3D-printing design for continuous flow catalysis

Abstract

Flow chemistry and 3D printing are two emerging technologies in a perfect symbiosis where the fine control of the geometric structure of a reactor, obtained via additive manufacturing, fits perfectly with the need to modulate (as desired) the physical properties of flow systems. A virtuous loop of design, printing, modeling, understanding, and redesign allows fine and fast optimization of the performance, from a physical and chemical point of view, barely obtainable in other catalytic processes. Many printing technologies and materials are available so far. Their number continues to increase, including wastes, biomass, and derivatives, paving the way for promising possibilities for the design of catalysts with improved characteristics and lower environmental impact. In addition to standard heterogeneous catalysis, many emerging fields, such as photo-, electro-, and biomimetic catalysis, are fruitfully taking advantage of the combination of 3D printing and flow chemistry. In recent years, 3D printing has attracted increasing attention given the highly relevant possibilities and applications in various fields, including materials science, reactor design, and catalysis. To provide an overview of the potential of 3D printing in flow (nano)catalysis, this contribution showcases relevant examples of various 3D-printing techniques for the design of advanced functional (nano)materials and catalysts as well as potential applications in continuous flow (CF) (nano)catalysis, covering heterogeneous conventional, flow, and electrocatalysis, and suitable 3D-printed design devices for such applications. In recent years, 3D printing has attracted increasing attention given the highly relevant possibilities and applications in various fields, including materials science, reactor design, and catalysis. To provide an overview of the potential of 3D printing in flow (nano)catalysis, this contribution showcases relevant examples of various 3D-printing techniques for the design of advanced functional (nano)materials and catalysts as well as potential applications in continuous flow (CF) (nano)catalysis, covering heterogeneous conventional, flow, and electrocatalysis, and suitable 3D-printed design devices for such applications.