Nanocatalysis includes the basics of working with particles 1 billionth of a meter (atomic particle level) in size. Approximately one third of the gross chemical product material involves a catalytic process somewhere in the production chain. Nanocatalysis is one of the most exciting fields emerging from nanoscience. The central focus of nanocatalysis is its contribution to chemical reactions by influencing size, dimension, chemical composition, and morphology, as well as changing the kinetics through nanopatterning. This approach opens new avenues for atom-by-atom design of nanocatalysts with distinct and tunable chemical activity, specificity, and selectivity. This book provides a pedagogical and methodological overview of this exciting and growing field and highlights specific examples in the fields of fuels and chemicals, serving as an instructive introduction for research. It can provide ideas for research and graduate work and as a reference for scientists already active in the field and related areas.

The principle of nanocatalysis is based on the premise that the catalytic materials applied at the nanoscale have better properties, compared to what they exhibit on a macroscale. They enable unique applications in both basic and applied research. The synthesis of nanomaterials for catalytic applications has been the focus for academia and industry, leading to numerous research publications and patents. The topics in this book include the challenges and developments of new nanocatalysts for fuels and chemicals, focusing on the production of synthesis gas, hydrogen, mid-distillates, and alcohols. Hydrodesulphurization (HDS), hydrodenitrogenation (HDN), hydrodearomatization (HAD), hydrodemetalization (HDM), Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process, and other catalytic reactions are presented. The book also includes novel preparation methods and characterization techniques for synthesis of nanocatalysts for fuels and chemicals.

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Ajay K. Dalai is Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Canada Research Chair at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada