Mechanistic Aspects of a Highly Active Dinuclear Zinc Catalyst for the Co‐polymerization of Epoxides and CO2

The dinuclear zinc complex reported by us is to date the most active zinc catalyst for the co‐polymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and carbon dioxide. However, co‐polymerization experiments with propylene oxide (PO) and CO₂ revealed surprisingly low conversions. Within this work, we focused on clarification of this behavior through experimental results and quantum chemical studies. The combination of both results indicated the formation of an energetically highly stable intermediate in the presence of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide. A similar species in the case of cyclohexene oxide/CO₂ co‐polymerization was not stable enough to deactivate the catalyst due to steric repulsion.     

The phase behavior of fluorinated diols,divinyl adipate and a fluorinated polyester in supercritical carbon dioxide

The use of supercritical carbon dioxide as a reaction medium for polyester synthesis is hindered by the low solubility of diols in CO₂. However, it has been previously demonstrated that fluorinated compounds can exhibit greater miscibility with carbon dioxide than their hydrocarbon analogs. Therefore, the phase behavior of fluorinated diols and divinyl adipate (DVA), an activated diester, in supercritical carbon dioxide has been investigated at 323 K. The phase behavior of equimolar mixtures of DVA with the most carbon dioxide-soluble diol, 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-octafluorooctan-1,8-diol (OFOD), was also determined. The solubility of a polyester synthesized from DVA and 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1,4-butanediol (TFBD) was found to be less CO₂-soluble than its monomers. DVA was much more soluble in CO₂ than any of the fluorinated diols, therefore, no attempt was made to fluorinate the DVA structure. Because both substrates and polyester product were soluble in carbon dioxide, the enzymatic synthesis of a fluorinated polyester from DVA and octafluorooctandiol was performed in supercritical carbon dioxide, resulting in a polymer with a weight average molecular weight of 8232 Da.     

Remarkable carbon dioxide catalytic capture (CDCC) leading to solid-form carbon material via a new CVD integrated process (CVD-IP): An alternative route for CO2 sequestration

Through our newly-developed “chemical vapor deposition integrated process (CVD-IP)” using carbon dioxide (CO₂) as the raw material and only carbon source introduced, CO₂ could be catalytically activated and converted to a new solid-form product, i.e., carbon nanotubes (CO₂-derived) at a quite high yield (the single-pass carbon yield in the solid-form carbon-product produced from CO₂ catalytic capture and conversion was more than 30% at a single-pass carbon-base). For comparison, when only pure carbon dioxide was introduced using the conventional CVD method without integrated process, no solid-form carbon-material product could be formed. In the addition of saturated steam at room temperature in the feed for CVD, there were much more end-opening carbon nano-tubes produced, at a slightly higher carbon yield. These inspiring works opened a remarkable and alternative new approach for carbon dioxide catalytic capture to solid-form product, comparing with that of CO₂ sequestration (CCS) or CO₂ mineralization (solidification), etc. As a result, there was much less body volume and almost no greenhouse effect for this solid-form carbon-material than those of primitive carbon dioxide.     

Production of succinic acid by anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens

The effect of an external supply of carbon dioxide and pH on the production of succinic acid byAnaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens was studied. In a rich medium containing yeast extract and peptone, when the external carbon dioxide supply was provided by a 1.5M Na₂CO₃ solution that also was used to maintain the pH at 6.0, no additional carbon dioxide supply was needed. In fact, sparging CO₂ gas into the fermenter at 0.025 L/L-min or higher rates resulted in significant decreases in both production rate and yield of succinate. Under the same conditions, the production of the main by-product acetate was not affected by sparging CO₂ gas into the fermenter. The optimum pH (pH 6.0) for the production of succinic acid was found to be in agreement with results previously reported in the literature. Succinic acid production also was studied in an industrial-type inexpensive medium in which light steep water was the only source of organic nutrients. At pH 6.0 and with a CO₂ gas sparge rate of 0.08 L/L-min, succinate concentration reached a maximum of 32 g/L in 27 h with a yield of 0.99 g succinate/g glucose consumed.     

