Catalysis-material crosstalk at tailored nano-carbon interfaces

The use of carbon nanomaterials as supports for molecular and nanostructured catalysts is becoming a more and more popular strategy to improve heterogeneous catalysis. Their outstanding electronic and optical properties together with high surface area and thermal and mechanical stabilities make them ideal elements to provide catalysts with additional or improved characteristics. The role of the carbon nanostructures in the different types of catalysis is more intricate and often involves active and strong interactions between the support and the catalytic active species, creating a synergistic effect that in many cases leads to performance enhancement and an expanded range of possible applications. In particular, photocatalysis and electrocatalysis seem to benefit from the features of these types of carbon support, although applicability can be extended to more classic transformations of organic substrates.