Corrosion engineering on AlCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloys toward highly efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution of alkaline seawater

Seawater splitting is a prospective approach to yield renewable and sustainable hydrogen energy.Complex preparation processes and poor repeatability are currently considered to be an insuperable impediment to the promotion of the large-scale production and application of electrocatalysts.Avoiding the use of intricate instruments,corrosion engineering is an intriguing strategy to reduce the cost and presents considerable potential for electrodes with catalytic performance.An anode comprising quinary AlCoCrFeNi layered double hydroxides uniformly decorated on an AlCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy is proposed in this paper via a one-step corrosion engineering method,which directly serves as a remarkably active catalyst for boosting the oxygen evolution reaction(OER)in alkaline seawater.Notably,the best-performing catalyst exhibited oxygen evolution reaction activity with overpotential values of 272.3 and 332 mV to achieve the current densities of 10 and100 mA·cm^(-2),respectively.The failure mechanism of the obtained catalyst was identified for advancing the development of multicomponent catalysts.

In situ assembly of metal-organic framework-derived N-doped carbon/Co/CoP catalysts on carbon paper for water splitting in alkaline electrolytes

High-performance and cost-effective catalysts for water splitting are key components of hydrogen-based energy technologies. Metal-organic framework(MOF)-derived metal phosphide composites have immense potential as highly active and stable electrocatalysts but suffer from the poor efficacy of available electrode assembly methods. In this study, an MOF-derived nitrogen-doped porous carbon/Co/Co P/carbon paper(NC/Co/Co P/CP) composite electrode was assembled by electrophoretic deposition and post-processing reactions. The binder-free electrode showed good catalytic activity, significantly higher than that of traditional electrodes. The electrode required overpotentials of 208 and 350 m V to achieve a current density of 10 m A/cm^2 for the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, respectively. This facile synthetic method provides a promising route for designing metal-doped and multi-metal phase MOF-derived composite electrodes for energy storage and conversion devices.

COMPLEX REACTIONS OF ETHYL-GLUCOSIDES SYNTHESIS OVER ION EXCHANGE RESIN

The glycosidation reactions of D-glucose with ethanol have been carried out over a reusable and separable heterogeneous catalyst, namely, ion exchange resin. Detailed kinetic data for these reactions are reported. A complex reaction model has been developed for interpreting the data. The reactions were found to be global second-order reactions and first -order with respect to each component. Meanwhile, a new regression method is applied to determine the rate constant from time-dependent profiles.

Performance Comparison of Two Newly Developed Bimetallic(X-Mo/Al2O3, X=Fe or Co) Catalysts for Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction

The performance of the two newly developed bimetallic catalysts based on the precursor, Mo/Al_2O_3, was compared for reverse water gas shift(RWGS) reaction. The structures of the precursor and the catalysts were studied using X-ray diffraction(XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller(BET) analysis, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry(ICP-AES), CO chemisorption, temperature programmed reduction of hydrogen(H_2-TPR) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) techniques. The activity of Fe-Mo and Co-Mo catalysts was compared in a fixed bed reactor at different temperatures. It is shown that the Co-Mo catalyst has higher CO_2 conversion at all temperature level. The time-on-stream(TOS) analysis of the activity of catalysts for the RWGS reaction was carried out over a continuous period of 60h for both catalysts. The Fe-Mo/Al_2O_3 catalyst exhibits good stability within a period of 60h, however, the Co-Mo/Al_2O_3 is gradually deactivated after 50h of reaction time. Existence of(Fe_2(MoO4_))_3 phase in Fe-Mo/Al_2O_3 catalyst makes this catalyst more stable for RWGS reaction.

Hierarchical molybdenum disulfide nanosheet arrays stemmed from nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide/carbon cloth for highly-efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

The hierarchical structure of molybdenum disulfide(MoS2)nanosheet arrays stemmed from nickelcobalt layered double hydroxide(NiCo-LDH)/carbon cloth was prepared by growing the MoS_(2) nanosheet arrays onto the NiCo-LDH template which was pre-deposited onto the carbon cloth substrate.In this electrode configuration,carbon cloth is the three dimensional and conductive skeleton;NiCo-LDH nanosheets,as the template,ensure the oriented growth of MoS2 nanosheet arrays.Therefore,more MoS_(2) active sites are exposed and the catalyst exhibits good hydrogen evolution reaction activity.

