Controlled green synthesis of Au–Pt bimetallic nanoparticles using chlorogenic acid

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Well-dispersed Au–Pt alloyed bimetallic nanoparticles are synthesized using chlorogenic acid as the only reducing agent and stabilizer to reduce Au/Pt...     

An EQCN assessment of electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol at nanostructured Au–Pt alloy nanoparticles

Alloy nanocrystals encapsulated with alkyl dithiolates (“core-shell” nanoparticles) serve as an intriguing class of nanostructured catalysts. This paper reports the preliminary results of an electrochemical quartz-crystal nanobalance (EQCN) investigation of mass transport associated with the catalytic activation and methanol oxidation at nanostructured Au–Pt nanocrystals. It is demonstrated that the catalytic activation and oxidation of methanol are accompanied by mass fluxes across the nanostructured film. The mass transport involves oxidation–reduction of surface oxygenated species, methanol adsorption and oxidation, solvent breath and product release. The implication of the EQCN results to the understanding of the core-shell nanostructured catalytic mechanism is discussed.     

Ammonia oxidation on electrodeposited Pt–Ir alloys

Ammonia electro-oxidation on Pt–Ir alloys has been studied applying cyclic voltammetry and differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS), and the results were compared with pure Pt. Bimetallic alloys were prepared by electrodeposition and characterized using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Auger spectroscopy, before and after oxidation of ammonia. Pt/Ir atomic composition was 70:30 obtained from 1:1 solutions. Substitution alloys were established where Ir atoms replace Pt positions in the face-centered cubic structure. Preferential crystal orientations were detected in the electrodeposits with the development of a crystallographic texture. DEMS showed that N₂ is the main product during ammonia oxidation for both Pt and Pt–Ir, but the formation of nitrogen oxides is observed for E > 0.8 V_RHE. The yield of N₂ is higher for the alloy, which also displays lower poisoning of the surface when increasing ammonia concentration. These results confirm Pt–Ir alloys as alternatives to Pt electrodes concerning ammonia oxidation. Finally, it was observed that XRD patterns, as well as texture coefficient values, change after using the electrodeposits for ammonia oxidation, with the less compact planes the more affected ones. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Teresa Iwasita on the occasion of her 65th birthday in recognition of her numerous contributions to interfacial electrochemistry.     

Effect of de-alloying of Pt–Ni bimetallic nanoparticles on the oxygen reduction reaction

Carbon-supported Pt–Ni alloy nanoparticles with various compositions were prepared by a borohydride reduction method in anhydrous ethanol solvent. Here, we surveyed effect of thermally induced de-alloying on activity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Especially, changes in surface and bulk structures were investigated through electrochemical and spectroscopic measurements. The activity of as-prepared Pt–Ni alloy nanoparticles showed a monotonous dependence on Pt content. However, heat-treatment induced the phase separation between Pt and NiO and the resultant enhancement in ORR activity without significant increase in surface Pt concentration.     

Structural evolution of Pt/ceria–zirconia TWC catalysts during the oxidation of carbon monoxide

The structural evolution of two Pt/ceria–zirconia catalysts, characterized by different amounts of supported Pt, was monitored by in situ X-ray diffraction during the anaerobic oxidation of CO at different temperatures. In a first phase, oxygen coming from the surface layers of the ceria–zirconia mixed oxide is consumed and no structural variation of the support is observed. After this induction time, bulk reduction of Pt/ceria–zirconia takes place as a step-like process, while the CO₂ production continues at a nearly constant rate. This behavior is totally different from that of the metal-free support in similar reaction conditions, that show a gradual bulk reduction. In repeated oxidation–reduction cycles, it was observed that the induction time in Pt/ceria–zirconia is a function of the thermal history, of the amount of supported Pt and of the structural evolution of the samples.     

