Advanced materials for environmental catalysts

Recent advances in the synthesis and characterization of materials for environmental catalysts are reported in this paper. Highly advanced environmental catalysts for decomposition of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides were artificially designed based on a concept usually employed in the fields of solid‐state chemistry and solid‐state ionics. Catalytically active materials for complete ethylene oxidation were prepared by a citrate sol‐gel method as a key process to obtain CeO₂? ZrO₂? Bi₂O₃ solid solutions. On the other hand, direct NO decomposition catalysts were designed and prepared focusing on the open spaces and oxide anion vacancies in the crystal lattice. Evaluation of the materials as environmental catalysts demonstrated significant advantages over the conventional ones. The design strategy, synthetic method, and structural features of these concerto catalysts are addressed. © 2009 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 9: 40–50; 2009: Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ) DOI 10.1002/tcr.20167     

Catalytic Active Site for NO Decomposition Elucidated by Surface Science and Real Catalyst

Comprehensive studies combining surface science and real catalyst were performed to get further insight into catalytic active site and reaction mechanism for NO decomposition over supported palladium and cobalt oxide-based catalysts. On palladium single-crystal model catalysts, adsorption, dissociation and desorption behavior of NO was found to be closely related to the surface structures, the stepped surface palladium being active for dissociation of NO. In accordance with this result, the activity of powder Pd/Al₂O₃ catalysts for NO decomposition was directly related to the number of step sites exposed on the surface, suggesting that the step sites act as the catalytic active site for NO decomposition on Pd/Al₂O₃. NO decomposition over cobalt oxide was found to be significantly promoted by addition of alkali metals. Surface science study and catalyst characterization led to the same conclusion that the interface between the alkali metal and Co₃O₄ serves as the catalytic active site. From the results of in situ Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and isotopic transient kinetic analysis, a reaction mechanism was proposed in which the reaction is initiated by NO adsorption onto alkali metals to form NO₂⁻ species and then NO₂⁻ species react with the adsorbed NO species to form N₂ over the interface between the alkali metal and Co₃O₄.     

Deep Oxidation of Methane Over Manganese Oxide Modified by Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba Additives

Manganese oxide catalysts modified by Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba additives were studied for methane deep oxidation. The Ba promoted sample is the most effective one for this reaction among all the catalysts. The catalysts were examined by BET, XRD and H₂-TPR techniques. It is speculated that the formation of some more active oxygen species and the formation of basic sites from the addition of alkaline earth metal oxides are responsible for the improvement of the inherent CH₄ oxidation activity of the modified catalysts.     

Preferential Cation Vacancies in Perovskite Hydroxide for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an ideal model to study the relationship between the activity and the surface properties of catalysts. Defect engineering has been extensively developed to tune the electrocatalytic activity for OER. Compared to the anion vacancies in metal oxides, cation vacancies are more challenging to selectively generate, and the insight into the structure and activity of cation vacancies‐rich catalysts are lacked. Herein, using SnCoFe perovskite hydroxide as a precursor, abundant Sn vacancies on the surface were preferentially produced by Ar plasma. Sn vacancies could be preferentially produced as confirmed by the X‐ray absorption spectra, probably owing to the lower lattice energy and weaker chemical bonds of Sn(OH)₄. The Sn vacancies promoted the exposure of active CoFe sites, resulting in an amorphous surface layer, modulated the conductivity, and thus enhanced the OER performance.     

Heterogeneity of surface colour centres on alkaline earth metal oxides as revealed through EPR/ENDOR spectroscopy

A variety of surface anion vacancies, or point defects, are created by high‐temperature activation of a series of polycrystalline alkaline earth metal oxides (MgO, CaO and SrO). Subsequent UV irradiation of the activated oxide under a hydrogen atmosphere results in the generation of surface colour centres [F_S⁺(H)], by electron trapping at these anion vacancies. The paramagnetic properties of these colour centres were studied by EPR and ENDOR spectroscopy. ¹H ENDOR spectroscopy revealed that a well defined heterogeneity of trapped electron species exists on each oxide surface, as characterized by the different superhyperfine couplings between the trapped electron and the nearby proton of the F_S⁺ (H) centre. On MgO and CaO two dominant F_S⁺ (H) centres were identified (labelled sites I and II) whereas on SrO three F_S⁺ (H) species were found (sites I, II and III). The possible surface sites responsible for electron stabilization are discussed, and include a 3C corner mono‐vacancy, a 4C mono‐vacancy and an anion–cation di‐vacancy. The results indicate that regardless of the oxide used, a common degree of morphological similarities exists on each oxide. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diesel soot combustion catalysts: review of active phases