Porous g-C3N4 with enhanced adsorption and visible-light photocatalytic performance for removing aqueous dyes and tetracycline hydrochloride

Porous g-C3N4samples were obtained by simply calcining bulk g-C3N4in static air in a muffle oven.The photocatalytic performance of these samples was evaluated through the removal of aqueous organic dyes（methylene blue and methyl orange）and tetracycline hydrochloride under visible-light irradiation（λ〉420 nm）.Compared to bulk g-C3N4,porous g-C3N4exhibited much better capability for removing these contaminants,especially under visible-light irradiation,due to the enlarged specific surface area and more efficient separation of photogenerated charge carries.In particular,porous g-C3N4obtained by calcining bulk g-C3N4in air at 525℃ showed the highest visible-light-driven catalytic activity among these samples.Superoxide radical anions（·O2^-）were found to be the primary active species responsible for photodegradation.

Easily fabricated and recyclable Pd&Cu@Al catalyst for gram-scale phosphine-free Heck reactions with high TON

A unique Pd＆Cu@Al catalyst was easily fabricated just by immersing commercial aluminum foil in a mixed xylene solution of PdC12 and CuCl2. The catalyst fabrication process led to aluminum oxide coatings in situ, which supported the metal nanoparticles and enhanced their catalytic activities for the phosphine-free Heck reaction of awl halides and styrenes with high turnover number （TON） up to 3.9×10^5. The reaction can be scaled up to at least 100 mmol and has been applied in modification of drug Lapatinib＇s intermediate with low metal residue. This novel catalyst is of good application potential in industrial production because it was extremely easy to be recycled, in regardless of the generation of the insoluble impurities or tars during the reaction processes.

Modeling development on the meso-scale reacting transport phenomena in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

The catalyst layer （CL） of proton exchange mem-brane fuel cell （PEMFC） involves various particles and pores in meso-scale, which has an important effect on the mass, charge （proton and electron） and heat transport coupled with the electrochemical reactions. The coarse-grained molecular dynamics （CG-MD） method is employed as a meso-scale structure reconstruction technique to mimic the self-organization phenomena in the fabrication steps of a CL. The meso-scale structure obtained at the equilibrium state is further analyzed by molecular dynamic （MD） software to provide the necessary microscopic parameters for understanding of multi-scale and-physics processes in CLs. The primary pore size distribution （PSD） and active platinum （Pt） surface areas are also calculated and then compared with the experiments. In addition, we also highlight the implementation method to combine microscopic elementary kinetic reaction schemes with the CG-MD approaches to provide insight into the reactions in CLs. The concepts from CG modeling with particle hydrodynamics （SPH） and the problems on coupling of SPH with finite element modeling （FEM） methods are further outlined and discussed to understand the effects of the meso-scale transport phenomena in fuel cells.

Pt‑Based Intermetallic Compound Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction:Structural Control at the Atomic Scale to Achieve a Win–Win Situation Between Catalytic Activity and Stability

The development of ordered Pt-based intermetallic compounds is an effective way to optimize the electronic characteristics of Pt and its disordered alloys,inhibit the loss of transition metal elements,and prepare fuel cell catalysts with high activity and long-term durability for the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR).This paper reviews the structure–activity characteristics,research advances,problems,and improvements in Pt-based intermetallic compound fuel cell catalysts for the ORR.First,the structural characteristics and performance advantages of Pt-based intermetallic compounds are analyzed and explained.Second,starting with 3d transition metals such as Fe,Co,and Ni,whose research achievements are common,the preparation process and properties of Pt-based intermetallic compound catalysts for the ORR are introduced in detail according to element types.Third,in view of preparation problems,improvements in the preparation processes of Pt-based intermetallic compounds are also summarized in regard to four aspects:coating to control the crystal size,doping to promote ordering transformation,constructing a“Pt skin”to improve performance,and anchoring and confinement to enhance the interaction between the crystal and support.Finally,by analyzing the research status of Pt-based intermetallic compound catalysts for the ORR,prospective research directions are suggested.

