Article
Chemistry, Applied
I. Lopez-Hernandez, V. Truttmann, N. Barrabes, G. Rupprechter, F. Rey, J. Mengual, A. E. Palomares
Summary: Catalysts based on gold nanoclusters supported by different materials have shown excellent selectivity in the semi-hydrogenation of phenylacetylene to styrene. The interaction between the gold nanoclusters and the support material plays a crucial role in determining the activity and selectivity. Basic support materials enhance both the activity and selectivity.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Adam Prekob, Gabor Muranszky, Milan Szori, Gabor Karacs, Ferenc Kristaly, Tibor Ferenczi, Bela Fiser, Bela Viskolcz, Laszlo Vanyorek
Summary: Carbon black-supported palladium-platinum catalysts were prepared with and without nickel(II) oxide or iron(III) oxide promoter materials using ultrasonic cavitation technology. The one-step catalyst preparation method without the need for post-treatments showed excellent catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene, with no significant differences in selectivity and aniline yield observed even when promoters were present.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yanxia Zheng, Lixi Yang, Yao Chen, Yubo Yang, Cuncun Zuo, Jiutao An, Qian Wang, Haofei Huang, Yuchao Li, Ming Wang
Summary: ZnO nanorods with hexagonal pores were synthesized using ionic liquids (ILs). Au nanoparticles were supported on the ZnO nanorods and used as catalysts for the oxidative esterification reaction. The catalyst prepared using C(10)mimCl showed the highest activity and followed the Mars-van Krevelen reaction mechanism. The strong interaction between Au and ZnO-C10, as well as the presence of extensive vacancy defects, enhanced the catalytic performance. Compared to commercial ZnO, the Au/ZnO-IL catalysts exhibited good recycling stability.
CATALYSIS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stefano Scurti, Eleonora Monti, Elena Rodriguez-Aguado, Daniele Caretti, Juan Antonio Cecilia, Nikolaos Dimitratos
Summary: This study investigated the effects of PVA stabilizers and AuNPs/AC on catalytic activity, exploring the synthesis of polymers with different molecular weights and hydrolysis degrees and analyzing characterization techniques. The relationship between catalytic performance and hydrolysis degree was determined through a volcano plot, with the optimal catalytic activity observed at 60%. Furthermore, the study examined the impact of polymer amount on catalytic properties.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ahmed K. AlAsseel, S. David Jackson
Summary: An investigation was conducted to study the feasibility of using 5% nickel/alumina catalysts synthesized with different methods and metal precursors for the hydrogenation of tetralin. The study found that there was a significant difference in selectivity and deactivation patterns among these catalysts, with the isomer ratio of the product being governed by kinetics.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bon Seung Goo, Kyungrok Ham, Yeji Han, Seunghoon Lee, Hayoon Jung, Yongmin Kwon, Youngmin Kim, Jong Wook Hong, Sang Woo Han
Summary: This study developed a novel approach to investigate the intrinsic catalytic reactivity of edge and terrace atoms in nanocrystal catalysts. By comparing the catalytic behaviors of edge-covered Pd NCs with those of pristine Pd NCs, researchers successfully decoupled the activity of edge and {110}-plane atoms.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bon Seung Goo, Kyungrok Ham, Yeji Han, Seunghoon Lee, Hayoon Jung, Yongmin Kwon, Youngmin Kim, Jong Wook Hong, Sang Woo Han
Summary: This study successfully decouples the activity of the edge and {110}-plane atoms of Pd NCs by comparing the catalytic behaviors of edge-covered Pd NCs with pristine Pd NCs, providing a new method for more precise examination of the surface properties of various NC catalysts.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marlene Fuhrer, Tomas van Haasterecht, Johannes Hendrik Bitter
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of carbon supported Mo and W carbides to replace Pt in the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde. Although the carbide catalysts are less active than Pt, both the carbides and Pt exhibit selectivity towards C=C hydrogenation, with the carbides also producing beta-methylstyrene.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hanumanth Reddy Pemmana, Ramu Reddi, Ramagopal V. S. Uppaluri, Nageswara Rao Peela
Summary: In this study, activated carbon-supported Pt-V bimetallic catalysts were synthesized and evaluated for selective glycerol oxidation to lactic acid. The bimetallic catalysts showed better activity and stability, which is significant for sustainable energy production.
