Tuning the reactivity of TiO_(2)layer with uniform distribution of Sub-5 nm Fe_(2)O_(3)particles via in situ voltage-assisted oxidation for robust catalytic reduction

The trade-off between efficiency and stability has limited the application of TiO_(2)as a catalyst due to its poor surface reactivity.Here,we present a modification of a TiO_(2)layer with highly stable Sub-5 nm Fe_(2)O_(3)nanoparticles(NP)by modulating its structure-surface reactivity relationship to attain efficiency-stability balance via a voltage-assisted oxidation approach.In situ simultaneous oxidation of the Ti substrate and Fe precursor using high-energy plasma driven by high voltage resulted in uniform distribution of Fe_(2)O_(3)NP embedded within porous TiO_(2)layer.Comprehensive surface characterizations with density functional theory demonstrated an improved electronic transition in TiO_(2)due to the presence of surface defects from reactive oxygen species and possible charge transfer from Ti to Fe;it also unexpectedly increased the active site in the TiO_(2)layer due to uncoordinated electrons in Sub-5 nm Fe_(2)O_(3)NP/TiO_(2)catalyst,thereby enhancing the adsorption of chemical functional groups on the catalyst.This unique embedded structure exhibited remarkable improvement in reducing 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol,achieving approximately 99%efficiency in 20 min without stability decay after 20 consecutive cycles,outperforming previously reported TiO_(2)-based catalysts.This finding proposes a modified-electrochemical strategy enabling facile construction of TiO_(2)with nanoscale oxides extandable to other metal oxide systems.

Well-defined high entropy-metal nanoparticles:Detection of the multi-element particles by deep learning

Characterizing and control the chemical compositions of multi-element particles as single metal nanoparticles(mNPs) on the surfaces of catalytic metal oxide supports is challenging.This can be attributed to the heterogeneity and large size at the nanoscale,the poorly defined catalyst nanostructure,and thermodynamic immiscibility of the strongly repelling metallic elements.To address these challenges,an ultrasonic-assisted coincident electro-oxidation-reduction-precipitation(U-SEO-P) is presented to fabricate ultra-stable PtRuAgCoCuP NPs,which produces numerous active intermediates and induces strong metal-support interactions.To sort the active high-entropy mNPs,individual NPs are described on the support surface and the role of deep learning in understanding/predicting the features of PtRuAgCoCu@TiO_(x) catalysts is explained.Notably,this deep learning approach required minimal to no human input.The as-prepared PtRuAgCoCu@TiO_(x) catalysts can be used to catalyze various important chemical reactions,such as a high reduction conversion(100% in 30 s),with no loss of catalytic activity even after 20 cycles of nitroarene and ketone/aldehyde,which is several times higher than commercial Pt@TiO_(x) owing to individual PtRuAgCoCuP NPs on TiO_(x) surface.In this study,we present the "Totally Defined Catalysis" concept,which has enormous potential for the advancement of high-activity catalysts in the reduction of organic compounds.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of high-entropy-alloy/support as a catalyst for reduction reactions

Control of chemical composition and incorporation of multiple metallic elements into a single metal nanoparticle(NP)in an alloyed or a phase-segregated state hold potential scientific merit;however,developing libraries of such structures using effective strategies is challenging owing to the thermodynamic immiscibility of repelling constituent metallic elements.Herein,we present a one-pot interfacial plasma-discharge-driven(IP-D)synthesis strategy for fabricating stable high-entropy-alloy(HEA)NPs exhibiting ultrasmall size on a porous support surface.Accordingly,an electric field was applied for 120 s to enhance the incorporation of multiple metallic elements(i.e.,CuAgFe,CuAgNi,and CuAgNiFe)into ally HEA-NPs.Further,NPs were attached to a porous magnesium oxide surface via rapid cooling.With solar light as the sole energy input,the CuAgNiFe catalyst was investigated as a reusable and sustainable material exhibiting excellent catalytic performance(100%conversion and 99% selectivity within1 min for a hydrogenation reaction)and consistent activity even after 20 cycles for a reduction reaction,considerably outperforming the majority of the conventional photocatalysts.Thus,the proposed strategy establishes a novel method for designing and synthesizing highly efficient and stable catalysts for the convertion of nitroarenes to anilines via chemical reduction.

Biological Activities of Schiff Bases and Their Complexes: A Review of Recent Works

Schiff bases are the most widely used organic compounds. They have been shown to exhibit a broad range of biological activities, including antifungal, antibacterial, antimalarial, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antipyretic properties. This review summarizes the synthesis and biological activities of Schiff bases and their complexes.

