Mechanochemistry: A powerful tool to engineer catalyst's functionality

Mechanochemistry has emerged as a transformative and sustainable approach in catalysis, redefining traditional methods of catalyst synthesis and modification through solvent-free and scalable processes. This review delves into its innovative applications, showcasing how mechanochemical techniques like ball milling enable precise control over material properties, including nanostructuring, particle size reduction, and defect engineering. These advancements have paved the way for catalysts with enhanced activity, selectivity, and stability, which are crucial for emerging industrial processes such as CO₂ reforming, hydrogenation, and oxidation reactions. Despite its ground-breaking potential, challenges related to mechanistic understanding, industrial scalability, and cross-laboratory reproducibility persist. This review emphasizes that integrating advanced in-situ characterization techniques and computational modeling is vital for overcoming these barriers. By doing so, mechanochemistry can be firmly positioned as a cornerstone for future innovations in sustainable catalyst design and green chemical manufacturing.