Vapour phase synthesis of isobutyraldehyde from methanol and ethanol over mixed oxide supported vanadium oxide catalysts

The vapour phase synthesis of isobutyraldehyde from methanol and ethanol in one step was investigated over titania-silica, titania-alumina, titania-zirconia, titania-silica-zirconia, and magnesia supported vanadium oxide catalysts at 623 K and under normal atmospheric pressure. Among various catalysts the titania-silica binary oxide supported vanadia provided higher yields than the other single or mixed oxide supported catalysts. The high conversion and product selectivity of V₂O₅/TiO₂-SiO₂ catalyst (20 wt% V₂O₅) was related to the better dispersion of vanadium oxide over titania-silica mixed oxide support in addition to other acid-base and redox characteristics. A reaction path for the formation of isobutyraldehyde from methanol and ethanol mixtures over these catalysts was described.     

Size control and catalytic activity of highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles supported on porous glass beads

This paper presents a novel in situ method to prepare monodispersed palladium nanoparticles supported on porous glass beads with an egg-shell structure at room temperature. This method integrates two processes of ion exchange and reduction in one step just by changing the solvent from water to alcohol. The monodispersed Pd nanoparticles around 3.75 nm in diameter with a face-centered cubic structure have been successfully prepared. The adsorption capacity for palladium reached 55.00 ± 0.55 mg/g in ethanol, which was 26 times larger than that in water. These Pd nanoparticles supported on porous glass beads showed an excellent catalytic performance through the hydrogenation of cyclohexene. In addition, this in situ method was also successfully applied to prepare monodispersed silver and gold nanoparticles supported on porous glass beads. Overall, this facile method provided an alternative for preparing a supported nanoparticle catalyst in a green way.     

Selective oxidation of methanol and ethanol on supported ruthenium oxide clusters at low temperatures

RuO2 domains supported on SnO2, ZrO2, TiO2, Al2O3, and SiO2 catalyze the oxidative conversion of methanol to formaldehyde, methylformate, and dimethoxymethane with unprecedented rates and high combined selectivity (>99%) and yield at low temperatures (300-400 K). Supports influence turnover rates and the ability of RuO2 domains to undergo redox cycles required for oxidation turnovers. Oxidative dehydrogenation turnover rates and rates of stoichiometric reduction of RuO2 in H2 increased in parallel when RuO2 domains were dispersed on more reducible supports. These support effects, the kinetic effects of CH3OH and O2 on reaction rates, and the observed kinetic isotope effects with CH3OD and CD3OD reactants are consistent with a sequence of elementary steps involving kinetically relevant H-abstraction from adsorbed methoxide species using lattice oxygen atoms and with methoxide formation in quasi-equilibrated CH3OH dissociation on nearly stoichiometric RuO2 surfaces. Anaerobic transient experiments confirmed that CH3OH oxidation to HCHO requires lattice oxygen atoms and that selectivities are not influenced by the presence of O2. Residence time effects on selectivity indicate that secondary HCHO-CH3OH acetalization reactions lead to hemiacetal or methoxymethanol intermediates that convert to dimethoxymethane in reactions with CH3OH on support acid sites or dehydrogenate to form methylformate on RuO2 and support redox sites. These conclusions are consistent with the tendency of Al2O3 and SiO2 supports to favor dimethoxymethane formation, while SnO2, ZrO2, and TiO2 preferentially form methylformate. These support effects on secondary reactions were confirmed by measured CH3OH oxidation rates and selectivities on physical mixtures of supported RuO2 catalysts and pure supports. Ethanol also reacts on supported RuO2 domains to form predominately acetaldehyde and diethoxyethane at 300-400 K. The bifunctional nature of these reaction pathways and the remarkable ability of RuO2-based catalysts to oxidize CH3OH to HCHO at unprecedented low temperatures introduce significant opportunities for new routes to complex oxygenates, including some containing C-C bonds, using methanol or ethanol as intermediates derived from natural gas or biomass.     

