspective and great promise for the development of new nanocatalytic systems for future requirements. Soft matters can provide a simple and well-defined space for the discovery of new catalysts. This book covers nonmetallic organocatalysts, organometallic compounds, dendrimers, ionic liquids, enzymes, polymers, various organized nanoarchitectures for supporting catalysts, and molecular dynamics in catalytic surface reactions. It gives readers a complete picture of the catalysis systems based on soft matters and is a useful reference for advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level students and researchers in chemistry, biology, materials science, nanoscience, polymer science, and catalysis.

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline compounds consisting of rigid organic molecules held together and organized by metal ions or clusters. Special interests in these materials arise from the fact that many are highly porous and can be used for storage of small molecules, for example H2 or CO2. Consequently, the materials are ideal candidates for a wide range of applications including gas storage, separation technologies and catalysis. Potential applications include the storage of hydrogen for fuel-cell cars, and the removal and storage of carbon dioxide in sustainable technical processes. MOFs offer the inorganic chemist and materials scientist a wide range of new synthetic possibilities and open the doors to new and exciting basic research. Metal-Organic Frameworks Materials provides a solid basis for the understanding of MOFs and insights into new inorganic materials structures and properties. The volume also reflects progress that has been made in recent years, presenting a wide range of new applications including state-of-the art developments in the promising technology for alternative fuels. The comprehensive volume investigates structures, symmetry, supramolecular chemistry, surface engineering, recognition, properties, and reactions. The content from this book will be added online to the Encyclopedia of Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry: http://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/ref/eibc

Because of their nanoporous structures and ultra-high surface areas Metal-Organic Framework Composites (MOFs) are very interesting materials. The book focusses on the following applications: gas capture and storage, especially molecular hydrogen storage; performance enhancement of Li-ion batteries; gas separation, nano-filtration, ionic sieving, water treatment, and catalysis; sustainable renewable energy resources, electrochemical capacitors, including supercapacitors, asymmetric supercapacitors and hybrid supercapacitors; biomedical disciplines including drug delivery, theranostics; biological detection and imaging; nanoparticle photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT). Keywords: MOF Materials, Hydrogen Storage, Renewable Energy Applications, Lithium Batteries, MOF-Quantum Dots, Clean Energy, Nanoporous MOFs, Supercapacitors, Therapeutic Applications, Biosensing, Bioimaging, Phototherapy of Cancer, Gas Separation, Nano-filtration, Ionic Sieving, Water Treatment, Drug Delivery, Theranostics; Nanoparticle Photosensitizers, Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), Photothermal Therapy (PTT).

Nanostructured materials with tailored properties are regarded as a fundamental element in the development of future science and technology. Research is still ongoing into the nanosized construction elements required to create functional solids. The recently developed technique, nanocasting, has great advantage over others in terms of the synthesis of special nanostructured materials by the careful choice of suitable elements and nanoengineering steps. This new book summarizes the recent developments in nanocasting, including the principles of nanocasting, syntheses of novel nanostructured materials, characterization methods, detailed synthetic recipes and further possible development in this area. The book focuses on the synthesis of porous solids from the viewpoint of methodology and introduces the science of nanocasting from fundamental principles to their use in synthesis of various materials. It starts by outlining the principles of nanocasting, requirements to the templates and precursors and the tools needed to probe matter at the nanoscale level. It describes how to synthesize nano structured porous solids with defined characteristics and finally discusses the functionalization and application of porous solids. Special attention is given to new developments in this field and future perspectives. A useful appendix covering the detailed synthetic recipes of various templates including porous silica, porous carbon and colloidal spheres is included which will be invaluable to researchers wanting to follow and reproduce nanocast materials. Topics covered in the book include: * inorganic chemistry * organic chemistry * solution chemistry * sol-gel and interface science * acid-base equilibria * electrochemistry * biochemistry * confined synthesis The book gives readers not only an overview of nanocasting technology, but also sufficient information and knowledge for those wanting to prepare various nanostructured materials without needing to search the available literature.

A comprehensive introduction to the design, synthesis, characterization, and catalytic properties of nanoporous catalysts for the biomass conversion With the specter of peak oil demand looming on the horizon, and mounting concerns over the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions, biomass has taken on a prominent role as a sustainable alternative fuel source. One critical aspect of the biomass challenge is the development of novel catalytic materials for effective and controllable biomass conversion. Edited by two scientists recognized internationally for their pioneering work in the field, this book focuses on nanoporous catalysts, the most promising class of catalytic materials for the conversion of biomass into fuel and other products. Although various catalysts have been used in the conversion of biomass-derived feedstocks, nanoporous catalysts exhibit high catalytic activities and/or unique product selectivities due to their large surface area, open nanopores, and highly dispersed active sites. This book covers an array of nanoporous catalysts currently in use for biomass conversion, including resins, metal oxides, carbons, mesoporous silicates, polydivinylbenzene, and zeolites. The authors summarize the design, synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties of these nanoporous catalysts for biomass conversions, discussing the features of these catalysts and considering future opportunities for developing more efficient catalysts. Topics covered include: Resins for biomass conversion Supported metal oxides/sulfides for biomass oxidation and hydrogenation Nanoporous metal oxides Ordered mesoporous silica-based catalysts Sulfonated carbon catalysts Porous polydivinylbenzene Aluminosilicate zeolites for bio-oil upgrading Rice straw Hydrogenation for sugar conversion Lignin depolymerization Timely, authoritative, and comprehensive, Nanoporous Catalysts for Biomass Conversion is a valuable working resource for academic researchers, industrial scientists and graduate students working in the fields of biomass conversion, catalysis, materials science, green and sustainable chemistry, and chemical/process engineering.

This book gradually brings the reader, through illustrations of the most crucial discoveries, into the modern world of chemical catalysis. Readers and experts will better understand the enormous influence that catalysis has given to the development of modern societies. • Highlights the field's onset up to its modern days, covering the life and achievements of luminaries of the catalytic era • Appeals to general audience in interpretation and analysis, but preserves the precision and clarity of a scientific approach • Fills the gap in publications that cover the history of specific catalytic processes