Physicochemical and Redox Characteristics of Fe Ion‐doped CeO2 Nanoparticles

We report the structural, thermal, optical, and redox properties of Fe‐doped cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles, obtained using the polyol‐co‐precipitation process. X‐ray diffraction data reveal the formation of single‐phase structurally isomorphous CeO₂. The presence of Fe³⁺ may act as electron acceptor and/or hole donor, facilitating longer lived charge carrier separation in Fe‐doped CeO₂ nanoparticles as confirmed by optical band gap energy. The increased content of localized defect states in the ceria gap and corresponding shift of the optical absorption edge towards visible range in Fe‐doped samples can significantly improve the optical activity of nanocrystalline ceria. The better‐quality redox performances of the Fe‐doped CeO₂ nanoparticles, compared with undoped CeO₂ nanoparticles, were ascribed mainly to a decrease in band gap energy and an increase in specific surface area of the material. As observed from TPR studies all Fe ‐doped CeO₂ nanoparticles, particularly the 10 mol % Fe doped CeO₂ nanoproduct, exhibit excellent reduction performance.     

Diffusion monte carlo study of the hydrogen molecules adsorbed on C4H3Li

Diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) simulations were used to calculate the binding energies for hydrogen molecules adsorbed on the lithium metal–organic complex C₄H₃Li. The calculations use all‐electron DMC techniques where every electron is explicitly included in the simulation. Also we have systematically studied it using density functional theory (DFT) methods, revealing that each C₄H₃Li can hold up to four H₂ molecules and the adsorption distance is about 2.2 Å. The DMC binding energies are in the range of 0.055–0.143 eV and are compared with those obtained with DFT using various exchange‐correlation functionals, with values ranging from 0.029 to 0.504 eV. These results indicate that caution is required applying DFT methods to weakly bound systems such as hydrogen storage materials based on lithium‐doped metal–organic frameworks. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Pt Nanoparticles Supported on Nitrogen‐Doped‐Carbon‐Decorated CeO2 for Base‐Free Aerobic Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural

Currently, the base‐free aerobic oxidation of biomass‐derived 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to produce 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is attracting intense interest due to its prospects for the green, sustainable, and promising production of biomass‐based aromatic polymers. Herein, we have developed a new Pt catalyst supported on nitrogen‐doped‐carbon‐decorated CeO₂ (NC‐CeO₂) for the aerobic oxidation of HMF in water without the addition of any homogeneous base. It was demonstrated that the small‐sized Pt particles could be well dispersed on the surface of the hybrid NC‐CeO₂ support, and the activity of the supported Pt catalyst depended strongly on the surface structure and properties of the catalysts. The as‐fabricated Pt/NC‐CeO₂ catalyst, with abundant surface defects, enhanced basicity, and favorable electron‐deficient metallic Pt species, enabled an almost 100 % yield of FDCA in water with molecular oxygen (0.4 MPa) at 110 °C for 8 h without the addition of any homogeneous base, which is indicative of exceptional catalytic performance. Furthermore, this Pt/NC‐CeO₂ catalyst also showed good stability and reusability owing to strong metal–support interactions. An understanding of the role of surface structural defects and basicity of the hybrid NC‐CeO₂ support provides a basis for the rational design of high‐performance and stable supported metal catalysts with practical applications in various transformations of biomass‐derived compounds.     

Understanding the electrochemical differences of Pt doped and Pt supported over CeO2

Pt supported over CeO₂ (Pt on CeO₂) and Pt doped CeO₂ (Pt in CeO₂) are synthesized using chemical reduction and solution combustion method. In chemical reduction two different reducing agents are used namely; hydrazine hydrate and formaldehyde giving Pt supported over CeO₂. Solution combustion method is used to prepare Pt doped CeO₂. Detailed characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurement and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is carried out to distinguish the Pt supported and doped compounds. XRD and TEM results have clearly shown the differences in the structure and morphology, however, BET results do not show significant differences. Further, electrochemical measurements are performed in neutral medium to differentiate the electrochemical activity. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) indeed shows noticeable differences between Pt supported over CeO₂ and Pt doped CeO₂. CeO₂ alone has also shown different electrochemical behavior compared to the Pt containing CeO₂. Considering oxygen evolution reaction (OER) as a model reaction, Tafel slope measurements are performed for CeO₂, Pt supported over CeO₂ and Pt doped CeO₂ to observe the differences. It was noted that CeO₂ and Pt doped CeO₂ showed similar Tafel slope indicating the same mechanism, while Pt supported over CeO₂ showed different Tafel slopes, hence the different mechanism.     

