Nanocatalysis has emerged as a field at the interface between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis and offers unique solutions to the demanding requirements for catalyst improvement. Heterogeneous catalysis represents one of the oldest commercial applications of nanoscience and nanoparticles of metals, semiconductors, oxides, and other compounds have been widely used for important chemical reactions. The main focus of this fi eld is the development of well-defined catalysts, which may include both metal nanoparticles and a nanomaterial as the support. These nanocatalysts should display the benefits of both homogenous and heterogeneous catalysts, such as high efficiency and selectivity, stability and easy recovery/recycling. The concept of nanocatalysis is outlined in this book and, in particular, it provides a comprehensive overview of the science of colloidal nanoparticles. A broad range of topics, from the fundamentals to applications in catalysis, are covered, without excluding micelles, nanoparticles in ionic liquids, dendrimers, nanotubes, and nanooxides, as well as modeling, and the characterization of nanocatalysts, making it an indispensable reference for both researchers at universities and professionals in industry.

Nanocatalysis has emerged as a field at the interface between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis and offers unique solutions tothe demanding requirements for catalyst improvement. Heterogeneous catalysis represents one of the oldest commercial applications of nanoscience and nanoparticles of metals, semiconductors, oxides, and other compounds have been widely used for important chemical reactions. The main focus of this fi eld is the development of well-defined catalysts, which may include both metal nanoparticles and a nanomaterial as the support. These nanocatalysts should display the benefits of both homogenous and heterogeneous catalysts, such as high efficiency and selectivity, stability and easy recovery/recycling. The concept of nanocatalysis is outlined in this book and, in particular, it provides a comprehensive overview of the science of colloidal nanoparticles. A broad range of topics, from the fundamentals to applications in catalysis, are covered, without excluding micelles, nanoparticles in ionic liquids, dendrimers, nanotubes, and nanooxides, as well as modeling, and the characterization of nanocatalysts, making it an indispensable reference for both researchers at universities andprofessionals in industry.

FOREWORDPREFACECONCEPTS IN NANOCATALYSISIntroductionThe Impact of the Intrinsic Properties of Nanomaterials on CatalysisHow can Nanocatalyst Properties be Tailored?Nanocatalysis: Applications in Chemical IndustryConclusions and PerspectivesMETALLIC NANOPARTICLES IN NEAT WATER FOR CATALYTIC APPLICATIONSIntroductionSynthesis of Nanoparticles in Water: The State of The ArtWater-Soluble Protective Agents and their use in NanocatalysisConclusion and PerspectivesCATALYSIS BY DENDRIMER-STABILIZED AND DENDRIMER-ENCAPSULATED LATE-TRANSITION-METAL NANOPARTICLESIntroductionSynthesisHomogeneous Catalysis with DENs Generated from PAMAM and PPI DendrimersHighly Efficient 'click'-Dendrimer-Encapsulated and Stabilized Pd Nanoparticle Pre-CatalystsHeterogeneous CatalysisElectrocatalysisConclusion and OutlookNANOSTRUCTURED METAL PARTICLES FOR CATALYSTS AND ENERGY-RELATED MATERIALSGeneral SurveyNanostructured Clusters and Colloids as Catalyst PrecursorsNanostructured Materials in Energy-Related ProcessesCharacterization of Nanostructured Metallic Catalyst Precursors and their Interaction with Coatings and Supports Using X-ray Absorption SpectroscopyMETALLIC NANOPARTICLES IN IONIC LIQUIDS - APPLICATIONS IN CATALYSISIntroductionInteractions between Ionic Liquids and Metallic NanoparticlesCatalytic ApplicationsConclusionsSUPPORTED IONIC LIQUID THIN FILM TECHNOLOGYIntroductionNanoparticle Catalysis with Supported Ionic LiquidsBenefits for Synthesis and ProcessesConclusionNANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS SYNTHESIS IN SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS FOR CATALYSIS APPLICATIONSIntroduction: Properties of Supercritical FluidsSynthesis of Nanopowders as Nanocatalysts in SCFsSynthesis of Supported Nanoparticles as Nanocatalysts in SCFsSupercritical Microfluidic Synthesis of NanocrystalsConclusionRECOVERY OF METALLIC NANOPARTICLESIntroductionImmobilization on a Solid SupportMultiple PhasesPrecipitation and RedispersionMagnetic SeparationFiltrationConclusionsCARBON NANOTUBES AND RELATED CARBONACEOUS STRUCTURESIntroductionCarbon Nanotubes as NanosupportPurification and FunctionalizationPreparation of CNT-Supported CatalystsApplications of CNT-Supported CatalystsOther Related Carbonaceous MaterialsSummaryNANO-OXIDESIntroductionSynthesis and Characterization of Nano-oxidesCatalytic Applications of Nano-oxidesConclusions and PerspectivesCONFINEMENT EFFECTS IN NANOSUPPORTSIntroductionConfinement Effects in Carbon NanotubesMetal Catalyst-Free Chemical Reactions inside Carbon NanotubesCatalytic Reactions over Metal Particles Confined Inside Carbon NanotubesSummaryIN SILICO NANOCATALYSIS WITH TRANSITION METAL PARTICLES: WHERE ARE WE NOW?IntroductionSurface Chemistry and Chemistry on Facets of Nanoparticles: Is it the Same?Electronic and Geometric Factors that Determine the Reactivity of Metal SurfacesTheoretical Studies of Multistep PathwaysCONCLUSIONINDEX