Template-assisted synthesis of hierarchically porous Co3O4 with enhanced oxygen evolution activity

Oxygen evolution reaction（OER） is one of the most important reactions in the energy storage devices such as metal–air batteries and unitized regenerative fuel cells（URFCs）. However, the kinetically sluggishness of OER and the high prices as well as the scarcity of the most active precious metal electrocatalysts are the major bottleneck in these devices. Developing low-cost non-precious metal catalysts with high activity and stability for OER is highly desirable. A facile, in situ template method combining the dodecyl benzene sulfuric acid sodium（SDBS） assisted hydrothermal process with subsequent high-temperature treatment was developed to prepare porous Co3O4 with improved surface area and hierarchical porous structure as precious catalysts alternative for oxygen evolution reaction（OER）. Due to the unique structure, the as-prepared catalyst shows higher electrocatalytic activity than Co3O4 prepared by traditional thermal-decomposition method（noted as Co3O4-T） and commercial IrO2 catalyst for OER in 0.1M KOH aqueous solution. Moreover, it displays improved stability than Co3O4-T. The results demonstrate a highly efficient, scalable, and low cost method for developing highly active and stable OER electrocatalysts in alkaline solutions.

Catalysts and thermodynamic coupling of chemical reactions

The condition of occurrence of the thermodynamic coupling of chemical reactions is analysed from kinetics. It is found that the thermodynamic coupling is impossible for those reactions which obey kinetically the mass action law. The thermodynamic coupling of chemical reactions is further analysed in the case with catalyst. It is found that the thermodynamic coupling which is impossible without catalyst may become possible by introducing proper catalyst into the system. This implies that the catalysts can change not only the rates of chemical reactions, but also the behaviors of thermodynamic coupling of chemical reactions, including the direction of some reactions. Such role of catalysts comes into play not by changing the total free energy of the system, but by changing the reaction mechanism.

Transition metal-nitrogen-carbon nanostructured catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction： From mechanistic insights to structural optimization

Accelerating the rate-limiting oxygen reduction reaction （ORR） at the cathode remains the foremost issue for the commercialization of fuel cells. Transition metal-nitrogen-carbon （M-N/C, M = Fe, Co, etc.） nanostructures are the most promising class of non-precious metal catalysts （NPMCs） with satisfactory activities and stabilities in practical fuel cell applications. However, the long-debated nature of the active sites and the elusive structure-performance correlation impede further developments of M-N/C materials. In this review, we present recent endeavors to elucidate the actual structures of active sites by adopting a variety of physicochemical techniques that may provide a profound mechanistic understanding of M-N/C catalysts. Then, we focus on the spectacular progress in structural optimization strategies for M-N/C materials with tailored precursor architectures and modified synthetic routes for controlling the structural uniformity and maximizing the number of active sites in catalytic materials. The recognition of the right active centers and site-specific engineering of the nanostructures provides future directions for designing advantageous M-N/C catalysts.

Efficient aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid on Ru/C catalysts

2,5-Furandicarboxylic(FDCA) is a potential substitute for petroleum-derived terephthalic acid, and aerobic oxidation of5-hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF) provides an efficient route to synthesis of FDCA. On an activated carbon supported ruthenium(Ru/C) catalyst(with 5 wt% Ru loading), HMF was readily oxidized to FDCA in a high yield of 97.3% at 383 K and 1.0 MPa O_2 in the presence of Mg(OH)_2 as base additive. Ru/C was superior to Pt/C and Pd/C and also other supported Ru catalysts with similar sizes of metal nanoparticles(1–2 nm). The Ru/C catalysts were stable and recyclable, and their efficiency in the formation of FDCA increased with Ru loadings examined in the range of 0.5 wt%–5.0 wt%. Based on the kinetic studies including the effects of reaction time, reaction temperature, O_2 pressure, on the oxidation of HMF to FDCA on Ru/C, it was confirmed that the oxidation of HMF to FDCA proceeds involving the primary oxidation of HMF to 2,5-diformylfuran(DFF) intermediate, and its sequential oxidation to 5-formyl-2-furancarboxylic acid(FFCA) and ultimately to FDCA, in which the oxidation of FFCA to FDCA is the rate-determining step and dictates the overall formation rate of FDCA. This study provides directions towards efficient synthesis of FDCA from HMF, for example, by designing novel catalysts more efficient for the involved oxidation step of FFCA to FDCA.

