Micromotor‐Based Energy Generation

A micromotor‐based strategy for energy generation, utilizing the conversion of liquid‐phase hydrogen to usable hydrogen gas (H₂), is described. The new motion‐based H₂‐generation concept relies on the movement of Pt‐black/Ti Janus microparticle motors in a solution of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) fuel. This is the first report of using NaBH₄ for powering micromotors. The autonomous motion of these catalytic micromotors, as well as their bubble generation, leads to enhanced mixing and transport of NaBH₄ towards the Pt‐black catalytic surface (compared to static microparticles or films), and hence to a substantially faster rate of H₂ production. The practical utility of these micromotors is illustrated by powering a hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell car by an on‐board motion‐based hydrogen and oxygen generation. The new micromotor approach paves the way for the development of efficient on‐site energy generation for powering external devices or meeting growing demands on the energy grid.     

Semiconductor‐Based Photoelectrochemical Conversion of Carbon Dioxide: Stepping Towards Artificial Photosynthesis

The photoelectrochemical (PEC) carbon dioxide reduction process stands out as a promising avenue for the conversion of solar energy into chemical feedstocks, among various methods available for carbon dioxide mitigation. Semiconductors derived from cheap and abundant elements are interesting candidates for catalysis. Whether employed as intrinsic semiconductors or hybridized with metallic cocatalysts, biocatalysts, and metal molecular complexes, semiconductor photocathodes exhibit good performance and low overpotential during carbon dioxide reduction. Apart from focusing on carbon dioxide reduction materials and chemistry, PEC cells towards standalone devices that use photohybrid electrodes or solar cells have also been a hot topic in recent research. An overview of the state‐of‐the‐art progress in PEC carbon dioxide reduction is presented and a deep understanding of the catalysts of carbon dioxide reduction is also given.     

Computer‐Assisted Design of Imidazolate‐Based Ionic Liquids for Improving Sulfur Dioxide Capture,Carbon Dioxide Capture,and Sulfur Dioxide/Carbon Dioxide Selectivity

A new strategy involving the computer‐assisted design of substituted imidazolate‐based ionic liquids (ILs) through tuning the absorption enthalpy as well as the basicity of the ILs to improve SO₂ capture, CO₂ capture, and SO₂/CO₂ selectivity was explored. The best substituted imidazolate‐based ILs as absorbents for different applications were first predicted. During absorption, high SO₂ capacities up to ≈5.3 and 2.4 mol mol_IL⁻¹ could be achieved by ILs with the methylimidazolate anions under 1.0 and 0.1 bar (1 bar=0.1 MPa), respectively, through tuning multiple N ⋅⋅⋅ S interactions between SO₂ and the N atoms in the imidazolate anion with different substituents. In addition, CO₂ capture by the imidazolate‐based ILs could also be easily tuned through changing the substituents of the ILs, and 4‐bromoimidazolate IL showed a high CO₂ capacity but a low absorption enthalpy. Furthermore, a high selectivity for SO₂/CO₂ could be reached by IL with 4,5‐dicyanoimidazolate anion owing to its high SO₂ capacity but low CO₂ capacity. The results put forward in this work are in good agreement with the predictions. Quantum‐chemical calculations and FTIR and NMR spectroscopy analysis methods were used to discuss the SO₂ and CO₂ absorption mechanisms.     

基于认识化学正向价值的教学实践——以“二氧化碳*”为例

模拟大型科普求真类节目《是真的吗？》创设学习氛围;通过基于生活生产实际的“日常灭火可否用N₂代替CO₂”“深海捕获CO₂可否调控温室效应”“石油采矿业中,向油井下注射1吨CO₂可否增产原油3~5吨”“用石灰水可否保鲜鸡蛋”等4个核心问题及3个真假难辨的小问题,引导学生从化学的正向视角深刻认识二氧化碳的性质;利用移动磁贴板设计板书,引导学生经历并建构结构化知识体系。     

Importance of Micropore–Mesopore Interfaces in Carbon Dioxide Capture by Carbon‐Based Materials

Mesoporous carbonaceous materials (Starbons®) derived from low‐value/waste bio‐resources separate CO₂ from CO₂/N₂ mixtures. Compared to Norit activated charcoal (AC), Starbons® have much lower microporosities (8–32 % versus 73 %) yet adsorb up to 65 % more CO₂. The presence of interconnected micropores and mesopores is responsible for the enhanced CO₂ adsorption. The Starbons® also showed three–four times higher selectivity for CO₂ adsorption rather than N₂ adsorption compared to AC.     

