Future Research Needs and Developments

Abstract Research needs in the three application areas of metallic complexes and SCFs are discussed. In homogeneous catalytic reactions in SCFs, there is a need to study the effects of the SCF environment on the nature of the catalytically active intermediates using spectroscopic techniques is emphasized. In metal extraction from aqueous solutions or solid matrices, the need to design and synthesize new complexation agents suitable for use with SCFs is discussed. In synthesis of nanostructured materials, supported binary metallic nanoparticles and films should be a focus area for future research. In all of these applications, the phase behavior of the system under consideration should be studied and predictive methods need to be developed for calculation of thermodynamic parameters such as solubilities, distribution coefficients, adsorption isotherms and phase boundaries of the systems under consideration. Our understanding of the kinetics of reactions in homogeneous catalysis, complexation reactions in metal extraction and particle formation reactions in synthesis of nanostructured materials should be improved. The mass transfer phenomena in these systems should be studied.