Solution Combustion Synthesis as a Novel Route to Preparation of Catalysts

Solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is a solution approach to the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) of nanomaterials. Since its invention in 1988, several simple oxides, mixed oxides, complex oxides, metals, alloys, and sulfides have been prepared by this method. Uniqueness of this technique is in its simplicity, lost cost, energy saving, and short reaction time and it can be scaled up to any kind of application. In the last 20 years, different types of catalysts, especially oxide ones, have been prepared and employed in several kinds of heterogeneous catalytic reactions related to environment, energy, and fine chemical processing. This review addresses the SCS method and catalytic properties of noble metal ionic catalysts, spinels, perovskites, delafossites, and other catalysts prepared in this route. Reactions associated with environmental catalysis, hydrogen energy related catalysis, conversion of CO2, and CH4 to useful chemicals and fuels, H-2-O-2 recombination, organic compounds related reactions and electrocatalysis are discussed. Special emphasis has been made on the origin of SCS-synthesized noble metal ionic catalysts and their excellent catalytic properties.