Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wiebke Alex, Patrick Lorenz, Christian Henkel, Timothy Clark, Andreas Hirsch, Dirk M. Guldi
Summary: This study provides a detailed understanding of the full reaction coordinate of NBDs to QCs and reveals that the photoreversibility of NBDs is influenced by the charge-transfer character.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Reuben Szabo, Khoa N. Le, Tim Kowalczyk
Summary: Solar thermal fuels (STFs) absorb photons to store energy, with functionalization and substitutions needed for high energy storage densities. Computational screening of STF candidates benefits from considering excited-state and ground-state properties to optimize performance throughout the fuel cycle. Efficient virtual screening for photoabsorption and energy storage can be achieved with DFTB, while more sophisticated approaches are necessary for isomerization barrier and quantum yield predictions.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wiebke Zika, Andreas Hirsch, Rene Weiss, Simone Pinter, Christoph M. Schuesslbauer, Timothy Clark, Andreas Hirsch, Dirk M. Guldi
Summary: This study investigates the interconversion between QC and NBD and their application in energy storage through photo-assays. An oxidative electron transfer is observed during the QC-to-NBD isomerization using transient absorption spectroscopy. The complementary use of time-resolved and steady-state spectroscopies allows for a complete description of the photoisomerization reaction of NBDs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andreas Leng, Cornelius Weiss, Nina Strassner, Andreas Hirsch
Summary: An unprecedented compound class of functional organic hybrids consisting of a photoswitchable norbornadiene building block and a redoxactive chromophore, namely naphthalene diimide, were designed and synthesized. The capability of rylene chromophores to function as a redox active catalyst upon their photoexcitation was utilized to initiate the oxidative back-conversion of the in situ formed quadricyclane unit to its norbornadiene analogue. Controlled photoswitching between the two isomerical states of the hybrids was achieved through successive photoexcitation at two different wavelengths. The reaction rate was found to be dependent on the intramolecular distance of the two functional molecular building blocks as well as the concentration of the photoexcited sample. Quantum chemical investigations supported the experimental findings and interpretations.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shima Ghasemi, Luca Ornago, Zacharias Liasi, Magnus Bukhave Johansen, Theo Juncker von Buchwald, Andreas Erbs Hillers-Bendtsen, Sebastiaan van der Poel, Helen Hoelzel, Zhihang Wang, Francoise M. Amombo Noa, Lars Oehrstroem, Kurt V. Mikkelsen, Herre S. J. van der Zant, Samuel Lara-Avila, Kasper Moth-Poulsen
Summary: This study presents the synthesis and characterization of a novel series of norbornadiene derivatives capped with thioether and thioester anchor groups. The impact of these capping groups on conductance across single-molecule junctions is investigated, and the results are consistent with the computational simulations. The thioacetate and tert-butyl-substituted systems exhibit higher conductance and better stability compared to the methyl thioether-capped derivative.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Felix Hemauer, Daniel Krappmann, Valentin Schwaab, Zarah Hussain, Eva Marie Freiberger, Natalie J. Waleska-Wellnhofer, Evanie Franz, Frank Hampel, Olaf Brummel, Jorg Libuda, Andreas Hirsch, Hans-Peter Steinrueck, Christian Papp
Summary: In this study, the energy storage and release properties of oxa-norbornadiene/quadricyclane derivatives with different sizes of ester moieties on a Pt(111) surface were investigated. The cycloreversion reaction for the 2,3-bis(methylester)-substitution occurs between 310 and 340 K, with a thermal stability limit of 380 K. In the liquid phase, the rate constants for the cycloreversion reaction on Pt(111) were determined to be k = 5.3 x 10(-4) s(-1) for the 2,3-bis(methylester)-substitution and k = 6.3 x 10(-4) s(-1) for the 2,3-bis(benzylester) derivative, with selectivities of >99% and 98%, respectively.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Andreas Erbs Hillers-Bendtsen, Phillip Gustav Iuel Lunoe Dunweber, Lars Henrik Olsen, Kurt Mikkelsen
