A Bifunctional Hybrid Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction and Oxygen Evolution Reactions: Nano-Co3O4-Deposited La0.5Sr0.5MnO3 via Infiltration

For rechargeable metal–air batteries, which are a promising energy storage device for renewable and sustainable energy technologies, the development of cost-effective electrocatalysts with effective bifunctional activity for both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has been a challenging task. To realize highly effective ORR and OER electrocatalysts, we present a hybrid catalyst, Co₃O₄-infiltrated La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO_3-δ (LSM@Co₃O₄), synthesized using an electrospray and infiltration technique. This study expands the scope of the infiltration technique by depositing ~18 nm nanoparticles on unprecedented ~70 nm nano-scaffolds. The hybrid LSM@Co₃O₄ catalyst exhibits high catalytic activities for both ORR and OER (~7 times, ~1.5 times, and ~1.6 times higher than LSM, Co₃O₄, and IrO₂, respectively) in terms of onset potential and limiting current density. Moreover, with the LSM@Co₃O₄, the number of electrons transferred reaches four, indicating that the catalyst is effective in the reduction reaction of O₂ via a direct four-electron pathway. The study demonstrates that hybrid catalysts are a promising approach for oxygen electrocatalysts for renewable and sustainable energy devices.     

Magnetic graphene nanocomposite as an efficient catalyst for hydrogenation of nitroarenes

Graphene-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite（G-Fe₃O₄） was synthesized by a chemical co-precipitation method which was used as an efficient catalyst for the reduction of nitroarenes with hydrazine hydrate.The method has been applied to a broad range of compounds with different properties and the yields were in the range of 75%-92%.The G-Fe₃O₄ catalyst can be readily recovered and reused 5 times without significant loss of the catalytic activity.     

Encapsulation of Pd(II) into superparamagnetic nanoparticles grafted with EDTA and their catalytic activity towards reduction of nitroarenes and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling

A robust, safe and magnetically recoverable palladium catalyst was synthesized by anchoring Pd(II) onto ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid‐coated Fe₃O₄ (Fe₃O₄@EDTA) magnetic nanoparticles. The Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticle‐supported Pd(II)–EDTA complex catalyst thus obtained was characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry, X‐ray diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. Fe₃O₄@EDTA–Pd(II) was screened for the Suzuki reaction and reduction of nitro compounds in water. The Pd content of the catalyst was measured to be 0.28 mmol Pd g^?1. In addition, the Fe₃O₄@EDTA–Pd catalyst can be easily separated and recovered with an external permanent magnet. The anchored solid catalyst can be recycled efficiently and reused five times with only a very slight loss of catalytic activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetic Solid Base Catalyst Fe3O4@Gly Used as Acid‐Resistant Catalyst for Biodiesel Production

Fe₃O₄@Gly nanoparticles were synthetized by coprecipitation and studied in the transesterification of soybean oil and methanol to determine its performance for biodiesel synthesis. The magnetism and catalytic performance of Fe₃O₄@Gly alkaline catalyst were investigated in detail. With a catalyst dosage 1.5 wt %, methanol/soybean oil ratio of 15:1, reaction temperature of 65 °C, and a reaction time of 3 h, the highest yield of biodiesel was 95.8%. The strong base catalyst CaO was used as comparison, from which it was seen that Fe₃O₄@Gly was more hydrophobic than the former. Moreover, because of the complete dissolution of oleic acid in methanol, Fe₃O₄@Gly could make better contact with oleic acid, which made it perform far better than pure CaO in oleic acid. In addition, after four times recycling, the yield of biodiesel was still 86.6%. The results show that Fe₃O₄@Gly possesses excellent properties of acid resistance and recyclability. The catalyst can be a high‐efficiency alkaline heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production.     