Water Adsorption and Dissociation on Ceria‐Supported Single‐Atom Catalysts: A First‐Principles DFT+U Investigation

Single‐atom catalysts have attracted wide attention owing to their extremely high atom efficiency and activities. In this paper, we applied density functional theory with the inclusion of the on‐site Coulomb interaction (DFT+U) to investigate water adsorption and dissociation on clean CeO₂(111) surfaces and single transition metal atoms (STMAs) adsorbed on the CeO₂(111) surface. It is found that the most stable water configuration is molecular adsorption on the clean CeO₂(111) surface and dissociative adsorption on STMA/CeO₂(111) surfaces, respectively. In addition, our results indicate that the more the electrons that transfer from STMA to the ceria substrate, the stronger the binding energies between the STMA and ceria surfaces. A linear relationship is identified between the water dissociation barriers and the d band centers of STMA, known as the generalized Brønsted–Evans–Polanyi principle. By combining the oxygen spillovers, single‐atom dispersion stabilities, and water dissociation barriers, Zn, Cr, and V are identified as potential candidates for the future design of ceria‐supported single‐atom catalysts for reactions in which the dissociation of water plays an important role, such as the water–gas shift reaction.     

Assessment of dispersion‐improved exchange‐correlation functionals for the simulation of CO2 binding by alcoholamines

In this study, 12 bound complexes were selected to construct a database for testing 15 dispersion‐improved exchange‐correlation (XC) functionals, including hybrid generalized gradient approximation (GGA), modified using the Grimme's pairwise strategy, and double hybrid XC functionals, for specifically characterizing the CO₂ binding by alcoholamines. Bound complexes were selected based on the characteristics of their hydrogen bonds, dispersion, and electrostatic (particularly between the positive charge of CO₂ and the lone pair of N of alcoholamines) interactions. The extrapolated binding energy from the aug‐cc‐pVTZ (ATZ) to aug‐cc‐pVQZ (AQZ) basis set at the CCSD(T)/CBS(MP2+DZ) level was used as the reference for the XC functional comparison. M06‐2X produced the optimal agreement if the optimized geometries at MP2/ATZ level were chosen for all the test bound complexes. However, M06‐L, ωB97X, and ωB97, and were preferred if the corresponding density functional theory (DFT) optimized geometries were adapted for the benchmark. Simple bimolecular reaction between CO₂ and monoethanolamine simulated using polarizable continuum solvation model confirmed that ωB97, ωB97X, and ωB97XD qualitatively reproduced the energetics of MP2 level. The inconsistent performance of the tested XC functionals, observed when using MP2 or DFT optimized geometries, raised concerns regarding using the single‐point ab initio correction combined with DFT optimized geometry, particularly for determining the nucleophilic attack by alcoholamines to CO₂. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Promotion Effects of Nickel Catalysts of Dry Reforming with Methane

The promotion effects of nickel catalyst of dry reforming with methane were extensively investigated by means of XRD, SEM, EDX, N₂‐adsorption and H₂‐adsorption. XRD characterization indicated that good dispersion of nickel oxide and MgO promoter is achieved over γ‐Al₂O₃ support. Addition of MgO promoter effectively retards the formation of NiAl₂O₄ phase. SEM and EDX analysis exhibited that the addition of rare‐earth metal oxide CeO₂ effectively promotes the Ni metal dispersion on the surface of the catalysts despite of undesirable self‐dispersion of CeO₂ promoter. Furthermore, the nickel component is gradually dispersed on the surface of the support following the exposure to reaction gas mixture for a period of time. The addition of MgO inhibited the self‐dispersion and promotion effect of CeO₂ on Ni dispersion on the catalysts. H₂ chemisorption revealed that the addition of the alkaline oxide MgO promoter significantly prohibits the metal dispersion on the catalyst. Inappropriate promoter addition can result in sharp decrease of the metal dispersion, N₂‐adsorption indicated that oxide promoter was mostly concentrated on the outer layer of the alumina support while the nickel metal was generally dispersed in the support pores. Addition of promoters contributed to more reduction in mesopore volume.     