高分散Fe-N-C氧还原反应电催化剂及其在直接甲醇燃料电池中的应用

氧还原反应(ORR)是燃料电池和金属空气电池等洁净发电装置中阴极的主要反应,该反应动力学过程慢,电化学极化严重. Pt基电催化剂具有较好的ORR活性,然而Pt资源有限、价格昂贵,研制高活性、低成本的代Pt电催化剂意义重大.经过几十年的探索,研究者发现将含有C, N和Fe等元素的前体进行高温热处理得到的Fe-N-C电催化剂对ORR具有良好的活性,然而在高温热解过程中Fe容易发生聚集而形成大块颗粒,导致Fe的利用率不高,影响了电催化剂的ORR活性.
　　本文分别以聚吡咯和乙二胺四乙酸二钠(EDTA-2Na)为C和N的前驱体,利用高温热解形成的富含微孔的碳材料对铁前体的吸附及锚定作用,获得了一种Fe高度分散的Fe-N-C电催化剂.采用物理吸脱附技术、高分辨透射电镜(HRTEM)和扫描电镜对Fe-N-C及其制备过程中相关电催化剂的孔结构及表面形貌进行了表征.结果表明,在第一步热解过程中, EDTA-2Na的Na对碳材料起到了活化作用,形成富含微孔的N掺杂碳材料(N-C-1),其BET比表面积达到1227 m2/g,孔径约1.1 nm.在第二步热解过程中, N-C-1有效地抑制了Fe的聚集,产物Fe-N-C中的Fe元素均匀地分布在碳材料中,其比表面积高达1501 m2/g.
　　电化学测试结果表明,在碱性介质(0.1 mol/L NaOH)中, Fe-N-C电催化剂对ORR具有良好的催化活性, ORR起始电位(Eo)为1.08 V (vs. RHE),半波电位(E1/2)0.88 V,电子转移数n接近4, H2O2产率<3%,与商品20%Pt/C(Johnson Matthey)接近.电化学加速老化测试结果表明, Fe-N-C的E1/2未发生明显变化,而Pt的负移45 mV,表明Fe-N-C具有很好的稳定性;在酸性介质(0.1 mol/L HClO4)中, Fe-N-C的Eo为0.85 V, E1/2为0.75 V,其E1/2比Pt/C负移约0.15 V,表明在酸性介质中Fe-N-C对ORR的催化活性还有待提高.采用TEM、X射线衍射、X射线光电子能谱以及穆斯堡尔谱等方法研究了电催化剂构效关系.结果表明, Fe-N-C较好的ORR活性主要来自于高分散的Fe-N4结构,此外, N(吡啶N和石墨N)掺杂的C也对反应具有一定的催化活性.
　　与Pt/C相比, Fe-N-C电催化剂具有很好的耐甲醇性能.本文对比了Fe-N-C和Pt/C作为阴极催化剂的直接醇类燃料电池(DMFC)性能,采用质子交换膜的DMFC最大功率密度分别为47(Fe-N-C)和79 mW/cm2(Pt/C),而采用碱性电解质膜的则分别为33(Fe-N-C)和8 mW/cm2(Pt/C).结合半电池结果表明, Fe-N-C电催化剂在碱性介质中具有比Pt更为优秀的催化活性和稳定性,有望用作DMFC阴极代Pt催化剂.     

An overview of studies on the highly dispersed uranium oxide species occluded within mesoporous MCM-41 and MCM-48 host materials

In this article we have consolidated our recent studies on anchoring of uranyl groups and encapsulation of highly dispersed nano-particles of -U₃O₈ in mesoporous MCM samples. The size of uranium oxide crystallites and the binding of uranyl groups at framework sites of host matrix depended on the preparation method, viz. wet impregnation, exchange of template cations, and the hydrothermal route. These uranium species contributed individually to the catalytic oxidation of organic molecules, such as methanol, toluene and benzyl alcohol; the uranyl groups playing a more important role at lower reaction temperatures. Also, the size and the lattice oxygen of uranium oxide crystallites played a vital role, not only in the lowering of reaction onset temperature but also in deciding the nature and the reactivity of the transient surface species formed during the oxidation of above mentioned organics. For instance, the results of in situ IR spectroscopy experiments have shown that while larger-size U₃O₈ crystallites help in the growth of certain oxymethylene (–OCH₂) and polymerized oxymethylene (–OCH₂)_n species, adsorption of methanol on smaller size particles helped in the additional formation of formate-type complexes. Thus, a relationship was found between the size of uranium oxide crystallites, the nature of the transient species formed and the catalytic conversion of methanol to form CO₂, CO and methane. In addition, the uranyl ions anchored within the pore system of host matrix are found to serve as efficient heterogeneous photocatalysts for the sunlight-assisted deep oxidation of organic molecules in the vapor phase and at room temperature. The reaction mechanisms, accounting for the catalytic properties of occluded UO_x species without and in the presence of radiation, are discussed in the light of the above mentioned results.     

