Catalysis for Environmental Applications: Addressing Global Challenges

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About this Research Topic

Submission deadlines

  1. Manuscript Summary Submission Deadline 31 January 2025 | Manuscript Submission Deadline 31 March 2025

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Background

Catalysis for environmental and Energy applications has become a critical area of research in response to the urgent need to mitigate the adverse effects of fossil fuel combustion. Emissions of soot particles, nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO) pose severe environmental and health risks. In contrast, the release of substantial carbon dioxide (CO2) levels exacerbates the greenhouse effect and climate change. Recent studies have investigated advanced catalytic techniques to address these pressing issues, including catalyzed diesel/gasoline particulate filters (CDPF/CGPF), selective catalytic reduction (SCR), HC/CO oxidation catalysts, and energy areas of interest. Despite significant progress, challenges persist in achieving catalytic systems that combine low-temperature activity, high stability, and cost-effectiveness. With their exceptional atom efficiency and low cost, single-atom catalysts and metal-isolated particles with sub-nm have demonstrated potential, yet their activity and stability require further refinement for the catalytic conversion of CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels, remain a formidable challenge, demanding high catalytic activity, selectivity, and economically viable reaction conditions.

The proposed research area aims to enhance the understanding and development of cost-effective and efficient catalysts for environmental applications. Key objectives include Developing innovative catalytic materials and methods to reduce pollutant emissions and advancing catalytic systems to convert CO2 into high-value chemicals and fuels. Particularly, specific questions to be addressed: How can we improve the low-temperature activity and stability of catalysts? What strategies are most effective for enhancing the performance of single-atom catalysts and sub-nm catalysts? How can we achieve high selectivity and efficiency in CO2 conversion processes?

By addressing these challenges, this topic aims to contribute to the development of sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective catalytic solutions for global environmental problems. To further expand the boundaries of heterogeneous catalysis for environmental applications, we welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Synthesis and characterization of novel catalytic materials
• Mechanistic studies of catalytic processes
• Strategies for catalyst activation and regeneration
• Development of sub-nm nanoparticle and single-atom catalysts
• Applications of compound metal oxides and zeolite catalysts
• Catalytic techniques for pollutant removal
• CO2 conversion into fuels and high-value chemicals
• Thermo-, electro-, and photocatalysis for environmental solutions

We encourage the submission of letters, original research articles, and reviews that advance this critical field. Together, these contributions will help drive the innovation needed to tackle the environmental challenges of this field for future generations.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

  • Editorial
  • Mini Review
  • Original Research
  • Perspective
  • Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

  • Editorial
  • Mini Review
  • Original Research
  • Perspective
  • Review

Keywords: Catalyst materials, Catalytic reaction, Pollutant emissions, CO2 conversion, Environmental problems

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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