Fe3O4 MNPs-DETA/Benzyl-Br3: A new magnetically reusable catalyst for the oxidative coupling of thiols

We report a new strategy to immobilize a bromine source on the surface of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ MNPs-DETA/Benzyl-Br₃) leading to a magnetically recoverable catalyst, which exhibits high catalytic efficiency in oxidative coupling of thiols to the disulfides (89–98%). The Fe₃O₄ MNPs-DETA/Benzyl-Br₃ catalyst was fabricated by anchoring 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane (CPTMS) on magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, followed with N-benzylation and reaction with bromine in tetrachloridecarbon. The resulting nanocomposite was analyzed by a series of characterization techniques such as FT-IR, SEM, TGA, VSM and XRD. The catalyst could be recovered via magnetic attraction and could be recycled at least 5 times without appreciable decrease in activity.     

Copper(I)–creatine complex on magnetic nanoparticles as a green catalyst for N- and O-arylation in deep eutectic solvent

Immobilization of copper(I) ions on magnetic nanoparticles was performed using surface modification of Fe₃O₄ with creatine. Fe₃O₄@creatine-Cu(I) magnetic catalyst was synthesized and applied in C&bond;X cross-coupling reactions with aryl halides in a deep eutectic as a green solvent. The results indicate the Fe₃O₄@creatine-Cu(I) magnetic nanoparticles showed excellent activity and high stability. In addition, it was revealed that this catalyst can be recycled five times without significant loss in catalytic activity.     

Environmentally friendly and highly efficient synthesis of benzoxazepine and malonamide derivatives using HPA/TPI‐Fe3O4 nanoparticles as recoverable catalyst in aqueous media

A magnetic inorganic–organic nanohybrid material (HPA/TPI‐Fe₃O₄ NPs) was produced as an efficient, highly recyclable and eco‐friendly catalyst for the one‐pot multi‐component synthesis of malonamide and 2,3,4,5‐tetrahydrobenzo[b ][1,4]oxazepine derivatives with high yields in short reaction times (25–35 min) in aqueous media at room temperature. The nanohybrid catalyst was prepared by the chemical anchoring of H₆P₂W₁₈O₆₂ onto the surface of modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) with N ‐[3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl]isonicotinamide (TPI) linker. The magnetic recoverable catalyst was easily recycled at least ten times without any loss of catalytic activity.     

Novel ionic liquid supported on Fe3O4 nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of new chromenes

An efficient procedure for the synthesis of new chromenes by the multicomponent reaction of aldehydes, 4‐hydroxycoumarin and 2‐hydroxynaphthalene‐1,4‐dione in the presence of an ionic liquid supported on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles is described. The ionic liquid supported on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as a magnetic catalyst gives products in high yields. Significant features of this method are: short reaction times, excellent yields, green method and use of an effective catalyst that can be recovered and reused many times without loss of its catalytic activity.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel nano-Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>-copoly[(styrene/acrylic acid)/grafted ethylene oxide and its application as a magnetic and recyclable phase-transfer catalyst in the preparation of β-azido alcohols and β-nitro alcohols

A facile method was developed for the synthesis of β-azido alcohols and β-nitro alcohols in the presence of a novel nano-Fe₃O₄-copoly[(styrene/acrylic acid)/grafted ethylene oxide (nano-Fe₃O₄-PS-Co-[PAA-g-PEG]) as a phase-transfer catalyst in water. The catalyst was characterized with IR, SEM, and TGA. This procedure offers several advantages, including excellent regioselectivity, high yields, short reaction times, a recyclable catalyst, easy separation of the catalyst through an external magnet, and easy workup.     

Fe3O4–cysteamine hydrochloride magnetic nanoparticles: New,efficient and recoverable nanocatalyst for Knoevenagel condensation reaction

Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were obtained using a reduction–precipitation method. These MNPs were modified with cysteamine hydrochloride. This catalyst was characterized using a number of physicochemical measurements. The Fe₃O₄–cysteamine MNPs, as an efficient and heterogeneous catalyst, were successfully used for Knoevenagel condensation under mild conditions. The activity of this nanomagnetic catalyst in the Knoevenagel condensation of aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile is described. Easy preparation of the catalyst, easy work‐up procedure, excellent yields and short reaction times are some of the advantages.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel Fe3O4@SiO2/bipyridinium dichloride nanocomposite and its application as a magnetic and recyclable phase-transfer catalyst in the preparation of β-azidoalcohols, β-cyanohydrins,and β-acetoxy alcohols

β-Azidoalcohols, β-cyanohydrins, and β-acetoxy alcohols have been synthesized in the presence of a Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/bipyridinium nanocomposite (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/BNC) as a novel magnetic and recyclable phase-transfer catalyst (PTC) in water. The catalyst was characterized with FT–IR, SEM, XRD, VSM, and TGA. This methodology offers several advantages, including easy work-up procedure, excellent regioselectivity, high yields, short reaction times, recyclable catalyst, easy separation of the catalyst through an external magnet and eco-friendly procedure.     

