An Old Material for a New World: Prussian Blue and Its Analogues as Catalysts for Modern Needs

Abstract

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) have recently emerged as effective materials in different functional applications, ranging from energy storage to electrochemical water splitting, thence to more “traditional” heterogeneous catalysis. Their versatility is due to their open framework, compositional variety, and fast and efficient internal charge exchange, coupled with a self-healing ability that makes them unique. This review paper presents and discusses the findings of the last decade in the field of the catalytic and photocatalytic application of PBAs in water remediation (via the degradation of organic pollutants and heavy metal removal) and the catalytic oxidation of organics and production or organic intermediates for industrial synthesis. Analysis of the catalytic processes is approached from a critical perspective, highlighting both the achievements of the research community and the limits still affecting this field.

Keywords

• Prussian blue analogues
• adsorption
• catalysis
• Fenton process
• persulfate