A Novel Concept for the Synthesis of Multiply Doped Gold Clusters [(M@AunM′m)Lk]q+

Heterometal‐doped gold clusters are poorly accessible through wet‐chemical approaches and main‐group‐metal‐ or early‐transition‐metal‐doped gold clusters are rare. Compounds [M(AuPMe₃)₁₁(AuCl)]³⁺ (M=Pt, Pd, Ni) ( 1 – 3 ), [Ni(AuPPh₃)_(8?2n)(AuCl)₃(AlCp*)_n] (n=1, 2) ( 4, 5 ), and [Mo(AuPMe₃)₈ (GaCl₂)₃(GaCl)]⁺ ( 6 ) were selectively obtained by the transmetalation of [M(M′Cp*)_n] (M=Mo, E=Ga, n=6; M=Pt, Pd, Ni, M′=Ga, Al, n=4) with [ClAuPR₃] (R=Me, Ph) and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and ESI mass spectrometry. DFT calculations were used to analyze the bonding situation. The transmetalation proved to be a powerful tool for the synthesis of heterometal‐doped gold clusters with a design rule based on the 18 valence electron count for the central metal atom M and in agreement with the unified superatom concept based on the jellium model.     

Comparative DFT study of van der Waals complexes: rare-gas dimers, alkaline-earth dimers, zinc dimer, and zinc-rare-gas dimers

Recent interest in the application of density functional theory prompted us to test various functionals for the van der Waals interactions in the rare-gas dimers, the alkaline-earth metal dimers, zinc dimer, and zinc-rare-gas dimers. In the present study, we report such tests for 18 DFT functionals, including both some very recent functionals and some well-established older ones. We draw the following conclusions based on the mean errors in binding energies and complex geometries: (1) B97-1 gives the best performance for predicting the geometry of rare-gas dimers, whereas M05-2X and B97-1 give the best energetics for rare-gas dimers. (2) PWB6K gives the best performance for the prediction of the geometry of the alkaline-earth metal dimers, zinc dimers, and zinc-rare-gas dimers. M05-2X gives the best energetics for the metal dimers, whereas B97-1 gives the best energetics for the zinc-rare-gas dimers. (3) The M05 functional is unique in providing good accuracy for both covalent transition-metal dimers and van der Waals metal dimers. (4) The combined mean percentage unsigned error in geometries and energetics shows that M05-2X and MPWB1K are the overall best methods for the prediction of van der Waals interactions in metal and rare-gas van der Waals dimers.     

Which density functional is close to CCSD accuracy to describe geometry and interaction energy of small noncovalent dimers? A benchmark study using Gaussian09

A benchmark study on all possible density functional theory (DFT) methods in Gaussian09 is done to locate functionals that agree well with CCSD/aug‐cc‐pVTZ geometry and Ave‐CCSD(T)/(Q‐T) interaction energy (E_int) for small non‐covalently interacting molecular dimers in “dispersion‐dominated” (class 1), “dipole‐induced dipole” (class 2), and “dipole‐dipole” (class 3) classes. A DFT method is recommended acceptable if the geometry showed close agreement to CCSD result (RMSD < 0.045) and E_int was within 80–120% accuracy. Among 382 tested functionals, 1–46% gave good geometry, 13–44% gave good E_int, while 1–33% satisfied geometry and energy criteria. Further screening to locate the best performing functionals for all the three classes was made by counting the acceptable values of energy and geometry given by each functionals. The meta‐generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functional M06L was the best performer with total 14 hits; seven acceptable energies and seven acceptable geometries. This was the only functional “recommended” for at least two dimers in each class. The functionals M05, B2PLYPD, B971, mPW2PLYPD, PBEB95, and CAM‐B3LYP gave 11 hits while PBEhB95, PW91B95, Wb97x, BRxVP86, BRxP86, HSE2PBE, HSEh1PBE, PBE1PBE, PBEh1PBE, and PW91TPSS gave 10 hits. Among these, M05, B971, mPW2PLYPD, Wb97x, and PW91TPSS were among the “recommended” list of at least one dimer from each class. Long‐range correction (LC) of Hirao and coworkers to exchange‐correlation functionals showed massive improvement in geometry and E_int. The best performing LC‐functionals were LC‐G96KCIS and LC‐PKZBPKZB. Our results predict that M06L is the most trustworthy DFT method in Gaussian09 to study small non‐covalently interacting systems. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Benchmarking density functionals in conjunction with Grimme's dispersion correction for noble gas dimers (Ne2, Ar2, Kr2, Xe2, Rn2)