Summary: The study found that by making simple modifications to the bridgehead of bicyclic dienes, it is possible to significantly increase the energy storage without compromising other crucial properties. This method shows promise.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Franco Castro, Jorge S. Gancheff, Juan C. Ramos, Gustavo Seoane, Carla Bazzicalupi, Antonio Bianchi, Francesca Ridi, Matteo Savastano
Summary: Developing new environmentally friendly and cost-effective sources of energy is an urgent and challenging task. Molecular solar thermal (MOST) systems offer a promising option for energy capture and storage. In this study, a new water-soluble norbornadiene derivative (HNBD1) with enhanced MOST properties was prepared. HNBD1 exhibited better solar spectrum matching compared to unmodified norbornadiene and could rapidly release stored energy in the presence of a specific catalyst.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Evanie Franz, Jannis Jung, Anne Kunz, Hermann A. Wegner, Olaf Brummel, Doreen Mollenhauer, Joerg Libuda
Summary: Molecular solar-thermal (MOST) systems combine solar energy conversion, storage, and release within one molecule. In this study, the catalytic activity and selectivity of three different surfaces (graphite(0001), Pt(111), and Au(111)) for energy release from the MOST system were investigated. Graphite(0001) showed the weakest reactant-surface interaction and was suitable for electrochemical triggering. Pt(111) had strong reactant-surface interactions, moderate catalytic activity, and partial decomposition, limiting its applicability. Au(111) exhibited high catalytic activity and selectivity (>99%), attributed to moderate reactant surface interaction facilitating energy release.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Federico J. Hernandez, Jordan M. Cox, Jingbai Li, Rachel Crespo-Otero, Steven A. Lopez
Summary: Storing solar energy is crucial for meeting the increasing demands of the global energy economy. Molecular solar thermal (MOST) energy storage seems promising for on-demand energy release. However, the mechanistic details of the process are not well understood due to experimental limitations.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anu Pradeep, Ramkumar Varadharajan, Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy
Summary: This study investigates the feasibility of using organic acids as hosts to form complexes with norbornadiene-quadricyclane system in water for solar energy storage and release. The results show that the conversion within the complex is clean and side-product-free.
PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qianfeng Qiu, Yuran Shi, Grace G. D. Han
Summary: This review outlines various structural design principles for molecular solar thermal energy storage materials based on photoswitches, discussing their performance metrics, optical and thermal properties, and potential applications in renewable energy markets.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fan-Yi Meng, I-Han Chen, Jiun-Yi Shen, Kai-Hsin Chang, Tai-Che Chou, Yi-An Chen, Yi-Ting Chen, Chi-Lin Chen, Pi-Tai Chou
Summary: This study proposes a new concept of using thermally activated delayed fluorescence molecules to harness solar thermal energy. They synthesized molecular composites based on TADF core and achieved the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy through energy transfer and reaction conversion.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Teddy Roy, Julie Rousseau, Antoine Daudin, Gerhard Pirngruber, Benedicte Lebeau, Jean-Luc Blin, Sylvette Brunet
Summary: Mesostructured titania as a support for the CoMoS active phase enhances HDS activity and DDS selectivity, with temperature treatment significantly affecting catalyst activity. Higher activities are obtained after treatment at 380 degrees C, correlating with higher specific surface area and a semicrystalline anatase framework in the mesostructured TiO2 material.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhengfeng Gu, Daiwei Liu, Mengnan Yu, Teng Bao, Xiaowei Liu, Ling Zhang, Haitao Ding, Zhimin Yu, Chengxun Deng
Summary: This study successfully synthesized Ni-Cu-loaded TiO2 catalysts with excellent catalytic activity and stability by controlling the molar ratio of Ni/Cu and the mass proportion of the TiO2 support. The 5Ni-Cu/TiO2 catalyst exhibited improved pore sizes and specific surface area, higher concentrations of oxygen vacancies and adsorbed oxygen species, and good redox properties.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tianqing Yan, Shiyi Chen, Wendi Sun, Yuezheng Liu, Lun Pan, Chengxiang Shi, Xiangwen Zhang, Zhen-Feng Huang, Ji-Jun Zou
