Magnetic Nanomaterials as Catalysts for Syngas Production and Conversion

Abstract

The conversion of diverse non-petroleum carbon elements, such as coal, biomass, natural/shale gas, and even CO2, into cleaner hydrocarbon fuels and useful chemicals relies heavily on syngas, which is a combination of CO and H2. Syngas conversions, which have been around for almost a century, will probably become even more important in the production of energy and chemicals due to the rising need for liquid fuels and chemical components derived from sources of carbon other than crude oil. Although a number of syngas-based technologies, including the production of methanol, Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis, and carbonylation, have been industrialized, there is still a great need for new catalysts with enhanced activity and adjustable product selectivity. New novel materials or different combinations of materials have been investigated to utilize the synergistic effect of these materials in an effective way. Magnetic materials are among the materials with magnetic properties, which provide them with extra physical characteristics compared to other carbon-based or conventional materials. Moreover, the separation of magnetic materials after the completion of a specific application could be easily performed with a magnetic separation process. In this review, we discuss the synthesis processes of various magnetic nanomaterials and their composites, which could be utilized as catalysts for syngas production and conversion. It is reported that applying an external magnetic field could influence the outcomes of any applications of magnetic nanomaterials. Here, the possible influence of the magnetic characteristics of magnetic nanomaterials with an external magnetic field is also discussed.