Tuning crystal structure of iridium-incorporated titanium dioxide nanosupport and its influence on platinum catalytic performance in direct ethanol fuel cells

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has recently been used as a promising support for platinum (Pt)-based catalysts; however, its very low electrical conductivity and understanding the effect of the TiO₂ structure on Pt electrocatalytic performance for ethanol electro-oxidation reaction (EOR) are major challenges in direct ethanol fuel cells. This study reports an easy and green approach to control the crystal structures of a robust iridium-incorporated TiO₂ nanomaterial and its effect on the Pt electrocatalytic performance for EOR. A green hydrothermal route is used to fabricate iridium-modified TiO₂ nanosupports with different structures by controlling the reaction temperature and time as well as solution pH without using further calcination, followed by the anchoring of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) via a surfactant-free modified reduction route. The experimental results indicate that the pure structure of the iridium-modified TiO₂ nanosupport can easily be obtained by controlling the solution pH. In terms of EOR, all prepared catalysts show more effective performance than the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Among the prepared catalysts, the Pt anchored on the rutile iridium-incorporated TiO₂ exhibits higher EOR performance than on the anatase iridium-incorporated TiO₂ nanosupport, with negative onset potential, high current density, and electrochemical stability. The enhancement is assigned to the great adsorption and desorption ability as well as the high natural resistance to metal NPs ripening on (110) facets of the rutile structure compared with the (101) facets of the anatase structure. This exploration can offer an efficient route for tuning the structure of metal oxides and understanding the effect of the structure of the TiO₂-based support on the Pt catalytic performance.     

Convenient synthesis of drimenol and its oxidation with selenium dioxide

A convenient synthesis of drimenol by treatment of readily available drimane-8, 11-diol 11-monoacetate with sulfuric acid in ethanol under mild conditions was developed. Oxidation of drimenol with selenium dioxide gives known drim-7-ene-9, 11-diol and drim-7-ene-11,12-diol as the major products.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2745–2748, December, 2004.     

Sulfonated polysulfone with 1,3-1H-dibenzimidazole-benzene additive as a membrane for direct methanol fuel cells

1,3-1H-Dibenzimidazole-benzene (DBImBenzene) has been synthesized using phosphorus pentoxide-methanesulfonic acid (PPMA) as a solvent and dehydration agent and investigated as an additive (up to 2.0 wt.%) in sulfonated polysulfone (SPSf) membranes to promote proton conduction via acid–base interactions. The SPSf/DBImBenzene blend membranes with various DBImBenzene contents (0–2.0 wt.%) have been prepared and characterized by proton conductivity measurement and electrochemical polarization and methanol crossover measurements in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The blend membranes with DBImBenzene content of 0.5 and 1.0 wt.% show higher proton conductivities (3.4 and 2.9 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm, respectively) than plain SPSf (2.4 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm) even though the blend membranes have lower ion exchange capacity (0.81 and 0.75 mequiv./g, respectively) than plain SPSf (0.86 mequiv./g). The blend membranes exhibit better electrochemical performance in DMFC than plain SPSf membrane due to an enhancement in proton conductivity through acid–base interactions and lower methanol crossover.     

Analysis of additive metals in fuel and emission aerosols of diesel vehicles with and without particle traps

Fuel additives used in particle traps have to comply with environmental directives and should not support the formation of additional toxic substances. The emission of metal additives from diesel engines with downstream particle traps has been studied. Aspects of the optimisation of sampling procedure, sample preparation and analysis are described. Exemplary results in form of a mass balance calculation are presented. The results demonstrate the high retention rate of the studied filter system but also possible deposition of additive metals in the engine.     

Chemometric analysis of diesel fuel for forensic and environmental applications

Diesel fuel samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and chemometric procedures to associate and discriminate samples for potential use in forensic and environmental applications. Twenty-five diesel samples, representing 13 different brands, were collected from service stations in the Lansing, Michigan area. From the GC-MS data, mass-to-charge ratios were identified to represent aliphatic (m/z 57) and aromatic (m/z 91 and 141) compounds. The total ion chromatogram (TIC) and extracted ion chromatograms (EICs) of the chosen ions were evaluated using Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC) and principal component analysis (PCA). Diesel samples from the same brand showed higher PPMC coefficients, while those from different brands showed lower values. EICs generally provided a wider range of correlation coefficients than the TIC, with correspondingly increased discrimination among samples for EIC m/z 91. PCA grouped the diesel samples into four distinct clusters for the TIC. The first cluster consisted of four samples from the same brand, two clusters contained one diesel sample each of different brands, and the fourth cluster contained the remaining diesel samples. The same trend was observed using each EIC, with an increase in the number of clusters formed for EIC m/z 57 and 91. Both statistical procedures suggest aromatic components (specifically, those with m/z 91) provide the greatest discrimination among diesel samples. This conclusion was supported by identifying the chemical components that contribute the most to the variance. The relative amount of aliphatic versus aromatic components was found to cause the greatest discrimination among samples in the data set.     