Reversible isopentane-induced depression of carbon dioxide permeation through polycarbonate

Permeability data are reported for carbon dioxide in Lexan polycarbonate at 35°C. Measurements were made for both pure carbon dioxide and for a mixed feed consisting of carbon dioxide with a 117.8-torr (0.155-atm) Partial pressure of isopentane. The effects of varying upstream CO₂ driving pressure from 1 up to 20 atm were studied. The permeability to CO₂ is reduced significantly in the presence of isopentane; however, the fractional depression of the CO₂ permeability due to the isopentane at low driving pressures is much more significant than at high CO₂ driving pressures. The well-known pressure dependence of carbon dioxide permeabilities in glassy polymers, therefore, is largely diminished by introducing isopentane to the pure carbon dioxide feed. These observations are consistent with a model for transport in glassy polymers which explains the observed trends in terms of competition between the two penetrants for microvoid sorption sites existing in the non-equilibrium glassy polymer. Exclusion of carbon dioxide from microvoid sorption sites by the more condensable isopentane preempts transport through the microvoid regions, resulting in the observed depression of the CO₂ permeability.     

Pulsed TEA CO2 Laser Irradiation of Titanium in Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide Gases

Surface changes created by interaction of transversely excited atmospheric carbon dioxide (TEA CO₂) laser with titanium target/implant in nitrogen and carbon dioxide gas were studied. TEA CO₂ laser operated at 10.6 μm, pulse length of 100 ns and fluence of ∼17 J/cm² which was sufficient for inducing surface modifications. Induced changes depend on the gas used. In both gases the grain structure was produced (central irradiated zone) but its forms were diverse, (N₂: irregular shape; CO₂: hill-like forms). Hydrodynamic features at peripheral zone, like resolidified droplets, were recorded only in CO₂ gas. Elemental analysis of the titanium target surface indicated that under a nitrogen atmosphere surface nitridation occurred. In addition, irradiation in both gases was followed by appearance of plasma in front of the target. The existence of plasma indicates relatively high temperatures created above the target surface offering a sterilizing effect.

     

On‐Chip Tailorability of Capacitive Gas Sensors Integrated with Metal–Organic Framework Films

Gas sensing technologies for smart cities require miniaturization, cost‐effectiveness, low power consumption, and outstanding sensitivity and selectivity. On‐chip, tailorable capacitive sensors integrated with metal–organic framework (MOF) films are presented, in which abundant coordinatively unsaturated metal sites are available for gas detection. The in situ growth of homogeneous Mg‐MOF‐74 films is realized with an appropriate metal‐to‐ligand ratio. The resultant sensors exhibit selective detection for benzene vapor and carbon dioxide (CO₂) at room temperature. Postsynthetic modification of Mg‐MOF‐74 films with ethylenediamine decreases sensitivity toward benzene but increases selectivity to CO₂. The reduced porosity and blocked open metal sites caused by amine coordination account for a deterioration in the sensing performance for benzene (by ca. 60 %). The enhanced sensitivity for CO₂ (by ca. 25 %) stems from a tailored amine–CO₂ interaction. This study demonstrates the feasibility of tuning gas sensing properties by adjusting MOF–analyte interactions, thereby offering new perspectives for the development of MOF‐based sensors.     

Selective and Efficient Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Carbon Monoxide on Oxide‐Derived Nanostructured Silver Electrocatalysts

In this work, the selective electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide on oxide‐derived silver electrocatalysts is presented. By a simple synthesis technique, the overall high faradaic efficiency for CO production on the oxide‐derived Ag was shifted by more than 400 mV towards a lower overpotential compared to that of untreated Ag. Notably, the Ag resulting from Ag oxide is capable of electrochemically reducing CO₂ to CO with approximately 80 % catalytic selectivity at a moderate overpotential of 0.49 V, which is much higher than that (ca. 4 %) of untreated Ag under identical conditions. Electrokinetic studies show that the improved catalytic activity is ascribed to the enhanced stabilization of COOH^. intermediate. Furthermore, highly nanostructured Ag is likely able to create a high local pH near the catalyst surface, which may also facilitate the catalytic activity for the reduction of CO₂ with suppressed H₂ evolution.     

