A Reusable CNT-Supported Single-Atom Iron Catalyst for the Highly Efficient Synthesis of C−N Bonds

C−N bond formation is regarded as a very useful and fundamental reaction for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing molecules in both organic and pharmaceutical chemistry. Noble-metal and homogeneous catalysts have frequently been used for C−N bond formation, however, these catalysts have a number of disadvantages, such as high cost, toxicity, and low atom economy. In this work, a low-toxic and cheap iron complex (iron ethylene-1,2-diamine) has been loaded onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to prepare a heterogeneous single-atom catalyst (SAC) named Fe-N_x/CNTs. We employed this SAC in the synthesis of C−N bonds for the first time. It was found that Fe-N_x/CNTs is an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of C−N bonds starting from aromatic amines and ketones. Its catalytic performance was excellent, giving yields of up to 96 %, six-fold higher than the yields obtained with noble-metal catalysts, such as AuCl₃/CNTs and RhCl₃/CNTs. The catalyst showed efficacy in the reactions of thirteen aromatic amine substrates, without the need for additives, and seventeen enaminones were obtained. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy in combination with X-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed that the iron species were well dispersed in the Fe-N_x/CNTs catalyst as single atoms and that Fe-N_x might be the catalytic active species. This Fe-N_x/CNTs catalyst has potential industrial applications as it could be cycled seven times without any significant loss of activity.     

Ambient Electrosynthesis of Urea with Nitrate and Carbon Dioxide over Iron-Based Dual-Sites

The development of efficient electrocatalysts to generate key *NH₂ and *CO intermediates is crucial for ambient urea electrosynthesis with nitrate (NO₃⁻) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Here we report a liquid-phase laser irradiation method to fabricate symbiotic graphitic carbon encapsulated amorphous iron and iron oxide nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes (Fe(a)@C-Fe₃O₄/CNTs). Fe(a)@C-Fe₃O₄/CNTs exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity toward urea synthesis using NO₃⁻ and CO₂, affording a urea yield of 1341.3±112.6 μg h⁻¹ mg_cat⁻¹ and a faradic efficiency of 16.5±6.1 % at ambient conditions. Both experimental and theoretical results indicate that the formed Fe(a)@C and Fe₃O₄ on CNTs provide dual active sites for the adsorption and activation of NO₃⁻ and CO₂, thus generating key *NH₂ and *CO intermediates with lower energy barriers for urea formation. This work would be helpful for design and development of high-efficiency dual-site electrocatalysts for ambient urea synthesis.     

Fabricating Dual-Atom Iron Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction: A Heteroatom Modulator Approach

Understanding the thermal aggregation behavior of metal atoms is important for the synthesis of supported metal clusters. Here, derived from a metal–organic framework encapsulating a trinuclear Fe^III₂Fe^II complex (denoted as Fe₃) within the channels, a well-defined nitrogen-doped carbon layer is fabricated as an ideal support for stabilizing the generated iron nanoclusters. Atomic replacement of Fe^II by other metal(II) ions (e.g., Zn^II/Co^II) via synthesizing isostructural trinuclear-complex precursors (Fe₂Zn/Fe₂Co), namely the “heteroatom modulator approach”, is inhibiting the aggregation of Fe atoms toward nanoclusters with formation of a stable iron dimer in an optimal metal–nitrogen moiety, clearly identified by direct transmission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. The supported iron dimer, serving as cooperative metal–metal site, acts as efficient oxygen evolution catalyst. Our findings offer an atomic insight to guide the future design of ultrasmall metal clusters bearing outstanding catalytic capabilities.     

Fabricating Dual‐Atom Iron Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction: A Heteroatom Modulator Approach

Understanding the thermal aggregation behavior of metal atoms is important for the synthesis of supported metal clusters. Here, derived from a metal–organic framework encapsulating a trinuclear Fe^III₂Fe^II complex (denoted as Fe₃) within the channels, a well‐defined nitrogen‐doped carbon layer is fabricated as an ideal support for stabilizing the generated iron nanoclusters. Atomic replacement of Fe^II by other metal(II) ions (e.g., Zn^II/Co^II) via synthesizing isostructural trinuclear‐complex precursors (Fe₂Zn/Fe₂Co), namely the “heteroatom modulator approach”, is inhibiting the aggregation of Fe atoms toward nanoclusters with formation of a stable iron dimer in an optimal metal–nitrogen moiety, clearly identified by direct transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis. The supported iron dimer, serving as cooperative metal–metal site, acts as efficient oxygen evolution catalyst. Our findings offer an atomic insight to guide the future design of ultrasmall metal clusters bearing outstanding catalytic capabilities.     