磁性纳米Pd/Fe3O4催化剂的制备及其在Heck反应中的应用

通过使用聚乙烯吡咯烷酮作为稳定剂,合成了磁性Pd/Fe₃O₄纳米颗粒催化剂。对该催化剂进行粉末X射线衍射、透射电子显微镜、感应耦合等离子体和磁性表征。将Pd/Fe₃O₄催化剂用于Heck反应,检测其催化性能。测试结果表明Pd纳米颗粒负载在Fe₃O₄纳米颗粒上,而且催化剂的尺寸<20 nm,并在Heck反应中表现了极好的催化性能。此外,催化剂可以通过磁场回收利用, 且催化活性没有显著的降低。     

Palladium immobilized on amidoxime‐functionalized magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles: a highly stable and efficient magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst for sonogashira coupling reaction

We describe the synthesis of a novel Fe₃O₄/amidoxime (AO)/Pd nanocatalyst by grafting of AO groups on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and subsequent deposition of Pd nanoparticles. Prior to grafting of AO, the 2‐cyanoethyl‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles prepared through combining 2‐cyanoethyltriethoxysilane and Fe₃O₄ were treated with hydroxylamine. The AO‐grafted Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were then used as a platform for the deposition of Pd nanoparticles. The catalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, vibrating sample magnetometry, wavelength‐ and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies and inductively coupled plasma analysis. Fe₃O₄/AO/Pd is novel phosphine‐free recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for Sonogashira reactions. Interestingly, the novel catalyst could be recovered in a facile manner from the reaction mixture by applying an external magnet device and recycled seven times without any significant loss in activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

磺酸官能化的磁性核壳结构的纳米材料用于果糖脱水制备5-羟甲基糠醛(英)

通过反相微乳液法制备了以Fe₃O₄为核,磺酸官能化的硅基材料为壳层的磁性酸性催化剂.首先制备纳米Fe₃O₄磁核,然后涂层包覆苯基修饰的纳米级硅层,最后进行苯基磺化修饰,制得固体酸催化剂Fe₃O₄@Si/Ph-SO₃H.在果糖脱水制备5-羟甲基糠醛反应中,该催化剂表现出较好的催化活性,优于传统催化剂A-15,且与均相无机酸催化活性相当.当采用二甲基亚砜作溶剂,在110℃下反应3 h,果糖转化率达到99%,5-羟甲基糠醛收率为82%.另外,该催化剂经磁法回收后可多次重复使用.     

A new nano‐Fe3O4‐supported organocatalyst based on 3,4‐dihydroxypyridine: an efficient heterogeneous nanocatalyst for one‐pot synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridines and pyrano[2,3‐d]pyrimidines

A simple and practical strategy for the synthesis of a novel nano‐Fe₃O₄‐supported organocatalyst system based on 3,4‐dihydroxypyridine (Fe₃O₄/Py) has been developed. The prepared catalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopies, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis. Accordingly, the Fe₃O₄/Py nanoparticles show a superparamagnetic property with a saturation magnetization of 61 emu g^?1, indicating potential application in magnetic separation technology. Our experimental results reveal that the pyridine‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are an efficient base catalyst for the domino condensation of various aromatic aldehydes, Meldrum's acid and 5‐methylpyrazol‐3‐amine under very mild reaction condition and in the presence of ethanol solvent. Moreover, the synthesized catalyst was used for one‐pot, three‐component condensation of aromatic aldehydes with barbituric acid and malononitrile to produce 7‐amino‐2,4‐dioxo‐5‐phenyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐pyrano[2,3‐d]pyrimidine‐6‐carbonitriles. All reactions are completed in short times and all products are obtained in good to excellent yields. Also, notably, the catalyst was reused five times without significant degradation in catalytic activity and performance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Facile fabrication of magnetic MoO2–Salen‐modified graphene‐based catalyst for epoxidation of alkenes