Activation of Carbon Dioxide by Silyl Triflate‐Based Frustrated Lewis Pairs

Silyl triflates of the form R_4?nSi(OTf)_n (n=1, 2; OTf=OSO₃CF₃) are shown to activate carbon dioxide when paired with bulky alkyl‐substituted Group 15 bases. Combinations of silyl triflates and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine react with CO₂ to afford silyl carbamates via a frustrated Lewis pair‐type mechanism. With trialkylphosphines, the silyl triflates R₃Si(OTf) reversibly bind CO₂ affording [R′₃P(CO₂)SiR₃][OTf] whereas when Ph₂Si(OTf)₂ is used one or two molecules of CO₂ can be sequestered. The latter bis‐CO₂ product is favoured at low temperatures and by excess phosphine.     

Synthesis of High‐Surface‐Area Nitrogen‐Doped Porous Carbon Microflowers and Their Efficient Carbon Dioxide Capture Performance

Sustainable carbon materials have received particular attention in CO₂ capture and storage owing to their abundant pore structures and controllable pore parameters. Here, we report high‐surface‐area hierarchically porous N‐doped carbon microflowers, which were assembled from porous nanosheets by a three‐step route: soft‐template‐assisted self‐assembly, thermal decomposition, and KOH activation. The hydrazine hydrate used in our experiment serves as not only a nitrogen source, but also a structure‐directing agent. The activation process was carried out under low (KOH/carbon=2), mild (KOH/carbon=4) and severe (KOH/carbon=6) activation conditions. The mild activated N‐doped carbon microflowers (A‐NCF‐4) have a hierarchically porous structure, high specific surface area (2309 m² g^?1), desirable micropore size below 1 nm, and importantly large micropore volume (0.95 cm³ g^?1). The remarkably high CO₂ adsorption capacities of 6.52 and 19.32 mmol g^?1 were achieved with this sample at 0 °C (273 K) and two pressures, 1 bar and 20 bar, respectively. Furthermore, this sample also exhibits excellent stability during cyclic operations and good separation selectivity for CO₂ over N₂.     

Transition‐Metal‐Free Catalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

Metal‐free systems, including frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) have been shown to bind CO₂. By reducing the Lewis acidity and basicity of the ambiphilic system, it is possible to generate active catalysts for the deoxygenative hydroboration of carbon dioxide to methanol derivatives with conversion rates comparable to those of transition‐metal‐based catalysts.     

Temperature‐Responsive Microgel Films as Reversible Carbon Dioxide Absorbents in Wet Environment

Hydrogel films composed of temperature‐responsive microgel particles (GPs) containing amine groups work as stimuli‐responsive carbon dioxide absorbent with a high capacity of approximately 1.7 mmol g^?1. Although the dried films did not show significant absorption, the reversible absorption capacity dramatically increased by adding a small amount of water (1 mL g^?1). The absorption capacity was independent of the amount of added water beyond 1 mL g^?1, demonstrating that the GP films can readily be used under wet conditions. The amount of CO₂ absorbed by the GP films was proportional to their thickness up to 200–300 μm (maximum capacity of about 2 L m^?2). Furthermore, the films consisting of GPs showed faster and greater absorption and desorption of CO₂ than that of monolithic hydrogel films. These results indicated the importance of a fast stimulus response rate of the films that are composed of GPs in order to achieve long‐range and fast diffusion of bicarbonate ions. Our study revealed the potential of stimuli‐responsive GP films as energy‐efficient absorbents to sequester CO₂ from high‐humidity exhaust gases.     

Carbon Dioxide Capture and Use: Organic Synthesis Using Carbon Dioxide from Exhaust Gas

A carbon capture and use (CCU) strategy was applied to organic synthesis. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) captured directly from exhaust gas was used for organic transformations as efficiently as hyper‐pure CO₂ gas from a commercial source, even for highly air‐ and moisture‐sensitive reactions. The CO₂ capturing aqueous ethanolamine solution could be recycled continuously without any diminished reaction efficiency.     

Selective and Efficient Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Carbon Monoxide on Oxide‐Derived Nanostructured Silver Electrocatalysts

In this work, the selective electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide on oxide‐derived silver electrocatalysts is presented. By a simple synthesis technique, the overall high faradaic efficiency for CO production on the oxide‐derived Ag was shifted by more than 400 mV towards a lower overpotential compared to that of untreated Ag. Notably, the Ag resulting from Ag oxide is capable of electrochemically reducing CO₂ to CO with approximately 80 % catalytic selectivity at a moderate overpotential of 0.49 V, which is much higher than that (ca. 4 %) of untreated Ag under identical conditions. Electrokinetic studies show that the improved catalytic activity is ascribed to the enhanced stabilization of COOH^. intermediate. Furthermore, highly nanostructured Ag is likely able to create a high local pH near the catalyst surface, which may also facilitate the catalytic activity for the reduction of CO₂ with suppressed H₂ evolution.     

Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Methylamines under Metal‐Free Conditions

The first metal‐free catalysts are reported for the methylation of amines with carbon dioxide. Proazaphosphatrane superbases prove to be highly active catalysts in the reductive functionalization of CO₂, in the presence of hydroboranes. The new methodology enables the methylation of N? H bonds in a wide variety of amines, including secondary amines, with increased chemoselectivity.     

