Modeling Adsorption and Optical Properties for the Design of CO2 Photocatalytic Metal-Organic Frameworks

Four Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) were modeled (IRMOF-C-BF₂, IRMOF-C-(2)-BF₂, IRMOF-C’-BF₂, and IRMOF-C-CH₂BF₂) based on IRMOF-1. A series of linkers, based on Frustrated Lewis Pairs and coumarin moieties, were attached to IRMOF-1 to obtain MOFs with photocatalytic properties. Four different linkers were used: (a) a BF₂ attached to a coumarin moiety at position 3, (b) two BF₂ attached to a coumarin moiety in positions 3 and 7, (c) a BF₂ attached in the coumarin moiety at position 7, and (d) a CH₂BF₂ attached at position 3. An analysis of the adsorption properties of H₂, CO₂, H₂O and possible CO₂ photocatalytic capabilities was performed by means of computational modeling using Density Functional Theory (DFT), Time-Dependent Density Functional (TD-DFT) methods, and periodic quantum chemical wave function approach. The results show that the proposed linkers are good enough to improve the CO₂ adsorption, to hold better bulk properties, and obtain satisfactory optical properties in comparison with IRMOF-1 by itself.     

Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction and H2 Evolution by a Copper (II) Complex with Redox-Active Ligand

The process of electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction and H₂ evolution from water, regarding renewable energy, has become one of the global solutions to problems related to energy consumption and environmental degradation. In order to promote the electrocatalytic reactivity, the study of the role of ligands in catalysis has attracted more and more attention. Herein, we have developed a copper (II) complex with redox-active ligand [Cu(L¹)₂NO₃]NO₃ (1, L¹ = 2-(6-methoxypyridin-2-yl)-6-nitro-1h-benzo [D] imidazole). X-ray crystallography reveals that the Cu ion in cation of complex 1 is coordinated by two redox ligands L¹ and one labile nitrate ligand, which could assist the metal center for catalysis. The longer Cu-O bond between the metal center and the labile nitrate ligand would break to provide an open coordination site for the binding of the substrate during the catalytic process. The electrocatalytic investigation combined with DFT calculations demonstrate that the copper (II) complex could homogeneously catalyze CO₂ reduction towards CO and H₂ evolution, and this could occur with great performance due to the cooperative effect between the central Cu (II) ion and the redox- active ligand L¹. Further, we discovered that the added proton source H₂O and TsOH·H₂O (p-Toluenesulfonic acid) could greatly enhance its electrocatalytic activity for CO₂ reduction and H₂ evolution, respectively.     

A quantum chemical study of the hydrogen bonding in the CO2⋯HF and N2O⋯HF complexes

Summary Quantum chemical ab initio calculations have been performed for the complex CO₂HF and N₂OHF. The interaction energies were computed through fourth order MBPT and were corrected for basis set superposition errors. Extended polarized basis sets were used which are constructed to give accurate values for electric moments and polarizabilities. The complex NNOHF was found to be bent, while OCOHF is linear, in agreement with experiment. The MBPT calculations give evidence for a second linear isomeric structure FHNNO, a possibility which has also been suggested by recent experimental data. The computed binding energies are: 2.5 kcal/mol for OCOHF, 2.4 kcal/mol for NNOHF, and 3.0 kcal/mol for FHNNO. At the SCF level, the FHNNO complex is less stable than NNOHF, but correlation has a large effect on the geometry and energetics of the latter complex. The NNOHF complex seems to be a system where the positive intramolecular correlation correction prevails over the negative intermolecular component.     

Replacement of Volatile Acetic Acid by Solid SiO2@COOH Silica (Nano)Beads for (Ep)Oxidation Using Mn and Fe Complexes Containing BPMEN Ligand

Mn and Fe BPMEN complexes showed excellent reactivity in catalytic oxidation with an excess of co-reagent (CH₃COOH). In the straight line of a cleaner catalytic system, volatile acetic acid was replaced by SiO₂ (nano)particles with two different sizes to which pending carboxylic functions were added (SiO₂@COOH). The SiO₂@COOH beads were obtained by the functionalization of SiO₂ with pending nitrile functions (SiO₂@CN) followed by CN hydrolysis. All complexes and silica beads were characterized by NMR, infrared, DLS, TEM, X-ray diffraction. The replacement of CH₃COOH by SiO₂@COOH (100 times less on molar ratio) has been evaluated for (ep)oxidation on several substrates (cyclooctene, cyclohexene, cyclohexanol) and discussed in terms of activity and green metrics.     