REACTION CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sergio Gonzalez-Granda, Ivan Lavandera, Vicente Gotor-Fernandez
Summary: The combination of gold(I) and enzyme catalysis in a two-step approach was used to synthesize optically pure beta,beta-disubstituted allylic alcohols. The cascade reaction involves a gold N-heterocyclic carbene and an enzyme in aqueous medium under mild conditions, leading to good yields of optically active compounds. This method was extended to various derivatives and the use of alcohol dehydrogenases with opposite selectivity allowed for the production of enantiomers of allyl alcohol.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sebastiano Campisi, Marta Stucchi, Nikolaos Dimitratos, Alberto Villa
Summary: This account highlights Laura Prati's significant contributions to the field of inorganic chemistry, particularly in the area of liquid-phase heterogeneous catalysis. Her innovative approaches to catalyst synthesis, particularly in the colloidal synthesis of metal nanoparticles, have greatly influenced the design of materials. Additionally, her investigations into oxidation and valorization processes have expanded knowledge in biomass conversion.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sebastiano Campisi, Marta Stucchi, Nikolaos Dimitratos, Alberto Villa
Summary: This article celebrates Laura Prati's long and successful scientific career, highlighting her major accomplishments in inorganic chemistry since she began her work as a researcher. She made significant contributions in the field of catalyst synthesis, particularly in the development of innovative strategies for preparing catalysts and the colloidal synthesis of metal nanoparticles, mainly gold. Her investigations in colloids for catalysis had a profound impact on catalyst synthesis and optimization. Throughout her career, she also focused on liquid-phase oxidation reactions, biomass valorization processes, and hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis reactions. Her discoveries have greatly influenced researchers in the fields of heterogeneous catalysis and material design.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shanshan Shao, Weicheng Wang, Xinyu Yang, Zian Ye, Jiayuan Sun, Xiaohua Li
Summary: A new method for upgrading biomass fast pyrolysis oil using CuO catalysts and methanol as the hydrogen donor was proposed. The carbonyl compounds in the biooil were hydrogenated to synthesize alcohols using a hydrotalcite-like Cu2Al catalyst, achieving a maximum yield of 73.81%. Cu2Al showed excellent performance in bio-oil catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) and can be applied on a large scale with stable alcohol production during repeated use.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anhua Dong, Abolfazl Shakouri, Starvros Karakalos, Doug Blom, Christopher T. Williams, John R. Regalbuto
Summary: Supported, dilute Pd-in-Au alloyed nanoparticles were synthesized via simultaneous strong electrostatic adsorption, exhibiting enhanced reactivity. The ultrasmall nanoparticles with homogeneous alloying were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, CO chemisorption, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. Quantitative analysis of CO adsorption showed the disappearance of contiguous Pd surface ensembles with increasing dilution. Catalysts consisting of exclusively isolated Pd sites achieved significantly higher turnover frequencies than pure Pd or Au catalysts.
CATALYSIS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Florian Zand, Suzanne J. T. Hangx, Christopher J. Spiers, Peter J. van den Brink, James Burns, Matthew G. Boebinger, Jonathan D. Poplawsky, Matteo Monai, Bert M. Weckhuysen
Summary: Understanding and controlling the structure and composition of nanoparticles in supported metal catalysts are crucial for improving chemical processes. Atom probe tomography (APT) is a powerful tool for three-dimensional chemical imaging of materials with nanometer resolution. However, APT has not been used for mesoporous oxide-supported metal catalysts due to sample fracture. In this study, we developed a high-pressure resin impregnation strategy to overcome this issue and successfully applied APT to high-porous supported Pd-Ni catalyst materials active in CO2 hydrogenation. Our results demonstrate the capability of APT to quantitatively assess the size, composition, and metal distribution of nanoparticles in industrial catalysts.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Andrea Basagni, Veronica Torresan, Pasquina Marzola, Marcela B. Fernandez van Raap, Luca Nodari, Vincenzo Amendola
Summary: Metastable alloy nanoparticles with complex ultrastructure and dynamic evolution have potential applications in various fields such as photocatalysis and nanomedicine. In this study, metastable Au-Fe alloy nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by laser ablation in liquid, and their properties were characterized using different techniques.
