Multi-walled carbon nanotubes as novel promoter of catalysts for certain hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions

From the chemical catalysis viewpoint, the excellent performance of CNTs in adsorption-activation of H2 and in promoting spillover of adsorbed H-species is very attractive, in addition to their nanosize channels, sp2-C constructed surfaces, and high thermal/electrical conductivity. This review examines some recent progresses of CNTs as a novel support or promoter of catalysts for certain hydrogenation or dehydrogenation reactions, e.g., hydrogenation-conversion of syngas to yield alcohols and decomposition or steam-reforming of methanol to generate H2, mainly based on recent work carried out in our laboratory