Summary: In this study, a practical strategy to construct an acid OER catalyst with low iridium content was reported. The catalyst showed significantly improved catalytic performance and is suitable for practical application in PEM electrolyzers.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wei Wang, Baian Pu, Chi Ma, Chengxiang Shi, Lun Pan, Xiangwen Zhang, Ji-Jun Zou
Summary: In this study, cyclopropanation of polycyclic olefins using heterogeneous Pd/C catalyst was reported. The optimal conditions were explored and a series of polycyclic olefins were successfully cyclopropanated with high yield. The catalyst exhibited good recyclability and stability, and the synthesized cyclopropane derivatives showed good fuel characteristics. This work demonstrates the industrial potential of cyclopropanation of polycyclic olefins with diazomethane.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Muhammad Asim, Shuguang Zhang, Bushra Maryam, Jie Xiao, Chengxiang Shi, Lun Pan, Ji-Jun Zou
Summary: A Pt@Ni2P catalyst is reported to enhance the hydrogen evolution rate from ammonia borane under both dark and visible light conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectrum analysis shows that the incorporation of Pt with Ni2P forms partially positive Pt delta+ and partially negative Ni2P delta- as active sites for ammonia borane and water, respectively. Visible light irradiation further accelerates the electron transfer from Pt delta+ to Ni2P delta-. Pt loading over Ni2P plays a vital role in improving the H2 evolution rate via ammonia borane hydrolysis.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Muhammad Asim, Alibek Kurbanov, Bushra Maryam, Muhammad Ajmal, Chenxiang Shi, Lun Pan, Ji-Jun Zou
Summary: Incorporating g-C3N4 with transition metal phosphides has the potential to create a low-cost and robust co-catalyst for hydrogen evolution. The ammonia borane hydrolysis method efficiently releases H2 in the presence of a catalyst under ambient conditions. A Ni2P/C3N4 catalyst is synthesized using a hydrothermal method and low-temperature phosphidation, and optimization reveals that the catalyst with 6.5% Ni content performs the best for H2 release. Furthermore, loading 2% Pt nanoparticles over Ni2P/C3N4 improves activity 5.7-fold and enhances charge transfer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Yue Wang, Jiawei Jiang, Ji-Jun Zou, Wenbo Mi
Summary: This study successfully fabricated 200 μm single-crystal 2D MOFs and studied their electronic, magnetic, and catalytic properties using first-principles calculations. The results showed that different transition metal 2D MOFs have different properties, providing candidates for the study of spintronics and electrocatalysts.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Muhammad Asim, Bushra Maryam, Xianhua Liu, Lun Pan, Chengxiang Shi, Ji-Jun Zou
Summary: In this work, Pt@Ni2P/NF catalyst is synthesized by embedding platinum (Pt) nanoparticles over self-supported Ni2P/NF. Pt@Ni2P/NF exhibits a high synergetic effect between Pt nanoparticles and Ni2P/NF, enhancing the hydrolysis of ammonia borane. The activation energy and turnover frequency of Pt@Ni2P/NF are calculated to be 31.0 kJ mol(-1) and 63.2 min(-1) for 0.13 M AB.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shiyi Chen, Shishi Zhang, Lei Guo, Lun Pan, Chengxiang Shi, Xiangwen Zhang, Zhen-Feng Huang, Guidong Yang, Ji-Jun Zou
Summary: Surface reconstruction plays a crucial role in generating real active species for electrochemical reactions. In this study, the authors use high-valence Mo to modulate the orthorhombic Pr3Ir1-xMoxO7 and achieve directional and accelerated surface reconstruction, leading to the formation of highly active Ir-O-bri-Mo species for acidic water oxidation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Minhua Ai, Lun Pan, Chengxiang Shi, Zhen-Feng Huang, Xiangwen Zhang, Wenbo Mi, Ji-Jun Zou
