Catalysis by layered materials: A review

Layered materials, with their structure consisting of stacked sheets, represent an interesting opportunity for developing new materials with a tailored nano-design, controlled accessibility to the sites and properties, tuneable pore size and volume, and high surface area. The use of layered materials (layered perovskite, anionic clays, pillared clays) in catalytic reactions is reviewed with emphasis on the possibilities offered from these catalysts to develop new processes for environmental protection, selective oxidation and refinery/biorefinery.