The most relevant information about the different active phases that have been studied for the catalytic combustion of soot is reviewed and discussed in this article. Many catalysts have been reported to accelerate soot combustion, including formulations with noble metals, alkaline metals and alkaline earth metals, transition metals that can accomplish redox cycles (V, Mn, Co, Cu, Fe, etc.), and internal transition metals. Platinum catalysts are among those of most interest for practical applications, and an important feature of these catalysts is that sulphur-resistant platinum formulations have been prepared. Some metal oxide-based catalysts also appear to be promising candidates for soot combustion in practical applications, including ceria-based formulations and mixed oxides with perovskite and spinel structures. Some of these metal oxide catalysts produce highly reactive active oxygen species that promote efficient soot combustion. Thermal stability is an important requirement for a soot combustion catalyst, which precludes the practical utilisation of several potential catalysts such as most alkaline metal catalysts, molten salts, and metal chlorides. Some noble metal catalysts are also unstable due to the formation of volatile oxides (ruthenium, iridium, and osmium).     

Catalytic reduction of NO by CO over Pd — doped Perovskite-type catalysts

The perovskite type oxides (nominal formula LaTi_0.5Mg_0.5O₃) with addition of Pd were prepared by annealing the ethanol solution of precursors in nitrogen flow at 1200°C and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature programmed desorption of NO (NO-TPD). Their activity was evaluated for NO reduction by CO under stoichiometric and oxidizing conditions and for direct decomposition of NO. Pd substituted samples exhibited high NO reduction activity and selectivity towards N₂. Nearly complete elimination of NO was achieved at 200°C. Two simultaneous reactions, NO reduction by CO and direct decomposition of NO as well as two forms of NO adsorption were observed on the surface of Pd substituted perovskite samples. The distribution of Pd in different catalytically active sites or complexes on at the catalyst surface may be responsible for the proceeding of two reactions: NO reduction with CO and direct NO decomposition.      

碱土金属掺杂对钴基尖晶石复合金属氧化物催化分解N_2O性能的影响

采用共沉淀法制备碱土金属掺杂的钴基尖晶石型复合金属氧化物M_xCo_(3-x)O_4(M=Mg、Ca、Sr、Ba;x=0、0.1、0.3、0.5、0.7、0.9)催化剂,使用XRD、SEM、氮吸附、H_2-TPR、O_2-TPD-M S和XPS等技术对催化剂进行表征,并在固定床微型反应器中评价了M_xCo_(3-x)O_4催化剂催化分解N_2O的活性,研究了碱土金属掺杂对其催化性能的影响。结果表明,碱土金属掺杂后,M_(x )Co_(3-x)O_4催化剂颗粒粒径减小,比表面积增大,表面吸附氧和Co~(2+)数量增加,氧化还原性能增强;在反应气组成为0.68%N_2O,3%O_2,Ar为平衡气的条件下,碱土金属锶掺杂、掺杂量x为0.7时,Sr_(0.7)Co_(2.3)O_4的N_2O分解催化活性最高,N_2O转化率为10%和95%时所需的温度分别为312和451℃。     

Paramagnetic complexes of 9, 10-anthraquinone and 9-fluorenone on the metal oxide surface

Paramagnetic complexes of 9, 10-anthraquinone and 9-fluorenone adsorbed on the surface of calcium, magnesium, zinc, zirconium, and aluminum oxides and modified Al₂O₃ as well as on mixed oxides were studied by ESR and electron-nuclear double resonance. Radical anions that do not interact with Lewis acid sites are generated on the surfaces of oxides with electrondonating properties (CaO, MgO). Paramagnetic complexes of the anthraquinone or fluorenone radical anion with Lewis acid sites (coordinatively unsaturated metal cations) are formed in other cases. Several types of similar complexes can be formed. Mechanisms of interaction of the probe molecules with the metal oxide surface were proposed.     

Basicities of alumina-supported alkaline earth metal oxides

A series of alumina-supported alkaline earth metal oxide catalysts were prepared by incipient-wetness impregnation. These catalysts were characterized by nitrogen-sorption to determine their surface areas and pore size distributions. The basicities of these catalysts were characterized by temperature-programmed desorption of carbon dioxide. The TPD results demonstrate that all of the catalysts have one-peak profiles. The basicity increases with increasing atomic number of the alkaline earth metal. The alumina-supported alkaline earth oxides exhibit the same basic properties as bulk metal oxides. However, the presence of alumina can increase the mechanical strength of the catalyst, since the alkaline earth oxides have a weak mechanical strength. The basic properties of the catalysts are strongly influenced by the calcination temperature.     

