Heterogeneous Catalysts for C1 Molecules Conversion

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About this Research Topic

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Background

One-carbon (C1) chemistry has emerged as a beneficial solution to the problem of crude oil depletion and is a sustainable, environmentally friendly reaction step that contributes to human development. C1 chemistry is based on the chemical synthesis of a series of significant chemicals and fuels from compounds containing one-carbon atom, such as CO, CO2, CH4, HCOH, HCOOH and CH3OH. This Research Topic focuses on electro-, photo-, thermo-, plasma-, bio-catalytic conversion of C1 molecules, such as production of dimethyl ether and liquid fuels from CO/CO2; production of methanol, light olefins, and even aromatics from CH4; and production of hydrogen from HCOOH/CH3OH. However, due to the complex and variable conversion process, selective control, energy saving and emission reduction are still great challenges for C1 chemistry. Therefore, we hope that this Research Topic would contribute to the development of C1 chemistry.

Although great progress has been made in C1 molecular transformation, many challenges remain to be addressed. The aim of this Research Topic is to cover promising, recent, and novel research works on addressing the challenges in C1 molecules conversion. For example, the current thermochemical conversion of C1 molecules requires high temperature and high pressure. New efforts should focus on reducing the reaction pressure and temperature to optimize the reaction process, or using photocatalysis and electrocatalysis that are not limited by thermodynamic or kinetic control. In addition, the reaction mechanism of the catalyst catalyzing the conversion of C1 molecules is not yet clear, and the exploration of the reaction mechanism has a significant role in promoting the preparation of efficient catalysts, and thus the development of C1 chemistry.

The articles in the forms of Original Research, Review, Mini-review and Perspective are welcomed. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
• Advances in the C1 molecules conversion, especially on the CO2 conversion.
• Conversion of C1 molecules via electro-, photo-, thermo-, plasma-, bio-, and other related chemical reactions.
• Numerous products from conversion of C1 molecules, e.g., production of hydrogen, methanol, light olefins, and even aromatics.
• The improvement of C1 molecular transformation in industrialization.
• The investigation on the catalytic mechanism of C1 molecular transformation, especially on the in-situ characterization technologies, DFT calculations and machine learning methods.

Keywords: Heterogeneous catalysis, Photo/electro/thermal/bio catalysts, C1 molecules conversion, Industrial production, Reaction mechanism

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