Catalysis plays an essential role in many industrial applications such as petrochemical and biochemical industries, as well as in the production of polymers and in environmental protection. Design and fabrication of efficient catalysts in a cost-effective way is an important milestone to address a number of unresolved issues in the new generation of chemical and energy conversion technologies. The objective of the studies in this thesis is the development of facile synthetic routes to prepare efficient catalysts based on non-noble metals, and elucidate fundamental aspects regarding the relationship between structure/composition and catalytic performance, in particular in the case of processes related to production and storage of hydrogen fuel. At first, a series of nanostructured porous mixed metal oxides (Cu/CeO2, CuFe/CeO2, CuCo/CeO2, CuFe2O4, NiFe2O4) have been synthesized via an improved nanocasting method. The porous structure of the nanocast products was tailored by tuning the mesostructure of the mesoporous silica phases used as templates. The obtained Cu/CeO2 materials with controlled composition and porous structure were then tested in preferential oxidation of CO in a hydrogen stream to achieve high purity hydrogen fuel. The synthesized catalysts exhibit high activity and selectivity in selective oxidation of CO to CO2. Regarding hydrogen storage, we reported a cost-effective synthetic way towards bi-component CuO-NiO catalyst showing excellent catalytic performance, which is comparable to noble metal catalysts, in the hydrogen generation from ammonia-borane. Moreover, we demonstrate that the interaction between Cu and Ni species is essential in accelerating hydrogen evolution of ammonia borane. The catalytic activity of the obtained catalyst investigated in this reaction is strongly influenced by the nature of the metal precursors, the composition and the thermal treatment temperature employed for the catalyst preparation. Finally, silica- and carbon-supported Cu-Ni nanocatalysts, with tunable composition and metal particle size, were synthesized by simple incipient wetness method. The carbon supported catalysts are stable, highly active and selective in both ammonia-borane hydrolysis and the decomposition of hydrous hydrazine for hydrogen evolution. We showed that optimal catalysts can be achieved through manipulation of bimetallic effect, metal-support interaction, and adequate metal particle size.

Advanced Nanomaterials for Catalysis and Energy: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications outlines new approaches to the synthesis of nanomaterials (synthesis in flow conditions, laser electrodispersion of single metals or alloys on carbon or oxide supports, mechanochemistry, sol-gel routes, etc.) to provide systems with a narrow particle size distribution, controlled metal-support interaction and nanocomposites with uniform spatial distribution of domains of different phases, even in dense sintered materials. Methods for characterization of real structure and surface properties of nanomaterials are discussed, including synchrotron radiation diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies, neutronography, transmission/scanning electron microscopy with elemental analysis, and more. The book covers the effect of nanosystems' composition, bulk and surface properties, metal-support interaction, particle size and morphology, deposition density, etc. on their functional properties (transport features, catalytic activity and reaction mechanism). Finally, it includes examples of various developed nanostructured solid electrolytes and mixed ionic-electronic conductors as materials in solid oxide fuel cells and asymmetric supported membranes for oxygen and hydrogen separation. Outlines synthetic and characterization methods for nanocatalysts Relates nanocatalysts' properties to their specific applications Proposes optimization methods aiming at specific applications

PEM Water Electrolysis, a volume in the Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell Primers series presents the most recent advances in the field. It brings together information that has thus far been scattered in many different sources under one single title, making it a useful reference for industry professionals, researchers and graduate students. Volumes One and Two allow readers to identify technology gaps for commercially viable PEM electrolysis systems for energy applications and examine the fundamentals of PEM electrolysis and selected research topics that are top of mind for the academic and industry community, such as gas cross-over and AST protocols. The book lays the foundation for the exploration of the current industrial trends for PEM electrolysis, such as power to gas application and a strong focus on the current trends in the application of PEM electrolysis associated with energy storage. Presents the fundamentals and most current knowledge in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers Explores the technology gaps and challenges for commercial deployment of PEM water electrolysis technologies Includes unconventional systems, such as ozone generators Brings together information from many different sources under one single title, making it a useful reference for industry professionals, researchers and graduate students alike

The book presents the fundamental principles, materials, and strategies involved in the design and development of catalysts for electrocatalytic hydrogen production. Keywords: Metal based Catalysts, Single Atomic Catalysts, Carbides, Nitrides, Phosphides, Oxides, Sulfides, Selenides, Composite Electrocatalysts, Heterostructured Electrocatalysts, Precious Metal-based Electrocatalysts, Transition Metal Compound Catalysts, Surface Structure Modulation, Catalysts for Oxygen Evolution, Electrolyzers.

This book comprises of chapters based on design of various advanced nano-catalysts and offers a development of novel solutions for a better sustainable energy future. The book includes all aspects of physical chemistry, chemical engineering and material science. The advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology help to find cost-effective and environmentally sound methods of converting naturally inspired resources into fuels, chemicals and energy. The book leads the scientific community to the most significant development in the focus research area. It provides a broad and in-depth coverage of design and development advanced nano-catalyst for various energy applications.

The term 'green chemistry' was coined by Anastas and Warner in the early 1990s and it is nowadays the mainstay of designing and implementing advanced chemical processes that decrease or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances whilst minimizing energy consumption.Solution Combustion Synthesis of Nanostructured Solid Catalysts for Sustainable Chemistry is an interdisciplinary collection of fundamental and applied cutting-edge studies which highlight general and specific aspects of the synthesis of nanostructured catalysts through Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS), studying their applications from the perspective of green chemistry.This book intends to integrate the fundamental principles of the SCS process with its engineering aspects and covers the synthesis of a wide variety of catalytic materials. This reference book can be used as a permanent consulting material for students, researchers and the general readership for green chemistry, nanochemistry, materials science and chemical engineering.