Mechanism of formation of the complex oxide Gd<Subscript>2</Subscript>SrFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

The mechanism of formation of the perovskite-like layered structure of the oxide Gd₂SrFe₂O₇ was studied. The limiting stages are those of formation of phases with perovskite (GdFeO₃, SrFeO_3?x ) and K₂NiF₄ (GdSrFeO₄) structures. The Mössbauer study has shown that iron atoms exist in a heterovalent state (Fe³⁺ and Fe⁴⁺) only in the structure of SrFeO_3?x ).     

Electrocatalytic Synthesis of Ammonia at Room Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure from Water and Nitrogen on a Carbon‐Nanotube‐Based Electrocatalyst

Ammonia is synthesized directly from water and N₂ at room temperature and atmospheric pressure in a flow electrochemical cell operating in gas phase (half‐cell for the NH₃ synthesis). Iron supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was used as the electrocatalyst in this half‐cell. A rate of ammonia formation of 2.2×10⁻³ g m⁻² h⁻¹ was obtained at room temperature and atmospheric pressure in a flow of N₂, with stable behavior for at least 60 h of reaction, under an applied potential of −2.0 V. This value is higher than the rate of ammonia formation obtained using noble metals (Ru/C) under comparable reaction conditions. Furthermore, hydrogen gas with a total Faraday efficiency as high as 95.1 % was obtained. Data also indicate that the active sites in NH₃ electrocatalytic synthesis may be associated to specific carbon sites formed at the interface between iron particles and CNT and able to activate N₂, making it more reactive towards hydrogenation.     

Syntheses and Structures of μ-Oxo-Bis[dichloroiron(III)]-Bis-[2,6-Diacetylpyridinedioximate(-1)]Iron(II) and Related Compounds

The syntheses and structures of four new compounds are described. Two of these compounds are the anhydrous and dihydrate chloride salts of the diamagnetic bis(2,6-diacetylpyridinedioxime)iron(II) cation, [Fe(DAPDH₂)₂]²⁺. In this complex cation the DAPDH₂ ligand binds to the iron, as expected, through its three nitrogen atoms leaving the four oxime oxygen atoms protonated and uncoordinated. The third compound is (AsPh₄)₂[Fe₂OCl₆], a new salt of the well-known oxo-bridged diiron complex, [Fe₂OCl₆]^2?. The synthesis of (AsPh₄)₂[Fe₂OCl₆] is a high yield, straightforward, one-step preparation starting with AsPh₄Cl and ferrous chloride in methanol. In this synthesis Fe(II) is oxidized to Fe(III) by atmospheric O₂. The fourth new compound is the novel and unexpected triiron complex [Fe(DAPDH)₂Fe₂OCl₄]. This complex is derived from [Fe(DAPDH₂)₂)]²⁺ and [Fe₂OCl₆]^2? by removing the H⁺ from each of two adjacent oxime oxygen atoms of the former and one Cl^? from each of the Fe(III) ions of the latter. The resulting neutral fragments, Fe(DAPDH)₂ and Fe₂OCl₄, are joined via bonds linking the two oxime oxygen atoms to the two Fe(III) ions giving rise to an unusual eight membered chelate ring containing three iron ions, two nitrogen atoms and three oxygen atoms, one of which is the bridge between the two Fe(III) ions.     

Small‐Sized Tungsten Nitride Particles Strongly Anchored on Carbon Nanotubes and their Use as Supports for Pt for Methanol Electro‐oxidation

