Transformations of biomass-based levulinate ester into γ-valerolactone and pyrrolidones using carbon nanotubes-grafted N-heterocyclic carbene ruthenium complexes

As a renewable biomass-based compound with wide applications in food additives,fine chemical synthesis and fuels,γ-valerolactone(GVL)has attached much attention.While,pyrrolidones are widely used in pharmaceutical,agrochemical,material industrial and other chemical production.In this research,we demonstrated transformations of biomass-based ethyl levulinate(EL)into GVL and pyrrolidones by using heterogeneous catalysts(CNT-Ru-1)with N-heterocyclic carbene ruthenium(NHC-Ru)complex grafted on multi-walled carbon nanotube(CNT).The Ru catalyst showed high efficiency on EL hydrogenation to GVL with both EL conversion and GVL yield exceeding 99%.Moreover,the Ru catalyst readily promoted reductive amination of EL in the presence of various amines for pyrrolidone synthesis.Finally,the Ru catalyst was also applicable to hydrogenation of various carbonyl compounds for the synthesis of the corresponding alcohols with excellent catalytic performance.The research provides insight for heterogenizing the homogeneous noble metal-based catalysts with high catalytic active for biomass-based transformations.

Coordination and interface engineering to boost catalytic property of two-dimensional ZIFs for wearable Zn-air batteries

Metal organic frameworks(MOFs) have been considered as compelling precursor for miscellaneous applications. However, their unsatisfied electrocatalytic performance limits their direct application as electrocatalyst. Herein, by incorporating the cobalt-oxide bonds and polyaniline(PANI) with two-dimension zeolitic imidazolate frameworks(ZIFs), a novel bifunctional catalyst(Co-O-ZIF/PANI) for Zn-air battery was designed based on a facile and eco-friendly method. This Co-O-ZIF/PANI with optimized surface adsorption effect and suitable Co^(3+)/Co^(2+)ratio, exhibits eminent electrocatalytic activity toward both oxygen reduction and evolution reaction. The as-assembled liquid ZABs based on Co-O-ZIF/PANI achieves a remarkable maximum power density of 123.1 m W cm^(-2) and low discharge-charge voltage gap of 0.81 V at 5 m A cm^(-2) for over 300 cycles. Operando Raman spectroscopy reveals that the excellent performance origins from the optimized surface chemisorption property of O_(2) and H_(2)O brought by Co–O bonds and PANI. This work provides a novel prospect to develop efficient MOF derived bifunctional electrocatalysts by optimizing surface chemisorption properties.

A review of hard carbon anode: Rational design and advanced characterization in potassium ion batteries

K-ion batteries(KIBs)have attracted tremendous attention and seen significant development because of their low price,high operating voltage,and properties similar to those of Li-ion batteries.In the field of development of full batteries,exploring high-performing and low-cost anode materials for K-ion storage is a crucial challenge.Owing to their excellent cost effectiveness,abundant precursors,and environmental benignancy,hard carbons(HCs)are considered promising anode materials for KIBs.As a result,researchers have devoted much effort to quantify the properties and to understand the underlying mechanisms of HC-based anodes.In this review,we mainly introduce the electrochemical reaction mechanism of HCs in KIBs,and summarize approaches to further improve the electrochemical performance in HC-based materials for K-ion storage.In addition,we also highlight some advanced in situ characterization methods for understanding the evolutionary process underlying the potassiation–depotassiation process,which is essential for the directional electrochemical performance optimization of KIBs.Finally,we raise some challenges in developing smart-structured HC anode materials for KIBs,and propose rational design principles and perspectives serving as the guidance for the targeted optimization of HC-based KIBs.