Atomic-layered Au clusters on α-MoC as catalysts for the low-temperature water-gas shift reaction

Subject Code:B03With the support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,a collaborative study by the research groups led by Prof.Ma Ding(马丁)from Peking University,Senior Scientist JoséA.Rodriguez from Brookhaven National Laboratory and Prof.Shi Chuan(石川)from Dalian University of

Imidazolium ionic liquid-supported sulfonic acids:Efficient and recyclable catalysts for esterification of benzoic acid

Several imidazolium ionic liquid（IL）-supported sulfonic acids with different anions,[C_3SO_3Hmim]HSO_4,[C_3SO_3Hmim]BF_4, [C_3SO_3 Hmim]PF_6,and[C_3SO_3Hmim]CF_3SO_3,were synthesized and applied as catalysts for esterification reaction of benzoic acid. The experimental results indicate that imidazolium IL-supported sulfonic acid containing anion of HSO_4^- shows the best catalytic activity.Only when less[C_3SO_3Hmim]HSO_4（0.3 equiv.） applied,was the product obtained with high yield of 97%.Furthermore, the produced esters could be separated by decantation,and the catalyst could be reused after the removal of water.

Converting industrial waste contact masses into effective multicomponent copper-based catalysts for the Rochow process

In this work, we report a simple and inexpensive approach to synthesize effective multicomponent Cu-Cu2O-CuO catalysts for the Rochow process from industrial waste contact masses （WCMs）. WCMs from the organosilane industry were treated with acid followed by reduction with metallic iron powder. The obtained copper powder was then subjected to controlled oxidation in air at different temperatures, followed by ball milling. The orthogonal array approach was applied to optimize this process, and the stirring speed and pH were found to significantly affect the leaching ratio and copper yield, respectively. When used for the Rochow process, the optimized ternary Cu-Cu2O-CuO catalyst greatly enhanced the dimethyldichlorosilane selectivity and Si conversion compared with Cu-Cu2O-CuO catalysts prepared without ball milling, bare Cu catalysts, and Cu-Cu2O-CuO catalysts with different compositions. This could be attributed to their small particle size and the strong synergistic effect among the multiple components in the catalyst with the optimized composition.

Effect of water vapor on NH_3–NO/NO_2 SCR performance of fresh and aged MnO_x–NbO_x–CeO_2 catalysts

A MnOx-NbOx-CeO2 catalyst for low temperature selective catalytic reduction（SCR） of NOx with NH3 was prepared by a sol-gel method, and characterized by NH3-NO/NO2 SCR catalytic activity, NO/NH3 oxidation activity, NOx/NH3 TPD, XRD, BET, H2-TPR and in-situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy（DRIFTS）. The results indicate that the Mn Ox-Nb Ox-CeO2 catalyst shows excellent low temperature NH3-SCR activity in the temperature range of 150-300℃. Water vapor inhibits the low temperature activity of the catalyst in standard SCR due to the inhibition of NOx adsorption. As the NO2 content increases in the feed, water vapor does not affect the activity in NO2 SCR. Meanwhile, water vapor significantly enhances the N2 selectivity of the fresh and the aged catalysts due to its inhibition of the decomposition of NH4NO3 into N2O.

SnCl_2/nano SiO_2: A green and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized 4H-pyrans

A highly efficient and general method for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized 4H-pyrans is established through a one-pot multicomponent cyclocondensation of aromatic aldehydes with CH acids, malononitrile and ethyl acetoacetate using nano silica supported tin （II） chloride as a catalyst. In this method SnCl2/nano Si02 was used as green and reusable catalyst. Excellent yields, short reaction times, simple workup, and inexpensiveness and commercially availability of the catalyst are the advantages of this method.

New Penta-ether as the Internal Donor in the MgCl2-supported ZieglerNatta Catalysts for Propylene Polymerization

The penta-ether compound was synthesized by the reaction of di（trimethylolpropane） with sodium hydride as the strong base and methyl iodide as the alkyl halide. This compound was characterized by NMR, FTIR, and GC techniques. The MgCl_2-supported titanium catalysts were incorporated with varying amounts of penta-ether compound as the internal donor and also the catalysts without the internal donor were synthesized. The synthesized catalysts and the conventional ZieglerNatta catalyst were characterized. The titanium contents were determined by spectrophotometry, magnesium by complexometric titration and chloride by argentometric titration. The effects of the new internal donor on propylene polymerization with the prepared MgCl_2-supported Ziegler-Natta catalysts were investigated and then these results were compared to the results obtained using the conventional diisobutyl phthalate-besed-Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The highest crystallinity degree, melting temperature, and isotacticity of polypropylene were obtained using the catalyst with a pentaether/Mg molar ratio equal to 0.21.