A review on the synthesis and applications of sustainable copper-based nanomaterials

Abstract

In recent years, scientists have focused significant attention on the effective and potential design of nanomaterial catalysts for advanced applications as well as sustainable approaches for the development of synthetic strategies for catalysts and environmentally friendly catalytic processes. In the last decade, copper and copper-based nanomaterials (Cu NMs) as a branch of this category have attracted wide attention due to their unique physical and chemical properties, generating a significant contribution to the field of catalysis. In this review, we first briefly discuss recent advanced synthetic strategies and growth mechanisms such as chemical and physical methods to achieve copper and copper-based nanomaterials in benign conditions. These nanomaterials possess excellent properties such as high activity, selectivity, recyclability, good thermal stability, and efficient recovery. Then, comprehensive studies on Cu NMs and Cu single-atom catalysts (Cu SACs) with potential supporters including silica, magnetic materials, carbon materials, metal oxides, and metals alloys are presented. Subsequently, methods to design and modify Cu NMs to improve their performance in photocatalytic and organocatalytic reactions are discussed. Furthermore, advanced Cu single-atom catalysts (Cu SACs) are explored for a variety of catalytic applications and their activity and selectivity are discussed. We hope that this review will be helpful to young chemists, researchers, and scientists for improving the suitability of Cu NMs and Cu SACs in their research, establishing sustainable methods.