Screening of MgO——and Ce02-Based Catalysts for Carbon Dioxide Oxidative Coupling of Methane to C2＋ Hydrocarbons

The catalyst screening tests for carbon dioxide oxidative coupling of methane (CO2-OCM)have been investigated over ternary and binary metal oxide catalysts.The catalysts are prepared by doping MgO-and CeO2-based solids with oxides from alkali(Li2O),alkaline earth (CaO),and transition metal groups (WO3 or MnO).The presence of the peroxide (O2^2-)active sites on the Li2O2,revealed by Raman spectroscopy,may be the key factor in the enhanced performance of some of the Li2O/MgO catalysts.The high reducibility of the CeO2 catalyst,an important factor in the CO2-OCM catalyst activity,may be enhanced by the presence of manganese oxide species. The manganese oxide species increases oxygen mobitity and oxygen vacancies in the CeO2 catalyst.raman and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FT-IR)spectroscopies revealed the presence of lattice vibrations of metal-oxygen bondings and active sites in which the peaks carresponding to the buld crystalline structures of Li2O,CaO,WO2 and MnO are detected.The performance of 5%MnO/15?O/CeO2 catalyst is the most potential among the CeO2-based catalysts,although lower than the 2%Li2O/MgO catalyst.The 2%Li2O/MgO catalyst showed the most promising C2 hydrocarbons selectivity and yield at 98.0%and 5.7%,respectively.     

Screening of MgO- and CeO_2-Based Catalysts for Carbon Dioxide Oxidative Coupling of Methane to C_(2+) Hydrocarbons

The catalyst screening tests for carbon dioxide oxidative coupling of methane (CO2-OCM) have been investigated over ternary and binary metal oxide catalysts. The catalysts are prepared by doping MgO- and CeO2-based solids with oxides from alkali (Li2O), alkaline earth (CaO), and transition metal groups (WO3 or MnO). The presence of the peroxide (O2-2) active sites on the Li2O2, revealed by Raman spectroscopy, may be the key factor in the enhanced performance of some of the Li2O/MgO catalysts. The high reducibility of the CeO2 catalyst, an important factor in the CO2-OCM catalyst activity, may     

Effect of Brønsted/Lewis Acid Ratio on Conversion of Sugars to 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural over Mesoporous Nb and Nb‐W Oxides

A series of mesoporous Nb and Nb‐W oxides were employed as highly active solid acid catalysts for the conversion of glucose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF ). The results of solid state ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy with adsorbed trimethylphosphine as probe molecule show that the addition of W in niobium oxide increases the number of Brønsted acid sites and decreases the number of Lewis acid sites. The catalytic performance for Nb‐W oxides varied with the ratio of Brønsted to Lewis acid sites and high glucose conversion was observed over Nb₅W₅ and Nb₇W₃ oxides with high ratios of Brønsted to Lewis acid sites. All Nb‐W oxides show a relatively high selectivity of HMF , whereas no HMF forms over sulfuric acid due to its pure Brønsted acidity. The results indicate fast isomerization of glucose to fructose over Lewis acid sites followed by dehydration of fructose to HMF over Brønsted acid sites. Moreover, comparing to the reaction occurred in aqueous media, the 2‐butanol/H₂O system enhances the HMF selectivity and stabilizes the activity of the catalysts which gives the highest HMF selectivity of 52% over Nb₇W₃ oxide. The 2‐butanol/H₂O catalytic system can also be employed in conversion of sucrose, achieving HMF selectivity of 46% over Nb₅W₅ oxide.     

A recent progress of room–temperature airborne ozone decomposition catalysts

Ozone (O₃) plays essential roles in stratosphere and helps reduce the amount of harmful ultraviolet arriving the Earth’s surface. However, O₃ is also a strong oxidant and causes troubles to human health in troposphere, especially in the confined space, such as indoor environment. Recently, O₃ abatement materials have become research hotspots due to the urgent environmental demands. Catalysis is a facile strategy that can eliminate indoor airborne O₃ efficiently and economically. Thus, this review summarizes the recent progresses of O₃ decomposition catalysts. The catalysts covered here are categorized as follows: zeolite, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), metal oxides, noble metals. Manganese–based catalysts display higher efficiency and are mainly discussed. Generally, the active sites of O₃ decomposition catalysts are described as Lewis acid sites (e.g., zeolite), metal sites (e.g., MOFs), oxygen vacancy sites (e.g., MnO₂) in the previous work. In this review, we ascribe all the active sites to unsaturated metal sites and their Lewis acidity. Possible evidence from the experimental and theoretical perspectives are proposed. Furthermore, the strategy to circumvent deactivation caused by peroxides (O₂^2–) accumulation and water molecular competition are also elaborated. Finally, perspective is presented on the challenges and opportunities of exploring existing and new O₃ decomposition catalysts.     