The bed-depth effect in the thermal decomposition of carbonates

The effect of sample mass, heating rate and partial pressure of carbon dioxide on TG, DTG and DTA curves for the decomposition of some common carbonates has been investigated. These variables gave a marked effect, similar in magnitude for both DTG and DTA. The effect of sample mass, or depth of undiluted sample, is shown to be due to an increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide within the reacting powder. This effect is most pronounced in nitrogen but is much reduced in carbon dioxide. Inert diluents have little effect on the curves since they do not increase the partial pressure of CO₂. The first stage of the decomposition of dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂) varies with increasing partial pressure of carbon dioxide in an anomalous manner and hence the effects of these procedural variables (except heating rate) are not similar to those observed for magnesite (MgCO₃) and calcite (CaCO₃). The second stage is, however, strongly dependent on these variables and behaves in a manner that would be predicted for a sample of calcite diluted with magnesite.     

Metal‐Free Fluorine‐Doped Carbon Electrocatalyst for CO2 Reduction Outcompeting Hydrogen Evolution

The electrochemical CO₂ reduction (ECDRR), as a key reaction in artificial photosynthesis to implement renewable energy conversion/storage, has been inhibited by the low efficiency and high costs of the electrocatalysts. Herein, we synthesize a fluorine‐doped carbon (FC) catalyst by pyrolyzing commercial BP 2000 with a fluorine source, enabling a highly selective CO₂‐to‐CO conversion with a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 90 % at a low overpotential of 510 mV and a small Tafel slope of 81 mV dec^?1, outcompeting current metal‐free catalysts. Moreover, the higher partial current density of CO and lower partial current density of H₂ on FC relative to pristine carbon suggest an enhanced inherent activity towards ECDRR as well as a suppressed hydrogen evolution by fluorine doping. Fluorine doping activates the neighbor carbon atoms and facilitates the stabilization of the key intermediate COOH* on the fluorine‐doped carbon material, which are also blocked for competing hydrogen evolution, resulting in superior CO₂‐to‐CO conversion.     

Molecular dynamic simulations of carbon nanotubes in CO2 atmosphere

This work investigates by means of molecular dynamics the filling of carbon nanotubes by carbon dioxide molecules. Nanotubes of various sizes are simulated and the resulting CO₂ density calculated. The effects of various CO₂ models are also investigated. The results show that the carbon dioxide molecules have a natural tendency to fill the nanotubes and the final CO₂ concentration inside the nanotube can be approximately 100 times (depending on diameter and CO₂ model) higher than that of the external atmosphere.     

Aktivierung von CO2 an Übergangsmetallzentren: Zum Ablauf der CO2-Reduktion an Nickel(0)-Fragmenten

Activation of CO₂ at Transition Metal Centres: The Route of the CO₂ Reduction at Nikel(0) Moieties A competing reaction in the catalytic cyclooligomerization of hex-3-yne and CO₂ at the (TMED)Ni(0)-fragment (TMED = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylendiamine) is the formation of carbon monoxide and (TMED)Ni(CO₃). So it is possible to explain the generation of II (TMED)Ni(diethylmalicacidanhydride) and III (a nickel trimer with two (TMED)Ni(CO₃) units). Both complexes are characterized by X-ray analysis. The reduction of CO₂ to CO most likely proceeds via an intermediate in which two molecules of carbon dioxide are coupled head-to-tail to form a metallacycle. An ab initio scf geometry optimization supports the existence of such an intermediate.     

Partially Oxidized Palladium Nanodots for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction

Here we report a partially oxidized palladium nanodot (Pd/PdO_x) catalyst with a diameter of around 4.5 nm. In aqueous CO₂‐saturated 0.5 m KHCO₃, the catalyst displays a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 90 % at −0.55 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) for carbon monoxide (CO) production, and the activity can be retained for at least 24 h. The improved catalytic activity can be attributed to the strong adsorption of CO₂^.− intermediate on the Pd/PdO_x electrode, wherein the presence of Pd²⁺ during the electroreduction reaction of CO₂ may play an important role in accelerating the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR). This study explores the catalytic mechanism of a partially oxidized nanostructured Pd electrocatalyst and provides new opportunities for improving the CO₂RR performance of metal systems.     

Elucidation of the Roles of Ionic Liquid in CO2 Electrochemical Reduction to Value-Added Chemicals and Fuels

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂ER) is amongst one the most promising technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions since carbon dioxide (CO₂) can be converted to value-added products. Moreover, the possibility of using a renewable source of energy makes this process environmentally compelling. CO₂ER in ionic liquids (ILs) has recently attracted attention due to its unique properties in reducing overpotential and raising faradaic efficiency. The current literature on CO₂ER mainly reports on the effect of structures, physical and chemical interactions, acidity, and the electrode–electrolyte interface region on the reaction mechanism. However, in this work, new insights are presented for the CO₂ER reaction mechanism that are based on the molecular interactions of the ILs and their physicochemical properties. This new insight will open possibilities for the utilization of new types of ionic liquids. Additionally, the roles of anions, cations, and the electrodes in the CO₂ER reactions are also reviewed.     

