Mount-Etna-Lava-Supported Nanocarbons for Oxidative Dehydrogenation Reactions

Catalysis rocks! Basalt lava erupted from Mount Etna containing iron oxide particles can be used as catalysts and supports to synthesize and immobilize carbon nanotubes and nanofibers. The obtained composites are highly active and stable catalysts for butadiene and styrene production. The whole process is energy-saving, environmentally friendly, technically feasible, and with great potential for industrialization: no wet-chemical pretreatment of the lava or catalyst activation is needed.