Adsorption and reaction of methanol on supported palladium catalysts: microscopic-level studies from ultrahigh vacuum to ambient pressure conditions

We investigated the decomposition and (partial) oxidation of methanol on Pd based catalysts in an integrated attempt, simultaneously bridging both the pressure and the materials gap. Combined studies were performed on well-defined Pd model catalysts based on ordered Al(2)O(3) and Fe(3)O(4) thin films, on well-defined particles supported on powders and on Pd single crystals. The interaction of Pd nanoparticles and Pd(111) with CH(3)OH and CH(3)OH/O(2) mixtures was examined from ultrahigh vacuum conditions up to ambient pressures, utilizing a broad range of surface specific vibrational spectroscopies which included IRAS, TR-IRAS, PM-IRAS, SFG, and DRIFTS. Detailed kinetic studies in the low pressure region were performed by molecular beam methods, providing comprehensive insights into the microkinetics of the reaction system. The underlying microscopic processes were studied theoretically on the basis of specially designed 3-D nanocluster models containing approximately 10(2) metal atoms. The efficiency of this novel modelling approach was demonstrated by rationalizing and complementing pertinent experimental results. In order to connect these results to the behavior under ambient conditions, kinetic and spectroscopic investigations were performed in reaction cells and lab reactors. Specifically, we focused on (1) particle size and structure dependent effects in methanol oxidation and decomposition, (2) support effects and their relation to activity and selectivity, (3) the influence of poisons such as carbon, and (4) the role of oxide and surface oxide formation on Pd nanoparticles.     

Understanding the nature of vanadium species supported on activated carbon and its catalytic properties in the aerobic oxidation of aromatic alcohols

Vanadium oxide catalysts supported on activated carbon (V/AC) with V loadings ranging from 1 to 20 wt.% were prepared by a wet-impregnation method. Various physicochemical characterization techniques, including nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray absorption (XANES and EXAFS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electron spin resonance (ESR), were employed to understand the nature of vanadium species on activated carbon. The results revealed that vanadium oxide mainly existed in a highly dispersed state for 10 wt.% or less vanadium loadings; a large amount of vanadium resulted in aggregated microcrystalline phase. Vanadium species on activated carbon surface showed a similar local coordination structure to that of NH₄VO₃ with a distorted tetrahedral symmetry at low vanadium loadings, whereas octahedral coordination was dominant at high vanadium loadings (>10 wt.%). All V/AC samples showed V⁵⁺ as the major oxidation state. Nevertheless, V⁴⁺ centered in a distorted tetrahedral symmetry could be detected at a vanadium loading greater than 4 wt.%. The catalytic activity for the benzyl alcohol oxidation largely depended on the dispersion, oxidation state, and local coordination of vanadium oxides on activated carbon. Highly dispersed vanadium (5+) species with a distorted tetrahedral coordination were postulated to account for the excellent catalytic performances of V/AC catalysts (TOF = 39.1 h^?1).     

ESR,XPS, UV-VIS and FT-IR investigations on the interaction of no and O2 with highly dispersed C60 supported on silica,titania and alkali cation-exchanged Y-zeolites

The characteristics of the radical sources in highly dispersed C₆₀ samples supported on silica, titania ad alkali cation-exchanged Y-zeolite were investigated in the presence and absence of NO and O₂by means of ESR, FT-IR and UV-diffuse reflectance spectroscopies, the results of which were compared with those of the bulk C₆₀ sample. In the presence of O₂, C₆₀ dispersed onto supports was found to easily generate ESR signals in ambient conditions or under UV-irradiation. The intensity of the ESR signal of the C₆₀ samples were found to strongly depend on the dispersibility of C₆₀, the kind of support and the degassing temperature. Based on these results, the nature of these ESR active species in C₆₀ was discussed in detail for the first time. The addition of NO led to a dramatic decrease in the intensity of the ESR signal, its extent also strongly depending on the kind of support, i.e., silica or Y-zeolite and the exchanged-alkali cations on zeolite, i.e., H⁺, Na⁺, Cs⁺, while such a decrease was not observed for the bulk C₆₀.     

