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Go to Editorial ManagerCatalytic isomerization is a process used to increase the octane number of light naphtha fraction and thus aids in extending the life of automobile engines. Researchers are still working to prepare more effective and less expensive isomerization catalysts to replace the costly previous catalysts. Ongoing challenges in this field seek to design highly active isomerization catalysts operated under moderate conditions while keeping high branched-isomer selectivity. Heteropolyacids (HPA) have been presented as the most capable substitutes to fulfill the requirements. They are considered bifunctional catalysts that perform dehydrogenation /isomerization followed by hydrogenation because of their firm acidity and redox properties. Some catalytic-isomerization studies were started utilizing HPA in combination with platinum, which significantly improves the selectivity and stability. Thus, HPA-based bifunctional catalysts can provide enough acid and hydrogenation–dehydrogenation sites sufficiently. However, the most ongoing challenge in this field is the poor thermal stability of HPAs, which limits their use at higher temperatures for vapour-phase reactions. This review aims to highlight the recent progress in catalytic isomerization of alkanes using heteropolyacids supported on different carriers, with and without noble metals.
Industrial activities significantly affect the environment by releasing many organic pollutants, including industrial dyes, phenols and antibiotics, which produce wastewater. Effective removal of these substances from wastewater has appeared as a noticeable research field owing to its environmental significance. Exorbitant operational expenses and the potential generation of supplementary pollutants load conventional techniques like adsorption, membrane separation, and coagulation. Semiconductor-based photocatalysis has effectively degraded organic contaminants into less toxic or biodegradable compounds. The construction of robust visible-light-sensitive photocatalytic hybrids for environmental decontamination is an inspiring task for researchers. The exceptional photocatalytic performance of silver halides (AgX, where X is I, Cl, and Br) has recently attracted significant consideration as photocatalysts. Moreover, the combination of silver halides with other photo-active semiconductors to create efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst heterojunctions has significantly promoted the broader application of the photocatalysis process with enhanced efficiency. Ag-silver halides/semiconductors heterojunctions have developed as crucial components in efficient composites for photocatalysis through surface plasmonic actions, helping with visible light absorption. The current study overviews the most recent Ag and silver halide-based composite photocatalysts. Additionally, it provides an essential understanding of their promoted photocatalytic performances and their main applications in organic pollutant degradation. Moreover, the photocatalytic mechanisms and environmental applications of AgI and composites were discussed.