Crystalline micro and mesoporous materials for applications in heterogeneous catalysis: the evolution of materials

Abstract

This highlight article features selected examples of heterogeneous catalytic reactions (i.e., industrial and chemical-relevant reactions) using traditional inorganic materials such as silica-based materials (MCM-41 and SBA-15), aluminium-based materials (aluminophosphates and oxides), and zeolites to the evolution of these reactions using novel metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). The textural properties such as the large surface area, high porosity, and high density of active sites, make meso- and micro-porous materials up-and-coming for catalytic applications. Herein, we systematically summarise selected contributions showing the evolution of catalytic active materials (from classic to new generation candidates), and we provide an overview of the reactions where the crystalline structure and the surface area of these materials play a crucial role in the solid–liquid and solid–gas catalytic reactions.