Revealing the Effect of Surface Composition on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Supported Pt-Fe Alloy Electrocatalysts for Methanol Oxidation Performance

The designs of efficient and inexpensive Pt-based catalysts for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) are essential to boost the commercialization of direct methanol fuel cells. Here, the highly catalytic performance PtFe alloys supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorating nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) have been successfully prepared via co-engineering of the surface composition and electronic structure. The Pt₁Fe₃@NC/MWCNTs catalyst with moderate Fe³⁺ feeding content (0.86 mA/mg_Pt) exhibits 2.26-fold enhancement in MOR mass activity compared to pristine Pt/C catalyst (0.38 mA/mg_Pt). Furthermore, the CO oxidation initial potential of Pt₁Fe₃@NC/MWCNTs catalyst is lower relative to Pt/C catalyst (0.71 V and 0.80 V). Benefited from the optimal surface compositions, the anti-corrosion ability of MWCNT, strong electron interaction between PtFe alloys and MWCNTs and the N-doped carbon (NC) layer, the Pt₁Fe₃@NC/MWCNTs catalyst presents an improved MOR performance and anti-CO poisoning ability. This study would open up new perspective for designing efficient electrocatalysts for the DMFCs field.     

Phase Modulating of Cu–Ni Nanowires Enables Active and Stable Electrocatalysts for the Methanol Oxidation Reaction

The design and development of non-noble metal alternatives with superior performance and promising long-term stability that is comparable or even better than those of noble-metal-based catalysts is a significant challenge. Here, we report the thermal-induced phase engineering of non-noble-metal-based nanowires with superior electrochemical activity and stability for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) under alkaline conditions. The optimized Cu–Ni nanowires deliver an unprecedented mass activity of 425 mA mg⁻¹, which is 4.3 times higher than that of the untreated one. Detailed catalytic investigations show that the enhanced performance is due to the large active area, the increased number of active sites (NiOOH), and fast methanol electrooxidation kinetics. In addition, the generated hollow feature in the nanowires provides a unique void space to release the volume expansion, where the activity can be maintained for 5 h without a distinct activity decay. The present work emphasizes the importance of precisely phase modulating of nanomaterials for the design of non-noble metal electrocatalysts towards the MOR, which opens up a new pathway for the design of cost-effective electrocatalysts with promising activity and long-term stability.     

Ultrafine PtRu Dilute Alloy Nanodendrites for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Methanol Oxidation

Dilute alloy nanostructures have been demonstrated to possess distinct catalytic properties. Noble-metal-induced reduction is one effective synthesis strategy to construct dilute alloys and modify the catalytic performance of the host metal. Herein, we report the synthesis of ultrafine PtRu dilute alloy nanodendrites (PtRu NDs, molar ratio Ru/Pt is 1:199) by the reduction of Ru^III ions induced by Pt metal. For the methanol oxidation reaction, PtRu NDs showed the highest forward peak current density (2.66 mA cm⁻², 1.14 A/mg_Pt) and the best stability compared to those of pure-Pt nanodendrites (pure-Pt NDs), commercial PtRu/C and commercial Pt/C catalysts.     

Simultaneous determination of 75 abuse drugs including amphetamines,benzodiazepines, cocaine,opioids, piperazines,zolpidem and metabolites in human hair samples using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous determination of 75 abuse drugs and metabolites, including 19 benzodiazepines, 19 amphetamines, two opiates, eight opioids, cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide, zolpidem, three piperazines and 21 metabolites in human hair samples, was developed and validated. Ten‐milligram hair samples were decontaminated, pulverized using a ball mill, extracted with 1 mL of methanol spiked with 28 deuterated internal standards in an ultrasonic bath for 60 min at 50°C, and purified with Q‐sep dispersive solid‐phase extraction tubes. The purified extracts were evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in 0.1 mL of 10% methanol. The 75 analytes were analyzed on an Acquity HSS T3 column using gradient elution of methanol and 0.1% formic acid and quantified in multiple reaction monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization. Calibration curves were linear (r ≥ 0.9951) from the lower limit of quantitation (2–200 pg/mg depending on the drug) to 2000 pg/mg. The coefficients of variation and accuracy for intra‐ and inter‐assay analysis at three QC levels were 4.3–12.9% and 89.2–109.1%, respectively. The overall mean recovery ranged from 87.1 to 105.3%. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of 11 forensic hair samples obtained from drug abusers.     

