Synthesis of Nitrogen-doped Carbon Supported Cerium Single Atom Catalyst by Ball Milling for Selective Oxidation of Ethylbenzene

Through screening Ce precursors and pyrolysis temperatures[Ce(acac)₃ as Ce precursors and pyrolysis at 900 °C], zeolitic imidazolate framework-8(ZIF-8) derived nitrogen-doped carbon supported cerium single atom catalyst(Ce₁/NC) is successfully prepared by ball milling method. The Ce₁/NC catalyst exhibits exceptional catalytic performance in the selective oxidation of saturated C―H bonds in aromatic compounds, e.g., 91% conversion and 99% selelctivity can be achieved in the oxidation of ethylbenzene to acetophenone under mild reaction conditions.     

Single Atom Catalysts in Liquid Phase Selective Hydrogenations

Single atom catalysts(SACs) offer exceptional atom efficiency, activity, and selectivity for many catalytic systems. In recent years, SACs have demonstrated great potential in liquid phase selective hydrogenation. In this review, we discuss the critical challenge of selective hydrogenation reactions. Meanwhile, we highlight recent achievements in the design and construction of SACs, as well as their application in liquid reactions. Finally, the current issues and future opportunities for development in the field of SACs are given.     

Cooperative Catalysis of Noncompatible Catalysts through Compartmentalization: Wacker Oxidation and Enzymatic Reduction in a One‐Pot Process in Aqueous Media

A Wacker oxidation using CuCl/PdCl₂ as a catalyst system was successfully combined with an enzymatic ketone reduction to convert styrene enantioselectively into 1‐phenylethanol in a one‐pot process, although the two reactions conducted in aqueous media are not compatible due to enzyme deactivation by Cu ions. The one‐pot feasibility was achieved via compartmentalization of the reactions. Conducting the Wacker oxidation in the interior of a polydimethylsiloxane thimble enables diffusion of only the organic substrate and product into the exterior where the biotransformation takes place. Thus, the Cu ions detrimental to the enzyme are withheld from the reaction media of the biotransformation. In this one‐pot process, which formally corresponds to an asymmetric hydration of alkenes, a range of 1‐arylethanols were formed with high conversions and 98–99 % ee. In addition, the catalyst system of the Wacker oxidation was recycled 15 times without significant decrease in conversion.     

负载型Pd-Cu催化剂的制备及富氢气氛下CO优先氧化性能

分别以Al₂O₃, SiO₂和C₃N₄为载体, 通过简单浸渍法制备了3种负载型Pd-Cu催化剂(PC-Al₂O₃, PC-SiO₂, PC-C₃N₄), 考察了其在室温下富氢气氛中CO优先氧化反应性能. 采用X射线衍射(XRD)、 傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、 氮气物理吸附仪(N₂-physisorption)、 氢气程序升温还原(H₂-TPR)、 二氧化碳程序升温脱附(CO₂-TPD)、 X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和原位漫反射傅里叶变换红外光谱(In situ DRIFTS)等手段对其进行了表征. 结果表明, 与PC-SiO₂和PC-C₃N₄相比, PC-Al₂O₃具有更高的CO优先氧化性能. 这是由于PC-Al₂O₃上形成了大量与Pd物种具有强相互作用的Cu₂Cl(OH)₃物种; 而PC-SiO₂中仅有少量的Cu₂Cl(OH)₃, 且与Pd物种相互作用较弱; PC-C₃N₄中Cu物种则更易与C₃N₄基质配位, 由此削弱了Pd, Cu之间的相互作用. 在反应气氛下PC-Al₂O₃表面还易形成具有更强CO活化能力的Pd⁺物种, 通过与大量Cu⁺物种紧密相互作用, 在一定程度上抑制Pd⁺被过度还原为Pd⁰, 从而维持了其催化活性. 与SiO₂和C₃N₄相比, Al₂O₃更适合负载Pd-Cu用于富氢气氛下CO优先氧化反应.     

