What are Some Emerging Trends in Catalytic Cleanup?
Recent advancements in catalysis for environmental cleanup include:
- Nano-catalysts: The use of nanoparticles as catalysts has shown promise in enhancing reaction rates and selectivity due to their high surface area and unique properties. - Photocatalysis: This process uses light to activate catalysts, enabling the degradation of pollutants under mild conditions. Titanium dioxide is a commonly used photocatalyst for degrading organic contaminants in water and air. - Electrocatalysis: This involves the use of electrical energy to drive catalytic reactions, offering a controllable and efficient way to degrade pollutants. Electrocatalysis is particularly promising for the treatment of wastewater containing recalcitrant compounds.