Influence of crystallite structure of nanometer TiO_2 catalysts on photocatalyst reaction

25 samples of nanometer TiO2 were prepared through modifying the preparation conditions including the concentrations of Ti(SO4)2 and NH4HCO3, the pH value at the end of precipitation operation, and sintering temperature and time by methods of orthogonal design. The relationships between their catalytic activities of photocatalytic degradation of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and the normal crystallite size, lattice-strain and X-ray diffraction intensity of 10 crystal faces were analyzed. It was discovered that the photocatalytic degradation reaction of SDBS follows first-order kinetics. Crystal faces of catalysts' (101) have greater influence than other crystal faces on the reaction. The photocatalytic reaction needs more perfect (101) crystal faces with less lattice-strain. Smaller normal crystallite size and greater specific surface area of (101) crystal face are better for increasing reaction rate. The photocatalytic reaction is mainly proceeded on the (101) crystal face, comparatively, amor     

Comparative toxicity study of Ag, Au, and Ag–Au bimetallic nanoparticles on Daphnia magna

A comparative assessment of the 48-h acute toxicity of aqueous nanoparticles synthesized using the same methodology, including Au, Ag, and Ag–Au bimetallic nanoparticles, was conducted to determine their ecological effect in freshwater environments through the use of Daphnia magna, using their mortality as a toxicological endpoint. D. magna are one of the standard organisms used for ecotoxicity studies due to their sensitivity to chemical toxicants. Particle suspensions used in toxicity testing were well-characterized through a combination of absorbance measurements, atomic force or electron microscopy, flame atomic absorption spectrometry, and dynamic light scattering to determine composition, aggregation state, and particle size. The toxicity of all nanoparticles tested was found to be dose and composition dependent. The concentration of Au nanoparticles that killed 50% of the test organisms (LC₅₀) ranged from 65–75 mg/L. In addition, three different sized Ag nanoparticles (diameters = 36, 52, and 66 nm) were studied to analyze the toxicological effects of particle size on D. magna; however, it was found that toxicity was not a function of size and ranged from 3–4 μg/L for all three sets of Ag nanoparticles tested. This was possibly due to the large degree of aggregation when these nanoparticles were suspended in standard synthetic freshwater. Moreover, the LC₅₀ values for Ag–Au bimetallic nanoparticles were found to be between that of Ag and Au but much closer to that of Ag. The bimetallic particles containing 80% Ag and 20% Au were found to have a significantly lower toxicity to Daphnia (LC₅₀ of 15 μg/L) compared to Ag nanoparticles, while the toxicity of the nanoparticles containing 20% Ag and 80% Au was greater than expected at 12 μg/L. The comparison results confirm that Ag nanoparticles were much more toxic than Au nanoparticles, and that the introduction of gold into silver nanoparticles may lower their environmental impact by lowering the amount of Ag which is bioavailable.     

Hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propanediols over supported Ag–Cu catalysts

Hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol and 1,3-propanediol has significant scientific importance and commercial interest due to the huge surplus of glycerol and the various application of propanediols. A series of supported Ag–Cu catalysts synthesized by impregnation method were studied for hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propanediols. The catalysts were characterized by H₂-TPR, NH₃-TPD, XRD, BET, N₂O chemisorption, TG, ICP and SEM. It was observed that the loading of 5% Ag–Cu-based catalysts facilitated the reduction, surface acidity and dispersion of the Cu particles, which improved the conversion of glycerol and promoted the generation of propanediols. It was also found that when loading Ag and Cu simultaneously on Al₂O₃, the catalyst had a better performance for the reaction because of the higher acidity, dispersion and surface area of the Cu species on the catalyst surface. In addition, effects of metal concentrations, metal impregnation sequence, reaction temperature, reaction pressure, reaction time, solvent and pH value of the solution on glycerol hydrogenolysis together with the recyclability of catalyst were investigated in detail. The optimal 5Ag–15Cu/Al₂O₃ achieved 66.4% glycerol conversion with 68.2% 1,2-propanediol and 3.1% 1,3-propanediol selectivity at 200 °C under 3.5 MPa in ethanol for 8 h.     

Activity of copper–cerium–zirconium catalysts in oxidation of hydrogen

We have studied the catalytic properties in oxidation of hydrogen for copper–cerium oxide systems deposited on supports obtained by calcination of yttrium-stabilized zirconium dioxide at 300–1000 °C. We have shown that the catalytic activity of the samples obtained depends on the specific surface area of the original supports and the amount of reduced copper within the composition of the catalyst. In samples whose support has high specific surface area, the content of reduced metallic copper is greater and the catalytic activity is higher.     

