Disruptive catalysis by zeolites

Abstract

The analysis of the new scenario for the industrial production of energy vectors and chemicals evidences the need to foster research in the field of catalysis by zeolites towards a novel, potentially disruptive, type of applications. To stimulate research in this direction, this perspective paper analyses a series of emerging concepts in catalysis by zeolites: i) the role of confinement, ii) the use of the Lewis acidity of zeolites, iii) the new possibilities to extend the concept of confined reactivity, iv) the role of defect sites, and iv) the organo-catalysis by guest species in zeolite cages. Then, two areas of novel possibilities for catalysis by zeolites are discussed more specifically: i) metallo-zeolites for methane conversion and ii) functionalized zeolites for reaction with CO₂.