A facile, green and efficient method for the immobilization of MoO₂–Salen onto graphene hybridized with glucose‐coated magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles is proposed to fabricate a magnetic organic–inorganic hybrid heterogeneous RGO/Fe₃O₄@C‐Salen‐MoO₂ catalyst for the epoxidation of cyclooctene and geraniol using tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide or H₂O₂ as oxidant. Carbon‐coated Fe₃O₄ can improve the stability and add functional ─OH groups on the surface of Fe₃O₄. The fabricated composite exhibited good performance due to good dispersion of MoO₂–Salen active sites. The catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction system using a permanent magnet and used three times without significantly losing its catalytic activity and selectivity.     

Magnetically recoverable AlFe/Te nanocomposite as a new catalyst for the facile esterification reaction under neat conditions

In this work, a new Fe₃O₄/AlFe/Te nanocomposite was synthesized by a one‐step sol–gel method. The Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared and then mixed with aluminum telluride (Al₂Te₃) in an alkali medium to produce the desired catalyst. After characterization of the Fe₃O₄/AlFe/Te nanocomposite by SEM, TEM, EDS, XRD, and ICP analyses, it was used in the esterification reaction. This heterogeneous catalyst showed high catalytic activity in the esterification of commercially available carboxylic acids with various alcohols to produce the desired esters at high conversions under neat conditions. The Fe₃O₄/AlFe/Te nanocomposites were separated from the reaction mixture via an external magnet and re‐used 8 times without significant loss of catalytic activity.     

H3PMo12O40‐immobilized chitosan/Co3O4: A novel and recyclable nanocomposite for the synthesis of pyrimidinedione derivatives

An efficient three‐component reaction of aromatic aldehydes, 6‐aminouracil/6‐amino‐1,3‐dimethyluracil and 4‐hydroxycoumarin in the presence of a novel heterogeneous catalyst H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀‐immobilized Co₃O₄/chitosan led to a synthesis of a new class of pyrimidinedione derivatives under reflux conditions. The magnetically recoverable nanocomposite of Co₃O₄/chitosan/H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ was fully characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, vibrating‐sample magnetometry and N₂ adsorption–desorption by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. Results show that Keggin‐type 12‐molybdophosphoric acid immobilized into the network of the cross‐linked chitosan with super‐paramagnetic Co₃O₄ nanoparticles. The present method offers several advantages, such as simple procedure, short reaction times and excellent yields of products. The novelty of the catalyst, high catalytic activity, easy separation from the reaction with an external magnetic field and reusability of the catalyst in six consecutive runs are additional eco‐friendly attributes of this catalytic system.     

Synthesis and characterization of bromine source supported on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles: A new,versatile and efficient magnetically separable catalyst for organic synthesis

Tribenzylammonium tribromide supported onto magnetic nanoparticles (Br₃‐TBA‐Fe₃O₄) as a bromine source was successfully synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The synthesized catalyst is shown to be a versatile and highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the Knoevenagel condensation and synthesis of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H )‐one and polyhydroquinoline derivatives. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of the use of a bromine source immobilized on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as a magnetically separable catalyst for these reactions. The nanosolid catalyst can be magnetically recovered and reused readily several times without significant loss in catalytic efficiency.     

Application of [Fe3O4@SiO2@(CH2)3Py]HSO4− as heterogeneous and recyclable nanocatalyst for synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives

Four‐component condensation reaction of aromatic aldehydes, dimedone, ethyl acetoacetate and ammonium acetate in the presence of a catalytic amount of ionic liquid on silica‐coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as a heterogeneous, recyclable and very efficient catalyst provided the corresponding polyhydroquinoline derivatives in good to excellent yields in ethanol under reflux condition. The [Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@(CH₂)₃Py]HSO₄^? catalyst was characterized using various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, the recovery and reuse of the catalyst were demonstrated seven times without detectable loss in activity.