Platinum-macrocycle co-catalyst for electro-oxidation of formic acid

In this work, a new promoter, tetrasulfophthalocyanine (FeTSPc), one kind of environmental friendly material, was found to be very effective in both inhibiting self-poisoning and improving the intrinsic catalysis activity, consequently enhancing the electro-oxidation current during the electro-oxidation of formic acid. The cyclic voltammograms test showed that the formic acid oxidation peak current density has been increased about 10 times compared with that of the Pt electrode without FeTSPc. The electrochemical double potential step chronoamperometry measurements revealed that the apparent activity energy decreases from 20.64 kJ mol⁻¹ to 17.38 kJ mol⁻¹ after Pt electrode promoted by FeTSPc. The promoting effect of FeTSPc may be owed to the specific structure and abundant electrons of FeTSPc resulting in both the steric hindrance of the formation of poisoning species (CO) and intrinsic kinetic enhancement. In the single cell test, the performance of DFAFC increased from 80 mW cm⁻² mg⁻¹ (Pt) to 130 mW cm⁻² mg⁻¹ after the anode electrode adsorbed FeTSPc.     

The fluorescence of ellagic acid and its borax complex

The absorption and fluorescence properties of the plant phenol ellagic acid have been studied in alcohol and aqueous solutions. Fluorescence is weak in all kinds of solvents, but is greatly enhanced by addition of borax. The resulting complex emits much more intensely in methanol than in water solution. UV and fluorescence data reveal that the complex formed in methanol is different from the complex formed in aqueous solution. The enormous fluorescence enhancement of ellagic acid by borax offers a simple method for the visualization and quantification of the potent anti-mutagen ellagic acid as well as a fluorimetric method for the determination of boron.The IUPAC name for ellagic acid is 2,3,7,8-tetra-hydroxy[1]benzopyrano[5,4,3—c,d,e][1]-benzopyran-5,10-dione.     

A new ellagic acid derivative from Polygonum runcinatum

A new ellagic acid derivative, 3,3′-dimethylellagic acid-4′-O-(6″-galloyl)-β-d-glucoside, named runcinatside (5), together with four known compounds 3,3′-dimethylellagic acid (1), 3,3′,4′-trimethylellagic acid (2), 3,3′-dimethylellagic acid-4′-O-β-d-glucoside (3) and 3-methylellagic acid-4′-O-α-l-rhamno-pyranoside (4), was isolated from the roots of Polygonum runcinatum Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don Var. sinense Hemsl and the structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods and comparison with previously reported data. All compounds showed antioxidant activities in vitro and compound 5 possessed the highest activity.     

Reaction between ellagic acid and an ultimate carcinogen

The reaction coordinate between a typical ultimate carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) and ellagic acid, a proven chemopreventive agent active against cancers caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), was examined by density functional theory (DFT) and semiempirical MO calculations, and activation energy was calculated. The effect of a polar environment was included using Tomasi and the Langevin dipoles methods. The calculated BPDE/ellagic acid reaction free energy of activation is found to be in decent agreement with experimental data [Sayer, J. M. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1982, 104, 5562-5564]. This work sheds light on the mechanism of action of ellagic acid. Quantum chemical calculations of this kind are valuable for the design of ellagic acid derivatives with even lower activation energy and increased reactivity toward ultimate carcinogens as well as controlled reactivity toward DNA.     

Extraction and analysis of ellagic acid from novel complex sources

Ellagic acid (EA) was quantified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RPHPLC) coupled with photodiode array detection (DAD) in five fine-powdered plants collected from the semiarid region of Mexico. Samples analysed included Jatropha dioica branches (Dragon’s blood), Euphorbia antisyphyllitica branches (Candelilla), Turnera diffusa Willd leaves (Damiana), Flourensia cernua leaves (hojasén) and Punica granatum husk (pomegranate) at two maturity stages (“turning” or intermediate and maturated fruit, considered as positive controls). The results demonstrated high EA concentrations in all tested samples which are novel sources of this natural antioxidant. The method developed for the EA analysis is fast and it showed an excellent linearity range, repeatability, intra-and inter-day precision and accuracy with respect to the methods reported for the EA analysis.     