金单原子催化剂上一氧化碳低温氧化

CO低温氧化对于基础研究和实际应用均具有重要意义.自上世纪八十年代日本的 Haruta教授发现氧化物负载金催化剂对 CO氧化的超高活性以来,负载金催化剂受到了广泛关注与深入研究,被认为是目前活性最高的 CO氧化催化剂.在诸多影响 CO氧化活性的因素中,纳米金的粒子尺寸是最重要因素之一.目前主流观点认为对于 CO氧化,纳米金有一个最优尺寸范围,在0.5–5 nm,而 Au原子/离子(Au3+, Au+)的活性则低一到两个数量级.因此,一般认为负载金单原子催
　　化剂对于 CO氧化反应的活性要比金纳米粒子和团簇低很多.然而,最近几年的理论与实验研究均表明,金单原子负载于合适的载体上可以显示出与金纳米粒子和团簇相当的活性.本文对这些新进展进行综述,阐述金单原子催化剂对 CO氧化的独特反应性能. Gates教授研究组进行了大量关于正价金对 CO氧化影响的研究,其中包括孤立的金原子(Au+).他们的研究发现, CO氧化活性随价态降低而降低,表明正价金对 CO氧化至关重要.此外,他们的研究也表明,孤立金原子对 CO氧化的活性(TOF)比金纳米粒子低一到两个数量级.然而,在他们的研究中,有几个因素可能导致催化剂的低活性.首先,他们一般采用非或弱还原性的载体.而载体的还原性对金催化剂上 CO氧化活性影响非常巨大.另外,他们所用的金原子前驱体为配合物,在催化剂制备与反应过程中配体并没有去除,可能也是导致催化剂活性低的原因之一.与此相反,张涛课题组近期采用氯金酸为前驱体,通过简单的吸附浸渍法制备了一系列负载金单原子催化剂.同时用相同的载体制备了负载金纳米粒子催化剂进行对比,可以排除载体等其它影响因素.对比结果显示,单原子催化剂均显示出与纳米粒子相当的 TOF(单位表面 Au原子)和更高的反应速率(单位重量金).首先制备了氧化铁负载金单原子催化剂,该催化剂在室温即展现出可观活性, TOF值与2–3 nm金粒子 TOF值相当(~0.5 s–1).更有趣也更重要的是,该催化剂在高温(200oC以上)展现出非常高的反应稳定性,在200oC反应100 h无失活.在300和400oC反应50 h也无失活发生,为开发高温稳定的金催化剂提供了新途径.其次制备了氧化钴负载金单原子催化剂,该催化剂以0.05%金负载量即可实现室温全转化,其 TOF值高达1.4 s–1.然而该催化剂在达到高活性之前必须首先在反应气氛中进行高温处理,这限制了其实用性.此外,催化剂需经反应气氛活化的原因尚待进一步研究.随之又制备了氧化铈负载金单原子催化剂,对富氢条件下 CO选择氧化不仅具有高活性,而且具有极高的 CO选择性.进一步研究结合理论计算表明,高选择性来自氧化铈负载的金单原子不能解离活化氢,对于氢气氧化活性极低,从而导致 CO氧化的高选择性.理论研究方面也有进展. Camellone等计算发现金原子可以取代 CeO2(111)面上的 Ce原子形成 Au+并促进 CO氧化.然而该金原子会扩散至氧空位形成带负电荷的 Auδ-,阻止 CO和 O2吸附,因而使催化剂失活.李隽课题组利用从头算分子动力学模拟首次发现氧化铈和氧化钛负载的 Au纳米粒子在 CO氧化过程中可以形成单原子的现象,并将之称为动态单原子催化剂. Yang等则计算了二维材料 BN负载 Au单原子催化 CO氧化并发现反应优先通过三原子 E-R机理进行.     

Chemoselective Oxidation of Alkenes by Metal-Organic Framework-Supported Copper Catalyst

Oxidation of alkenes to carbonyls or diols compounds is important in synthesizing fine chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates. We report the synthesis and characterization of an aluminum metal-organic framework node-supported copper(II) chloride (DUT-5-CuCl), which is an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidation of alkenes using H₂O₂ as an oxidizing agent. Styrene and various substituted styrenes were transformed into the corresponding carbonyl compounds in excellent selectivity and yields. DUT-5-CuCl is tolerant with various functional groups and could be recycled and reused at least 5 times in the oxidation of α-methylstyrene. Unlike the oxidation of styrene derivatives, DUT-5-Cu catalyzed oxidation of aliphatic and cyclic alkenes produced 1,2-diols compounds selectively. The mechanism of the DUT-5-Cu catalyzed oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde was investigated in detail by various experiments such as the determination of reaction intermediates and characterization of the catalyst after catalysis, and computational studies. This work highlights the importance of MOF-supported earth-abundant metal catalysts for oxidation reactions to produce fine chemicals.     