纳米NaY分子筛的合成及其催化柴油加氢改质性能

在系统考察添加阳离子表面活性剂、凝胶陈化以及晶化温度和晶化时间等因素对NaY分子筛细化影响的基础上,对纳米NaY分子筛的合成规律进行了研究;合成出了n(SiO2)/n(Al2O3)=4.5,BET比表面积为620m2/g,孔容为0.34 cm3/g,微孔集中分布在0.55 nm附近,粒度分布范围在100 nm以内的纳米NaY分子筛.并采用XRD、BET、IR、TTEM和NH3-TPD等手段系统表征了纳米NaY分子筛的微观结构.分别采用合成的纳米NaY分子筛和微米NaY分子筛为原料制备负载型Ni-Mo-P催化剂,并以FCC柴油为原料,考察了催化剂的加氢改质性能,结果表明,与微米NaY分子筛基负载型Ni-Mo-P催化剂相比,纳米NaY分子筛基负载型Ni-Mo-P催化剂,在加氢脱氮率、密度和十六烷值相当的情况下,其加氢脱硫率较高,柴油收率较高.     

Quality control of vegetable oil methyl esters used as diesel fuel substitutes: Quantitative determination of mono-, di-, and triglycerides by capillary GC

Vegetable oil methyl esters are increasingly being used as substitutes for petroleum-based diesel fuels. Because the presence of triglycerides and partial glycerides in the fuel as a result of incomplete transesterification of vegetable oils can lead to serious engine problems, continuous quality control of the product is essential. A rapid gas chromatographic method has been developed for the quantitative determination of mono-, di-, and triglycerides in vegetable oil methyl esters. Prior to analysis, mono-, and diglycerides were silylated with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide; tridecanoin was used as internal standard. Calibration was performed by analysis of standard solutions containing mono-, di-, and triolein: the calibration plots for mono- and diglycerides showed good linearity, whereas for triglycerides no linearity was observed for triolein concentrations below 0.05 mg/ml. When a non-linear multi level calibration was employed for the quantitation of triglycerides, the method gave excellent quantitative results for mono-, di-, and triglycerides in vegetable oil methyl esters.     

Gas chromatographic analysis and aerosol mass spectrometer measurement of diesel exhaust particles composition

Aerosol particles have important effects on human health, climate, regional visibility, and the deposition of acidic and toxic substances. The aerosols also have significant pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Trials of gas chromatographic analysis of extracts composition of diesel exhaust particles and aerosol mass spectrometer measurement of diesel exhaust particles composition are introduced in this paper. Usually, organic fraction of automotive exhaust particles are concentrated to 1 mL by Kuderna-Danish concentrator after extracted into dichloromethane by soxhlet extraction. Then, these extracts are analyzed by GC/MS. In the extracts from the diesel exhaust particles, there are over several thousands of components, for example paraffinic hydrocarbons, aromatics, oxygenates and other hydrocarbons.     

Designing a capsule catalyst and its application for direct synthesis of middle isoparaffins

A catalyst in the form of a capsule catalyst was prepared by coating HZSM5 membrane on a preshaped Co/SiO2 catalyst pellet. The capsule catalyst with HZSM5 membrane exhibited excellent selectivity for light hydrocarbon synthesis, especially for isoparaffin synthesis from syngas (CO + H2). Long-chain hydrocarbon formation was totally suppressed by the zeolite membrane. The modification of membrane and core catalyst significantly improved the catalytic properties of these new kinds of capsule catalysts.     

Deactivation and oxidative regeneration of modern catalysts for deep hydropurification of diesel fuel: Oxidative regeneration of IK-GO-1 catalyst

Oxidative regeneration of a deactivated IK-GO-1 catalyst was studied in removal of carbonaceous deposits and sulfur from the catalyst composition. Elemental analysis data, texture characteristics, and catalytic activities of fresh and regenerated samples were compared. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray phase analysis, electronic diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to examine the structure of cobalt and molybdenum compounds entering into the composition of the catalysts.     

