Sustainable Preparation of Supported Metal Nanoparticles and Their Applications in Catalysis

Metal nanoparticles have attracted much attention over the last decade owing to their unique properties as compared to their bulk metal equivalents, including a large surface-to-volume ratio and tunable shapes. To control the properties of nonoparticles with particular respect to shape, size and dispersity is imperative, as these will determine the activity in the desired application. Supported metal nonoporticles are widely employed in catalysis. Recent advances in controlling the shape and size of nanoparticles have opened the possibility to optimise the particle geometry for enhanced catalytic activity, providing the optimum size and surface properties for specific applications. This Review describes the state of the art with respect to the preparation and use of supported metal nonoparticles in catalysis. The main groups of such nonoparticles (noble and transition metal nonoparticles) are highlighted and future prospects are discussed