New CO_2-philic Compounds: Design, Synthesis and Solubility in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

A series of gluscose derivatives were designed, synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by IR, NMR and elementary analysis. All new compounds are highly soluble in liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide. The compound with electron-withdrawing substituent on benzene ring had even better solubility than the compounds with electron-donating substituent.

Reduction of Aldehydes by Fe-H_2O-CO_2 System in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

1 Introduction Nowadays, green chemistry has received increased attention. The use of water and scCO2 as a solvent or reagent is an important field for organic reactions and green chemistry both in laboratory and industry.

Effects of Selenium Dioxide on Apoptosis, Bcl-2 and P53 Expression, Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species and Calcium Level in Three Human Lung Cancer Cell Lines

Objective: To evaluate the anti-tumor effects of SeO2 and its mechanisms on three human lung cancer cell lines. Methods: Three lung cancer cells A549, GLC-82 and PG were treated with 3-30 μmol/L SeO2. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis, and analyze the changes of expression of p53 and Bcl-2, as well as ROS and Ca2+ level within cells. Results:SeO2 markedly inhibited cell proliferation and viability, and prompted apoptosis after 48 h treatment. SeO2 at 10 μmol/L induced 47.8% apoptosis in A549 cells, 40.8% in GLC-82 cells, 18.2% in PG cells. SeO2 at 30 μmol/L induced 37.8% apoposis in PG cells,but did not increase apoptotic raes in other two cells. SeO2 could down-regulate the mean fluorescent intensity of Bcl-2 from 65.8 to 9.6 in A549, but not in GLC-82 and in PG cells, up-regulate wild type p53 level in all three cells. SeO2 decreased the ROS and Ca2+ level markedly within three tested cells. Conclusion: SeO2 showed anti-tumor effect via apoptosis pathway in three lung cancer cell lines. The decrease of ROS and Ca2+ level within cells as well as regulation of Bcl-2 and p53 expression may play important roles in above apoptotic procedure.

Regeneration of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol used for carbon dioxide absorption

To improve the efficiency of the carbon dioxide cycling process and to reduce the regeneration energy consumption, a sterically hindered amine of 2-amino-2-methyl-1- propranol （AMP） was investigated to determine its regeneration behavior as a CO2 absorbent. The CO2 absorption and amine regeneration characteristics were experimentally examined under various operating conditions. The regeneration efficiency increased from 86.2% to 98.3% during the temperature range of 358 to 403 K. The most suitable regeneration temperature for AMP was 383 K, in this experiment condition, and the regeneration efficiency of absorption/regeneration runs descended from 98.3% to 94.0%. A number of heat-stable salts （HSS） could cause a reduction in CO2 absorption capacity and regeneration efficiency. The results indicated that aqueous AMP was easier to regenerate with less loss of absorption capacity than other amines, such as, monoethanolamine （MEA）, diethanolamine （DEA）, diethylenetriamine （DETA）, and N-methyldiethanolamine （MDEA）.

Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to methanol by Cu_2O/SiC nanocrystallite under visible light irradiation

The Cu2O/SiC photocatalyst was obtained from SiC nanoparticles （NPs） modified by Cu2O. Their photocatalytic activities for reducing CO2 to CH3OH under visible light irradiation have been investigated. The results indicated that besides a small quantity of 6H-SiC, SiC NPs mainly consisted of 3C-SiC. The band gaps of SiC and Cu2O were estimated to be about 1.95 and 2.23 eV from UV-Vis spectra, respectively. The Cu2O modification can enhance the photocatalytic performance of SiC NPs, and the largest yields of methanol on SiC, Cu2O and Cu2O/SiC photocatalysts under visible light irradiation were 153, 104 and 191μmol/g, respectively.

Surface Acidity/Basicity and Catalytic Reactivity of CeO2/7-Al2O3 Catalysts for the Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane with Carbon Dioxide to Ethylene

Dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene in CO_2 was investigated overCeO_2/γ-Al_2O_3 catalysts at 700℃ in a conventional flow reactor operating at atmosphericpressure. XRD, BET and microcalori-metric adsorption techniques were used to characterize thestructure and surface acidity/basicity of the CeO_2/γ-Al_2O_3 catalysts. The results show that thesurface acidity decreased while the surface basicity increased after the addition of CeO_2 toγ-Al_2O_3. Accordingly, the activity of the hydrogenation reaction of CO_2 increased, which mightbe responsible for the enhanced conversion in the dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene. The highestethane conversion obtained was about 15% for the 25%CeO_2/γ-Al_2O_3. The selectivity to ethylenewas high for all the CeO_2, γ-Al_2O_3 and CeO2/γ-Al_2O_3 catalysts.