Elucidation of the Roles of Ionic Liquid in CO2 Electrochemical Reduction to Value-Added Chemicals and Fuels

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂ER) is amongst one the most promising technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions since carbon dioxide (CO₂) can be converted to value-added products. Moreover, the possibility of using a renewable source of energy makes this process environmentally compelling. CO₂ER in ionic liquids (ILs) has recently attracted attention due to its unique properties in reducing overpotential and raising faradaic efficiency. The current literature on CO₂ER mainly reports on the effect of structures, physical and chemical interactions, acidity, and the electrode–electrolyte interface region on the reaction mechanism. However, in this work, new insights are presented for the CO₂ER reaction mechanism that are based on the molecular interactions of the ILs and their physicochemical properties. This new insight will open possibilities for the utilization of new types of ionic liquids. Additionally, the roles of anions, cations, and the electrodes in the CO₂ER reactions are also reviewed.     

Improving the Enzymatic Cascade of Reactions for the Reduction of CO2 to CH3OH in Water: From Enzymes Immobilization Strategies to Cofactor Regeneration and Cofactor Suppression

The need to decrease the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere has led to the search for strategies to reuse such molecule as a building block for chemicals and materials or a source of carbon for fuels. The enzymatic cascade of reactions that produce the reduction of CO₂ to methanol seems to be a very attractive way of reusing CO₂; however, it is still far away from a potential industrial application. In this review, a summary was made of all the advances that have been made in research on such a process, particularly on two salient points: enzyme immobilization and cofactor regeneration. A brief overview of the process is initially given, with a focus on the enzymes and the cofactor, followed by a discussion of all the advances that have been made in research, on the two salient points reported above. In particular, the enzymatic regeneration of NADH is compared to the chemical, electrochemical, and photochemical conversion of NAD⁺ into NADH. The enzymatic regeneration, while being the most used, has several drawbacks in the cost and life of enzymes that suggest attempting alternative solutions. The reduction in the amount of NADH used (by converting CO₂ electrochemically into formate) or even the substitution of NADH with less expensive mimetic molecules is discussed in the text. Such an approach is part of the attempt made to take stock of the situation and identify the points on which work still needs to be conducted to reach an exploitation level of the entire process.     

Gas-phase and On-surface Chemical Reduction of CO2 to HCHO and CO under Dielectric Barrier Discharge

Selective chemical reduction of CO_2(g) (with carrier Ar) in presence of organic compounds, either mixed in the gas-phase or present as a contact surface, under Dielectric Barrier Discharge is presented in this study. Along with gas-phase CO generation, added hydrocarbons (C _n H _2n+x ; n = 6–12; x = 0 or 2) resulted in HCHO production with the maximum H-atom utilization efficiency being ∼15% of the total present. Product CO and HCHO were estimated separately by pre-concentration in specific absorber solutions followed by their discrete colorimetric measurements. On the other hand, in presence of various types of organic surfaces (e.g. wax, plastics and polymers, also acting simultaneously as a dielectric barrier), it was found that while CO could be estimated as above, in the ensuing chemical conversion, product HCHO was retained on these surfaces. On leaching the HCHO into the absorber solution, its production efficiency was estimated to be ∼5% of CO₂.     

Thermochemical Aspects of the Conversion of the Gaseous System CO2-N2-H2O into a Solid Mixture of Amino Acids

Conversion of the gaseous mixture CO₂(g)+N₂(g)+H₂O(g) to a solid amino acid condensate in an electric discharge plasma has high efficiency of the energy transfer from the different plasma components into chemical processes. The basic activation process is activation of the N₂ metastable electronic state, followed by formation of NCO* and ON-NCO free-radicals and generation of many reactive radicals. These radicals help to overcome the high activation energy of thermal dissociation of N₂ to N (950 kJ=9.846 eV). The major product is a statistical polycondensate containing the amino acids: arginine, lysine, histidine, methionine, glycine, alanine, serine and aspartic acid. This information was obtained by comparing the IR spectra of the products with reference IR absorption spectra of pure components. Identification of the individual amino acids in the solid product was performed by HPLC, when samples were dissolved using 6 M HCl applied at 100°C for 24 h. Properties of the condensate were estimated using thermogravimetric analysis. Small amounts of oxamidato complexes and oligo pyrrole structures are formed on the electrode surface giving the surface catalytic properties. The gas cleaning process has practical applicability (production of useful fertilizers, reduction of the CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere) and may also contribute to explanation of the origin of life on Earth. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A comparison of quantitative theoretical results of the bonding in Ni(CO)4 and Ni(N2)4

