Carbon materials can play a crucial role in creating a more sustainable future. Two of our recent research topics related to the catalytic applications of carbon materials are highlighed in this talk.
First, carbon catalysts are promising for a range of essential reactions. However, carbon catalysts have inhomogeneous structures, making it challenging to understand and control their catalytic behaviors. We have designed various heterogeneous molecular catalysts with well-defined structures to understand the mechanisms of carbon catalysts. We created coaxial 1D van der Waals heterostructures comprised of a carbon nanotube (CNT) core and a thickness-tunable covalent organic framework (COF) shell. The coaxial structure enables controllable n-doping, enhancing catalytic activity.[1] We introduced β-substituents onto cobalt porphyrins on CNT substrates, thereby synergistically modulating cobalt’s catalytic activity. An octafluoro-substituted catalyst exhibited >94% H2O2 selectivity.[2] We mapped the degradation of the Fe–N–C catalyst in acidic electrolytes and quantified five degradation paths.[3] A Fe–N–C catalyst with an iron polyphthalocyanine shell surrounding CNTs exhibits a unique self-renewal mechanism.[4] Sonicated CNT catalysts show high activity for efficient point-of-use water treatment.[5] Furthermore, we utilized carbon catalysts derived from ZIF-8 via two distinct carbonization methods to demonstrate that balancing the heteroatom coordination environment and the graphitization degree of carbon structures is crucial for achieving high-performance carbon catalysts.[6-7]
Second, methane pyrolysis (CH4 → 2H2 + C) is a promising method for H2 production with low CO2 emissions. Utilizing its solid carbon co-products is critical for its economic competitiveness.[8] Catalytic methane pyrolysis with low-cost iron ore catalysts yields carbon nano-onions encapsulating magnetic iron cores. We demonstrate that they can serve as efficient and recyclable Fenton catalysts for the degradation of pollutants.[9] Further, carbon nano-onions have a high adsorption capacity for antibiotics in wastewater. Surface-oxidized carbon nano-onions also exhibit high catalytic activity for in situ electrochemical H2O2 production. An integrated wastewater treatment process was demonstrated.[10] Purified carbon nano-onions have also been found useful in various battery applications.[11-13] These open the opportunity to turn carbon co-products from H2 production into value-added applications.
Ref: [1] C. Liu et al., ACS Nano 2021, 15, 3309. [2] C. Liu et al. Energy Environ. Sci. 2023, 16, 446. [3] F. Liu et al., ACS Catal. 2024, 14, 9176. [4] F. Liu et al., EES Catal. 2025, 10.1039/D5EY00092K. [5] X. Yang et al., Adv. Mater. 2025, 2504618. [6] L, Lai et al., Carbon 2025, 234, 120038. [7] L. Lai et al. ChemistryEurope 2025, 202500136. [8] J. Prabowo et al., Carbon 2024, 216, 118507. [9] Y. Yao et al., J. Hazard. Mater., 2022, 437, 129328. [10] Y. Yao et al., Appl. Catal. B 2024, 342, 123380. [11] Y. Pan et al., Carbon 2022, 192, 84. [12] Y. Pan et al., Adv. Energy Mater. 2023, 13, 2300495. [13] J. Prabowo et al., Carbon 2025, 234, 120038.