PdCo/RGO催化剂对甲酸的氧化电催化性能

采用硼氢化钾还原法制备了石墨烯负载PdCo催化剂(PdCo/RGO),对催化剂进行了结构形貌表征并考察了其对甲酸氧化的催化性能.表征结果表明催化剂形成了立方面心结构的PdCo合金纳米颗粒.与Pd/RGO催化剂相比,PdCo/RGO催化剂上Pd颗粒团聚现象明显改善,平均粒径大大减小且分散性更好.电化学性能测试结果表明,相比于Pd/RGO催化剂,不同比例的PdCo/RGO催化剂具有不同的甲酸氧化电催化活性和稳定性;其中2Pd1Co/RGO性能最佳,最大甲酸氧化峰电位负向移动约60mV,电流密度增大到2.2倍.PdCo/RGO催化剂催化性能优异,显示了很好的甲酸阳极催化剂应用前景.     

Synergistic enhancement of formic acid electro-oxidation on PtxCuy co-electrodeposited binary catalysts

A propitious binary catalyst composed of Pt and Cu which were electrodeposited simultaneously onto a glassy carbon (GC) substrate was recommended for the formic acid (FA) electro-oxidation reaction (FAOR); the principal anodic reaction in the direct FA fuel cells (DFAFCs). The simultaneous co-electrodeposition of Pt and Cu in the catalyst provided an opportunity to tune the geometric functionality of the catalyst to resist the adsorption of poisoning CO at the Pt surface that represented the major impediment for DFAFCs marketing. The catalytic activity of the catalyst toward FAOR was significantly influenced by the (Pt⁴⁺/Cu²⁺) molar ratio of the electrolyte during electrodeposition, which also affected the surface coverage of Pt and Cu in the catalyst. Interestingly, with a molar (Pt⁴⁺/Cu²⁺) ratio of (1:4), the catalyst sustained superior (3.58 compared to 0.65 obtained at the pristine Pt/GC catalyst) activity for FAOR, concurrently with up to four-times (0.73 compared to 0.18 obtained at the pristine Pt/GC catalyst) improvement in the catalytic tolerance against CO poisoning. This associated, surprisingly, a negative shift of ca. 336 mV in the onset potential of FAOR, in an indication for the competitiveness of the catalyst to minimize superfluous polarizations in DFAFCs. Furthermore, it offered a better (ended up with 20% loss in the activity) stability for continuous (1 h) electrolysis than pristine Pt/GC catalyst (the loss reached 35%). The impedance and CO stripping measurements together excluded the electronic element but confirmed the geometrical influence in the catalytic enhancement.     

近红外光谱法用于纯化过程中鞣花酸含量的监控

采用近红外光谱技术结合遗传算法优化的小波神经网络,对大孔树脂纯化过程中橄榄果中的鞣花酸含量进行监控。通过小波变换对光谱进行去噪、压缩,作为人工神经网络的输入,同时以遗传算法优化神经网络的权值与阈值,并与常用的偏最小二乘(PLS)线性模型的建模效果进行比较。实验结果表明,两者都能够较准确的预测鞣花酸的含量,相对而言,人工神经网络(ANN)效果较好。     

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors ellagic acid derivatives with immunoinhibitory properties from Terminalia superba

Fractionation of stem barks of Terminalia superba yielded two new ellagic acid derivatives, 3,4'-di-O-methylellagic acid 3'-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (1) and 4'-O-galloy-3,3'-di-O-methylellagic acid 4-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (2) together with known 3,3'-di-O-methylellagic acid, ellagic acid and 3,3'-di-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside. Compounds (1) and (2) showed significant alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity and possessed significant immunoinhibitory activities with no cytotoxic effects.     

