How can nanocatalysis and biocatalysis support the sustainable development goals and the green deal?

1 What is nanocatalysis?

Nanocatalysis is the use of nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, or nanosheets, as catalysts for chemical reactions. Nanomaterials have unique physical and chemical properties, such as high surface area, tunable shape and size, and enhanced reactivity, that make them more effective and versatile than conventional catalysts. Nanocatalysis can improve the yield, speed, and selectivity of reactions, while reducing the amount of energy and waste generated.

2 What is biocatalysis?

Biocatalysis is the use of biological molecules, such as enzymes, antibodies, or cells, as catalysts for chemical reactions. Biological molecules have evolved to perform specific functions with high efficiency and specificity, often under mild conditions and in aqueous media. Biocatalysis can offer advantages such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and renewability, as well as the possibility of engineering and optimizing the catalysts for different purposes.

4 How can nanocatalysis and biocatalysis support the green deal?

The green deal is a comprehensive plan launched by the European Union in 2019 to transform its economy and society into a more sustainable, resilient, and fair one by 2050. It aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, enhance circular economy, protect biodiversity, and promote innovation and digitalization. Nanocatalysis and biocatalysis can support the green deal by providing solutions for clean energy, low-carbon mobility, sustainable agriculture, green industry, and circular bioeconomy.

5 What are some examples of nanocatalysis and biocatalysis applications in green chemistry?

Green chemistry is a branch of chemistry that seeks to design and develop processes and products that minimize or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. Nanocatalysis and biocatalysis can offer many opportunities for green chemistry, such as nanoparticles converting carbon dioxide into useful chemicals and fuels using renewable energy sources, enzymes synthesizing pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals with high selectivity and fewer side reactions, nanocomposites degrading organic pollutants in water and soil using sunlight or hydrogen peroxide, and cells producing biofuels and bioplastics from biomass or waste materials using fermentation or metabolic engineering.

6 What are some challenges and limitations of nanocatalysis and biocatalysis?

Despite their potential benefits, nanocatalysis and biocatalysis also face some challenges and limitations that need to be addressed to ensure their safety, sustainability, and scalability. For instance, nanomaterials may pose risks to human health and the environment due to their unknown toxicity, bioaccumulation, and fate in different media; therefore, rigorous assessment and regulation of their exposure and impact are essential. Moreover, biological molecules may lose their activity or stability over time or under harsh conditions, thus necessitating careful design and optimization of their structure, function, and immobilization. Additionally, nanocatalysis and biocatalysis may require high costs and complex processes for their synthesis, purification, characterization, and recovery; therefore, innovative and economical methods for their production and recycling are necessary.