Article
Engineering, Chemical
Baoyu Liu, Feng Xiong, Jianwen Zhang, Manna Wang, Yi Huang, Yanxiong Fang, Jinxiang Dong
Summary: Novel organo-inorganic hybrid materials (MTW-x-SO3H) were prepared by immobilizing 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane onto mesopore MTW zeolites and transforming sulfhydryl group into sulfonic acid group through oxidation. The materials have a large number of mesopores and sulfonic acid groups, which can be used for alkylating reactions and exhibit high activity and selectivity.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jens Moons, Alexandra Loosen, Charlotte Simms, Francisco de Azambuja, Tatjana N. Parac-Vogt
Summary: Materials with enzyme-like activities and proteolytic potential, such as the Hf6O8-based NU-1000 metal organic framework, are showing promise as robust and effective alternatives to natural enzymes. The Hf-MOF exhibited high selectivity in cleaving protein substrates and maintained hydrolytic activity efficiently. In comparison to the Zr-NU-1000, the Hf variant showed slightly slower reaction rates but greater stability and recyclability, attributed to intrinsic differences between Hf-IV and Zr-IV centers and the lower surface area of Hf-NU-1000.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aishwarya Ramesh, Saumi Ray
Summary: The nature of acidic sites in commercially available aluminosilicates, including zeolite Na-Y, zeolite NH4+-ZSM-5, and as-synthesized Al-MCM-41, has been studied as catalysts for capturing CO2 by styrene oxide. The acidity of the catalysts and the Si/Al ratio determine the yield of styrene carbonate. The results show that the Si/Al ratio affects the acidity of the catalysts and the yield of cyclic carbonates (55.3%, 68%, and 75.4% for NH4+-ZSM-5, Al-MCM-41, and Na-Y zeolite, respectively).
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Baoyu Liu, Jianwen Zhang, Yeqing Huang, Feng Xiong, Rongchang Luo
Summary: Defect-engineered ZSM-12 zeolites are effective catalysts for the alkylation of phenol and tert-butyl alcohol, with high yields and stable activity and selectivity. High Bronsted acidity promotes the formation of 2,4-DTBP, while moderate Bronsted acidity and enhanced accessibility favor the production of the desired product 4-TBP.
MOLECULAR CATALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Thomas Jarrin, Theodorus de Bruin, Celine Chizallet
Summary: This study aims to reveal the nature and strength of faujasite bulk and surface acid sites through Density Functional Theory (DFT), providing insights into their dehydration properties, Bronsted and Lewis acidity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sam Van Minnebruggen, Trees De Baerdemaeker, Ka Yan Cheung, Andrei-Nicolae Parvulescu, Ulrich Mueller, Patrick Tomkins, Rodrigo De Oliveira-Silva, Xiangju Meng, Feng-Shou Xiao, Toshiyuki Yokoi, Weiping Zhang, Dimitrios Sakellariou, Dirk De Vos
Summary: This study investigates the use of OSDA-free Beta zeolites as an alternative catalyst for the acid-catalyzed alkylation of isobutane with butenes. The OSDA-free Beta zeolites show excellent catalytic performance and stability, outperforming OSDA-based zeolites and the industrial benchmark La-HY.
JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Jiang-Zhen Qiu, Long-Fei Wang, Xu-Gang Shu, Cui-Jin Li, Zhongke Yuan, Jiuxing Jiang
Summary: ZHKU-1, a new two-dimensional layer with a template of alkylated memantine, was synthesized and used for encapsulating highly uniform silver clusters, exhibiting remarkable catalytic activity.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yi Wang, Yonghui Zhang, Hongchao Fan, Pingping Wu, Meng Liu, Xinli Li, Jun Yang, Chaowei Liu, Peng Bai, Zifeng Yan
Summary: This study investigated the catalytic performance of four commercial zeolites (HZSM-5, H beta, HY, and SAPO-11) in the cracking of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using a self-designed batch reactor. The acid strength of zeolites was found to be positively correlated with the cracking conversion. HZSM-5 and H beta zeolites exhibited high conversion rates, while large micropores promoted the formation of isomerized products but also led to significant coking. H beta zeolite achieved the highest yield of gasoline components, while HZSM-5 and HY showed high yields of aromatization products.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alex J. Plajer, Charlotte K. Williams
Summary: Heteronuclear complexes exhibit high catalytic activity in ring opening copolymerizations. By studying a series of trinuclear complexes, it was found that certain catalysts show high activity for specific reactions, such as CHO/CO2 ROCOP and CHO/ PA copolymerization, allowing for controlled polyether block formation. These findings can guide future catalyst design and inspire other CO2 utilization processes.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bo Li, Huan-Yan Xu, Yu-Long Liu, Yue Liu, Yan Xu, Si-Qun Zhang
Summary: This study synthesized four different morphologies of Co3O4 polycrystals and used them to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of ofloxacin (OFX). The results showed that lamella-like Co3O4/PMS system could completely remove 30 mg/L OFX within 30 minutes under ordinary conditions. The degradation mechanism of OFX was elucidated by high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yubing Li, Mengheng Wang, Suhan Liu, Fangwei Wu, Qinghong Zhang, Shuhong Zhang, Kang Cheng, Ye Wang
Summary: In this study, the influence of distance between metal and acid sites on the effectiveness of reactions in a methanol-mediated syngas conversion system was evaluated. The distance requirements depend on the diffusivity of reaction intermediates and the formation mechanism of products. In the syngas to aromatics reaction, the intimate contact of metal and acid sites is necessary to eliminate surface hydrogen species.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Karoline Kvande, Moses Mawanga, Sebastian Prodinger, Bjorn Gading Solemsli, Jia Yang, Unni Olsbye, Pablo Beato, Edd Anders Blekkan, Stian Svelle
Summary: By studying the stepwise mechanism of Cu-zeolites for direct methane activation to methanol (MTM), it is possible to achieve high selectivity in methanol production. This study investigates the acidity and nature of Cu-sites in MCM-22, an untested material for MTM, using adsorption/desorption experiments with n-propylamine, NH3, and CH4. The Cu-exchanged zeolites show moderate performance in MTM (approximately 0.10 mol(MeOH)/mol(Cu)), and the results obtained from MCM-22 are used to search for structure-activity relationships by comparing with other zeolite frameworks. CO-adsorption FT-IR spectroscopy experiments reveal the presence of multiple distinct Cu-sites in MCM-22, one of which is likely associated with inactive Cu species. NH3 adsorption/desorption experiments indicate that the number and strength of Bronsted acid sites before Cu exchange are limited, resulting in a low concentration of C-H-activating Cu-oxo species.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shenyou Nie, Yuan Yao, Fangrui Wu, Xiaowei Wu, Jidong Zhao, Yuanda Hua, Jingyu Wu, Tong Huo, Yi-Lun Lin, Alexander R. Kneubehl, Megan B. Vogt, Josephine Ferreon, Rebecca Rico-Hesse, Yongcheng Song
Summary: A novel series of compounds are found to be potent allosteric inhibitors of Zika virus protease, with inhibitory activities against homologous proteases of dengue and West Nile viruses as well. The most potent compounds showed strong inhibition of Zika virus replication in cells and in a mouse model, representing potential leads for drug development against Flavivirus infections.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mario Chiesa, Elio Giamello
Summary: This perspective paper illustrates the potential of EPR techniques in describing critical features of surface structures and reactivity in the fields of surface chemistry and heterogeneous catalysis. Selected examples covering morphological analysis of surfaces to detailed descriptions of chemical bonding and catalytic sites topology are employed. Lastly, the pros and cons related to acquiring EPR instrumentations in an advanced laboratory of surface chemistry and heterogeneous catalysis are briefly considered.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lucie Desmurs, Claudia Cammarano, Gaetan Ramona, Robin Gaumard, Tzonka Mineva, Alexander Sachse, Jean-Dominique Comparot, Thomas Cacciaguerra, Didier Cot, Olinda Gimello, Anne Galarneau, Vasile Hulea
Summary: This study prepared mesoporous ZSM-5 catalysts using a 2-step micelle-templating procedure and varying the NaOH/Si synthesis ratio. The catalysts obtained showed different textural and acidic properties, with reduced acidity but higher mesopore volume. By testing two reactions, the best compromise was found for micro-/mesoporous ZSM-5 catalysts prepared with the ratio 0.38, which showed good accessibility for bulky molecules and specificity for Bronsted acid sites.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tingxuan Yang, Zhihong Ma, Saifang Huang, Ting Zhang, Kai Zhao, Li Yin, Qinfen Gu, Peng Cao