Catalyzing Sustainable Water Splitting with Single Atom Catalysts: Recent Advances

Electrochemical water splitting for sustainable hydrogen and oxygen production have shown enormous potentials. However, this method needs low-cost and highly active catalysts. Traditional nano catalysts, while effective, have limits since their active sites are mostly restricted to the surface and edges, leaving interior surfaces unexposed in redox reactions. Single atom catalysts (SACs), which take advantage of high atom utilization and quantum size effects, have recently become appealing electrocatalysts. Strong interaction between active sites and support in SACs have considerably improved the catalytic efficiency and long-term stability, outperforming their nano-counterparts. This review‘s first section examines the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER). In the next section, SACs are categorized as noble metal, non-noble metal, and bimetallic synergistic SACs. In addition, this review emphasizes developing methodologies for effective SAC design, such as mass loading optimization, electrical structure modulation, and the critical role of support materials. Finally, Carbon-based materials and metal oxides are being explored as possible supports for SACs. Importantly, for the first time, this review opens a discussion on waste-derived supports for single atom catalysts used in electrochemical reactions, providing a cost-effective dimension to this vibrant research field. The well-known design techniques discussed here may help in development of electrocatalysts for effective water splitting.     

Palladium/graphitic carbon nitride catalyst for selective oxygen transfer in Wacker oxidation

Nanoscaled palladium particles supported on graphitic carbon nitride (Pd⁰/g-C₃N₄) is prepared to improve the oxygen transfer in Wacker oxidation via chemical reduction method. From the analysis of FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS and ICP, Pd⁰ particles are firmly combined with g-C₃N₄ layers, and sub-surface ones occupy most of the components. It is worth mentioning that graphene oxide (GO), which is completely recyclable without further pollution, can be used as a ‘solid weak acid’ taking the place of H₂SO₄ and CF₃COOH. Under the optimization conditions, as many as 46 kinds of olefins are transferred into corresponding products with satisfactory yields, and o-methyl styrene gets the highest yield of 94%. After five times of recycling experiment, the yield of acetophenone only decreases by about 7.0% in the uniform reaction process. In virtue of former research results and molecular electrostatic potential, a possible mechanism is put forward to explain the catalytic process.     

基于单原子催化剂的光热催化转化：原理和应用

在以碳中和为目标的全球共识下,太阳能作为一种取之不竭用之不尽的绿色环保能源被认为是替代传统化石燃料最有潜力的方式。在各种太阳能转换技术中,光热催化不仅可以最大化利用太阳能,在光场和热场双重驱动力作用下,还可以显著提升化学反应速率,引起广泛的研究兴趣。以孤立的单个原子均匀分散在载体上形成的单原子催化剂具有100%原子利用率、优异的催化活性、热稳定性等优势。因此,将单原子催化剂应用于光热催化开始受到越来越多的关注。本综述介绍了光催化、热催化和光热催化的基本原理和特征,同时列举一些典型的例子。随后以不同载体作为分类标准,总结了单原子光热催化应用的前沿研究进展。最后,提出了该催化体系所面临的挑战和未来的发展方向。本文旨在全面了解单原子催化剂在太阳能驱动光热催化领域的研究现状并为未来发展提供可行的建议。     

溶剂化金属原子浸渍法制备Pd-Cu/γ-Al2O3低温CO氧化催化剂

Nano-particle Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ monometallic and Pd-Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ bimetallic catalysts were prepared by solvated metal atom impregnation (SMAI) method. The results of XRD measurement indicated that Pd- Cu alloy was formed in the bimetallic catalysts and the crystalline particle size of the alloy increased as Cu contents increased with av-erage diameters < 6.0nm for all the samples. XPS and Auger spectra showed that Pd was in zero- valent state, Cu existed mainly in zero- valent state and partially in monovalent state Cu⁺. The Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ and Pd-Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts exhibited higher activity for CO oxidation at low temperature. The activity of Pd-Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ bimetallic catalyst was higher than that of Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ monometallic catalyst. The Pd-Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst with Pd/Cu atomic ratio of 1∶1 showed the highest activity.     