Aromatic reduction of residue oil of naphtha cracking over bimetallic Pt−Pd catalysts supported on mesoporous molecular sieve

An Al-containing mesoporous molecular sieve (Al-MMS) was prepared by hydrolysis of H₂SiF₆ and Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O. NH₃-TPD results suggest that the acidity of Al-MMS was less than that of dealuminated zeolite. Y. The potential use of mesoporous molecular sieve as a new support material for dearomatization of residue oil of naphtha cracking was described. In case of C₉ ⁺ and PGO feed, Pt?Pd/Al-MMS showed a higher activity than Pt?Pd/dealuminated zeolite Y catalyst. This is ascribed to its better accessibility of bulky molecules, and much less cracking activity due to mild acidity, indicating high yield of liquid. Thus, Pt?Pd/Al-MMS catalyst can be applied effectively to the hydrogenation of aromatic compounds in the residue oil of a commercial naphtha cracker.     

Investigation of concentration hysteresis in methane oxidation on bimetallic Pt–Pd/Al2O3 catalyst by in situ XPS and mass spectrometry

A combination of in situ XPS and mass spectrometry was used to investigate concentration hysteresis in the low- temperature oxidation of methane over a bimetallic Pt–Pd catalyst. It was shown that a decrease in the oxygen concentration leads to a sharp increase in the catalytic activity of the sample under study. The transition of the catalyst to a high/low activity state occurs due to the partial reduction/oxidation of the active component, with both platinum and palladium participating in the methane oxidation reaction.     

Bimetallic Co–Pd alloy nanoparticles as magnetically recoverable catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols in water

Co–Pd bimetallic alloy nanoparticle catalysts were prepared from CoCl₂, Pd(OAc)₂ and several capping agents with Li(C₂H₅)₃BH. The nanoparticle catalysts were applied to the aerobic oxidation of a variety of alcohols in water to give the corresponding carbonyl products. The catalyst was magnetically recovered and reused for further oxidation. The nanoparticle catalysts were characterized with TEM, ICP, and XPS analyses.     

Hydrogen production by aqueous phase reforming of sorbitol using bimetallic Ni–Pt catalysts: metal support interaction

Hydrogen was produced by Aqueous Phase Reforming (APR) of 10% (w/w) sorbitol using mono- and bi-metallic catalysts of Ni and Pt supported on alumina nano-fibre (Alnf), mesoporous ZrO₂ and mixed oxides of ceria–zirconia–silica (CZxS) with varying concentration of silica (where x is silica concentration). X-ray diffraction, TEM/EDS and temperature programmed reduction were also carried on these catalysts to study the surface properties. It was observed that co-impregnation of Pt and Ni in atomic ratio 1:12 increased the reducibility of Ni by forming an alloy. However, sequential impregnation of Ni followed by Pt does not form the bi-metallic particles to increase the Ni reducibility. Reduction peak of co-impregnated Ni–Pt/Alnf was found to be 270 °C lower than the sequentially impregnated Pt/Ni/Alnf. The presence of silica at high concentration in CZxS support decreased the reducibility of ceria by forming an amorphous layer on Ce_xZr_1?xO₂ crystals, which also decreased Ni reducibility. The rate of H₂ formation from aqueous phase sorbitol reforming was found to be highest for co-impregnated Ni–Pt catalysts followed by sequentially impregnated Pt/Ni and monometallic Ni catalyst. The H₂ activity decreased in the following order of the supports: Alnf > ZrO₂ > CZ3S > CZ7S.     

Catalytic combustion of methane over nano ZrO2-supported copper-based catalysts

The nano ZrO2-supported copper-based catalysts for methane combustion were investigated by means of N2 adsorption, TEM, XRD, H2-TPR techniques and the test of methane oxidation. Two kinds of ZrO2 were used as support, one （ZrO2-1） was obtained from the commercial ZrO2 and the other （ZrO2-2） was issued from the thermal decomposition of zirconium nitrate. It was found that the CuO/ZrO2-2 catalyst was more active than CuO/ZrO2-1. N2 adsorption, H2-TPR and XRD measurements showed that larger surface area, better reduction property, presence of tetragonal ZrO2 and higher dispersion of active component for CuO/ZrO2-2 than that of CuO/ZrO2-1. These factors could be the dominating reasons for its higher activity for methane combustion.     