Measuring the three forms of ellagic acid: suitability of extraction solvents

Accurate quantification of ellagic acid and its derivatives, ellagic acid glycosides and ellagitannins, present in plant-based foods is a vital prerequisite for any study of their health-promoting properties. This goal is impeded by the lack of commercially available standards and the fact that these three forms differ widely in solubility. This disparity necessitates careful attention being paid to the choice of extraction solvents to ensure that precise and reproducible content measurements are achieved. This work sought to devise an extraction protocol that is effective for all ellagic acid forms whilst keeping the water-insoluble free ellagic acid solubilised during all analysis stages. To overcome this unavailability of commercial standards, the designated “targeted” ellagic acid derivatives identified in the selected fruit were monitored during the course of extraction that employed a number of commonly used solvents. Large variations in the extraction yield of the solvents tested for the ellagic acid and its derivatives were identified, extending even to the different fruit samples for the same form. It is regarded as unlikely that any selected extraction solvent could be universally employed to effectively extract all the ellagic acid compounds; however, the use of the solvent 50:50 vol. methanol-dimethylformamide satisfied most requirements.     

Composition effects of FePt alloy nanoparticles on the electro-oxidation of formic acid

The catalytic activities of FexPt100-x alloy nanoparticles at different compositions (x=10, 15, 42, 54, 58, and 63) in the electro-oxidation of formic acid have been investigated by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was observed that the electrocatalytic performance was strongly dependent on the FePt particle composition. In chronoamperometric measurements, the alloy particles at x approximately 50 showed the highest steady-state current density among the catalysts under study and maintained the best long-term stability. In addition, on the basis of the anodic peak current density, onset potentials, and the ratios of the anodic peak current density to the cathodic peak current density in CV studies, the catalytic activity for HCOOH oxidation was found to decrease in the order of Fe42Pt58>Fe54Pt46 approximately Fe58Pt42>Fe15Pt85>Fe10Pt90>Fe63Pt37. That is, within the present experimental context, the alloy nanoparticles at x approximately 50 appeared to exhibit the maximum electrocatalytic activity and stability with optimal tolerance to CO poisoning. Consistent responses were also observed in electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements. For the alloy nanoparticles that showed excellent tolerance to CO poisoning, the impedance in the Nyquist plots was found to change sign from positive to negative with increasing electrode potential, suggesting that the electron-transfer kinetics evolved from resistive to pseudoinductive and then to inductive characters. However, for the nanoparticles that were heavily poisoned by adsorbed CO species during formic acid oxidation, the impedance was found to be confined to the first quadrant at all electrode potentials. The present work highlights the influence of the molecular composition of Pt-based alloy electrocatalysts on the performance of formic acid electro-oxidation, an important aspect in the design of bimetal electrocatalysts in fuel cell applications.     

The electro-oxidation of chemisorbed carbon monoxide on polycrystalline rhodium in acid solution

The electrooxidation of CO adsorbed on Rh in 1 M HClO₄ at room temperature exhibits a complex potentiodynamic E/I profile which depends on the oxygen-containing species present on the electrode. The electrochemical behaviour of the system is explained through the participation of two CO-adsorbed states and the interaction of the latter with electrosorbed oxygen. The electro-oxidation of CO adsorbed on Rh can be correlated with the reaction occurring on Pt.     

The mechanism of hydrazine electro-oxidation revealed by platinum microelectrodes: role of residual oxides

The electrochemistry of hydrazine at platinum has been re-evaluated by an investigation using microelectrodes. Platinum oxides remaining from preceding oxidative scans results in hydrazine oxidation occurring up to ca. 400 mV more cathodic than at an oxide-free Pt electrode. The observed voltammetry at oxidised or 'activated' platinum electrodes was found to be a function of the immersion time (time since 'activation') and pH. Differences between phosphate, sulphate and acetate-based electrolytes are noted. The anodic hydrazine oxidation features at 'activated' electrodes occurred as a prewave or a prepeak, depending upon the electrolyte and scan rate employed. Although hydrazine is known to react with bulk Pt oxide, the loss of activation with time was found to be independent of hydrazine concentration and was instead a function of pH and supporting electrolyte, therefore the 'activation' corresponds to residual rather than bulk platinum oxide. The condition of platinum was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which demonstrated an increase in oxygen coverage with cycling and the absence of any strongly adsorbed or poisoning species. The facile oxidation of hydrazine has implications with regards to hydrogen storage, generation and fuel cells. The different effects corresponding to insufficient buffering, which has relevance to the electroanalytical detection of hydrazine, was also investigated.     