Iron‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Aldehydes: Single Component Catalyst and Mechanistic Studies

An aerobic oxidation of aldehydes towards carboxylic acids in MeCN using 1 atm of pure oxygen or oxygen in air as the oxidant and a catalytic amount of single component catalyst, Fe(NO₃)₃ · 9H₂O, has been developed. Carboxylic acids with different synthetically useful functional groups were obtained at room temperature. Two mechanistic pathways have been proposed based on isotopic labeling, NMR monitoring, and control experiments. The practicality of this reaction has been demonstrated by conducting several 50 mmol‐scale reactions using pure oxygen or an air‐flow of ~30 mL/min.     

Ligand Stabilized Ni1 Catalyst for Efficient CO Oxidation

Supported single transition metal (TM₁) catalysts have attracted broad attention in academia recently. Still, their corresponding reactivity and stability under reaction conditions are critical but have not well explored at the fundamental level. Herein, we use density functional theory calculation and ab initio molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the role of reactants and ligands on the reactivity and stability of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) supported Ni₁ for CO oxidation. We find out that supported bare Ni₁ atoms are only metastable on the surface and tend to diffuse into the interlayer of g-C₃N₄. Though Ni₁ is catalytically active at moderate temperatures, CO adsorption induced dimerization deactivates the catalyst. Hydroxyl groups not only are able to stabilize the supported Ni₁ atom, but also increase the reactivity by participating directly in the reaction. Our results provide valuable insights on improving the chemical stability of TM₁ by ligands without sacrificing the reactivity, which are helpful for the rational design of highly loaded atomically dispersed supported metal catalysts.     

单原子催化剂电子结构调控实现高效多相催化

过去十年见证了单原子催化领域的快速发展,其最高的原子利用效率和充分暴露的活性位点使得单原子催化剂对众多反应的催化活性具有显著提升。在单原子催化领域的早期发展阶段,研究者只是关注单原子催化剂催化活性与催化选择性的提高,而其内在的反应机理以及活性位点同催化性能之间的构效关系往往被忽视。关于单原子催化剂中金属-基底相互作用的深入探讨能够帮助我们理解催化机理,并进一步指导多相催化剂的理性设计。值得注意的是,由于单原子催化剂均一的活性位点及其几何构型,我们可以通过理论计算以及一些原位的表征技术,来揭示其中的金属-基底相互作用,继而进一步促进单原子催化领域的发展以及多相催化剂的理性设计。这篇综述总结了金属-基底相互作用的基本概念,其作用,以及其在一些重要多相催化中的应用,最后提出了金属-基底相互作用在单原子催化领域所面临的挑战与机遇。     

三维介孔氨基三亚甲基膦酸锆的合成及其担载铁催化剂的甲醛催化氧化活性

以氧氯化锆和氨基三亚甲基膦酸(ATMP)为原料合成了一种新型介孔材料氨基三亚甲基膦酸锆(NTAZP)。使用XRD、FTIR、TG-DTA和SEM等手段对所合成的介孔材料进行了结构表征和形貌分析。然后以NTAZP为载体,用Fe(NO3)3水溶液处理,得到担载Fe3+的氨基三亚甲基膦酸锆。研究结果表明,Fe3+被吸附到载体孔道中后,NTAZP结构未被破坏,Fe3+离子与NTAZP孔壁骨架上的N发生了配位作用。铁担载NTAZP(NTAZP-Fe3+)对甲醛氧化具有良好的催化活性,催化反应条件温和,催化剂稳定性良好。以载体NTAZP担载铁还避免了Fe3+进入水体,催化剂得以回收利用,避免造成二次污染。NTAZP-Fe3+是一种高效绿色的新型小分子醛类化合物氧化催化剂。     

单原子材料的冷冻合成

近年来, 单原子催化剂因其最大化的金属原子利用效率和高催化性能, 已成为能量存储和转化领域中的研究热点. 单原子催化剂的高活性主要来源于其低配位结构、 量子尺寸效应和原子与载体之间的强相互作用. 因此, 如何根据构-效关系开发通用且简单的制备高效单原子催化剂的方法具有重要的意义. 从实际应用的角度而言, 湿化学法因具有工艺简单和易于大规模生产的特性, 被认为是一种实现工业化制备单原子催化剂的方法, 现已开发了一系列制备负载型单原子催化剂的策略. 本文从独特的抑制反应物前驱体物质形核的角度出发, 总结了冷冻合成方法对形核的抑制机制, 进一步针对不同方面的应用, 探讨了单原子材料的催化机理, 并对其未来的发展进行了展望.     