Summary: The phosphor reported in this study exhibits ultra-narrow emission band, high quantum efficiency, and excellent thermal stability, making it suitable for high-power lighting and backlight display applications.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wanlin Wang, Yong Gang, Jian Peng, Zhe Hu, Zichao Yan, Weihong Lai, Yanfang Zhu, Dominique Appadoo, Mao Ye, Yuliang Cao, Qin-Fen Gu, Hua-Kun Liu, Shi-Xue Dou, Shu-Lei Chou
Summary: Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) are promising cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries due to their low cost, comparable energy density and long cycle life. However, the crystal water in PBAs can have significant side effects on battery performance. Researchers have developed a heat-treatment method to remove water from PBAs, improving their high temperature storage performance.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tingxuan Yang, Ting Zhang, Saifang Huang, Timothy D. Christopher, Qinfen Gu, Yanwei Sui, Peng Cao
Summary: In this study, a high-performance blue-emitting phosphor was designed and synthesized using a defect engineering approach, which improved the quantum efficiency and thermal stability of the phosphor. The results revealed the influence of composition defects on the phosphor performance and proposed a model for enhancing thermal stability.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Richard G. Haverkamp, Kia S. Wallwork, Mark R. Waterland, Qinfen Gu, Justin A. Kimpton
Summary: This study investigates a direct route from ilmenite to TiO2 by using aqueous HCI. The structure of the seed and the polymorph of TiO2 hydrate can be controlled by seed preparation and different additives. This process has the potential to be used for the commercial scale production of TiO2 pigment.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Han Wenna, Chen Xuefeng, Jia Minglei, Ren Fengzhu, Peng Chengxiao, Yang Haigang, Gu Qinfen, Wang Bing, Yin Huabing
Summary: By constructing a two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructure of g-C6N6/InP, a direct Z-scheme with a polarized material is successfully designed. Due to the synergistic effects of intrinsic electric field and a direct Z-scheme heterostructure, both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) can take place simultaneously on the g-C6N6 and InP monolayers. The predicted solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of this heterostructure can reach 21.69%, breaking the conventional theoretical limit.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaobo Zhu, Tobias U. Schulli, Xiaowei Yang, Tongen Lin, Yuxiang Hu, Ningyan Cheng, Hiroki Fujii, Kiyoshi Ozawa, Bruce Cowie, Qinfen Gu, Si Zhou, Zhenxiang Cheng, Yi Du, Lianzhou Wang
Summary: Transition metal dissolution in cathode materials limits the cycle life of Li-ion batteries. This study demonstrates the use of an atomic-thin protecting layer on the surface of a high-voltage cathode material, enabling long-term cycling of Li-ion batteries.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Chao Yang, Shanshan Shang, Qinfen Gu, Jin Shang, Xiao-yan Li
Summary: In this research, functional carbon nanotubes with multi-active sites were synthesized as an electrocatalyst for sustainable metal-air batteries, exhibiting superb bifunctional performance. The unique structure of the electrocatalyst was characterized using high-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The rechargeable zinc-air battery based on the electrocatalyst showed superior performance in terms of open-circuit voltage, power density, and cycling stability.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lei Fang, Gaozhang Gou, Jin Shang, Mingxian Liu, Qinfen Gu, Liangchun Li
Summary: Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) can form versatile metal-N single-atom coordination sites as promising catalytic centers. A five-step strategy involving spin states has been established for hierarchical high-throughput screening of M/CTFs (M = Transition metal) as excellent catalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). Among the potential candidates, Cr/CTF shows excellent performance for nitrogen fixation with strong inhibition of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and good thermodynamic stability, narrow band gap, moderate adsorption energy, large activation energy, and theoretical Faradaic efficiency of 100%.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuanmeng Tian, Ming Kong, Zeyu Tao, Chen Yang, Shanshan Shang, Qinfen Gu, Daniel C. W. Tsang, Liangchun Li, Jin Shang
Summary: A microporous covalent triazine framework (CTF) was developed as an effective adsorbent for NO2 capture, achieving high cyclable capacity and moderate adsorption affinity. The pristine CTF exhibited a high NO2 adsorption capacity, which was further enhanced by surface nitrogen conversion. This work not only provides promising adsorbents for mitigating NO2 pollution, but also a strategy for developing robust adsorbents for corrosive and toxic gases.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Anita M. D'Angelo, Helen E. A. Brand, Valerie D. Mitchell, Jessica L. Hamilton, Daniel Oldfield, Amelia C. Y. Liu, Qinfen Gu
Summary: This study examines the capabilities and limitations of total scattering experiments on the Powder Diffraction (PD) beamline at the Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO. The results show the effects of Qmax, absorption, and counting time on the pair distribution function (PDF) and how different parameters affect the refined structural parameters. Considerations for conducting total scattering experiments at the PD beamline are discussed, including sample stability, dilution for highly absorbing samples, and resolution limits for correlation length differences. A case study comparing the PDF with EXAFS-derived distances also demonstrates good agreement between the two techniques. This research provides guidance for researchers considering total scattering experiments at the PD beamline or similar setups.
JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jun Lu, Gengping Jiang, Huacheng Zhang, Binbin Qian, Haijin Zhu, Qinfen Gu, Yuan Yan, Jefferson Zhe Liu, Benny D. Freeman, Lei Jiang, Huanting Wang
Summary: An artificial sodium channel with unprecedented Na+/K+ selectivity and Na+/Li+ selectivity was developed by confining 4'-aminobenzo-15-crown-5 ethers (15C5s) into a metal-organic framework subnanochannel (MOFSNC). This study proposed a co-ion-responsive single-file transport mechanism for the preferential transport of Na+ over K+ in the 15C-MOFSNC. The findings offer an alternative strategy for developing single-ion selective channels and membranes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guangrui Chen, Ji Han, Zijian Niu, Peihong She, Lin Li, Buyuan Guan, Jihong Yu
Summary: Researchers have developed a method to selectively assemble mesoporous polymer/carbon on zeolite nanocrystals, creating exotic hierarchical nanostructures with diverse surface geometries. The resulting heterostructures exhibit anisotropic surface wettability and amphiphilic properties upon carbonization. These structures show superior catalytic performance in shape-selective hydrogenation reactions, yielding nearly 100% yield of amine products. The study provides a pathway for the rational construction of hierarchically porous heterostructures with specific physical and chemical characteristics for diverse applications.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kaifei Chen, Zhi Yu, Seyed Hesam Mousavi, Ranjeet Singh, Qinfen Gu, Randall Q. Snurr, Paul A. Webley, Gang Kevin Li
Summary: Research has found that gas adsorption capacity and selectivity in zeolite molecular sieves can be regulated by an external electric field-induced cation relocation and framework expansion, leading to improved gas separation performance.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hao Pang, Guoju Yang, Lin Li, Jihong Yu
Summary: The ligand-chelating impregnation method was used to prepare highly dispersed Ni nanoclusters on a two-dimensional ITQ-2 zeolite, which showed outstanding activity and stability for the deoxygenation reactions of bioderived lipids. The high dispersion and immobilization of Ni nanoclusters on the 2D zeolite, as well as the protection of Ni2+ cations by the organic ligand, contributed to the excellent performance of the Ni/ITQ-2-co catalyst.
NPG ASIA MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Manjin Kim, Xin Fu Tan, Qinfen Gu, Stuart D. McDonald, Yahia Ali, Syo Matsumura, Kazuhiro Nogita
Summary: In this study, the hydrogen sorption behavior of Mg-5%La alloy after the first absorption was investigated using in-situ synchrotron Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) and in-situ High Voltage Transmission Electron Microscopy (HVTEM). Two distinct phase evolutions were identified during the desorption process: continuous transformation of LaH3 into LaH2+1/2 H2 starting from 250 degrees C, and decomposition of MgH2 into Mg+H2 between 440 and 460 degrees C. It was determined that the alloy is cyclable in the subsequent absorption/desorption cycling after the first hydrogen absorption, without the involvement of Mg12La intermetallic.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
