Carbon nanomaterials with controlled macroscopic shapes as new catalytic materials

Abstract

Carbon nanostructures, i.e. nanotubes and/or nanofibers, with macroscopic shaping were successfully employed as catalyst supports either in gas-phase or in trickle-bed mode. The macroscopic shaping allows the easy handling of these nanomaterials without altering their intrinsic physical and chemical properties and renders them able to be used in a conventional structured catalytic bed without diffusion and pressure drop problems. Several catalytic reactions were demonstrated in the present work including catalytic decomposition of hydrazine for satellite maneuvering, low-temperature selective oxidation of trace amount of H2S into elemental sulfur and a fuel cell (PEMFC).