Synthesis of Nanostructured Materials for Conversion of Fuels

As global demands for energy increase, the development of alternative energy production and fuel conversion methods is critical for decreasing reliance on burning of fossil fuels. Advancement in heterogeneous catalysis involves understanding the combination of materials selection and nanostructure design for control of activity, selectivity, and cyclability. Electromagnetic irradiation has been advantageous as a technique for fast heat delivery through an absorbing solvent in solution-phase syntheses. The implementation of microwave cavity to generate and transfer heat is advantageous for accelerated synthesis of nanostructured materials. This is due to rapid, non-contact, and effective heat absorption, reduction of thermal gradients, and rapid energy transfer. In this chapter, we will discuss the development of synthetic methodologies for controlling a nanomaterial’s size, morphology, and chemical stability for fuel conversion processes.