1. Heterogeneous Catalysis: This involves solid catalysts that facilitate reactions in a different phase than the reactants. Innovations include the development of highly porous materials like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) that offer high surface areas and tunable properties.
2. Homogeneous Catalysis: These catalysts operate in the same phase as the reactants, typically in solution. Advances in this area include the design of novel organometallic complexes and the application of ligand design to enhance catalyst performance and selectivity.
3. Biocatalysis: The use of natural catalysts such as enzymes in chemical reactions. Recent developments focus on enzyme engineering and directed evolution to create more robust and efficient biocatalysts for industrial applications.
4. Photocatalysis: This process utilizes light energy to activate catalysts. Innovations include the development of semiconductor materials and plasmonic nanoparticles that enhance light absorption and charge separation, leading to more efficient solar-to-chemical energy conversion.
5. Electrocatalysis: Involves the use of catalysts in electrochemical reactions, such as those in fuel cells and electrolyzers. Advances include the design of non-precious metal catalysts for water splitting and CO₂ reduction, as well as the development of high-throughput screening methods to identify new electrocatalysts.
