Nanostructured carbons in catalysis a Janus material—industrial applicability and fundamental insights

Nanostructured carbons especially carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers are Janus materials. As will be shown in this review one side of the Janus face is looking towards industrial applications. The availability of the materials is ever increasing and they can be produced at conditions which should make them profitable. Moreover their physical properties can be modified in such a way that application is viable. The other side of the face is looking towards fundamental understanding of heterogeneous catalysis. Insights in particle size and confinement effects emerged in the last few year using nanostructured carbon as a catalyst support. The carbons itself are effective oxidation and, after nitrogen incorporation, base catalysts. Examples will be discussed in this review.