Recent advances of nanoporous metal-based catalyst: synthesis, application and perspectives

Nanoporous metal-based catalysts with the specific bicontinuous interconnected ligaments/pores network exhibit highly active performances in application for energy conversion, which represent a broader trend in the design of catalyst materials. These promising nanomaterials commendably provide highly conductive porous morphologies with reduced contact resistances, large electrochemical surface areas with enhanced catalytic efficiency, and controllable synthesis for regulating the performances. Thus, we highlight recent designs of nanoporous metals, alloys, transition metal compounds and hierarchical structures mainly employed in catalysis process. We discuss applied strategies to utilize characteristics of nanoporous metals in the energetic field of catalytic reactions. Moreover, development and evolution of novel controllable synthesis methods are applied in preparation of nanoporous non-noble metals and transition metal compounds. Finally, we present some outlooks and perspectives on the nanoporous metal catalyst and suggest ways for achieving alternative materials in catalysis applications.