Reactivity and Catalysis by Nanoalloys

Abstract

The chemical and catalytic properties of supported alloyed metal nanoparticles are reviewed. After describing the theoretical methods used to predict the electronic structure of nanoalloys and the experimental methods used to characterize their geometrical structure both ex-situ and in-situ and under operando conditions, we focus on the catalytic properties of these systems and the opportunities that alloying provides to modulate them. Prototypical processes of key industrial relevance are used as test examples: catalytic pollution control as three-way catalysts and NOx decomposition, the Fischer–Tropsch process, reforming of alkanes, electrocatalysis, and new energy resources as fuel cells and hydrogen storage. The aim of the chapter is to describe the interplay of experimental and theoretical characterization and technological heterogeneous catalytic systems for multi-element metal catalysts.