Design of Heterogeneous Catalysts: New Approaches based on Synthesis, Characterization and Modeling. Edited by Umit S. Ozkan

Abstract

Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2009. 322 pp., hardcover, € 139.00.—ISBN 978-3-527-32079-0 Umit Ozkan has collected an impressive team of contributors for this volume of essays on heterogeneous catalysis. Generally speaking, the results live up to the high expectations. The subtitle is a trifle misleading, since the twelve essays are not equally divided between synthesis, characterization, and modeling. The majority of the collection deals with catalyst preparation and testing (Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 12). There are also two chapters on characterization (Chapters 1 and 11), two on modeling (Chapters 8 and 10), and one out-of-the-way, albeit interesting, essay on catalytic nano-motors (Chapter 6). However, as I said, most of the essays contain relevant and valuable information. In Chapter 1, Edward Lee and Israel Wachs give a good overview on what can be learned about silica-supported metal oxides using operando spectroscopy. The chapter centers on the characterization studies. This is followed by an excellent treatise by Marc-Olivier Coppens and Gang Wang on the design of hierarchically structured porous catalysts. They explain clearly and simply the interplay between the nano-, micro-, and mesoporous regimes, as well as the importance of these regimes in designing catalysts for industrial applications. Importantly, they include discussions on topology and particle size, subjects that are often unjustly confined to engineering books. It is a pity that the first 17 pages of this informative chapter contain no figures, as these would help the authors to get their message across. In Chapter 3, Bert Chandler and co-workers describe well the use of dendrimers in catalyst design. They highlight the potential of dendrimers as templates for synthesis (very large templates with a narrow size distribution), and view the possibilities for synthesizing bifunctional catalysts and constructing nanocages. Chapter 4 is a very welcome discourse on the industrial aspects of catalyst design. It describes clearly the considerations and the different aspects of lab preparation, testing, and scale-up. The authors include three case studies, on pollution abatement, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), and alkane dehydrogenation. All three case studies are clear and well-presented. The catalyst synthesis section is well complemented by Chapter 12, in which Moises Carreon and Vadim Guliants cover the preparation of mesoporous oxides and macroporous oxides by dual templating, together with some catalytic applications. Chapter 6, as mentioned previously, seems a little out of place here, as it describes the application of catalysis for generating mech- anical motion. That said, the chapter undoubtedly concerns heterogeneous catalysis, and makes for a fun and interesting read. In Chapter 7, David Farrusseng and Claude Mirodatos give a detailed and instructive overview of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). They cover the synthesis principles, design strategies, and surface properties. These fundamentals are then illustrated with two different application types, namely CO2 capture and solid Lewis acid/Brønsted acid catalysis. The result is a well-balanced update on this new and important class of materials. As a novice in the MOF area, I would have liked to also have a table describing the main MOFs and their key properties. Chapters 8 and 10 focus on theory-aided catalyst design, and connecting experiments and theory. The inclusion of such chapters is extremely welcome. I recommend reading Chapter 10 before Chapter 8, since it also introduces the pros and cons of data-driven vs. heuristic models. Matthew Neurock explains the advantages of in silico catalyst screening, showing case studies for NO decomposition and vinyl acetate monomer synthesis (Chapter 10) and a good overview on catalytic descriptors. No doubt, we will read more on this important subject in the coming years. One general weak point of this book is the figures and schemes, which do not conform to the usual high standards of Wiley-VCH. There is a lack of uniformity between chapters, and there are several low-quality graphics and low-resolution images that are obviously pasted from other publications and presentations. This creates an overall amateurish impression, and this is a pity, as most of the text itself is well written and relevant. In summary, this collection is a welcome addition to catalysis literature. While not intended for undergraduates, it will be useful for heterogeneous catalysis research labs, both in academia and industry. Although the price tag may put it out of reach of many independent researchers, I expect that it would find its place in the reference section of institutional and industrial libraries.