Promoted effect of zinc–nickel bimetallic oxides supported on HZSM-5 catalysts in aromatization of methanol

Zn/ZSM-5(NZ2) and Zn/Ni/ZSM-5(NZ3) as the catalysts for methanol to aromatics(MTA) were synthesized by a simple ultrasonic impregnation. The textural and acid properties of all catalysts were characterized using XRD, HRTEM, NH_3-TPD, Py-IR, XPS, XRF and TG techniques. The XRD and HRTEM results showed that the basic zeolite structures were not affected much with the incorporation of Zn and Ni species. However, great changes have taken place in acid properties. The Py-IR and XPS results indicated that the Zn-Lewis acid sites(ZnOH~+ species), which have stronger interaction with the zeolite framework compared with ZnO species, were generated at the expense of B acid sites with the incorporation of zinc species. Moreover, the product analysis results showed that the incorporation of zinc species promoted the primary aromatization by enhancing the dehydroaromatization and suppressing the cracking and subsequent H-transfer reaction. Furthermore, the addition of Ni species well inhibited the loss of zinc species by converting partial ZnO species to ZnOH~+ species, and thus improved the aromatization activity and catalyst stability. The catalytic performance results showed that the NZ3 possess higher conversion of methanol in a longer time and lower average rate of coke formation compared with NZ2. In addition,the NZ3 also exhibited the highest yield of BTX as the reaction proceeds.     

Thermal stability of Ag–Au,Cu–Au,and Ag–Cu bimetallic nanoparticles supported on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

The formation of Ag–Au, Cu–Au, and Ag–Cu bimetallic particles on the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Samples with the core–shell structure of particles were prepared by sequential thermal vacuum deposition. The thermal stability of the samples was studied over a wide range of temperatures (25-400°C) under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions. The heating of the samples to ~250°C leads to the formation of bimetallic alloy particles with a relatively uniform distribution of metals in the bulk. The thermal stability of the samples with respect to sintering depends on the nature of the supported metals. Thus, the Ag–Au particles exhibited the highest thermal resistance (~350°C) under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions, whereas the Ag–Cu particles agglomerated even at ~250°C.     

The nature of active sites in Pt–ReO_X/TiO_2 catalysts for selective hydrogenation of carboxylic acids to alcohols

The highly dispersed Pt–Re OX(x ≤ 1) sites ca. 0.5 nm in size were formed via a successive and strong interaction of the Re precursor with titania and then of the Pt complex with deposited low-valent rhenium oxide clusters. The size, charge and chemical composition were characterized by means of HRTEM/STEM with EDX mapping, XPS, and FTIRS. These sites with Re/Pt = 2 were shown to be highly active and selective in the hydrogenation of carboxylic acid to alcohol under very mild conditions(T = 130 °C, P = 50 bar). The reaction rate constant for the hydrogenation of hexanoic acid increased linearly with the Pt content. As for the homogeneous pincer-type Ru-organic complexes, the active Pt–Re OXsites can dissociate heterolytically the molecular hydrogen with the formation of hydroxyl groups and Pt hydride for hydrogenation of the carboxylic group. Indeed, TOF of 20 h-1 and selectivity of 98%–99% are approaching the values typical of homogeneous catalysts. The first order kinetics described well the experimental data obtained in a wide range of reaction conditions.     

The catalytic activity of bimetallic Pt—Pd polymer nanocomposites in formic acid oxidation

The platinum-palladium/Nafion metal—polymer nanocomposites were synthesized by chemical reduction of metal ions in water—organic reverse microemulsion solutions. The catalytic activity of the synthesized polymer composites with bimetallic Pt—Pd nanoparticles was estimated in the oxidation of hydrogen and formic acid.     

Improved hydrogen oxidation reaction under alkaline conditions by Au–Pt alloy nanoparticles

This work demonstrates the outstanding performance of alloyed Au_1 Pt_1 nanoparticles on hydrogen oxidation reaction(HOR) in alkaline solution. Due to the weakened hydrogen binding energy caused by uniform incorporation of Au, the alloyed Au_1 Pt_1/C nanoparticles exhibit superior HOR activity than commercial Pt Ru/C. On the contrary, the catalytic performance of the phase-segregated Au_2 Pt_1/C and Au_1 Pt_1/C bimetallic nanoparticles in HOR is significantly worse. Moreover, Au_1 Pt_1/C shows a remarkable durability with activity dropping only 4% after 3000 CV cycles, while performance attenuation of commercial Pt Ru/C is high up to 15% under the same condition. Our results indicate that the alloyed Au_1 Pt_1/C is a promising candidate to substitute commercial Pt Ru/C for hydrogen oxidation reaction in alkaline electrolyte.     

Heterogeneous bimetallic Au–Co nanoparticles as new efficient catalysts for the three-component coupling reactions of amines,alkynes and CH2Cl2

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Propargylamines are key intermediates for the synthesis of many biologically active molecules. A new synthesis of propargylamines via a three component-coupling...