非晶Ce-Ti氧化物用于NH3选择性催化还原NO的原位红外研究

采用原位红外光谱研究了在具有短程有序Ce-O-Ti结构的非晶Ce-Ti氧化物上NH₃选择性催化还原（SCR） NO_x反应. 在反应条件下,催化剂表面主要被NH₃吸附物种覆盖,而检测不到NO_x吸附物种. 经测定,NO的反应级数为0.5-0.6,表明Langmuir-Hinshelwood机理和Eley-Rideal机理同时存在. 可能的机理是NH₃吸附物种和弱吸附的NO_x反应,生成NH_yNO₃ （y = 0-4）活性中间物种,并通过GAUSSIAN计算和原位红外结果证实了它们的存在. Ce-O-Ti结构中Ce与Ti之间表现出原子尺度的相互作用,所以在SCR反应的活性温度窗口下,催化剂的氧化还原活性提高.     

碱土金属氧化物改性ZrO2催化1,4-丁二醇选择性脱水合成3-丁烯-1-醇

采用浸渍法制备了碱土金属氧化物CaO,SrO或BaO改性的ZrO₂酸碱双功能催化剂,借助X射线衍射、低温N₂物理吸附、NH₃和CO₂程序升温脱附等手段表征了催化剂的结构、织构以及表面酸碱性质,并考察了其催化1,4-丁二醇选择性脱水合成3-丁烯-1-醇的反应性能.结果表明,碱土金属氧化物的引入显著调变了催化剂表面的酸性和碱性中心,进而对1,4-丁二醇转化率和3-丁烯-1-醇选择性产生重要影响.其中,CaO改性的ZrO₂样品中形成了大量的Ca-O-Zr结构,在ZrO₂表面形成大量碱性位点的同时,保持了较高的酸密度;而SrO和BaO改性的样品中生成了相应的锆酸盐,ZrO₂表面的酸密度呈现不同程度的下降.因此,CaO/ZrO₂催化剂表现出最优的催化活性和3-丁烯-1-醇选择性,350℃时,3-丁烯-1-醇收率最高,达60.5%.催化剂表面的酸碱协同作用是选择性合成3-丁烯-1-醇的关键因素.     

稀土氧化物上SO2和NO的催化还原(Ⅲ)──用CO作还原剂的同步脱硫和脱氮

考察了稀土系列氧化物作为CO同步还原SO₂和NO催化剂的活性.结果表明,氧化钐和氧化钕表现了最高的活性,在475℃,SO₂和NO的转化率同时超过95%.实验发现稀土氧硫化物是活性相.通常脱硫活性高的样品同样具有高的脱氮活性,但CeO₂表现了不同的行为,其脱硫活性虽低,但脱氮活性却较高.文中还对同步反应的机理作了探讨,发现COS不仅是还原SO₂的中间物,同时也是还原NO的中间物.结合活性相和反应机理对不同稀土氧化物的活性差异作了讨论.     

Direct Decomposition of Nitrogen(I) Oxide on Iron-Containing Zeolite,Zirconium Oxide,and Mixed Catalysts

As a result of testing a series of catalysts based on iron-containing zeolites of different structural types (Y, M, pentasil), zirconium dioxide, and a binary support (zeolite + ZrO₂) in the reaction of direct decomposition of nitrogen(I) oxide, we have shown that the most active zeolite-based catalysts are characterized by the presence of strong acid sites on the surface.     

Developments in Titanium-Based Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metal Oxide Catalysts for Sustainable Biodiesel Production: A Review

Biodiesel represents a biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and renewable alternative to fossil fuels. Despite more than three decades of research, significant obstacles still hinder the widespread production of biodiesel. This current review elucidates both the potential and the existing challenges associated with homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts in catalyzing biodiesel production, with a particular focus on alkali analogues, alkaline earth metal oxides, and titania-based catalysts. In particular, a comprehensive analysis is presented concerning alkali and alkaline earth-based titania (TiO₂) catalysts. Among these, the alkaline earth metal oxides, including lithium, calcium, and strontium when combined with titanium-based catalysts, exhibit superior catalytic activity compared to other metal oxides, owing to their heightened basicity. Consequently, this review offers a thorough and up-to-date insight into the potential of titania-based heterogeneous catalysts for advancing biodiesel production.     

Study of iron-containing carbon-supported catalysts for oxidative decomposition of hydrogen sulfide: The activity—structure relationship

Clusters of nonstoichiometric magnetite Fe₃O_4+δ and pyrrhotite Fe_1-xS were shown to be the active structures of iron-containing carbon-supported catalysts for oxidative decomposition of hydrogen sulfide. A model of the surface active centers is discussed in terms of the anion vacancies participating in the reaction. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1 pp. 86–90, January 1997