Using non-empirical calculations the details of bonding in Ni(CO)₄ and in the analogous Ni(N₂)₄ are investigated.For Ni(CO)₄ some previous results are confirmed. In the calculation on Ni(N₂)₄ the close resemblance with Ni(CO)₄ is quite remarkable. The main difference is contained in the fact that carbon has a lower -electron density than nitrogen and that therefore the *-orbital in CO is lower in energy and geometrically more favourable for back donation.From the calculations we find a difference in metal-ligand bond energy between the carbonyl complex and the dinitrogen complex of approximately 18 kcal/mol.     

Pt/MOx(M=Ni,Fe,Co,Ce)催化剂上CO氧化反应中抗H2O与CO2的性能研究

我们研究了4种负载型Pt催化剂（1Pt/NiO、1Pt/FeO_x、1Pt/Co₃O₄和Pt/CeO₂）上不同反应条件下CO氧化活性及抗H₂O和CO₂性能.发现反应气氛中CO₂的加入与CO形成了竞争吸附,并在催化剂表面形成了碳酸盐物种堵塞了活性位,从而导致催化剂失活.反应气氛中H₂O的加入对1Pt/CeO₂催化剂的活性有所抑制,但对1Pt/FeO_x、1Pt/NiO和1Pt/Co₃O₄催化剂的活性却有促进作用.在1Pt/FeO_x和1Pt/CeO₂催化剂上的分步反应实验和动力学研究表明,尽管H₂O的加入在两种催化剂上均与CO形成了竞争吸附,但在1Pt/FeO_x催化剂上H₂O在载体表面解离形成的羟基更易与CO反应,开辟了新的反应途径,从而提高了反应性能.此外,H₂O的加入能有效分解该催化剂上的碳酸盐物种,从而保持了其稳定性.     

Effect of TiO2 Calcination Pretreatment on the Performance of Pt/TiO2 Catalyst for CO Oxidation

In order to improve the CO catalytic oxidation performance of a Pt/TiO₂ catalyst, a series of Pt/TiO₂ catalysts were prepared via an impregnation method in this study, and various characterization methods were used to explore the effect of TiO₂ calcination pretreatment on the CO catalytic oxidation performance of the catalysts. The results revealed that Pt/TiO₂ (700 °C) prepared by TiO₂ after calcination pretreatment at 700 °C exhibits a superior CO oxidation activity at low temperatures. After calcination pretreatment, the catalyst exhibited a suitable specific surface area and pore structure, which is beneficial to the diffusion of reactants and reaction products. At the same time, the proportion of adsorbed oxygen on the catalyst surface was increased, which promoted the oxidation of CO. After calcination pretreatment, the adsorption capacity of the catalyst for CO and CO₂ decreased, which was beneficial for the simultaneous inhibition of the CO self-poisoning of Pt sites. In addition, the Pt species exhibited a higher degree of dispersion and a smaller particle size, thereby increasing the CO oxidation activity of the Pt/TiO₂ (700 °C) catalyst.     

Comparison of CO2 Reduction Performance with NH3 and H2O between Cu/TiO2 and Pd/TiO2

The aim of this study is to clarify the effect of doped metal type on CO₂ reduction characteristics of TiO₂ with NH₃ and H₂O. Cu and Pd have been selected as dopants for TiO₂. In addition, the impact of molar ratio of CO₂ to reductants NH₃ and H₂O has been investigated. A TiO₂ photocatalyst was prepared by a sol-gel and dip-coating process, and then doped with Cu or Pd fine particles by using the pulse arc plasma gun method. The prepared Cu/TiO₂ film and Pd/TiO₂ film were characterized by SEM, EPMA, TEM, STEM, EDX, EDS and EELS. This study also has investigated the performance of CO₂ reduction under the illumination condition of Xe lamp with or without ultraviolet (UV) light. As a result, it is revealed that the CO₂ reduction performance with Cu/TiO₂ under the illumination condition of Xe lamp with UV light is the highest when the molar ratio of CO₂/NH₃/H₂O = 1:1:1 while that without UV light is the highest when the molar ratio of CO₂/NH₃/H₂O = 1:0.5:0.5. It is revealed that the CO₂ reduction performance of Pd/TiO₂ is the highest for the molar ratio of CO₂/NH₃/H₂O = 1:1:1 no matter the used Xe lamp was with or without UV light. The molar quantity of CO per unit weight of photocatalyst for Cu/TiO₂ produced under the illumination condition of Xe lamp with UV light was 10.2 μmol/g, while that for Pd/TiO₂ was 5.5 μmol/g. Meanwhile, the molar quantity of CO per unit weight of photocatalyst for Cu/TiO₂ produced under the illumination condition of Xe lamp without UV light was 2.5 μmol/g, while that for Pd/TiO₂ was 3.5 μmol/g. This study has concluded that Cu/TiO₂ is superior to Pd/TiO₂ from the viewpoint of the molar quantity of CO per unit weight of photocatalyst as well as the quantum efficiency.     