The anchoring of small‐sized WN (tungsten nitride) nanoparticles (NPs) with good dispersion on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offers an effective means of obtaining promising materials for use in electrocatalysis. Herein, an effective method based on grinding treatment followed by a nitridation process is proposed to realize this goal. In the synthesis, a solution containing H₄[SiO₄(W₃O₉)₄] (SiW₁₂) and CNTs modified with polyethylenimine (PEI‐CNTs) was ground to dryness. Small‐sized WN NPs were anchored onto the CNTs with good dispersion after calcination under NH₃. Under hydrothermal assembly conditions (absence of grinding), WN particles of larger size and with inferior dispersion were obtained, demonstrating the important role of the grinding process. The benefit of the small‐sized WN has been demonstrated by using WN/CNTs as a support for Pt to catalyze the methanol electro‐oxidation reaction. The mass activity of Pt‐WN/CNTs‐G‐70 (where G denotes the grinding treatment, and 70 is the loading amount (%) of WN in the WN/CNTs) was evaluated as about 817 mA mg^?1_Pt, better that those of commercial Pt/C (340 mA mg^?1_Pt) and Pt/CNTs (162 mA mg^?1_Pt). The Pt‐WN/CNTs‐G also displayed good CO tolerance. In contrast, Pt‐WN/CNTs prepared without the grinding process displayed an activity of 344 mA mg^?1_Pt, verifying the key role of grinding treatment in the preparation of WN/CNTs with good co‐catalytic effect.     

CNTs表面改性与TiO2-CNTs异质结光催化性能

碳纳米管(CNTs)混酸(H₂SO₄/HNO₃, 体积比为3:1)超声辅助纯化及氧化植入活性基团－COOH, 进一步借助其转化为酰氯基团, 分别于CNTs 表面共价嫁接亲水性赖氨酸及亲脂性正十八胺基团, 赋予赖氨酸表面改性CNTs 显著水溶(6.85 mg·mL-1)和十八胺表面改性CNTs 显著醇溶(10.15 mg·mL^-1)性能. 运用低温水热法以亲水性CNTs 复合TiO₂, 溶胶-凝胶法以亲脂性CNTs 复合TiO₂, 观察到复合催化剂光催化性能随CNTs 溶剂分散性能增加而明显提升. 运用傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)、激光拉曼、X射线衍射(XRD)、Brunauer-Emmett-Teller 低温氮气吸附、透射电镜(TEM)及X光电子能谱(XPS)等手段表征, 系统探讨CNTs 的表面改性机制及CNTs 溶解分散性能与复合催化剂的光活性的关联. 认为表面改性CNTs 借助Ti－O－C键合促进其与纳米TiO₂的异质结合, 从而充分利用CNTs的大比表面积及电荷传输性能促进催化剂的污染物光催化降解.     

Pt/CNTs催化剂的制备及其催化臭氧化活性研究

以碳纳米管(CNTs)为催化剂载体, 以H₂PtCl₆•6H₂O为贵金属活性组分前驱物, 采用等体积浸渍法制备了Pt/CNTs催化剂. 以草酸为目标污染物, 考察了所制备催化剂的催化活性, 并采用SEM, XRD和XPS等分析方法对催化剂进行表征. 对活性组分Pt的负载量、氢还原温度和热处理方式进行了研究, 确定了适宜的制备条件为Pt负载量1.0%、氢还原温度350 ℃. 研究表明, 在本实验条件下, 单独臭氧氧化、碳纳米管载体催化臭氧化和Pt/CNTs催化臭氧化分别能去除溶液中3.0%, 72.9%和97.9%的草酸. Pt的负载明显地提高碳纳米管催化臭氧化的效果. XRD分析显示催化剂的活性组分Pt以单质Pt⁰的形式存在; 与氢还原过程相比, 在空气气氛中焙烧制备的Pt/CNTs催化剂表面Pt的结晶度过高, 而且XPS结果表明此催化剂表面的Pt有化学吸附氧存在, 导致催化活性降低.     

Sol–gel synthesis of iron yttrium garnet Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> using metal acetylacetonates

The synthesis of hydrolytically active heteroligand complexes of the composition [M(O₂C₅H₇)x(ⁱOC₅H₁₁)_y] (M = Fe³⁺ and Y³⁺) using iron and yttrium acetylacetonates was studied. Their reactivity was shown to be dependent on the degree of shielding of iron and yttrium cations in hydrolysis and polycondensation during the formation of a connected dispersion system. The crystallization temperature of iron yttrium garnet Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ upon heating xerogel was determined. It was found that the dispersity, microstructure, and magnetic characteristics of the products depend on the synthesis conditions.     

X-ray photoelectron spectra of heterometallic 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>-metal carboxylate complexes

The electronic structure and magnetic states in the heterometallic hexanuclear complex Mn₄^IIFe₂^III (μ₄-O)₂(Piv)₁₀ · MeCN₄ have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The substitution of two Mn atoms for two Fe atoms in the hexanuclear complex was found to have an effect on the patterns of iron and manganese X-ray photoelectron spectra. XPS data are evidence of the high-spin paramagnetic state of Mn^II and Fe^III atoms, as well as of the ligand-metal charge transfer upon complex formation. In the heteroatomic complex, the degree of bond covalence increased for both the manganese and iron atoms. The results obtained are in good agreement with X-ray diffraction data.     