Direct Assembly of 2‐Oxazolidinones by Chemical Fixation of Carbon Dioxide

The reaction of β‐ and γ‐haloamines with carbon dioxide to give pharmaceutically relevant 2‐oxazolidinones and 1,3‐dioxazin‐2‐ones, was found to proceed efficiently in the presence of a base and in the absence of catalyst. After optimization of reaction conditions, the system was successfully expanded to a variety of haloamines, even at multigram scale. The reaction was further studied in silico by DFT calculations.     

Carboxylation Reactions with Carbon Dioxide Using N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Copper Catalysts

The development of versatile catalyst systems and new transformations for the utilization of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is of great interest and significance. This Personal Account reviews our studies on the exploration of the reactions of CO₂ with various substrates by the use of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐copper catalysts. The carboxylation of organoboron compounds gave access to a wide range of carboxylic acids with excellent functional group tolerance. The C?H bond carboxylation with CO₂ emerged as a straightforward protocol for the preparation of a series of aromatic carboxylic esters and butenoates from simple substrates. The hydrosilylation of CO₂ with hydrosilanes provided an efficient method for the synthesis of silyl formate on gram scale. The hydrogenative or alkylative carboxylation of alkynes, ynamides and allenamides yielded useful α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids and α,β‐dehydro amino acid esters. The boracarboxylation of alkynes or aldehydes afforded the novel lithium cyclic boralactone or boracarbonate products, respectively. The NHC‐copper catalysts generally featured excellent functional group compatibility, broad substrate scope, high efficiency, and high regio‐ and stereoselectivity. The unique electronic and steric properties of the NHC‐copper units also enabled the isolation and structural characterization of some key intermediates for better understanding of the catalytic reaction mechanisms.     

N‐Heterocyclic Olefin–Carbon Dioxide and –Sulfur Dioxide Adducts: Structures and Interesting Reactivity Patterns

Depending on the amount of methanol present in solution, CO₂ adducts of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and N‐heterocyclic olefins (NHOs) have been found to be in fully reversible equilibrium with the corresponding methyl carbonate salts [EMIm][OCO₂Me] and [EMMIm][OCO₂Me]. The reactivity pattern of representative 1‐ethyl‐3‐methyl‐NHO–CO₂ adduct 4 has been investigated and compared with the corresponding NHC–CO₂ zwitterion: The protonation of 4 with HX led to the imidazolium salts [NHO–CO₂H][X], which underwent decarboxylation to [EMMIm][X] in the presence of nucleophilic catalysts. NHO–CO₂ zwitterion 4 can act as an efficient carboxylating agent towards CH acids such as acetonitrile. The [EMMIm] cyanoacetate and [EMMIm]₂ cyanomalonate salts formed exemplify the first C?C bond‐forming carboxylation reactions with NHO‐activated CO₂. The reaction of the free NHO with dimethyl carbonate selectively led to methoxycarbonylated NHO, which is a perfect precursor for the synthesis of functionalized ILs [NHO–CO₂Me][X]. The first NHO‐SO₂ adduct was synthesized and structurally characterized; it showed a similar reactivity pattern, which allowed the synthesis of imidazolium methyl sulfites upon reaction with methanol.     

Carbon Dioxide Fixation and Sulfate Sequestration by a Supramolecular Trigonal Bipyramid

The subcomponent self‐assembly of a bent dialdehyde ligand and different cationic and anionic templates led to the formation of two new metallosupramolecular architectures: a Fe^II₄L₆ molecular rectangle was isolated following reaction of the ligand with iron(II) tetrafluoroborate, and a M₅L₆ trigonal bipyramidal structure was constructed from either zinc(II) tetrafluoroborate or cadmium(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate. The spatially constrained arrangement of the three equatorial metal ions in the M₅L₆ structures was found to induce small‐molecule transformations. Atmospheric carbon dioxide was fixed as carbonate and bound to the equatorial metal centers in both the Zn₅L₆ and Cd₅L₆ assemblies, and sulfur dioxide was hydrated and bound as the sulfite dianion in the Zn₅L₆ structure. Subsequent in situ oxidation of the sulfite dianion resulted in a sulfate dianion bound within the supramolecular pocket.     

Microfluidic Studies of Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration, storage and recycling will greatly benefit from comprehensive studies of physical and chemical gas–liquid processes involving CO₂. Over the past five years, microfluidics emerged as a valuable tool in CO₂‐related research, due to superior mass and heat transfer, reduced axial dispersion, well‐defined gas–liquid interfacial areas and the ability to vary reagent concentrations in a high‐throughput manner. This Minireview highlights recent progress in microfluidic studies of CO₂‐related processes, including dissolution of CO₂ in physical solvents, CO₂ reactions, the utilization of CO₂ in materials science, and the use of supercritical CO₂ as a “green” solvent.