E-raamat: Environmental Catalysis

Perhaps the best known environmental catalytic process is the destruction of stratospheric ozone by atomic chlorine whose elucidation led to the 1995 Nobel Prize in chemistry. In this volume covering concepts, applications, techniques, and methods involved in environmental catalysis, Grassian (chemistry and chemical and biochemical engineering, U. of Iowa) presents 25 papers that look at environmental catalysis from the perspectives of natural systems of air, water, and soils; environmental remediation; and green chemical processing. Bringing together contributors from the disciplines of chemistry, atmospheric science, plant and soil science, civil and environmental engineering, chemical engineering, and geoscience, among others, the papers explore such topics as precipitation and dissolution of iron and manganese oxides, applications of nonlinear optical techniques for studying heterogeneous systems relevant in the natural environment, surface science studies of DeNO x catalysts, theoretical modeling of zeolite catalysis, nanoparticles in environmental remediation, bioengineering for the in situ removal remediation of metals, and green biphasic homogeneous catalysis. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

The study of environmental interfaces and environmental catalysis is central to finding more effective solutions to air pollution and in understanding of how pollution impacts the natural environment. Encompassing concepts, techniques, and methods, Environmental Catalysis provides a mix of theory, computation, analysis, and synthesis to support the latest applications in biocatalysis, green chemistry, environmental remediation and our understanding of the interaction of pollutants with natural systems.

The book focuses on several aspects of environmental catalysis. Surface catalysis of airborne particles - including ice, trace atmospheric gases, aerosolized soot nanoparticles, and mineral dust surfaces - as well as particles in contact with ground water and their role in surface adsorption, surface catalysis, hydrolysis, dissolution, precipitation, oxidation and ozone decomposition is explored. It continues by presenting catalysis as the key technology for treating emissions and reducing waste by-products. The authors review the theory behind catalytic converters and discuss the effectiveness of several catalysts, including zeolites and nanoparticles, in treating emissions, aromatic hydrocarbons, and chemical warfare agents. They also survey the use of biocatalysis in environmental remediation, and industrial processes, particularly in the production of transportation fuels, fine chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Then the authors explain how enzymes can remove chlorinated organics and metals and how microbes can metabolize toxic chemicals from groundwater. Lastly, they discuss the principles of green chemistry, including the use of environmentally benign solvents, biphasic catalysts, and other alternative solvents to recover and recycle catalysts based on heavy metals.

With increasing ground water pollution, increasing particulates in the atmosphere, and the increasing need to remove pollutants from industrial and automotive sources, Environmental Catalysis addresses issues that will be instrumental in current and future environmental challenges we face.