Stabilizing Pt Single Atoms through Pt−Se Electron Bridges on Vacancy-enriched Nickel Selenide for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Rational design of Pt single-atom catalysts provides a promising strategy to significantly improve the electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction. In this work, we presented a novel and efficient strategy for utilizing the low electron-density region of substrate to effectively trap and confine high electron-density metal atoms. The Pt single-atom catalyst supported by nickel selenide with rich vacancies was prepared via a hydrothermal-impregnation stepwise approach. Through experimental testation and DFT theoretical calculation, we confirm that Pt single atoms are well distributed at cationic vacancies of nickel selenide with loading amount of 3.2 wt. %. Moreover, the atomic Pt combined with the high electronegative Se to form Pt−Se bond as a “bridge” between single atoms and substrate for fast electron translation. This novel catalyst shows an extremely low overpotential of 45 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² and an excellent stability over 120 h. Furthermore, the nickel selenide supported Pt SACs exhibits long-term stability for practical application, which maintains a high current density of 390 mA cm⁻² over 80 h with a retention of 99 %. This work points a promising direction for designing single atoms catalysts with high catalytic activity and stability for advanced green energy conversion technologies.     

Azo-Functionalized Zirconium-Based Metal−Organic Polyhedron as an Efficient Catalyst for CO2 Fixation with Epoxides

Chemical fixation of CO₂ as C1 source at ambient temperature and low pressure is an energy-saving way to make use of the green-house gas, but it still remains a challenge since efficient catalyst with high catalytic active sites is required. Here, a novel monoclinic azo-functionalized Zr-based metal−organic polyhedron (Zr-AZDA) has been prepared and applied in CO₂ fixation with epoxides. The inherent azo groups not only endow Zr-AZDA with good solubilization, but also act as basic sites to enrich CO₂ showing efficient synergistic catalysis as confirmed by TPD-CO₂ analysis. XPS results demonstrate that the Zr active sites in Zr-AZDA possess suitable Lewis acidity, which satisfies both substrates activation and products desorption. DFT calculation indicates the energy barrier of the rate-determining step in CO₂ cycloaddition could be reduced remarkably (by ca. 60.9 %) in the presence of Zr-AZDA, which may rationalize the mild and efficient reaction condition employed (80 °C and 1 atm of CO₂). The work provides an effective multi-functional cooperative method for improvement of CO₂ cycloaddition.     

Investigation on Magnetic Properties of Exchange Coupled Transition Metal Complexes Ⅱ．Theoretical Model for Trinuclear Complexes

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Exfoliation of Metal–Organic Frameworks to Give 2D MOF Nanosheets for the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction

The structure and properties of materials are determined by a diverse range of chemical bond formation and breaking mechanisms, which greatly motivates the development of selectively controlling the chemical bonds in order to achieve materials with specific characteristics. Here, an orientational intervening bond-breaking strategy is demonstrated for synthesizing ultrathin metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets through balancing the process of thermal decomposition and liquid nitrogen exfoliation. In such approach, proper thermal treatment can weaken the interlayer bond while maintaining the stability of the intralayer bond in the layered MOFs. And the following liquid nitrogen treatment results in significant deformation and stress in the layered MOFs’ structure due to the instant temperature drop and drastic expansion of liquid N₂, leading to the curling, detachment, and separation of the MOF layers. The produced MOF nanosheets with five cycles of treatment are primarily composed of nanosheets that are less than 10 nm in thickness. The MOF nanosheets exhibit enhanced catalytic performance in oxygen evolution reactions owing to the ultrathin thickness without capping agents which provide improved charge transfer efficiency and dense exposed active sites. This strategy underscores the significance of orientational intervention in chemical bonds to engineer innovative materials.     

