An Approach for Development of Materials for Green Chemical Catalytic Processes: Green Catalysis

Abstract

Green catalysis is an important branch of green engineering as it is inherently derived from the green chemistry and possesses the capability to bring a substantial change in this field by moving a step forward toward foreseeable sustainability. Demand of energy inputs and high operating conditions for fuel generation by direct or indirect usage of fossil fuels in any chemical process can be suppressed by reducing the energy barrier to facilitate the reaction. Catalysts are known to have the ability to suppress the activation energy of the chemical processes, accelerate the reaction rate, increase the yield and selectivity, and limit the excessive usage of stoichiometric reagents by providing surface sites without being involved in the reaction. Energy inputs are as much responsible as the direct usage of chemicals in adding toxins in the environment posing serious health problems. Therefore, nonhazardous ways to deliver energy inputs and reduction of waste from the overall process is the first and foremost requirement of moving toward the green approach. In this regard, solar irradiation, potential difference across electrodes as the energy source/driving force for the reactions operating at room temperature is a kick start to demonstrate the preventive as well as the after treatment for pollution prevention measures. Photons absorbed via solar energy promote the generation of charge carriers and are widely 114used for fuel generation by replacing the thermocatalytic processes using high temperature and high pressure as the reaction parameters. Production of electricity using solar energy, i.e., solar cells and photovoltaics, solar driven air and water purification are few of the examples of moving forward toward greener approach. Green engineering and green chemistry provide an enormous scope to direct the research toward designing the highly efficient materials, catalysts, and processes with high environmental benefits.