The importance of alternative materials in catalysis lies in their potential to address several critical challenges:
1. Cost-Effectiveness: Precious metals are expensive and scarce. Alternative materials such as transition metal oxides and carbon-based catalysts are more abundant and cost-effective.
2. Environmental Impact: Traditional catalysts often involve environmentally harmful extraction and processing methods. Bioinspired catalysts and biomass-derived materials offer greener alternatives.
3. Performance Enhancement: Some alternative materials exhibit superior properties, such as higher surface area, tunable porosity, and better thermal stability, leading to improved catalytic performance.
