Nanomaterial-Based Catalysts

Nanochemistry can mean the construction of larger units from smaller ones  through a bottom-up approach. The new type of matter, created by nanochemistry, is smaller than a macroscopic unit but significantly larger than a few pairs of atoms or molecules. These materials have unique novel electronic, optical, magnetic, and photochemical properties. Nanochemistry covers strategies to prepare nanotechnology and relevant devices by a bottom-up approach.

Nanomaterial-based catalysts are mostly heterogeneous crystals broken up into nanoparticles to enhance catalytic activity.

Between the dimensions on an atomic/nanoscale and normal dimensions, which identifies bulk material, nanomaterial is a size range where some remarkable properties are seen to occur.

Due to this fact, nanomaterials are categorized into 4 main dimensions/sizes:

1. Zero  Dimensional (0-D): Movement of atoms in 0-D, such as nanoparticles or clusters of atoms.
2. One Dimensional (1-D): Movement of atoms in only 1-D, such as nanowires. 
3. Two Dimensional (2-D): Movement of atoms in only 2-D, such as thin films. 
4. Three Dimensional (3-D): Movement of atoms in only 3-D, such as Polycrystals.

Physical Properties of Nanomaterials

The physical properties of nanomaterials are as follows:

1. The melting point and phase transition temperature of nanomaterials are quite low, and the lattice constants are reduced due to a large fraction of atoms on the surface.
2. The mechanical properties of nanomaterials show that  nanomaterials have the ability to reach the hypothetical strength that is generally higher by two or more magnitudes than the bulk form.
3. Electrical conductivity changes with a diminished dimension.
4. The magnetic properties of nano-based materials are noticeably unique from that of bulk materials. Ferromagnetism of bulk form of materials vanishes and changes to superparamagnetic on the nanoscale due to its high surface area.

Synthesis of Nanoparticles 

Nanoparticles (NPs) are particles that range between 1 nm and 100 nm. Nanoparticles can be synthesized by two different approaches that are:

1. Top-down method 
2.  Bottom-up method

Nanocatalysis

Catalysis is the technologically advanced utilization of nanoparticles. As nanoparticles have a large surface area, they demonstrate a positive advantage on reaction rate. So nanoparticles may be responsible for a reasonable explanation of reactant movements. 

The shape-dependent and structural properties of any material at the nanoscale size can likewise affect the reactant movement of a material. As far as synthesis, shape and size is concerned, the standardizing of nanocatalysts has accomplished more remarkable selectivity. 

Therefore, it is important to understand: 

1. How the physical properties of nanoparticles affect the reactant properties. 
2. How manufacturing limitations can have an effect on those physical properties.

Advantages of Homogeneous Catalysts

Homogeneous catalysts are:

1. Highly active
2. Very selective in nature
3. Provides a moderate reaction time

Disadvantages of Homogeneous Catalysts

Homogeneous catalysts are: 

1. Quite unstable
2. Difficult to recover after a reaction

Advantages of Heterogeneous Catalysts

Heterogeneous catalysts are: 

1. Far more stable than homogeneous catalysts
2. Recovered more easily than homogeneous catalysts
3. Easy to use than homogeneous catalysts

Disadvantages of Heterogeneous Catalysts

Heterogeneous catalysts are: 

1. Quite inactive.
2. Takes a long time for the reaction to occur.

Because of these reasons nanocrystals have proved to be more effective in catalysis and are therefore used in mixtures or combinations.

Advantages of Nanocatalysts

The following are the advantages of nanocatalysts:

1. More Active
2. More Stable
3. More Selective
4. Easily Recoverable
5. Efficient 
6. Cost-Effective
7. Eco-Friendly

Disadvantages of Nanocatalysts

The following are the disadvantages of nanocatalysts:

1. Longer reaction time.
2. Leaching of active sites
3. High cost of catalysis

Applications of Nanomaterials in Catalysis

The applications of nanomaterials in catalysis are as follows:

1. Environmental Protection
2. Photocatalytic Activity
3. Drug Delivery 
4. Biodiesel Production
5. Water Purification 
6. Fuel Cell Applications
7. Thin Film Solar Cells
8. Solid Rocket Propellant

Conclusion

Nanomaterial-based catalysts are heterogeneous crystals that break up into nanoparticles to enhance catalytic activity. Nanoparticles have a large surface area, which helps to increase catalytic activity. The large surface area of nanoparticles has proved to be a positive advantage on reaction rate. 

Creative use of modern methods of nanomaterial synthesis coupled with a deep understanding of fundamental molecular surface chemistry has provided significant progress in some of the most important and challenging problems in the field.