Inspirational perspectives and principles on the use of catalysts to create sustainability

Abstract

Most of the products on which our welfare state is based are composed of chemicals. The growth of the world's population, its ageing and the continuous improvement of welfare state aspirations augur an increase in the needs for all these everyday products in our lives. A high percentage of these chemicals are synthesised using catalysis. In this perspective paper, we highlight the importance of catalysis, which is at the heart of chemical processes, and therefore one of the tools for creating products that drive sustainability. We have compiled twelve methodological best practices in catalyst design and conception that can serve as inspiration for the creation and improvement of catalysts. We include some application examples to illustrate this.