Advanced prediction of organic–metal interactions through DFT study and electrochemical displacement approach

Heterocyclic compounds are the promising biological compounds as nature-friendly for the corrosion protection of metallic surface.In this work,three heterocyclic compounds such as 1-azanaphthalene-8-ol(8-AN),2-methylquinoline-8-ol(8-MQ),and 8-quinolinol-5-sulfonic acid(8-QSA)were used as green compounds,and their anti-corrosion performance for AZ31 Mg in saline water was discussed on the basis of impedance interpretation and surface analysis.Findings found that the electrochemical performance was improved in the order of 8-AN>8-MQ>8-QSA,demonstrating the electron donor effect of N-heterocycles to form coordination complexes on the magnesium surface.From the electrochemical performance,the protective layer constructed at the optimal concentration reinforces the barrier against aggressive environments,with potential inhibition efficiency of 87.4%,99.0%,and 99.9%for 8-QSA,8-MQ,and 8-AN,respectively.Quantum chemical parameters and electron density distribution for free organic species in the absence and presence of Mg^(2+)cation were evaluated using density functional theory(DFT).Upon the formation of coordination complexes between organic compound and Mg^(2+),energy gap underwent change about ΔE=5.7 eV in the 8-AN/Mg^(2+)system.Furthermore,the adsorption of heterocyclic compounds on Mg surface reveals the formation of strong covalent bonds with Mg atoms,which further confirmed by the electron density difference and projected density of states analyses.Based on theoretical calculations,three inhibitors can adsorb on the metal surface in both parallel and perpendicular orientations via C,O and N atoms.In the parallel configuration,the C-Mg,N-Mg and O-Mg bond distances are between 2.11 and 2.25˚A,whereas the distances in the case of perpendicular adsorption are between 2.20 and 2.40˚A(covalent bonds via O and N atoms).The results indicated that parallel configurations are energetically more stable,in which the adsorption energies are-4.48 eV(8-AN),-4.28 eV(8-MQ)and-3.82 eV(8-QSA)compared to that of perpendicular adsorption(-3.65,-3.40,and-2.63 eV).As a result,experimental and theoretical studies were in well agreement and confirm that the nitrogen and oxygen atoms will be the main adsorption sites.

Confinement and synergy effects of supported-confined bimetal catalysts with superior stability and catalytic activity

Bimetallic nanocrystals have attracted considerable attention because of their complicated systems,which are far superior to those of their individual constituents.A TiO_(2)-confined PtMnP bimetallic catalyst(PtMnP@TiO_(2)) was prepared using an ultrasonic-assisted coincident strategy,which demonstrated exceptional catalytic activity in the universal hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).Owing to the bimetallic synergistic effect and TiO_(2) confinement,PtMnP@TiO_(x)showed ultrasmall metal nanoparticles (NPs),a higher active Pt^(0) content,adequate activation at the porous surface,and abundant acid sites.Simulations were performed to visualize the strain properties of Mn and Pt during the bending process and demonstrate the high activity of Pt.The Pt-Mn bimetallic catalysts were enriched with Pt NPs,convoyed by electron transfer from Mn to Pt.Briefly,PtMnP@TiO_(2) showed robust evolution reaction activities (an overpotential of 220 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^(-2) and a Tafel slope of 186 mV dec^(-1))and the ability to contrast stated catalysts without ultrasonication-plasma.This protocol revealed that the geometrical and electronic effects of Pt and P surrounding the Mn species in PtMnP@TiO_(2) were crucial for increasing the catalytic activity (99%) and durability (over 20 cycles),which were far superior to those of other reported catalysts.

Origin of the synergistic effects of bimetallic nanoparticles coupled with a metal oxide heterostructure for accelerating catalytic performance

Precisely tuning bicomponent intimacy during reactions by traditional methods remains a formidable challenge in the fabrication of highly active and stable catalysts because of the difficulty in constructing well-defined catalytic systems and the occurrence of agglomeration during assembly.To overcome these limitations,a PtRuPNiO@TiO_(x)catalyst on a Ti plate was prepared by ultrasound-assisted low-voltage plasma electrolysis.This method involves the oxidation of pure Ti metal and co-reduction of strong metals at 3000◦C,followed by sonochemical ultrasonication under ambient conditions in an aqueous solution.The intimacy of the bimetals in PtRuPNiO@TiOx is tuned,and the metal nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the porous titania coating via strong metal-support interactions by leveraging the instantaneous high-energy input from the plasma discharge and ultrasonic irradiation.The intimacy of PtRuPNiO@TiO_(x)increases the electron density on the Pt surface.Consequently,the paired sites exhibit a high hydrogen evolution reaction activity(an overpotential of 220 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^(−2)and Tafel slope of 186 mV dec^(−1)),excellent activity in the hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol with a robust stability for up to 20 cycles,and the ability to contrast stated catalysts without ultrasonication and plasma electrolysis.This study facilitates industrially important reactions through synergistic chemical interactions.