Morphology Controlling of the Ultrafine Cerium Dioxide (CeO_2) Precursor

The synthesis of ultrafine cerium dioxide precursor via homogeneous precipitation was studied. Mixed aqueous solution of anhydrous cerium nitrate and urea was first heated to 85℃ for 2 h, and the prepared suspension was then aged at room temperature for various periods of time. White precipitate was finally collected by centrifuging and washed with distilled water and anhydrous ethanol. The obtained cerium dioxide (CeO2) precursor was observed with SEM. It was found that the morphology and size of the precursor were strongly affected by aging time and stirring conditions (with or without stirring). The precipitated fine spherical particles of the precursor changed their shape from ellipse to slice or directly to slice. Fine spherical monodispersed (300 nm) precursor powders could be obtained by controlling the aging time. Stirring the solution also could change the reaction process and thus the morphology and size of the precursor were changed.

Effects of Ce/Zr ratio on the structure and performances of Co-Ce_(1-x)Zr_xO_2 catalysts for carbon dioxide reforming of methane

The Co-incorporated Ce1-xZrxO2 catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation for carbon dioxide reforming of methane.The ratio of Ce to Zr was varied to optimize the performances of co-precipitated Co-Ce-Zr-Ox catalysts.The prepared catalysts were characterized by various physico-chemical characterization techniques including TPR,X-ray diffraction,N2 adsorption at low temperature,XPS and CO2-TPSR.The co-precipitated Co-Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 sample containing 16% CoO exhibited a higher catalytic activity among the five catalysts,and the activity was maintained without significant loss during the reaction for 60 h.Under the conditions of 750 ℃,0.1 MPa,36000 ml/（h gcat）,and CO2/CH4 molar ratio of 1：1,the CO2 conversion over this catalyst was 75% while the CH4 conversion was 67%.The cubic Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 facilitated a higher dispersion and a higher reducibility of the cobalt component,and the apparent activation energy for Co-Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 sample was 49.1 kJ/mol in the CO2/CH4 reforming reaction.As a result,the Co-Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 sample exhibited a higher activity and stability for the reforming of CH4 with CO2.

Screening of MgO- and CeO_2-Based Catalysts for Carbon Dioxide Oxidative Coupling of Methane to C_(2+) Hydrocarbons

The catalyst screening tests for carbon dioxide oxidative coupling of methane (CO2-OCM) have been investigated over ternary and binary metal oxide catalysts. The catalysts are prepared by doping MgO- and CeO2-based solids with oxides from alkali (Li2O), alkaline earth (CaO), and transition metal groups (WO3 or MnO). The presence of the peroxide (O2-2) active sites on the Li2O2, revealed by Raman spectroscopy, may be the key factor in the enhanced performance of some of the Li2O/MgO catalysts. The high reducibility of the CeO2 catalyst, an important factor in the CO2-OCM catalyst activity, may be enhanced by the presence of manganese oxide species. The manganese oxide species increases oxygen mobility and oxygen vacancies in the CeO2 catalyst. Raman and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FT-IR) spectroscopies revealed the presence of lattice vibrations of metal-oxygen bondings and active sites in which the peaks corresponding to the bulk crystalline structures of Li2O, CaO, WO3 and MnO are detected. The performance of 5%MnO/15%CaO/CeO2 catalyst is the most potential among the CeO2-based catalysts, although lower than the 2%Li2O/MgO catalyst. The 2%Li2O/MgO catalyst showed the most promising C2+ hydrocarbons selectivity and yield at 98.0% and 5.7%, respectively.

A Multilayer Study of pCO2 in the Surface Waters of the Yellow and South China Seas in Spring and the Sea-Air Carbon Dioxide Flux

A multilayer study of pCO2 for the Yellow and South China Seas in the surface waters was conducted based on data from four cruises sponsored by the China SOLAS Project in 2005 and 2006,including data for the surface microlayer(SML) ,subsurface layer(SSL) and surface layer(SL) . The carbon fluxes across the air-sea interface were calculated. The results showed that the pCO2 values in the surface waters of the study area decreased in the following order:pCO2 SML> pCO2 SSL> pCO2 SL. The highest values were found in March for all SML,SSL and SL,followed by those in April,and the lowest were in May. The pCO2 values had a significant positive correlation with temperature or salinity. While there was no relationship between pCO2 and longitude,there was a significant negative correlation between it and latitude,i.e.,'high latitude low pCO2'. By using four calculation models,the carbon dioxide fluxes(FC O2) in spring in the Yellow and South China Seas,which were found to act as a 'sink' of atmospheric CO2,were preliminarily estimated on the basis of the pCO2 data in the SML to be -7.00×106 t C and -22.35×106 t C,respectively. It is suggested that the FC O2calculated on the basis of pCO2 data in the SML is more reliable than that calculated on the basis of those in the SL.

