Colloidal nanoparticle catalysts are considered to be semi-heterogeneous (or quasi-homogeneous) due to their homogeneous characteristics (kinetic efficiency) accompanied by their heterogeneous surface property. Since semi-heterogeneous catalysts can benefit from the advantages that both homogenous and heterogeneous catalysts have, colloidal nanoparticle catalysts can have higher catalytic activity than their bulk and heterogeneous counterparts especially with nano-effects of high surface area-to-volume ratio. Often times, colloidal nanoparticle catalysts are found to have greater selectivity than supported nanoparticle catalysts. Examples of colloidal nanoparticle catalysts include, but are not limited to, dendrimer- or polymer-nanoparticle hybrids, ligand-capped nanoparticles, surfactant- or ionic liquid-stabilized nanoparticles, and biomolecule-nanoparticle hybrids. Colloidal nanoparticle catalysts are, however, different from those of conventional particle suspensions or solutions of molecular and metal complex catalysts. Potential applications of colloidal nanoparticle catalysts range from simple organic reactions such as hydrogenation, oxidation, and C-C coupling reactions to electron transfer reactions and industrial catalysis.
This Research Topic aims at enhancing fundamental understanding of structure-function relationships of various colloidal nanoparticle catalytic systems. In addition to studies on the influence of nanoparticle core size, shape, composition, and surface structure, this Research Topic is particularly interested in tackling the critical importance in controlling chemical environments around active catalytic sites of colloidal nanoparticles using organic ligands, dendrimers, polymers, inorganic dopants, ionic liquids, secondary metals, solvent-, light-, or thermal-induced conformational changes, etc. We welcome original research and review articles that seek to improve the activity and selectivity of colloidal nanoparticles for various catalytic reactions, including dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, isomerization, coupling reaction, redox reaction, addition, hydrolysis, and condensation, and applications such as alternative fuel, wastewater remediation, and nanozyme. Colloidal nanoparticle catalysts that are industrially viable and operate under many catalytic cycles with acceptable integrity are of particular interest. In addition, research articles seeking the development of optimized colloidal nanoparticle catalysts with high chemoselectivity and stereoselectivity are encouraged.
Subjects covered include, but are not limited to:
• Controlled synthesis of colloidal nanoparticle catalysts
• Effects of core size, shape, composition, and surface structure of colloidal nanoparticle catalysts
• Effects of chemical environments around nanoparticle core on catalytic activity and selectivity
• Basic understanding of catalytic nanoparticles in solution and at interface
• Recent advances in application of colloidal nanoparticle catalysts
• Catalytic applications of colloidal nanoparticles in various organic reactions
• Applications of novel colloidal nanoparticles in alternative fuel, wastewater remediation, and nanoenzyme
Colloidal nanoparticle catalysts are considered to be semi-heterogeneous (or quasi-homogeneous) due to their homogeneous characteristics (kinetic efficiency) accompanied by their heterogeneous surface property. Since semi-heterogeneous catalysts can benefit from the advantages that both homogenous and heterogeneous catalysts have, colloidal nanoparticle catalysts can have higher catalytic activity than their bulk and heterogeneous counterparts especially with nano-effects of high surface area-to-volume ratio. Often times, colloidal nanoparticle catalysts are found to have greater selectivity than supported nanoparticle catalysts. Examples of colloidal nanoparticle catalysts include, but are not limited to, dendrimer- or polymer-nanoparticle hybrids, ligand-capped nanoparticles, surfactant- or ionic liquid-stabilized nanoparticles, and biomolecule-nanoparticle hybrids. Colloidal nanoparticle catalysts are, however, different from those of conventional particle suspensions or solutions of molecular and metal complex catalysts. Potential applications of colloidal nanoparticle catalysts range from simple organic reactions such as hydrogenation, oxidation, and C-C coupling reactions to electron transfer reactions and industrial catalysis.
This Research Topic aims at enhancing fundamental understanding of structure-function relationships of various colloidal nanoparticle catalytic systems. In addition to studies on the influence of nanoparticle core size, shape, composition, and surface structure, this Research Topic is particularly interested in tackling the critical importance in controlling chemical environments around active catalytic sites of colloidal nanoparticles using organic ligands, dendrimers, polymers, inorganic dopants, ionic liquids, secondary metals, solvent-, light-, or thermal-induced conformational changes, etc. We welcome original research and review articles that seek to improve the activity and selectivity of colloidal nanoparticles for various catalytic reactions, including dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, isomerization, coupling reaction, redox reaction, addition, hydrolysis, and condensation, and applications such as alternative fuel, wastewater remediation, and nanozyme. Colloidal nanoparticle catalysts that are industrially viable and operate under many catalytic cycles with acceptable integrity are of particular interest. In addition, research articles seeking the development of optimized colloidal nanoparticle catalysts with high chemoselectivity and stereoselectivity are encouraged.
Subjects covered include, but are not limited to:
• Controlled synthesis of colloidal nanoparticle catalysts
• Effects of core size, shape, composition, and surface structure of colloidal nanoparticle catalysts
• Effects of chemical environments around nanoparticle core on catalytic activity and selectivity
• Basic understanding of catalytic nanoparticles in solution and at interface
• Recent advances in application of colloidal nanoparticle catalysts
• Catalytic applications of colloidal nanoparticles in various organic reactions
• Applications of novel colloidal nanoparticles in alternative fuel, wastewater remediation, and nanoenzyme