制备方法对CuO/CeO_2-ZrO_2催化CO低温氧化活性的影响

采用微波加热分解法(一步法)和微波加热处理共沉淀+浸渍法(两步法)制备了CuO/CeO2-ZrO2催化剂,并对其进行了X射线衍射、低温氮气吸附/脱附和程序升温还原等表征,采用色谱流动法考察了催化剂的催化CO低温氧化性能.结果表明,一步法比两步法更有利于使催化剂表面CuO高度分散,CuO与CeO2-ZrO2间的相互作用更强,CuO更容易被还原,从而具有更高的催化CO氧化活性.与CeO2-ZrO2有相互作用的高分散和小颗粒CuO有利于催化剂活性的提高,与CeO2-ZrO2无相互作用的大颗粒CuO对催化剂的活性有抑制作用.     

1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) an efficient homogeneous catalyst for aldol condensation reactions. Study of the catalyst recovery and reusability using CO2

In this work it was shown that TBD (1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene), a cheap and commercially available guanidine base, efficiently catalyzes aldol condensation reactions yielding interesting products for pharmacological and fragrance industries. This methodology works under solvent-less conditions and affords with very good conversions the corresponding products. Moreover, a simple and effective separation protocol using the CO₂ fixation was employed. The catalyst could be recovered and re-used for three consecutive runs without significant loss of activity.     

Plasma Technologies for Reducing CO2 Emissions From Combustion Exhaust with Toxic Admixtures to Utilisable Products

The method reported here provides a contribution to CO₂ and combustion exhaust utilisation. A multifunctional system for gas removal was tested on various sources of exhaust (internal combustion engine, brown coal boiler, bituminous pulverised coal boiler, gas boiler, glass oven, VOC sources) in full-scale or by-pass gas flow volumes. A spontaneously-pulsing, direct-current electric discharge operating in a corona geometry was used. The discharge has strongly shining channels migrating quickly along the stressed electrode. The synergetic effect of electric discharge and heterogeneous catalysis on the organometallic part of the product formed on the non-stressed electrode was responsible for the specific character of the products. The final product of the process is a powder with a fractal structure on the microscopic level with low specific mass and insoluble in water. The main component (95%) of the solid product is an amorphous condensate of amino acids with about 5% of organometallic compound with catalytic properties. The product was analysed using IR absorption spectrometry, microscopic photography, HPLC and thermogravimetry. The following amino acids were observed in the final product: alanine, serine, glycine, aspartic acid, lysine, arginine, methionine, histidine. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Carbon Isotope Fractionation during the Formation of CO2 Hydrate and Equilibrium Pressures of 12CO2 and 13CO2 Hydrates

Knowledge of carbon isotope fractionation is needed in order to discuss the formation and dissociation of naturally occurring CO₂ hydrates. We investigated carbon isotope fractionation during CO₂ hydrate formation and measured the three-phase equilibria of ¹²CO₂–H₂O and ¹³CO₂–H₂O systems. From a crystal structure viewpoint, the difference in the Raman spectra of hydrate-bound ¹²CO₂ and ¹³CO₂ was revealed, although their unit cell size was similar. The δ¹³C of hydrate-bound CO₂ was lower than that of the residual CO₂ (1.0–1.5‰) in a formation temperature ranging between 226 K and 278 K. The results show that the small difference between equilibrium pressures of ~0.01 MPa in ¹²CO₂ and ¹³CO₂ hydrates causes carbon isotope fractionation of ~1‰. However, the difference between equilibrium pressures in the ¹²CO₂–H₂O and ¹³CO₂–H₂O systems was smaller than the standard uncertainties of measurement; more accurate pressure measurement is required for quantitative discussion.     