Intermetallic CuAu nanoalloy for stable electrochemical CO2 reduction

Copper is one of the most efficient catalysts widely investigated in electrochemical CO₂ reduction, however, the further development of copper-based catalysts is constrained by severe stability problems. In this work, we developed a method for the synthesis of highly ordered CuAu intermetallic nanoalloys (o-CuAu) under mild conditions (< 250 °C), which can convert carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide with high selectivity and can operate stably for 160 h without current decay. The improved stability is believed to be due to the increased mixing enthalpy and stronger atomic interactions between Cu and Au atoms in the intermetallic nanoalloy. In addition, XPS results, Tafel slope and in situ IR spectroscopy demonstrate that high valence gold atoms on o-CuAu surface promote the reduction of CO₂. In contrast, the disordered CuAu nanoalloy (d-CuAu) underwent atomic rearrangement to form a Cu-rich structure on the surface, leading to reduced stability. These findings may provide insight into the rational design of stable CO₂RR electrocatalysts through proper structural engineering.     

Rotating ring-disk voltammetry: Diagnosis of catalytic activity of metallic copper catalysts toward CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> electroreduction

Using the rotating ring (platinum)—disk (glassy carbon) electrode methodology, electrocatalytic activity of the microstructured copper centers (imbedded within the polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer matrix and deposited onto the glassy carbon disk electrode) has been monitored during electroreduction of carbon dioxide both in acid (HClO₄) and neutral (KHCO₃) media as well as diagnosed (at Pt ring) with respect to formation of the electroactive products. Combination of the stripping-type and rotating ring-disk voltammetric approaches has led to the observation that, regardless the overlapping reduction phenomena, the reduction of carbon dioxide at copper catalyst is, indeed, operative and coexists with hydrogen evolution reaction. Using the fundamental concepts of surface electrochemistry and analytical voltammetry, the reaction products (thrown onto the platinum ring electrode) could be considered and identified as adsorbates (on Pt) under conditions of the stripping-type oxidation experiment. Judging from the potentials at which the stripping voltammetric peaks appear in neutral CO₂-saturated KHCO₃ (pH 6.8), formic acid or carbon monoxide seem to be the most likely reaction products or intermediates. The proposed methodology also permits correlation between the CO₂ electroreduction products and the potentials applied to the disk electrode. By performing the comparative stripping-type voltammetric experiments in acid medium (HClO₄ at pH 1) with the adsorbates of formic acid, ethanol and acetaldehyde (on Pt ring), it can be rationalized that, although C₂H₅OH or CH₃CHO are very likely CO₂-reduction electroactive products, formation of some HCOOH, CH₃OH or even CO cannot be excluded.     

Carbon Dioxide Capture and Use: Organic Synthesis Using Carbon Dioxide from Exhaust Gas

A carbon capture and use (CCU) strategy was applied to organic synthesis. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) captured directly from exhaust gas was used for organic transformations as efficiently as hyper‐pure CO₂ gas from a commercial source, even for highly air‐ and moisture‐sensitive reactions. The CO₂ capturing aqueous ethanolamine solution could be recycled continuously without any diminished reaction efficiency.     

The Effect of Functional Groups on the Phase Behavior of Carbon Dioxide Binaries and Their Role in CCS