Environmentally friendly synthesis of Ag/SiO2 nanoparticles using Thymus kotschyanus extract and its application as a green catalyst for synthesis of spirooxindoles

Today, plant extracts based on synthetic procedures have drawn consideration over conventional methods like physical and chemical procedures to synthesize nanomaterials. Green synthesis of nanomaterials has become an area of interest because of numerous advantages such as non-hazardous, economical, and feasible methods with a variety of applications in biomedicine, nanotechnology and nano-optoelectronics and as catalysts for various organic transformations. In this research, silver nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of nano-silica spheres by an in-situ reduction of Ag⁺ ions using an aqueous extract of Thymus kotschyanus aerial parts as a natural reducing and a capping agent. The result recorded from ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) and X-ray powder diffraction supports the biosynthesis and characterization of Ag/SiO₂ nanoparticles. The results indicated that the average size of Ag/SiO₂ nanoparticles is 25–60 nm. The Ag/SiO₂ nanoparticles act as an environmentally friendly heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of spirooxindoles via the three-component condensation reaction of isatins, activated methylene reagents, and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in aqueous media, and the desired products were obtained with yields ranging from 90 to 98%. The catalyst can be recovered easily and used repetitively without significant loss of catalytic activity.

Graphical abstract

     

Synthesis of PtRu nanoparticles from the hydrosilylation reaction and application as catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell

Nanosized Pt, PtRu, and Ru particles were prepared by a novel process, the hydrosilylation reaction. The hydrosilylation reaction is an effective method of preparation not only for Pt particles but also for other metal colloids, such as Ru. Vulcan XC-72 was selected as catalyst support for Pt, PtRu, and Ru colloids, and TEM investigations showed nanoscale particles and narrow size distribution for both supported and unsupported metals. All Pt and Pt-rich catalysts showed the X-ray diffraction pattern of a face-centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure, whereas the Ru and Ru-rich alloys were more typical of a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure. As evidenced by XPS, most Pt and Ru atoms in the nanoparticles were zerovalent, except a trace of oxidation-state metals. The electrooxidation of liquid methanol on these catalysts was investigated at room temperature by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results concluded that some alloy catalysts showed higher catalytic activities and better CO tolerance than the Pt-only catalyst; Pt56Ru44/C have displayed the best electrocatalytic performance among all carbon-supported catalysts.     

Direct synthesis of hierarchically porous TS‐1 through a solvent‐evaporation route and its application as an oxidation catalyst

Synthesis of hierarchically porous zeolites has drawn intensive interest because of their improved catalytic performance. It is highly desirable to find ways to generate these materials in a low‐cost and scalable way for their commercial applications. A solvent evaporation route has been established to synthesize hierarchically porous titanosilicalite‐1 (TS‐1). In the protocol, hexadecyltrimethoxysilane was added to an ethanolic solution of titanium isopropoxide, tetraethyl orthosilicate and tetrapropylammonium hydroxide, i.e. the embryo solution of TS‐1. The solution was subjected to solvent evaporation‐induced self‐assembly to afford an ordered dry gel. Subsequent steam‐assisted crystallization converted the dry gel into a hierarchically porous TS‐1. X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), UV–visible diffusive reflectance spectroscopy, N₂ physisorption and electron microscopic characterizations have been employed to elucidate the structure. Ti is incorporated into the tetrahedral sites of the MFI structure and mesopores around 20 nm penetrating the crystalline framework are formed. Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane plays a key role in creating mesopores as well as increasing the crystal size. The hierarchically porous TS‐1 exhibits improved activity in styrene oxidation and phenol hydroxylation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of role of urea in morphologically controlled synthesis of calcium‐bismuth bimetallic nanoparticles from chicken egg shells and its catalytic and fuel additive applications

A comparative study on the role of urea in controlling the morphology of calcium‐bismuth (Ca₅Bi₃) bimetallic nanoparticles is carried out. Calcium‐bismuth bimetallic nanoparticles are synthesized in the presence and absence of urea using the solvothermal method. The morphology of the synthesized products is analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The composition of the product is analyzed by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopic and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Reitveld refinements are performed on the XRD data, and lattice parameters are optimized. Reitveld‐refined parameters are used to construct the structural model of the calcium‐bismuth product. The formation mechanism of needle like particles from an orthorhombic unit cell is also proposed. The degradation of Congo red dye is catalyzed by synthesized Ca₅Bi₃ bimetallic nanoneedles in an aqueous medium. The effect of catalyst dose on the apparent rate constant (k_app) of degradation is studied and compared with literature. Ca₅Bi₃ bimetallic nanoneedles are also used as an additive in commercial diesel obtained from Pakistan State Oil, Limited. The effect of an additive dose on the calorific value of diesel is studied. How the Ca₅Bi₃ additive influenced other fuel quality parameters such as flash point, fire point, pour point, cloud point, kinematic viscosity, and specific gravity is also studied.     