Eleven exchange‐correlational functionals of different types corrected for dispersion by Grimme's D3 correction in conjunction with the aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis set were tested on the following noble gas (Ng) dimers: Ne₂, Ar₂, Kr₂, Xe₂, and Rn₂. For comparison, the D2 and D3BJ corrections were probed with the B3LYP functional. From post‐HF wavefunction methods, CCSD(T) theory was also included. The investigated properties involved potential energy curves, equilibrium bond distances, and interaction energies. The B3LYP‐D3, B3LYP‐D3BJ, and PBE0‐D3 functionals performed overall best for bond distances, while B3LYP‐D3 and B97‐D3 performed best for interaction energies. The importance of fortunate error cancellations was seen in the often reduced agreement with reference data upon correction for BSSE. As several functionals performed well selectively for some noble gases (and poorly for others), we also analysed the performance on the Ng₂ dimers individually and recommended DFT‐D3 functionals for the calculation of large clusters of each Ng.     

Comparative Analysis of Electron‐Density and Electron‐Localization Function for Dinuclear Manganese Complexes with Bridging Boron‐ and Carbon‐Centered Ligands

Bonding in borylene‐, carbene‐, and vinylidene‐bridged dinuclear manganese complexes [MnCp(CO)₂]₂X (X=B‐tBu, B=NMe₂, CH₂, C?CH₂) has been compared by analyses based on quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), on the electron‐localization function (ELF), and by natural‐population analyses. All of the density functional theory based analyses agree on the absence of a significant direct Mn? Mn bond in these complexes and confirm a dominance of delocalized bonding via the bridging ligand. Interestingly, however, the topology of both charge density and ELF related to the Mn‐bridge‐Mn bonding depend qualitatively on the chosen density functional (except for the methylene‐bridged complex, which exhibits only one three‐center‐bonding attractor both in ??²ρ and in ELF). While gradient‐corrected functionals provide a picture with localized two‐center X? Mn bonding, increasing exact‐exchange admixture in hybrid functionals concentrates charge below the bridging atom and suggests a three‐center bonding situation. For example, the bridging boron ligands may be described either as substituted boranes (e.g., at BLYP or BP86 levels) or as true bridging borylenes (e.g., at BHLYP level). This dependence on the theoretical level appears to derive from a bifurcation between two different bonding situations and is discussed in terms of charge transfer between X and Mn, and in the context of self‐interaction errors exhibited by popular functionals.     

Nitrogen‐doped graphene‐cerium oxide (NG‐CeO2) photocatalyst for the photodegradation of methylene blue in waste water

This study shows a facile approach for the preparation of CeO₂ nanoparticles decorated with porous nitrogen‐doped graphene (NG) nanosheets for effective photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB). NG nanosheets were first synthesized using a hydrothermal method and then nitrogen‐doped graphene‐cerium oxide (NG‐CeO₂) was prepared through mixing of cerium nitrate with different concentrations of NG under ultrasonication followed by hydrothermal treatment. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM). The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanocomposites was analyzed against MB dye. Results showed that the nanocomposites of NG‐CeO₂ have an average particle size of 20 nm. The as‐prepared NG‐CeO₂ nanocomposites exhibited outstanding photocatalytic activity for dye degradation under visible light irradiation, which could be attributed to synergistic effects between the NG nanosheets and CeO₂. The quantum of photodegradation increases with the increase of the NG content in the nanocomposites.     

One‐Pot Cooperation of Single‐Atom Rh and Ru Solid Catalysts for a Selective Tandem Olefin Isomerization‐Hydrosilylation Process

Realizing the full potential of oxide‐supported single‐atom metal catalysts (SACs) is key to successfully bridge the gap between the fields of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Here we show that the one‐pot combination of Ru₁/CeO₂ and Rh₁/CeO₂ SACs enables a highly selective olefin isomerization‐hydrosilylation tandem process, hitherto restricted to molecular catalysts in solution. Individually, monoatomic Ru and Rh sites show a remarkable reaction specificity for olefin double‐bond migration and anti‐Markovnikov α‐olefin hydrosilylation, respectively. First‐principles DFT calculations ascribe such selectivity to differences in the binding strength of the olefin substrate to the monoatomic metal centers. The single‐pot cooperation of the two SACs allows the production of terminal organosilane compounds with high regio‐selectivity (>95 %) even from industrially‐relevant complex mixtures of terminal and internal olefins, alongside a straightforward catalyst recycling and reuse. These results demonstrate the significance of oxide‐supported single‐atom metal catalysts in tandem catalytic reactions, which are central for the intensification of chemical processes.     