In recent years we have focused our efforts on investigating various binary mixtures containing carbon dioxide to find the best candidate for CO₂ capture and, therefore, for applications in the field of CCS and CCUS technologies. Continuing this project, the present study investigates the phase behavior of three binary systems containing carbon dioxide and different oxygenated compounds. Two thermodynamic models are examined for their ability to predict the phase behavior of these systems. The selected models are the well-known Peng–Robinson (PR) equation of state and the General Equation of State (GEOS), which is a generalization for all cubic equations of state with two, three, and four parameters, coupled with classical van der Waals mixing rules (two-parameter conventional mixing rule, 2PCMR). The carbon dioxide + ethyl acetate, carbon dioxide + 1,4-dioxane, and carbon dioxide + 1,2-dimethoxyethane binary systems were analyzed based on GEOS and PR equation of state models. The modeling approach is entirely predictive. Previously, it was proved that this approach was successful for members of the same homologous series. Unique sets of binary interaction parameters for each equation of state, determined for the carbon dioxide + 2-butanol binary model system, based on k₁₂–l₁₂ method, were used to examine the three systems. It was shown that the models predict that CO₂ solubility in the three substances increases globally in the order 1,4-dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, and ethyl acetate. CO₂ solubility in 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1.4-dioxane, and ethyl acetate reduces with increasing temperature for the same pressure, and increases with lowering temperature for the same pressure, indicating a physical dissolving process of CO₂ in all three substances. However, CO₂ solubility for the carbon dioxide + ether systems (1,4-dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane) is better at low temperatures and pressures, and decreases with increasing pressures, leading to higher critical points for the mixtures. By contrast, the solubility of ethyl acetate in carbon dioxide is less dependent on temperatures and pressures, and the mixture has lower pressures critical points. In other words, the ethers offer better solubilization at low pressures; however, the ester has better overall miscibility in terms of lower critical pressures. Among the binary systems investigated, the 1,2-dimethoxyethane is the best solvent for CO₂ absorption.     

Polymer-silica nanocomposite membranes for CO2 capturing

Reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) is an area of great interest in current international efforts geared toward lowering emissions and combating global warming. In this work, amino-silica composite membranes were prepared and used to capture carbon dioxide. The surface of silica particles was chemically modified with amine to efficiently capture carbon dioxide. The phase separation technique was used to prepare the membranes from a composite containing polyvinylidene-fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP), amino-silica particles, acetone and water. SEM images revealed that the membranes composed of multilayers of porous polymer uniformly impregnated with silica particles. Both XRD and FTIR results have validated the perfect integration of silica particles within the polymeric network. The mechanical properties of the membrane are improved by the presence of silica particles as proved by the high tensile strength value (1.5 N/cm²) obtained for the PVDF-HFP/SiO₂ membrane compared to 0.9 N/cm² obtained for bare PVDF-HFP membrane. Also, we succeeded in recording SEM images to show that the plastic deformation of the film is associated with the formation of macro-holes. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time for such results to be monitored with SEM to observe the macroscopic evolution of the structure. Additionally, the surface area was significantly increased from 3.8 m²/g for bare PVDF-HFP membrane to 116.4 m²/g for PVDF-HFP impregnated with silica particles. Moreover, the CO₂ separation efficiency depends on both surface area and the quantity of amino-SiO₂ added to the membrane. The addition of amino-silica particles leads to a significant uptake of carbon dioxide compared to non-modified polymer membrane. The results obtained indicated that combing the phase separation with amino silica particles provided a cost-effective route to scaling up the synthesis of membranes that were mechanically stable and highly efficient at CO₂ capture.     

Preparation and characterization of implantable sensors with nitric oxide release coatings

The widespread use of miniaturized chemical sensors to monitor clinically important analytes such as PO₂, PCO₂, pH, electrolytes, glucose and lactate in a continuous, real-time manner has been seriously hindered by the erratic analytical results often obtained when such devices are implanted in vivo. One major factor that has influenced the analytical performance of indwelling sensors is the biological response they elicit when in contact with blood or tissue (e.g. thrombus formation on the device surface, inflammatory response, encapsulation, etc.). Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of platelet adhesion and activation as well as a promoter of wound healing in tissue. Herein, we review recent work aimed at the development of hydrophobic NO-releasing polymers that can be employed to coat catheter-type amperometric oxygen sensors without interfering with the analytical performance of these devices. Such modified sensors are shown to exhibit greatly enhanced hemocompatibility and improved analytical performance when implanted within porcine carotid and femoral arteries for up to 16 h. Further, results from preliminary studies also demonstrate that prototype fluorescent oxygen sensors, catheter-style potentiometric carbon dioxide sensors and subcutaneous needle-type enzyme-based amperometric glucose sensors can also be fabricated with new NO-release outer coatings without compromising the analytical response characteristics of these devices. The NO-release strategy may provide a solution to the lingering biocompatibility problems encountered when miniature chemical sensors are implanted in vivo.