Nanocatalysis has emerged as a field at the interface between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis and offers unique solutions tothe demanding requirements for catalyst improvement. Heterogeneous catalysis represents one of the oldest commercial applications of nanoscience and nanoparticles of metals, semiconductors, oxides, and other compounds have been widely used for important chemical reactions. The main focus of this fi eld is the development of well-defined catalysts, which may include both metal nanoparticles and a nanomaterial as the support. These nanocatalysts should display the benefits of both homogenous and heterogeneous catalysts, such as high efficiency and selectivity, stability and easy recovery/recycling. The concept of nanocatalysis is outlined in this book and, in particular, it provides a comprehensive overview of the science of colloidal nanoparticles. A broad range of topics, from the fundamentals to applications in catalysis, are covered, without excluding micelles, nanoparticles in ionic liquids, dendrimers, nanotubes, and nanooxides, as well as modeling, and the characterization of nanocatalysts, making it an indispensable reference for both researchers at universities andprofessionals in industry.

FOREWORDPREFACECONCEPTS IN NANOCATALYSISIntroduction The Impact of the Intrinsic Properties of Nanomaterials on CatalysisHow can Nanocatalyst Properties be Tailored? Nanocatalysis: Applications in Chemical Industry Conclusions and Perspectives METALLIC NANOPARTICLES IN NEAT WATER FOR CATALYTIC APPLICATIONS Introduction Synthesis of Nanoparticles in Water: The State of The Art Water-Soluble Protective Agents and their use in NanocatalysisConclusion and Perspectives CATALYSIS BY DENDRIMER-STABILIZED AND DENDRIMER-ENCAPSULATED LATE-TRANSITION-METAL NANOPARTICLES IntroductionSynthesis Homogeneous Catalysis with DENs Generated from PAMAM and PPI Dendrimers Highly Efficient 'click'-Dendrimer-Encapsulated and Stabilized Pd Nanoparticle Pre-Catalysts Heterogeneous CatalysisElectrocatalysisConclusion and OutlookNANOSTRUCTURED METAL PARTICLES FOR CATALYSTS AND ENERGY-RELATED MATERIALSGeneral SurveyNanostructured Clusters and Colloids as Catalyst PrecursorsNanostructured Materials in Energy-Related ProcessesCharacterization of Nanostructured Metallic Catalyst Precursors and their Interaction with Coatings and Supports Using X-ray Absorption SpectroscopyMETALLIC NANOPARTICLES IN IONIC LIQUIDS - APPLICATIONS IN CATALYSISIntroductionInteractions between Ionic Liquids and Metallic NanoparticlesCatalytic ApplicationsConclusionsSUPPORTED IONIC LIQUID THIN FILM TECHNOLOGYIntroduction Nanoparticle Catalysis with Supported Ionic Liquids Benefits for Synthesis and Processes Conclusion NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS SYNTHESIS IN SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS FOR CATALYSIS APPLICATIONS Introduction: Properties of Supercritical Fluids Synthesis of Nanopowders as Nanocatalysts in SCFs Synthesis of Supported Nanoparticles as Nanocatalysts in SCFs Supercritical Microfluidic Synthesis of NanocrystalsConclusion RECOVERY OF METALLIC NANOPARTICLES Introduction Immobilization on a Solid Support Multiple Phases Precipitation and Redispersion Magnetic Separation Filtration Conclusions CARBON NANOTUBES AND RELATED CARBONACEOUS STRUCTURESIntroduction Carbon Nanotubes as NanosupportPurification and Functionalization Preparation of CNT-Supported Catalysts Applications of CNT-Supported CatalystsOther Related Carbonaceous Materials Summary NANO-OXIDES Introduction Synthesis and Characterization of Nano-oxidesCatalytic Applications of Nano-oxidesConclusions and Perspectives CONFINEMENT EFFECTS IN NANOSUPPORTS Introduction Confinement Effects in Carbon Nanotubes Metal Catalyst-Free Chemical Reactions inside Carbon NanotubesCatalytic Reactions over Metal Particles Confined Inside Carbon Nanotubes SummaryIN SILICO NANOCATALYSIS WITH TRANSITION METAL PARTICLES: WHERE ARE WE NOW?IntroductionSurface Chemistry and Chemistry on Facets of Nanoparticles: Is it the Same?Electronic and Geometric Factors that Determine the Reactivity of Metal SurfacesTheoretical Studies of Multistep PathwaysCONCLUSIONINDEX