Influence of Mg^2＋ on Initial Stages of CaCO3 Scale Formed on Metal Surface

Magnesium ions, which exist in formation water and injection water under downhole conditions in the oil and gas production industry, are a key determinant in the CaCO3 scale formation. Many studies have focused their attention on the effect of magnesium on the kinetics, the morphology and the content of Mg in the Ca-CO3 scale. Little attention has been paid to the effect of Mg^2 on the initial stages of CaCO3 formation on a metal surface. In this study, an electrochemical technique was used to study the influence of Mg^2 on the ini-tial stages of CaCO3 scale formed on a metal surface. With this electrochemical technique, the reduction of the dissolved oxygen in an analysis solution is considered on the surface of a rotating disk electrode (RDE) un-der potentiostatic control. The rate of oxygen reduction on the surface of the RDE enables the extent of sur-face coverage of scale to be assessed. With this electrochemical technique, a new insight into the effect of Mg^2 on CaCO3 scale formed on a metal surface is given.     

Studies on the Complexes of N,N′-Bis[o-(diphenylphosphino)benzylidene]ethylenediamine with Transition Metal Ions

The thermodynamic parameters for the interaction of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, andAg⁺ with the new title ligand have been determined by titration calorimetry in 50% THF–methanol (V/V) at 25 °C.Ag⁺ exhibited remarkably higher complexation selectivity.Ag⁺ and several transition metal ions have been transportedusing this ligand as carrier in a bulk liquid membrane. CompetitiveAg⁺–M²⁺ transport studies have also beencarried out for the same system. In this membrane transport study, high transport of Ag⁺ was observed in both single and competitiveAg⁺–M²⁺ transport studies. The complexformation of N,N-bis[o-(diphenylphosphino)benzylidene]ethylenediamine (P₂N₂) with silver,[Ag(P₂N₂)] (NO₃), (1) is reported. Complex 1 has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. 1 ismonoclinic, space group P2_1/n (No. 14), with cell dimensionsa = 13.398(4) , b=12.577(5) , c = 21.521(4) , =100.14(2) , V = 3570(2) ³ and Z = 4.     

Electrosynthesis of a Defective Indium Selenide with 3D Structure on a Substrate for Tunable CO2 Electroreduction to Syngas

Syngas (CO/H₂) is a feedstock for the production of a variety of valuable chemicals and liquid fuels, and CO₂ electrochemical reduction to syngas is very promising. However, the production of syngas with high efficiency is difficult. Herein, we show that defective indium selenide synthesized by an electrosynthesis method on carbon paper (γ-In₂Se₃/CP) is an extremely efficient electrocatalyst for this reaction. CO and H₂ were the only products and the CO/H₂ ratio could be tuned in a wide range by changing the applied potential or the composition of the electrolyte. In particular, using nanoflower-like γ-In₂Se₃/CP (F-γ-In₂Se₃/CP) as the electrode, the current density could be as high as 90.1 mA cm⁻² at a CO/H₂ ratio of 1:1. In addition, the Faradaic efficiency of CO could reach 96.5 % with a current density of 55.3 mA cm⁻² at a very low overpotential of 220 mV. The outstanding electrocatalytic performance of F-γ-In₂Se₃/CP can be attributed to its defect-rich 3D structure and good contact with the CP substrate.     

Hierarchical Mn3O4 Anchored on 3D Graphene Aerogels via C−O−Mn Linkage with Superior Electrochemical Performance for Flexible Asymmetric Supercapacitor

Flexible asymmetric supercapacitors are more appealing in flexible electronics because of high power density, wide cell voltage, and higher energy density than symmetric supercapacitors in aqueous electrolyte. In virtues of excellent conductivity, rich porous structure and interconnected honeycomb structure, three dimensional graphene aerogels show great potential as electrode in asymmetric supercapacitors. However, graphene aerogels are rarely used in flexible asymmetric supercapacitors because of easily re-stacking of graphene sheets, resulting in low electrochemical activity. Herein, flower-like hierarchical Mn₃O₄ and carbon nanohorns are incorporated into three dimensional graphene aerogels to restrain the stack of graphene sheets, and are applied as the positive and negative electrode for asymmetric supercapacitors devices, respectively. Besides, a strong chemical coupling between Mn₃O₄ and graphene via the C-O-Mn linkage is constructed and can provide a good electron-transport pathway during cycles. Consequently, the asymmetric supercapacitor device shows high rate cycle stability (87.8 % after 5000 cycles) and achieves a high energy density of 17.4 μWh cm⁻² with power density of 14.1 mW cm⁻² (156.7 mW cm⁻³) at 1.4 V.     

