Nanostructured materials for environmental applications

The synthesis and properties of nanocomposite materials for environmental catalysis and toxic gas absorption/remediation are presented. The nanocomposite materials are synthesized with ultrahigh surface areas and synergistic effects between components. They are successfully applied as catalysts for the SCR of NO _x by propylene in oxygen-rich environment, catalysts for NO _x storage-reduction, sorbents for SO ₂ storage, and sorbents for H ₂S storage. These examples illustrate the uniqueness of nanocomposite processing, enabling one to design and tailor microstructure, component dispersion, surface reactivity, and thermal stability for catalytic and absorption systems with multiple functionalities. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 229th ACS National Meeting (San Diego, CA 3/13-17/2005).