Metal-Free Carbon Nanomaterials Become More Active than Metal Catalysts and Last Longer

Many reactions involve metals, especially noble metals or metal oxides as catalysts. Although metal-based catalysts have been playing a major role in various industrial processes, they still suffer from multiple competitive disadvantages, including their high cost, susceptibility to gas poisoning, and detrimental effects on the environment. Owing to their wide availability, environmental acceptability, corrosion resistance, and unique surface properties, certain carbon nanomaterials have recently been demonstrated to be promising metal-free alternatives for low-cost catalytic processes. This perspective highlights recent progresses in the development of carbon-based metal-free catalysts.