Sustainable magnetic nanocatalysts in heterogeneous catalysis

The importance of magnetic nanomaterials as a sustainable technology is discussed using their application as heterogeneous catalysts and catalyst supports. A sustainable catalyst is one that embodies most, if not all, key features of sustainability, which range from the environmentally friendly nature of raw constituents to production, consumption and disposal, while showing significant improvements upon existing technologies and keeping up with current social and economic demands. Magnetic nanomaterials feature characteristics that fulfill these criteria. How the use of magnetic nanomaterials has dramatically changed the face of heterogeneous catalysis is discussed while highlighting some of their highly sustainable features, such as recovery and recyclability, environmentally benign synthesis, low toxicity towards living organisms as well as energy and cost efficiency.