Well-dispersed SnO2 nanocrystals on N-doped carbon nanowires as efficient electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction

The conversion of carbon dioxide into valuable organic compounds is a highly promising approach to address the energy issues and environmental problems(e.g., global warming). Herein, we presents a facile and efficient method to prepare highly dense and well-dispersed SnO2 nanocrystals on 1 D N-doped carbon nanowires as advanced catalysts for the efficient electroreduction of CO2 to formate. The ultrasmall SnO2 coated on the N-doped carbon nanowires(SnO2@N-CNW) has been synthesized via the simple hydrothermal treatment coupled with a pyrolysis process. The unique structure enables to expose the active tin oxide and also provides the facile pathways for rapid transfer of electron and electrolyte along with the highly porous carbon foam composed with interconnected carbon nanowires. Therefore, SnO2@NCNW electrocatalyst exhibits good durability and high selectivity for formate formation with a Faradaic efficiency of ca. 90%. This work demonstrates a simple method to rationally design high-dense tin oxide nanocrystals on the conductive carbon support as advanced catalysts for CO2 electroreduction.

Kinetics of Reactive Extraction of Nd from Nd2O3 with TBP-HNO3 Complex in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The process based on supercritical fluid extraction for reprocessing of the spent nuclear fuel has some remarkable advantages over the plutonium-uranium extraction(PUREX) process.Especially,it can minimize the generation of secondary waste.Dynamic reactive extraction of neodymium oxide(Nd2O3) in supercritical carbon dioxide(SC-CO2) containing tri-n-butyl phosphate-nitric acid(TBP-HNO3) complex was investigated.Temperature showed a positive effect on the extraction efficiency,while pressure showed a negative effect when the unsaturated TBP-HNO3 complex was employed for the dynamic reactive extraction of Nd2O3 in SC-CO2.Both temperature and pressure effects indicated that the kinetic process of the reactive extraction was controlled by the chemical reaction.A kinetic model was proposed to describe the extraction process.

Sonocatalytic Damage of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) in the Presence of Nanometer Titanium Dioxide (TiO_2) Catalyst

The sonocatalytic damage of bovine serum albumin （BSA） was studied in the presence of nanometer titanium dioxide （TiO2） powders by low frequency （80 kHz） ultrasound. The destruction of secondary structure and change of α-helical structure of BSA were reflected by ultraviolet （UV） and circular dichroism （CD） spectroscopies.

Syngas production by combined carbon dioxide reforming and partial oxidation of methane over Ni/α-Al_2O_3 catalysts

Ni/α-Al2O3 catalysts were found to be active in the temperature range 600 ～ 900℃ for both CO2 reforming and partial oxidation of methane.The effects of Ni loading,reaction temperature and feed gas ratio for the combination of CO2 reforming and partial oxidation of CH4 over Ni/α-Al2O3 were investigated.Catalysts of xwt%Ni/α-Al2O3（x=2.5,5,8 and 12） were prepared by wet impregnating the calcined support with a solution of nickel nitrate.XRD patterns and activity tests have verified that the 5wt%Ni/α-Al2O3 was the most active catalyst,as compared with the other prepared catalyst samples.An increase of the Ni loading to more than 5wt% led to a reduction in the Ni dispersion.In addition,by combining the endothermic carbon dioxide reforming reaction with the exothermic partial oxidation reaction,the loss of catalyst activity with time on stream was reduced with the amount of oxygen added to the feed.

Low temperature H_2S sensor based on copper oxide/tin dioxide thick film

Nanostructured tin dioxide （SnO2） powders were prepared by a sol-gel dialytic process and and the doping of CuO on it was completed by a deposition-precipitation method.The thick film sensors were fabricated from the CuO/SnO2 polycrystalline powders.Sensing behavior of the sensor was investigated with various gases including CO,H2,NH3,hexane,acetone,ethanol,methanol and H2S in air.The as-synthesized gas sensor had much better response to H2S than to other gases.At the same time,the CuO/SnO2 sensor had enough sensitivity,together with fast response and recovery,to distinguish H2S from those gases at 160 and 210 ℃.Therefore,it might have promising applications in the future.

Carbon dioxide reforming of methane on monolithic Ni/Al_2O_3-based catalysts

Nickel-alumina catalysts supported on cordierite monoliths of honeycomb structure surpass essentially the conventional granulated ones with respect to the output in carbon dioxide reforming of methane. Adjusting the surface acid-base properties of catalysts by introduction of alkali metal （Na, K） oxides inhibits the carbonization and as a result, improves the operational stability of these catalysts. An effect of promotion of nickel-alumina based composite doped by lanthanum oxide is found. This effect, caused by an additional route for the CO2 activation on Ni-La2O3/Al2O3/cordierite catalyst, is displayed in increase of methane conversion under conditions of an oxidant excess.