Kinetic isotope effects in complex reaction networks: formic acid electro-oxidation.

The determination of kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) for different reaction pathways and steps in a complex reaction network, where KIEs may affect the overall reaction in various different ways including dominant and minority pathways or the buildup of a reaction-inhibiting adlayer, is demonstrated for formic acid electrooxidation on a Pt film electrode by quantitative electrochemical in situ IR spectroscopic measurements under controlled mass-transport conditions. The ability to separate effects resulting from different contributions--which is not possible using purely electrochemical kinetic measurements--allows conclusions on the nature of the rate-limiting steps and their transition state in the individual reaction pathways. The potential-independent values of approximately 1.9 for the KIE of formic acid dehydration (CO(ad) formation) in the indirect pathway and approximately 3 for the CO(ad) coverage-normalized KIE of formic acid oxidation to CO2 (direct pathway) indicate that 1) C-H bond breaking is rate-limiting in both reaction steps, 2) the transition states for these reactions are different, and 3) the configurations of the transition states involve rather strong bonds to the transferred D/H species, either in the initial or in the final state, for the direct pathway and--even more pronounced--for formic acid dehydration (CO(ad) formation).     

Augmented formic acid electro-oxidation at a co-electrodeposited Pd/Au nanoparticle catalyst

In this study, the formic acid electro-oxidation reaction (FAEOR) was catalyzed on a Pd-Au co-electrodeposited binary catalyst. The kinetics of FAEOR were intensively impacted by changing the Pd²⁺:Au³⁺ molar ratio in the deposition medium. The Pd₁-Au₁ catalyst (for which the Pd²⁺:Au³⁺ molar ratio was 1:1) acquired the highest activity with a peak current density for the direct FAEOR (I_p) of 4.14 mA cm^?2 (ca. 13- times higher than that (ca. 0.33 mA cm^?2) of the pristine Pd₁-Au₀ catalyst). It also retained the highest stability that was denoted in fulfilling ca. 0.292 mA cm^?2 (ca. 19-times higher than 0.015 mA cm^?2 of the pristine Pd₁-Au₀ catalyst) after 3600 s of continuous electrolysis at 0.05 V. The CO stripping and impedance measurements confirmed, respectively, the geometrical and electronic enhancements in the proposed catalyst.     

A validated quantification of gallic acid and ellagic acid in Triphala using a high-performance thin-layer chromatography method

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A well-known Ayurvedic preparation, Triphala, consists of Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.), Baheda (Terminalia bellirica Roxb.)...     

Molecular structure and electronic spectrum of ellagic acid: Semiempirical molecular orbital calculations

The molecular structure of ellagic acid has been optimized by using PM3 semiempirical MO method. Ellagic acid has been calculated to be planar with the molecular symmetry of C_2h. The lactone carbonyl groups are not tilted from the molecular plane. CNDO/S MO method has been used to interpret the experimental uv-vis spectroscopic data. The results of the PM3 and CNDO/S calculations have been in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Investigation of the electro-oxidation and oxidation of catechol in the presence of sulfanilic acid

The electrochemical oxidation of catechol (1) in the presence of sulfanilic acid (2) was investigated. Some electrochemical (EC) techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and controlledpotential coulometry were used. The oxidation reaction of catechol (1) with periodate in the presence of sulfanilic acid (2) was also investigated spectrophotometrically. The results indicate that the o-quinone derived from catechol participate in Michael addition reaction with sulfanilic acid (2). In addition, according to the ECE mechanism, the observed homogeneous rate constant (k _obs) for the reaction ofo-quinone derived from catechol (1) with sulfanilic acid (2) has been estimated by digital simulation of cyclic voltammograms.