Preparation of CO2 responsive wormlike micelles and the effect of hydrogen bond on the strength of the network

We first prepared two types of CO₂-responsive wormlike micelles based on N-butyldiethanolamine–sodium oleate (BDEA–NaOA) and N,N-diethyl butylamine–sodium oleate (DEBA–NaOA), respectively. And then, we compared the two different systems to investigate the effect of hydrogen bond on the properties of wormlike systems. The results of the pH and conductivity variation show that tertiary amine groups on BDEA and DEBA were ionized to quaternary ammonium salts after bubbling of CO₂ into the systems, which work with OA^? to form wormlike micelles based on electrostatic interaction. The results of rheological measurements exhibit that the viscosity and viscoelastic of the BDEA–NaOA were obviously superior to DEBA–NaOA. The dramatically difference of the two kind of wormlike micelles was due to the strong intermolecular hydrogen bond between the BDEA and NaOA. This indicates that the hydrogen bond could show great effect on the properties of the wormlike micelles. Finally, a reasonable mechanism was proposed based on the molecular structure, micelles assembly, and the intermolecular interactions.     

红外光谱电化学研究金电极表面上CO2的还原

以碳酸丙烯酯(PrC)为溶剂,高氯酸四丁基胺(TBAP)为电解质,利用电化学及红外光谱电化学开展了金电极上二氧化碳的还原研究。运用现场红外光谱跟踪电化学还原过程反应物及产物的生成和消失。红外光谱电化学循环伏吸法表明,在消耗CO2的同时,金电极上有CO的产生,且伴随有碳酸根的形成。结合电化学和光谱电化学结果,提出了一种电还原机理:在非水介质中,CO2电还原过程中生成了中间体CO2.-,随后CO2.-分别以两个途径进行还原,其一是直接被还原成CO,其二是与CO2结合生成C2O4.-而后歧化成CO以及CO32-。两个反应同时进行,且第一个反应是可逆过程。     

A Microwave-Assisted Boudouard Reaction: A Highly Effective Reduction of the Greenhouse Gas CO2 to Useful CO Feedstock with Semi-Coke

The conversion of CO₂ into more synthetically flexible CO is an effective and potential method for CO₂ remediation, utilization and carbon emission reduction. In this paper, the reaction of carbon-carbon dioxide (the Boudouard reaction) was performed in a microwave fixed bed reactor using semi-coke (SC) as both the microwave absorber and reactant and was systematically compared with that heated in a conventional thermal field. The effects of the heating source, SC particle size, CO₂ flow rate and additives on CO₂ conversion and CO output were investigated. By microwave heating (MWH), CO₂ conversion reached more than 99% while by conventional heating (CH), the maximum conversion of CO₂ was approximately 29% at 900 °C. Meanwhile, for the reaction with 5 wt% barium carbonate added as a promoter, the reaction temperature was significantly reduced to 750 °C with an almost quantitative conversion of CO₂. Further kinetic calculations showed that the apparent activation energy of the reaction under microwave heating was 46.3 kJ/mol, which was only one-third of that observed under conventional heating. The microwave-assisted Boudouard reaction with catalytic barium carbonate is a promising method for carbon dioxide utilization.     

固相浸渍法制备NiO/CeO2催化剂及其在CO氧化反应中的应用

采用固相浸渍法制备了一系列NiO/CeO2催化剂,并通过与常规湿浸渍法比较,考察了制备方法对催化剂和CO氧化反应性能的影响.同时结合X射线衍射(XRD),N2吸附-脱附(BET),透射电镜(TEM),氢气-程序升温还原(H2-TPR),拉曼(Raman)光谱,X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等手段对催化剂的结构和表面物种分散状态进行了表征.CO氧化活性测试结果表明,当镍负载量相同时,固相浸渍法制备的催化剂相比于湿浸渍法表现出更好的催化性能.TEM、XPS、H2-TPR结果表明,固相浸渍法更有利于加强镍铈间的相互作用和得到高分散的镍物种,从而促进镍物种的还原.Raman结果表明固相浸渍法相比于湿浸渍法能产生更多氧空位,这有利于氧气在催化剂表面的活化,使得CO氧化反应更容易进行.