Investigation of composition and chemical state of elements in iron boride by the method of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The composition and chemical state of iron and boron in the surface layer of iron boride under different kinds of pretreatment of samples have been investigated by the method of X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy. It has been found that in the initial sample there is oxygen chemically combined with iron and boron atoms. Upon heating (450°C) in hydrogen, in argon, and in vacuo there occurs removal of oxygen only from iron atoms (no pure iron was found to be formed). Boron oxidizes and there probably appears a new surface combination of boron with oxygen in which the bonding energy of 1s electrons is higher than that in B₂O₃. Treatment of the iron boride surface with argon ions and with protons ensures uniform removal of oxygen from iron and boron atoms. It has been found that thermal treatment of iron boride leads to depletion of iron atoms from the sample surface layer, and pickling with argon ions and with protons leads to strong enrichment. Iron boride samples subjected to Ar⁺ and H⁺ bombardment tend to undergo significant oxidation when subsequently exposed to air at room temperature.     

Photoinduced reaction of sulfur with cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl dimer and crystal structure of bis(cyclopentadienyliron)monocarbonyl tetrasulfide

The photolysis of (π⁵-C₅H₄RFe(CO)₂)₂ with R = H or CH₃, in the presence of elemental sulfur, produces a mixture of organometallic tetrasulfides containing four sulfur and two iron atoms. The structure of one of such compounds has been determined by X-ray diffraction. It contains a core of four sulfur atoms between two irons. One iron is symmetrically linked to four sulfur atoms and to the cyclopentadienyl ring; the other iron is linked to only two sulfur atoms, one carbonyl, and a cyclopentadienyl group.     

The preparation of ionic liquid based iron phosphate/CNTs composite via microwave radiation for hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction

Water electrolysis is a promising method for hydrogen production, so the preparation of low-cost and efficient electrocatalysts with a quick and simple procedure is crucial. Herein, iron phosphate (Fe₇(PO₄)₆) was prepared via microwave radiation using ionic liquid (IL) as iron and phosphorus dual-source. This method is simple and rapid, and the product can be directly used as electrocatalysts without further treatment. The experimental results show that the IL can influence the morphology and electrocatalytic performance. Moreover, the addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is favorable for formation of iron phosphate nanoparticles to improve the catalytic activities. As hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst, this iron phosphate/CNTs exhibits an onset overpotential of 120 mV, Tafel slope of 32.9 mV dec^-1, and current densities of 10 mA cm⁻² at overpotential of 185 mV. Then, it obtains a good activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with a low onset potential of 1.48 V, Tafel slope of 73.3 mV dec^-1, and it only needs an overpotential of 300 mV to drive the 10 mA cm⁻². This bifunctional catalyst also shows good durability for HER and OER. This microwave-assisted method provides an outstanding strategy to prepare iron phosphate in a simple and fast process with good catalytic performance for water splitting.     

Silver modified magnetic carbon nanotubes composite as a selective solid phase extractor for preconcentration and determination of trace mercury ions in water solution

A magnetic composite of silver/iron oxides/carbon nanotubes (Ag/Fe₃O₄/CNTs) was synthesized and used as an adsorbent for the preconcentration of mercury ions in water solutions at room temperature (25°C) in this study. The silver nanoparticles were supported on the magnetic CNTs. The modification enabled the composite had not only a high adsorption capacity for mercury ions (Hg²⁺) but also the magnetic isolation properties. A fast, sensitive, and simple method was successfully developed for the preconcentration and determination of trace amount of Hg²⁺ in water using the synthesized nanocomposite as adsorbent. The mercury concentration was determined by an atomic fluorescence spectrometer (AFS). The experimental conditions such as pH value, extraction temperature, extraction time, sample volume, eluent composition and concentration, sorbent amount, and coexisting ions were investigated for the optimization. A 500 mL of sample volume resulted in a preconcentration factor of 125. When a 200 mL of sample was employed, the limit of detection for Hg²⁺ was as low as 0.03 ng mL^?1with relative standard deviation of 4.4% at 0.1 ng mL^?1 (n = 7). The ease of synthesis and separation, the good adsorption capacity, and the satisfactory recovery will possibly make the composite an attractive adsorbent for the preconcentration of ultratrace Hg²⁺ in waters.     