Summary: The study finds that chiral structure in zinc oxide can induce spin selectivity effect to promote photocatalytic performance. By synthesizing zinc oxide crystals using chiral methionine molecules, hierarchical chirality is demonstrated, and it is shown that the chiral structure acts as spin filters and induces spin polarization in photoinduced carriers. The chiral zinc oxide exhibits significantly higher activities in photocatalytic O-2 production and contaminant photodegradation compared with achiral zinc oxide.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Likang Zhang, Yao Zhong, Jun Wang, Zheling Zeng, Shuguang Deng, Ji-Jun Zou, Qiang Deng
Summary: In this study, advanced intermetallic PdZn nanoparticle-supported catalysts were prepared for the tandem hydrogenative rearrangement of furan aldehydes/ketones into cyclopentanones. The catalysts exhibited high catalytic efficiency and generality for synthesizing various cyclopentanones with yields above 90%. Investigations into the catalytic mechanism revealed the involvement of an ionic water-mediated pathway in the heterolytic activation of H2, providing unconventional active sites for the reaction steps.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Zexing He, Xiaokang Liu, Minghui Zhang, Lei Guo, Muhammad Ajmal, Lun Pan, Chengxiang Shi, Xiangwen Zhang, Zhen-Feng Huang, Ji-Jun Zou
Summary: This study focuses on developing better electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by combining the construction of ferromagnetic (FM) ordering channels and generation of highly active reconstructed species. The results show that the FM exchange-field interaction can penetrate electron transfer channels and activate oxyhydroxide layers, accelerating spin-selective electron transfer. This research provides a new guideline for developing highly efficient spintronic catalysts.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zexing He, Muhammad Ajmal, Minghui Zhang, Xiaokang Liu, Zhen-Feng Huang, Chengxiang Shi, Ruijie Gao, Lun Pan, Xiangwen Zhang, Ji-Jun Zou
Summary: The development of efficient and economical electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial for renewable fuel production and energy storage systems. However, the slow kinetics of the OER hampers progress in these systems. Surface reconstruction offers potential to improve OER catalyst design, with anion modulation playing a crucial role in controlling surface reconstruction and enhancing catalytic performance. This review discusses the impact of anion modulation on surface reconstruction and its effects on water oxidation activity, as well as future directions for developing highly efficient catalysts.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Songbo Wang, Yidan Wang, Jia Li, Shuang Guo, Chengzhen Meng, Lun Pan, Ji-Jun Zou, Yawei Shi, Lei Zhang, Zhen Yin, Na Tang
Summary: This article reports the successful improvement of the performance of PEC water splitting photoanode through the synergy of electron modulation and heterojunction construction.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qing Liu, Tinghao Jia, Lun Pan, Zhouyang Shen, Zehao Han, Xiangwen Zhang, Ji-Jun Zou
Summary: This study investigated the pyrolysis performance of high-energy-density fuels with different cyclic structures and revealed the relationship between molecular structure and reactivity. The results showed that the pyrolysis conversion of the fuels is closely related to their carbon and hydrogen atom numbers, and the decomposition reaction pathways were proposed. Additionally, the heat sink of the fuels was correlated with the product of their carbon and hydrogen atom numbers. This study provides guidance for the design and development of high-energy-density fuels for high-performance aerospace vehicles with long flight distance and hypersonic speed.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yakun Liu, Shennan Yang, Chengxiang Shi, Lun Pan, Xiangwen Zhang, Jin-Jun Zou
Summary: A highly active solid acid catalyst for the cyclopropanation of dicyclopentadiene has been prepared by impregnation method. The catalyst shows good catalytic activity and recyclability, providing a green and efficient synthesis for high-energy-density fuel, pesticide and medicine.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zehao Han, Lun Pan, Kang Xue, Jisheng Xu, Qing Liu, Ying Xu, Zhouyang Shen, Xiangwen Zhang, Ji-Jun Zou
Summary: This study investigates the effects of molecular structure on the dehydrogenation performance of polycyclic alkanes and finds that cyclohexane shows the best performance. Furthermore, the correlation between the density, volumetric net heat of combustion, and heat sink with the molecular structure of cyclic alkanes is analyzed.