Catalytic Performance of CeO_2/ZnO Nanocatalysts on the Oxidative Coupling of Methane with Carbon Dioxide and their Fractal Features

CeO2/ZnO nanocatalysts were prepared from the coupling route of homogeneous precipita-tion with microemulsion and the impregnation method. The catalytic performance of these two kinds of catalysts on the oxidative coupling of methane with carbon dioxide was tested and compared; the frac-tal behavior of the nanocatalysts was analyzed using fractal theory. The CeO2/ZnO nanocatalysts had much higher activity than the catalysts prepared by impregnation method. There was no regular relation-ship between the average size of CeO2/ZnO nanocatalysts and their catalytic performance; however, the conversion of methane increased with the increase of the fractal dimension of CeO2/ZnO nanocatalysts.

Effects of zinc on χ-Fe_(5)C_(2) for carbon dioxide hydrogenation to olefins:Insights from experimental and density function theory calculations

Production of light olefins from CO_(2), the primary greenhouse gases, is of great importance to mitigate the adverse effects of CO_(2) emission on environment and to supply the value-added products from nonpetroleum resource. However, development of robust catalyst with controllable selectivity and stability remains a challenge. Herein, we report that Zn-promoted Fe catalyst can boost the stable and selective production of light olefins from CO_(2). Specifically, the Zn-promoted Fe exhibits a highly stable activity and olefin selectivity over 200 h time-on-stream compared to the unpromoted Fe catalyst, primarily owing to the preservation of active χ-Fe_(5)C_(2) phase. Structural characterizations of the spent catalysts suggest that Zn substantially regulates the content of iron carbide on the surface and suppresses the reoxidation of bulk iron carbide during the reaction. DFT calculations confirm that adsorption of surface carbon atoms and graphene-like carbonaceous species are not thermochemically favored on Zn-promoted Fe catalyst. Carbon deposition by CAC coupling reactions of two surface carbon atoms and dehydrogenation of CH intermediate are also inhibited. Furthermore, the effects of Zn on antioxidation of iron carbide were also investigated. Zn favored the hydrogenation of surface adsorbed oxygen atoms to H_(2)O and the desorption of H_(2)O, which reduces the possibility of surface carbide being oxidized by the chemisorbed oxygen.

Simulation Modelling and Techno-Economics of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Recompression Closed Brayton Cycle

In recent years, there has been global interest in meeting targets relating to energy affordability and security while taking into account greenhouse gas emissions. This has heightened major interest in potential investigations into the use of supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power cycles. Climate change mitigation is the ultimate driver for this increased interest;other relevant issues include the potential for high cycle efficiency and a circular economy. In this study, a 25 MWe recompression closed Brayton cycle (RCBC) has been assessed, and sCO2 has been proposed as the working fluid for the power plant. The methodology used in this research work comprises thermodynamic and techno-economic analysis for the prospective commercialization of this sCO2 power cycle. An evaluated estimation of capital expenditure, operational expenditure, and cost of electricity has been considered in this study. The ASPEN Plus simulation results have been compared with theoretical and mathematical calculations to assess the performance of the compressors, turbine, and heat exchangers. The results thus reveal that the cycle efficiency for this prospective sCO2 recompression closed Brayton cycle increases (39% - 53.6%) as the temperature progressively increases from 550˚C to 900˚C. Data from the Aspen simulation model was used to aid the cost function calculations to estimate the total capital investment cost of the plant. Also, the techno-economic results have shown less cost for purchasing equipment due to fewer components being required for the cycle configuration as compared to the conventional steam power plant.

A Computational Study on the Mechanism for the K_2CO_3-catalyzed Reaction of Carbon Dioxide and 1-Chlo-2-propanol

The microcosmic reaction mechanism of K2CO3-catalyzed 1-chlo-2-propanol and carbon dioxide has been investigated by density functional theory（DFT） at the GGA/PW91/DNP level.We optimize the geometric configurations of reactants,intermediates,transition states,and products.The energy analysis calculation approves the authenticity of intermediates and transition states.According to our calculations,four feasible reaction pathways are found.The main pathway of the reaction is ReA → IMA1 → TSA1 → IMA2 → IMA5 → TSA5 → P.Besides,we also in-vestigate the reaction mechanism of 1-chlo-2-propanol and carbon dioxide without K2CO3-catalyzation by the same theory and level.The computational results indicate that the activation barrier with K2CO3-catalyzed is smaller than the activation barrier without K2CO3-catalyzed.That is to say,K2CO3 can promote the reaction to give the product in a high yield,which is in agreement with the experimental results.