Microstructure control of MnO2/CNT hybrids under in-situ hydrothermal conditions

In this work, single-crystalline MnO₂ nanoparticles were directly grown on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) homogeneously under in-situ hydrothermal conditions, during which the CNTs were well dispersed in aqueous solution with the aid of dodecyl benzene sulphonic acid sodium (SDBS). This stable suspension ensures the continuous deposition of the MnO₂ nanocrystals. It was found that the MnO₂/CNTs nanocomposites formed in the presence of CNTs, but the MnO₂ nanowires formed without CNTs under the same hydrothermal conditions. Moreover, the as-synthesized MnO₂/CNTs sample showed a high specific capacity and cycling stability, which was ascribed to its highly-homogeneous hybrid nanostructure. This homogeneous MnO₂/CNTs nanocomposite is shown to be able to take full advantages of both the high capacity of MnO₂ and the high electron conductivity of CNTs by integrating them homogeneously. This homogeneous hybrid nanostructure is a promising electrode material for energy storage/conversion devices with excellent performances.     

Generation of Iron Atoms in the Gas Phase by Microwave‐Induced Plasma Afterglows

A fast‐flow reactor technique is described by which Fe atoms can be produced in the gas phase in the afterglow of microwave‐induced plasmas in hydrogen/argon and hydrogen/helium mixtures. When the iron salt FeCl₃(s) was brought into the gas phase by thermal sublimation at temperatures between 360 and 405 K, it was partly converted to Fe atoms by reaction of the gaseous compounds Fe_xCl_3x(g) with hydrogen atoms. The Fe atoms were detected by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). It was shown that sublimation of the salt is the rate‐determining step of the overall plasma‐afterglow atomisation process. Experimental conditions for the generation of Fe atoms suited to kinetic studies start at a temperature of 303 K. In the downstream region the concentration of Fe atoms decays due to diffusion to the reactor wall. Binary diffusion coefficients D_Fe/Ar and D_Fe/He of 231.5±6.6 and 370.0±15.5 cm² s^?1 Torr at 303 K, respectively, were determined.     

Enhancing dielectric and mechanical behaviors of hybrid polymer nanocomposites based on polystyrene,polyaniline and carbon nanotubes coated with polyaniline

The dielectric and mechanical properties of hybrid polymer nanocomposites of polystyrene/polyaniline/carbon nanotubes coated with polyaniline(PCNTs) have been investigated using impedance analyzer and extensometer. The blends of PS/PANI formed the heterogeneous phase separated morphology in which PCNTs are dispersed uniformly. The incorporation of a small amount of PCNTs into the blend of PS/PANI has remarkably increased the dielectric properties. Similarly, the AC conductivity of PS/PANI is also increased five orders of magnitude from 1.6 × 10~(-10) to 2.0 × 10~(-5) S·cm~(-1) in the hybrid nanocomposites. Such behavior of hybrid nanocomposites is owing to the interfacial polarization occurring due to the presence of multicomponent domains with varying conductivity character of the phases from insulative PS to poor conductor PANI to highly conductive CNTs. Meanwhile, the tensile modulus and tensile strength are also enhanced significantly up to 55% and 160%, respectively, without much loss of ductility for three phase hybrid nanocomposites as compared to the neat PS. Thereby, the hybrid nanocomposites of PS/PANI/_P CNTs become stiffer, stronger and tougher as compared to the neat systems.     

Synthesis,Structure and Magnetic Property of an “Adamantane” Type Tetranuclear Iron(III) Complex

A new tetranuclear complex [Fe₄ L ₂(μ‐O)₂(μ‐>OH)₂](ClO₄)₄·H₂O ( 1 ), (H L = N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis‐[(2‐pyridyl)methyl]‐2‐hydroxypropane‐1,3‐diamine) has been synthesized and its crystal structure and magnetic properties are shown. X‐ray crystallography reveals that complex 1 contains a quadruply‐charged, tetranuclear iron(III) cation and four perchlorate anions. In 1 , the Fe₄O₆ core is composed of a tetrahedron of iron atoms bridged by six oxygen atoms (two oxo, two hydroxo, and two alkoxo groups from L ). This results in an adamantane‐type geometry with the iron atoms occupying the bridgehead positions. Susceptibility data of 1 indicate strong intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling of high‐spin Fe^III atoms.