3H-Phosphaallenes Revisited: Facile Synthesis by Hydroalumination of Alkynylphosphines and β-Elimination,Stability and Trapping of Transient Species by Coordination to Transition Metal Atoms

A facile method for the efficient synthesis of 3H-phosphaallenes, R−P=C=C(H)−R′, is presented, which comprises treatment of dialkynylphosphines with dialkylaluminium hydrides (hydroalumination) and elimination of aluminium alkynides from intermediate alkenyl-alkynylphosphines. The stability of the phosphaallenes depends on steric shielding by the substituents at phosphorus (aryl or CH(SiMe₃)₂ groups). Only supermesityl compounds are persistent at room temperature in solution. This simple method starting with easily accessible dialkynylphosphines and commercially available aluminium hydrides (HAlEt₂, HAliBu₂) allows the generation of transient species, which were trapped by coordination to transition metals. The η¹-coordination via a P−W bond was observed for tungsten, while the side-on coordination via the P=C bond resulted with platinum. Decomposition of the mesityl derivative yielded an unprecedented product, which may be formed by 1,3-H shift to the P atom, hydrophosphination of the P=C bond of a second phosphaallene and formation of a P−P bond.     

Band Structure Engineering of Single Pt Atoms on Fe−TiO2 for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

Single atomic site catalysts display the maximal atom-utilization efficiency, unique structural properties, and remarkable enhancements on catalytic activity. Herein, single Pt atoms loaded Fe−TiO₂ catalysts were prepared. Fe³⁺ doping leads to the formation of oxygen vacancies and improve the interaction between TiO₂ and Pt. Single Pt atoms are thus anchored and effectively modify the local energy band structure of TiO₂. The optimized local band structures improve the intrinsic photoexcitation of Pt/Fe−TiO₂, promote the separation of photogenerated carriers, and extend the lifetime of photogenerated carriers. Meanwhile, the electrons transfer from the excited dyes to the conduction band edge of Pt/Fe−TiO₂ is also facilitated due to the shift-down of the conduction band edge. Therefore, with the increase of the Pt content (till up to 0.6 wt%), the photocatalytic performance of Pt/ Fe−TiO₂ with the confined single Pt atoms is significantly boosted in either the intrinsic or the sensitized photocatalytic process.     

Synthesis and Electrocatalytic Activity of 3Au?1Pd Alloy Nanoparticles/Graphene Composite for Bisphenol A Detection

In this study, a 3Au? 1Pd alloy nanoparticles/graphene composite (3Au? 1Pd alloy NPs/GN) with carboxyl groups and hydroxyl groups was prepared facilely by co‐reduction of graphene oxide (GO), HAuCl₄, K₂PdCl₄, with an Au? Pd alloy molar ratio of 3 : 1. The composite modified glass carbon electrode (GCE) showed a good performance for detecting bisphenol A (BPA) due to the enhanced electron transfer kinetics and large active surface area. The effective enrichment of BPA is attributed to the carboxyl groups and hydroxyl groups on the composite. According to the results of differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the BPA oxidation current is linear to its concentration in the range of 10 nM–5.0 µM (R=0.998), and the detection limit is found to be 4.0 nM (S/N=3).     