FARADAY DISCUSSIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Francesca Lorandi, Keti Vezzu, Angeloclaudio Nale, Gioele Pagot, Yannick H. Bang, Enrico Negro, Vito Di Noto
Summary: This report presents the interplay between synthesis parameters, physicochemical properties, and electrochemical performance of core-shell low-Pt electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. The study focuses on the impact of pyrolysis temperature, support core composition, and an electrochemical dealloying-activation step on the morphology and stability of active sites. The results show that the presence of graphene and carbon in the support improves the dispersion of active sites, leading to vastly improved mass activity and durability.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alessandro Ponti, Claudia Triolo, Beatrix Petrovicova, Anna M. Ferretti, Gioele Pagot, Wenlei Xu, Vito Di Noto, Nicola Pinna, Saveria Santangelo
Summary: High-entropy oxide nanofibers with interconnected strain-free single crystals and a porous structure were prepared through electrospinning and calcination. The cation distributions and oxidation states were analyzed, and it was found that replacing magnetic cations with non-magnetic ones resulted in a lower critical temperature and the appearance of a reentrant spin-glass-like state.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Michele Cassetta, Beatrice Giannetta, Francesco Enrichi, Claudio Zaccone, Gino Mariotto, Marco Giarola, Luca Nodari, Marco Zanatta, Nicola Daldosso
Summary: This study examines the effects of alkali vs iron ratio on the properties of synthetic basaltic glasses using Raman spectroscopy and calorimetry. The results show that changes in this ratio alter the glass transition interval and the structure of the glass. The study also reveals that increasing the alkali vs iron content results in a harder elastic medium without changing its nature.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gioele Pagot, Vito Di Noto, Keti Vezzu, Bernardo Barbiellini, Valerio Toso, Alberto Caruso, Meiying Zheng, Xin Li, Rafael Ferragut
Summary: Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a promising power source for various applications. The cathode, with low electrical conductivity and Li-ion diffusivity, is a major bottleneck in LIBs. The carbon coating layer plays a crucial role in enhancing electrical conductivity and protecting the active material. Positron annihilation and broadband electrical spectroscopies are important tools for investigating the electronic effect of the carbon phase on cathode performance and Li-ion dynamics.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Iwona A. Rutkowska, Anna Kesik, Claudia Janiszewska, Magdalena Skunik-Nuckowska, Krzysztof Miecznikowski, Lidia Adamczyk, Keti Vezzu, Enrico Negro, Vito Di Noto, Yongsheng Fu, Pawel J. Kulesza
Summary: Concentrated solutions of Keggin-type silicotungstic acid and its single crystals and colloidal suspensions were tested using microelectrode methodology to determine charge propagation and electron transfer rates. Silicotungstic acid facilitates proton conductivity and forms highly conducting mixed-valence compounds. Electroanalytical approaches using microdisk electrodes were used to characterize redox transitions and determine kinetic parameters. Knowledge of these parameters is important for evaluating the utility of redox electrolytes for charge storage.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gioele Pagot, Joy A. Kieser, Federico Brombin, Keti Vezzu, Juergen Janek, Vito Di Noto
Summary: This report presents the development of a new family of multivalent metal-based ionic liquid electrolytes, which shows promise for the development of high performing secondary batteries.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Rosa Costantini, Luca Nodari, Jacopo La Nasa, Francesca Modugno, Lucia Bonasera, Sara Rago, Alfonso Zoleo, Stefano Legnaioli, Patrizia Tomasin
Summary: This study investigates the instability of polyurethane foam used in artworks, which requires careful conservation strategies. Various analytical techniques were used to characterize the main components and additives of the foam. Morphological changes and harmful environmental factors were also studied. The findings provide important insights for preventive conservation of these artworks.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Serge Benedoue, Mattia Benedet, Alberto Gasparotto, Nicolas Gauquelin, Andrey Orekhov, Johan Verbeeck, Roberta Seraglia, Gioele Pagot, Gian Andrea Rizzi, Vincenzo Balzano, Luca Gavioli, Vito Di Noto, Davide Barreca, Chiara Maccato
Summary: This study reports on the synthesis of gCN flakes on Ni foam substrates by electrophoretic deposition and their decoration with Co-based cocatalysts. The developed systems were tested as (photo)anodes for water splitting and photoelectrocatalysts for the degradation of a recalcitrant water pollutant. Results showed that gCN decoration with Co-based cocatalysts enhanced water splitting performances, but bare gCN was more efficient in degrading the pollutant due to a different reaction mechanism. The insights from this study may provide guidelines for active nanomaterials in environmental remediation and solar-to-chemical energy conversion.