Development of a Chitosan/Nickel Phthalocyanine Composite Based Conductometric Micro-sensor for Methanol Detection

Thin-film composite of chitosan/nickel phthalocyanine (NiPc) was electrochemically deposited on the fingers of interdigitated gold electrodes, applying chronoamperometric polymerization technique. The presence of crystallized NiPc in the chitosan was confirmed by EDX and FTIR analysis. Acetone, ethanol, and methanol gas-sensing properties of the films prepared at optimum conditions were studied at atmospheric temperature, through differential measurements at an optimized frequency of 10 kHz, using a lock-in amplifier. The conductometric sensor presents the highest sensitivity of 60.2 μS.cm⁻¹(v/v) for methanol and 700 ppm as the limit of detection. For validation, the methanol content of a commercial rubbing alcohol was determined.     

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Utilization of Methanol as a C1 Source in Organic Synthesis

Methanol is used as a common solvent, cost-effective reagent, and sustainable feedstock for value-added chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and materials. Among the various applications, the utilization of methanol as a C₁ source for the formation of carbon–carbon, carbon–nitrogen, and carbon–oxygen bonds continues to be important in organic synthesis and drug discovery. In particular, the synthesis of C-, N-, and O-methylated products is of central interest because these motifs are found in a large number of natural products as well as fine and bulk chemicals. In this Minireview, we summarize the utilization of methanol as a C₁ source in methylation, methoxylation, formylation, methoxycarbonylation, and oxidative methyl ester formation reactions.     

Methane Oxidation over Cu2+/[CuOH]+ Pairs and Site-Specific Kinetics in Copper Mordenite Revealed by Operando Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and UV/Visible Spectroscopy

Cu-exchanged mordenite (MOR) is a promising material for partial CH₄ oxidation. The structural diversity of Cu species within MOR makes it difficult to identify the active Cu sites and to determine their redox and kinetic properties. In this study, the Cu speciation in Cu-MOR materials with different Cu loadings has been determined using operando electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and operando ultraviolet-visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy as well as in situ photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A novel pathway for CH₄ oxidation involving paired [CuOH]⁺ and bare Cu²⁺ species has been identified. The reduction of bare Cu²⁺ ions facilitated by adjacent [CuOH]⁺ demonstrates that the frequently reported assumption of redox-inert Cu²⁺ centers does not generally apply. The measured site-specific reaction kinetics show that dimeric Cu species exhibit a faster reaction rate and a higher apparent activation energy than monomeric Cu²⁺ active sites highlighting their difference in the CH₄ oxidation potential.     

Enhanced Four-Electron Selective Oxygen Reduction Reaction at Carbon-Nanotube-Supported Sulfonic-Acid-Functionalized Copper Phthalocyanine

In the present work, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is explored in an acidic medium with two different catalytic supports (multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes (NMWCNTs)) and two different catalysts (copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and sulfonic acid functionalized CuPc (CuPc-SO₃⁻)). The composite, NMWCNTs-CuPc-SO₃⁻ exhibits high ORR activity (assessed based on the onset potential (0.57 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) and Tafel slope) in comparison to the other composites. Rotating ring disc electrode (RRDE) studies demonstrate a highly selective four-electron ORR (less than 2.5 % H₂O₂ formation) at the NMWCNTs-CuPc-SO₃⁻. The synergistic effect of the catalyst support (NMWCNTs) and sulfonic acid functionalization of the catalyst (in CuPc-SO₃⁻) increase the efficiency and selectivity of the ORR at the NMWCNTs-CuPc-SO₃⁻. The catalyst activity of NMWCNTs-CuPc-SO₃⁻ has been compared with many reported materials and found to be better than several catalysts. NMWCNTs-CuPc-SO₃⁻ shows high tolerance for methanol and very small deviation in the onset potential (10 mV) between the linear sweep voltammetry responses recorded before and after 3000 cyclic voltammetry cycles, demonstrating exceptional durability. The high durability is attributed to the stabilization of CuPc-SO₃⁻ by the additional coordination with nitrogen (Cu-N_x) present on the surface of NMWCNTs.