Amino-Induced 2D Cu-Based Metal–Organic Framework as an Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for Aerobic Oxidation of Olefins

With the assistance of hydrogen bonds of the o-amino group, we have successfully tuned a coordination structure from a metal–organic polyhedron (MOP) to a two-dimensional (2D) metal–organic framework (MOF). The amino group forms hydrogen bonds with the two vicinal carboxylic groups, and induces the ligand to coordinate with copper ions to form the 2D structure. The obtained 2D Cu-based MOF (Cu-AIA) has been applied as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in the aerobic epoxidation of olefins by using air as oxygen source. Without the aggregation problem of active sites in MOPs, Cu-AIA possesses much higher reactivity than MOP-1. Furthermore, the amino group of the framework has been used as a modifiable site through post-synthetic metalation (PSMet) to prepare a 2D MOF-supported Pd single-site heterogeneous catalyst, which shows excellent catalytic performance for the Suzuki reaction. It indicates that Cu-AIA can also work as a good 2D MOF carrier for the derivation of other heterogeneous catalysts.     

Efficient Synthesis of 2-Methylene-3phosphorylalkanoates: Phosphorylation of Baylis–Hillman Bromides via an S N 2-S N 2′ Strategy

A novel synthesis of 2-methylene-3-phosphorylalkanoates under mild conditions is described. Thus, Balyis–Hillman bromides react with secondary phosphine oxides or H-phosphonites in the presence of DABCO via an S _N 2-S _N 2′ protocol to produce the target compounds in good yields.     

A High Pressure Operando Spectroscopy Examination of Bimetal Interactions in ‘Metal Efficient’ Palladium/In2O3/Al2O3 Catalysts for CO2 Hydrogenation

CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol has the potential to serve as a sustainable route to a wide variety of hydrocarbons, fuels and plastics in the quest for net zero. Synergistic Pd/In₂O₃ (Palldium on Indium Oxide) catalysts show high CO₂ conversion and methanol selectivity, enhancing methanol yield. The identity of the optimal active site for this reaction is unclear, either as a Pd−In alloy, proximate metals, or distinct sites. In this work, we demonstrate that metal-efficient Pd/In₂O₃ species dispersed on Al₂O₃ can match the performance of pure Pd/In₂O₃ systems. Further, we follow the evolution of both Pd and In sites, and surface species, under operando reaction conditions using X-ray Absorption Spectroscpy (XAS) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. In doing so, we can determine both the nature of the active sites and the influence on the catalytic mechanism.     

BF3·OEt2: An Efficient Catalyst for Transesterification of β-Ketoesters

A facile and selective transesterification of β-ketoesters using BF₃·OEt₂ as catalyst is described. The emphasis has been placed on the reaction of methyl acetoacetate with a series of alcohols of different structures, leading in all cases to good to excellent yields.     

Efficient Transition‐Metal‐Free Oxidation of Benzylic and Secondary Alcohols to the Carbonyl Compounds Using an N‐Bromosuccinimide/NH4Cl System

The oxidation of a variety of benzylic and secondary alcohols was achieved in excellent yields using an NBS/NH₄Cl system in aqueous acetonitrile (CH₃CN‐H₂O; 7/3 v/v) at 80°C under very mild conditions.     

Nickel Supported on Alkaline Earth Metal–Doped γ-Al2O3–La2O3 as Catalysts for Dry Reforming of Methane

Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry - Nickel catalysts supported on γ–Al2O3 doped with La2O3 and alkaline earth oxides (MgO, CaO, and SrO) were investigated in the dry reforming of...     

Design of a Single-Atom Indiumδ+–N4 Interface for Efficient Electroreduction of CO2 to Formate

Main-group element indium (In) is a promising electrocatalyst which triggers CO₂ reduction to formate, while the high overpotential and low Faradaic efficiency (FE) hinder its practical application. Herein, we rationally design a new In single-atom catalyst containing exclusive isolated In^δ+–N₄ atomic interface sites for CO₂ electroreduction to formate with high efficiency. This catalyst exhibits an extremely large turnover frequency (TOF) up to 12500 h⁻¹ at −0.95 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), with a FE for formate of 96 % and current density of 8.87 mA cm⁻² at low potential of −0.65 V versus RHE. Our findings present a feasible strategy for the accurate regulation of main-group indium catalysts for CO₂ reduction at atomic scale.