Noble Metals Can Have Different Effects on Photocatalysis Over Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs): A Case Study on M/NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti) (M=Pt and Au)

M‐doped NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) (M=Pt and Au) were prepared by using the wetness impregnation method followed by a treatment with H₂ flow. The resultant samples were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses, N₂‐sorption BET surface area, and UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic reaction carried out in saturated CO₂ with triethanolamine (TEOA) as sacrificial agent under visible‐light irradiations showed that the noble metal‐doping on NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) promoted the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Unlike that over pure NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti), in which only formate was produced, both hydrogen and formate were formed over Pt‐ and Au‐loaded NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti). However, Pt and Au have different effects on the photocatalytic performance for formate production. Compared with pure NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti), Pt/NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) showed an enhanced activity for photocatalytic formate formation, whereas Au has a negative effect on this reaction. To elucidate the origin of the different photocatalytic performance, electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out over M/NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti).The photocatalytic mechanisms over M/NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) (M=Pt and Au) were proposed. For the first time, the hydrogen spillover from the noble metal Pt to the framework of NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) and its promoting effect on the photocatalytic CO₂ reduction is revealed. The elucidation of the mechanism on the photocatalysis over M/NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) can provide some guidance in the development of new photocatalysts based on MOF materials. This study also demonstrates the potential of using noble metal‐doped MOFs in photocatalytic reactions involving hydrogen as a reactant, like hydrogenation reactions.     

Computational Study of Cage Like (ZnO)12 Cluster Using Hybrid and Hybrid Meta Functionals

Density Functional Theory employing hybrid and M06 functionals in combination with three different basis sets is used to calculate the ground state of a cage like (ZnO)₁₂ nanocluster which has been consistently reported as the more stable cluster for its particular size. B3LYP and B3PW91 hybrid functionals combined with 6‐31+G*, Lanl2dz and SDD basis sets are employed to treat the ZnO molecular system. Alternatively, three M06 functionals in combination with three basis sets are employed in the nanostructure calculations. Results obtained by treating ZnO sodalite cage nanocluster with M06 functionals demonstrated comparable quality to results obtained with hybrid functionals. Within this study, efficient theoretical DFT methods with the widely known hybrid and the recently created M06 meta‐hybrid functionals are employed to study nanostructured ZnO. Our resulting parameters provide a fresh approach performance wise on the different theoretical methods to treat transition metal nanostructures, particularly, ZnO nanoclusters geometry and electronic structure.     

First‐principle modelling of forsterite surface properties: Accuracy of methods and basis sets

The seven main crystal surfaces of forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) were modeled using various Gaussian‐type basis sets, and several formulations for the exchange‐correlation functional within the density functional theory (DFT). The recently developed pob‐TZVP basis set provides the best results for all properties that are strongly dependent on the accuracy of the wavefunction. Convergence on the structure and on the basis set superposition error‐corrected surface energy can be reached also with poorer basis sets. The effect of adopting different DFT functionals was assessed. All functionals give the same stability order for the various surfaces. Surfaces do not exhibit any major structural differences when optimized with different functionals, except for higher energy orientations where major rearrangements occur around the Mg sites at the surface or subsurface. When dispersions are not accounted for, all functionals provide similar surface energies. The inclusion of empirical dispersions raises the energy of all surfaces by a nearly systematic value proportional to the scaling factor s of the dispersion formulation. An estimation for the surface energy is provided through adopting C₆ coefficients that are more suitable than the standard ones to describe O? O interactions in minerals. A 2 × 2 supercell of the most stable surface (010) was optimized. No surface reconstruction was observed. The resulting structure and surface energy show no difference with respect to those obtained when using the primitive cell. This result validates the (010) surface model here adopted, that will serve as a reference for future studies on adsorption and reactivity of water and carbon dioxide at this interface. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.