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Xin Li, Bernardo Barbiellini, Vito Di Noto, Gioele Pagot, Meiying Zheng, Rafael Ferragut
Summary: Positron annihilation spectroscopy is a powerful tool for investigating interfaces in materials relevant for energy storage, such as Li-ion batteries. The key to interpreting the results lies in the positron implantation profile, which is a spatial function related to the characteristics of the battery materials. We provide models for the positron implantation profile in the cathode of a Li-ion battery coin cell, allowing for reliable visualization of multilayer geometries and interfaces in thin cathodes of lithium-ion batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Claudia Triolo, Kaveh Moulaee, Alessandro Ponti, Gioele Pagot, Vito Di Noto, Nicola Pinna, Giovanni Neri, Saveria Santangelo
Summary: Defect-engineering is a viable strategy to improve the activity of nanocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this study, high-entropy spinel oxide nanofibers with different compositions were prepared and evaluated as electrocatalysts for OER. The results showed that the morphology, crystallinity, inversion degree, cation distribution, and oxygen-vacancy concentration of the fibers have complex effects on the electrochemical properties.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Claudia Triolo, Mariam Maisuradze, Min Li, Yanchen Liu, Alessandro Ponti, Gioele Pagot, Vito Di Noto, Giuliana Aquilanti, Nicola Pinna, Marco Giorgetti, Saveria Santangelo
Summary: High-entropy oxides with vacant lattice sites have great potential as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. In this study, electrospun oxygen-deficient (Mn,Fe,Co,Ni,Zn) HEO nanofibers were produced and evaluated as anode active material. The lithium insertion, cation migration, and metal-forming conversion process were investigated, revealing that the reduction of cations to the metallic form is not complete. Partially reversible crystal phase transitions were also observed.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Mattia Benedet, Davide Barreca, Ettore Fois, Roberta Seraglia, Gloria Tabacchi, Marco Roverso, Gioele Pagot, Cristiano Invernizzi, Alberto Gasparotto, Alexandra A. Heidecker, Alexander Poehig, Emanuela Callone, Sandra Dire, Sara Bogialli, Vito Di Noto, Chiara Maccato
Summary: The coordination sphere engineering of three heteroleptic Ni(ii) beta-diketonate-diamine adducts was studied, and it was found that the chemico-physical characteristics of the compounds directly depend on the functional groups in the diketonate ligands. Preliminary thermal CVD experiments demonstrated the suitability of the precursors for the obtainment of NiO films with flat and homogeneous surfaces.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Claudia Triolo, Simon Schweidler, Ling Lin, Gioele Pagot, Vito Di Noto, Ben Breitung, Saveria Santangelo
Summary: This study focuses on the preparation of electrospun spinel-type high-entropy oxide (HEO) nanofibers and nanoparticles, and evaluates their electrocatalytic performance in alkaline medium. It is found that (Cr0.2Mn0.2Fe0.2Co0.2Ni0.2)(3)O-4 nanofibers and nanoparticles show better catalytic activity and have the potential to be used as ink-jet printable electrocatalysts.
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Gioele Pagot, Mattia Benedet, Chiara Maccato, Davide Barreca, Vito Di Noto
Summary: Nickel oxide (NiO) thin films are important for clean energy production and pollutant degradation. In this study, NiO thin films were prepared using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, and their chemicophysical properties were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
SURFACE SCIENCE SPECTRA
(2023)