金属单原子催化剂增强硫正极动力学的研究进展

单质硫具有理论能量密度高(2600 Wh·kg-1)、放电比容量高(1672mAh·g-1)、成本低等优势,是锂硫电池的理想正极材料。然而,在充放电过程中硫正极迟缓的反应动力学显著地限制了锂硫电池的性能。金属单原子催化剂(SMACs)具有独特的电子结构、金属含量低、理论上100%的原子利用率、催化活性高等优势,其不仅有效地促进了不同中间相的转化反应,而且可为含硫物质提供丰富的锚定位点,从而显著优化硫正极氧化还原反应动力学、多硫化物的穿梭行为和锂硫电池电化学性能。本文以剖析金属单原子催化剂与硫正极间的相互作用为出发点,结合其催化效应表征技术,重点解析了不同类型单原子催化剂的构筑策略、活性调控及其优化硫正极氧化还原行为的机制,展望了金属单原子催化剂在锂硫电池领域面临的挑战和未来发展方向。     

Pt/ZrO2:An Efficient Catalyst for Aerobic Oxidation of Toluene in Aqueous Solution

The heterogeneous oxidation of toluene in aqueous medium has been investigated. Artificially contaminated water with aromatic compound (toluene) was exposed to a simple platinized zirconia (1% Pt/ZrO₂) catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen. This selective oxidation of toluene to benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde and benzoic acid provides a step for removing toluene from wastewater or converting it into less harmful substances. Different parameters, e.g. the reaction time, temperature, pressure, the amount of catalyst and agitation, etc influenced the toluene conversion and selectivity. Typical batch reactor kinetic data were obtained and fitted to the classical Langmuir‐Hinshelwood model, Mars‐van Krevelen model as well as to the Eley‐Rideal model of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions. The Eley‐Rideal model was found to give a better fit. 1% Pt/ZrO₂ was observed to be the most active for oxidation of toluene at 333 K in oxygenated atmosphere [p(O₂) ca. 101 kPa] with a nominal stirring speed ≧900 r/min. It was found that catalytic oxidation may be an effective method for the removal of volatile organic compounds from aqueous solutions and comparable to other advanced oxidation processes.     

Hydrated Clay for Catalyst Removal in Copper Mediated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

A simple method has been described to remove catalyst from the copper mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of benzyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate in anisole at 25 °C using hydrated natural clay (sodium montmorillonite, Na‐clay). The method consists of (1) addition of hydrated clay (Cu^I/clay ≈ 5 wt.‐%) either during or after the polymerization, (2) oxidation of catalyst complex by exposing the terminated reaction mixture in air, and (3) filtration to obtain catalyst free polymer solution. A strong coordination of CuBr‐ligand complex onto hydrated clay (10 wt.‐% < H₂O/clay < 30 wt.‐%) upon oxidation resulted in polymers with no or insignificant residual catalyst (<1.74 ppm), as determined by UV‐vis and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The recovered clay exhibited expanded intercalary layers and absence of polymer within it.

     

SiC Monolayers as Promising Substrates for the Development of Highly Stable Palladium Single Atom Catalysts: A Density Functional Theory Study

Single-atom catalysts have been touted as highly efficient catalysts, but the catalytic single-atom sites are unstable and tend to aggregate into nanoparticles during chemical reactions. In this study, we show that SiC monolayers are promising substrates for the development of highly stable single-atom catalysts (Pd₁/SiC) within the density functional theory. In presence of a Si-vacancy, the diffusion barrier energy of a Pd₁ atom embedded in the SiC monolayer is substantially enhanced from 2.3 to 7.8 eV, which is much higher than the reported diffusion barrier energies of graphene, boron nitride and defective MgO of the same catalytic system. Ab initio molecular dynamic calculations at 500 K also confirm the enhanced stability of Pd₁/SiC monolayer (Si-vacancy) such that the Pd₁ atom remains embedded in the vacancy. Additionally, the Pd₁/SiC monolayer (Si-vacancy) catalysts show a ∼34 % reduction of activation barrier energy for CO oxidation as compared to pristine catalysts. This work implies that nanostructured SiC materials are promising substrates for the synthesis of highly stable single-atom catalysts.