Application of bromine trifluoride for pre-concentration and determination of rare-earth elements in fuel uranium dioxide

Radioactive indicator's (¹⁵²Eu) method was used to study the behavior of rare-earth element (REE) micro-impurities at fluorination of fuel UO₂ with bromine trifluoride. The proposed process is very simple and carried out under a blanket layer of Freon-113 in the glassy carbon (vitreous) crucibles.It was shown that uranium matrix completely removes from reaction sphere in the form of UF₆ and REE contaminations quantitatively remain in crucible owing to practical non-volatility of their fluorides. High purity of fuel UO₂ causes small amount of the non-volatile rest (0.3-2 wt.% from initial weight) that considerably facilitates a problem of confident diagnostics of the strictly limited REE content in this material. Removal of uranium and concentration of REE from analyzed test samples via fluorination is several hundred times more rapid scheme of pre-sampling to atomic emission spectral determination of REE micro-quantities in UO₂ than traditionally used extraction and ion-exchange ways of the preliminary concentration of contaminations and removal of uranium.     

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric method for the determination of vanadium in diesel and asphaltene prepared as detergentless microemulsions

A method based on electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of vanadium in diesel and asphalthene fractions is proposed. In order to avoid analyte losses observed at the microgram per liter range for metal traces in organic solutions, diesel samples were stabilized as detergentless microemulsions by mixing with propan-1-ol and nitric acid solution. The solid asphaltene oil fraction was separated and dissolved in dichloromethane before mixing these solution with propan-1-ol and nitric acid solution. Wall atomization as well as no modifier was used. For diesel, aqueous analytical solutions could be used for calibration. For asphaltene, calibration was performed with analytical solutions prepared at the dichloromethane+propan-1-ol+nitric acid medium, spiked with inorganic standard solution. Linear ranges up to 200 μg l⁻¹ were observed, as well as limit of detection of 5 μg l⁻¹ and 4 μg g⁻¹ for diesel and asphaltene, respectively. Good recoveries were obtained for V-cyclohexanebutyrates spiked diesel samples, as well as coherent results for the asphaltene fraction of the NIST 1634c (trace elements in fuel oil) certified reference material.     

Silicalite-1空心球材料制备及其在Beckmann重排反应中催化应用研究

以碳微球作为硬模板、纳米Silicalite-1分子筛作为壳层,采用水热法合成了Silicalite-1空心球材料。采用XRD、SEM、FT-IR、N_2吸附、29Si M AS NM R、TG、XPS等技术对催化剂的物相、形貌和性能等进行表征,发现该空心材料具有较高的结晶度、发达的多级孔道结构和丰富的表面羟基。与传统方法制备的Silicalite-1分子筛催化剂相比,Silicalite-1空心材料在环己酮肟Beckmann重排反应中表现出优异的催化性能,使环己酮肟的转化率达99%、己内酰胺的选择性达94%,同时催化剂保持极佳的稳定性。研究表明,Silicalite-1空心材料中具有的大量巢式硅羟基和末端硅羟基是Beckmann重排反应的主要活性位,且可通过简单焙烧再生实现羟基活性位的完全恢复。     

三相转移催化提取三十烷醇及其应用研究

三十烷醇-1(1-Triacontanol)又称蜂花醇，是一种新型的天然的植物生长调节剂，来源广、用量微、成本低、作用大、无公害。三十烷醇常与高级脂肪酸结合成酯，普遍存在于植物蜡和虫蜡中如蜂蜡、糠蜡、蔗蜡、棉蜡等，经皂化后分离提纯得到。其中由蜂蜡提取三十烷的关键是使其皂化，目前常     

Fly ash supported NiO as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of xanthene and its molecular docking study against plasmodium glutathione reductase

A novel fly ash supported NiO (FA–NiO) nanocomposite solid heterogeneous catalyst has been prepared by impregnation of Ni(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O on thermally activated fly ash (FA) support. FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, TEM and BET techniques were employed to characterize the catalyst. The catalytic adeptness of FA–NiO was tested and optimized in xanthene formation. Catalyst gave very high yield and good purity. Stability of the catalyst could be promising as it easily recovered and reused giving a similar yield up to four cycles. FA–NiO is an efficient catalyst providing an environmentally clean process for xanthene formation and for developing a revolutionary way to use the majority of waste fly ash. Further, we have also performed docking simulation between 1ONF and a xanthene molecule to evaluate binding orientation and affinity of the ligand.