This book is a comprehensive introduction to nanoscale materials for sensor applications, with a focus on connecting the fundamental laws of physics and the chemistry of materials with device design. Nanoscale sensors can be used for a wide variety of applications, including the detection of gases, optical signals, and mechanical strain, and can meet the need to detect and quantify the presence of gaseous pollutants or other dangerous substances in the environment. Gas sensors have found various applications in our daily lives and in industry. Semiconductive oxides, including SnO2, ZnO, Fe2O3, and In2O3, are promising candidates for gas sensor applications. Carbon nanomaterials are becoming increasingly available as “off-the-shelf” components, and this makes nanotechnology more exciting and approachable than ever before. Nano-wire based field- effect transistor biosensors have also received much attention in recent years as a way to achieve ultra-sensitive and label-free sensing of molecules of biological interest. A diverse array of semiconductor-based nanostructures has been synthesized for use as a photoelectrochemical sensor or biosensor in the detection of low concentrations of analytes. A novel acoustic sensor for structural health monitoring (SHM) that utilizes lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nano- active fiber composites (NAFCs) is described as well.

The need to improve both the efficiency and environmental acceptability of industrial processes is driving the development of heterogeneous catalysts across the chemical industry, including commodity, specialty and fine chemicals and in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Drawing on international research, Supported Catalysts and their Applications discusses aspects of the design, synthesis and application of solid supported reagents and catalysts, including supported reagents for multi-step organic synthesis; selectivity in oxidation catalysis; mesoporous molecular sieve catalysts; and the use of Zeolite Beta in organic reactions. In addition, the two discrete areas of heterogeneous catalysis (inorganic oxide materials and polymer-based catalysts) that were developing in parallel are now shown to be converging, which will be of great benefit to the whole field. Providing a snapshot of the state-of-the-art in this fast-moving field, this book will be welcomed by industrialists and researchers, particularly in the agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.

Co-edited by world-renowned scientists in the field of catalysis, this book contains the cutting-edge in situ and operando spectroscopy characterization techniques operating under reaction conditions to determine a materials’ bulk, surface, and solution complex and their applications in the field of catalysis with emphasis on solid catalysts in powder form since such catalyst are relevant for industrial applications. The handbook covers from widely-used to cutting-edge techniques. The handbook is written for a broad audience of students and professionals who want to pursue the full capabilities available by the current state-of-the-art in characterization to fully understand how their catalysts really operate and guide the rational design of advanced catalysts. Individuals involved in catalysis research will be interested in this handbook because it contains a catalogue of cutting-edge methods employed in characterization of catalysts. These techniques find wide use in applications such as petroleum refining, chemical manufacture, natural gas conversion, pollution control, transportation, power generation, pharmaceuticals and food processing. fdsfds

Exhibiting both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic properties, nanocatalysts allow for rapid and selective chemical transformations, with the benefits of excellent product yield and ease of catalyst separation and recovery. This book reviews the catalytic performance and the synthesis and characterization of nanocatalysts, examining the current state of the art and pointing the way towards new avenues of research. Moreover, the authors discuss new and emerging applications of nanocatalysts and nanocatalysis, from pharmaceuticals to fine chemicals to renewable energy to biotransformations. Nanocatalysis features contributions from leading research groups around the world. These contributions reflect a thorough review of the current literature as well as the authors’ first-hand experience designing and synthesizing nanocatalysts and developing new applications for them. The book’s nineteen chapters offer a broad perspective, covering: Nanocatalysis for carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom coupling reactions Nanocatalysis for various organic transformations in fine chemical synthesis Nanocatalysis for oxidation, hydrogenation, and other related reactions Nanomaterial-based photocatalysis and biocatalysis Nanocatalysts to produce non-conventional energy such as hydrogen and biofuels Nanocatalysts and nano-biocatalysts in the chemical industry Readers will also learn about the latest spectroscopic and microscopy tools used in advanced characterization methods that shed new light on nanocatalysts and nanocatalysis. Moreover, the authors offer expert advice to help readers develop strategies to improve catalytic performance. Summarizing and reviewing all the most important advances in nanocatalysis over the last two decades, this book explains the many advantages of nanocatalysts over conventional homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, providing the information and guidance needed for designing green, sustainable catalytic processes.

Nanocatalysis, a subdiscipline of nanoscience, seeks to control chemical reactions by changing the size, dimensionality, chemical composition, and morphology of the reaction center and by changing the kinetics using nanopatterning of the reaction center. This book offers a detailed pedagogical and methodological overview of the field. Readers discover many examples of current research, helping them explore new and emerging applications.

"Based on the first and second symposia on Nanotechnology in Catalysis which were held in spring 2001 at the ACS 221st National Meeting in San Diego, CA, and in fall 2002 at the ACS 224th National Meeting in Boston, MA."--Pref.

Organized nanoassemblies of inorganic nanoparticles and organic molecules are building blocks of nanodevices, whether they are designed to perform molecular level computing, sense the environment or improve the catalytic properties of a material. The key to creation of these hybrid nanostructures lies in understanding the chemistry at a fundamental level. This book serves as a reference book for researchers by providing fundamental understanding of many nanoscopic materials.