The sum is more than its parts: stability of MnFe oxide nanoparticles supported on oxygen-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes at alternating oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction conditions

Successful design of reversible oxygen electrocatalysts does not only require to consider their activity towards the oxygen reduction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reactions (OER), but also their electrochemical stability at alternating ORR and OER operating conditions, which is important for potential applications in reversible electrolyzers/fuel cells or metal/air batteries. We show that the combination of catalyst materials containing stable ORR active sites with those containing stable OER active sites may result in a stable ORR/OER catalyst if each of the active components can satisfy the current demand of their respective reaction. We compare the ORR/OER performances of oxides of Mn (stable ORR active sites), Fe (stable OER active sites), and bimetallic Mn_0.5Fe_0.5 (reversible ORR/OER catalyst) supported on oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Despite the instability of Mn and Fe oxide for the OER and the ORR, respectively, Mn_0.5Fe_0.5 exhibits high stability for both reactions.

     

Preparation and characterization of vanadium(IV) oxide supported on SBA-15 and its catalytic performance in benzene hydroxylation to phenol using molecular oxygen

Preparation of dispersed transition metal oxides catalyst with low oxidation state still remains a challenging task in heterogeneous catalysis.In this study,vanadium oxides supported on zeolite SBA-15 have been prepared under hydrothermal condition using V 2 O 5 and oxalic acid as sources of vanadium and reductant,respectively.The structures of samples,especially the oxidation state of vanadium,and the surface distribution of vanadium oxide species,have been thoroughly characterized using various techniques,including N 2-physisorption,X-ray diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),UV-visible spectra(UV-Vis) and UV-visible-near infrared spectra(UV-Vis-NIR).It is found that the majority of supported vanadium was in the form of vanadium(IV) oxide species with the low valence of vanadium.By adjusting hydrothermal treatment time,the surface distribution of vanadium(IV) oxide species can be tuned from vanadium(IV) oxide cluster to crystallites.These materials have been tested in the hydroxylation of benzene to phenol in liquid-phase with molecular oxygen in the absence of reductant.The catalyst exhibits high selectivity for phenol(61%) at benzene conversion of 4.6%,which is a relatively good result in comparison with other studies employing molecular oxygen as the oxidant.     

Production of ultra highly pure H2 and higher hydrocarbons from methane in one step at mild temperatures and development of the catalyst under non-equilibrium reaction conditions

Ultra highly pure hydrogen and more valuable hydrocarbons are produced directly from methane in one step beyond the thermodynamic equilibrium conversion by integration of the dehydrogenation reaction and hydrogen separation with a Pd-Ag based membrane reactor at mild temperatures, and a highly active catalyst is developed under the non-equilibrium reaction conditions.     

Vanadium(IV) oxide thin films on glass and silicon from the atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition reaction of VOCl3 and water

The dual source atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition (APCVD) reaction of VOCl₃ and H₂O was used to prepare thin films of vanadium oxides on glass and silicon substrates. The thin films were characterised by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. At reactor temperatures above 600 °C with a gas-phase excess of water over VOCl₃, vanadium(IV) oxide thin films were produced which show a thermochromic transition temperature of 67 °C. The APCVD process is directly compatible with high throughput float-glass production enabling the use of a thin film of VO₂ as an intelligent window coating. With reactor temperatures below 600 °C or with a gas-phase excess of VOCl₃ over water, V₂O₅ thin films were produced. Vanadium(IV) oxide thin films could also be prepared on silicon substrates from the APCVD reaction of VOCl₃ and H₂O, which opens up further technological applications for the APCVD of VO₂ thin films.     

Charge transfers at metal/oxide interfaces: a DFT study of formation of K delta+ and Au delta- species on MgO/Ag(100) ultra-thin films from deposition of neutral atoms

Ultra-thin oxide films grown on a metal substrate and of thickness smaller than 1 nm may exhibit unusual properties with respect to thicker films or single crystal oxide surfaces. In a previous study [G. Pacchioni, L. Giordano and M. Baistrocchi, Phys. Rev. Lett., 2005, 94, 226104] we have suggested that a Au atom adsorbed on a MgO/Mo(100) thin film becomes negatively charged by direct electron tunneling from the Mo metal and that this is related to the low MgO/Mo(100) work function. Here we show, based on periodic DFT supercell calculations, that charge transfer can occur also in the opposite direction by adsorption of electropositive K atoms on MgO/Ag(100) films. We predict the occurrence of a charge transfer also for Au on MgO/Ag(100) films despite the fact that here the work function is 1 eV larger than in MgO/Mo(100). The formation of a layer of adsorbed negative (Au delta-/MgO/Ag) or positive (K delta+/MgO/Ag) adsorbates results in an increase or decrease, respectively, of the MgO/Ag(100) work function as predicted by the classical Gurney model for ionic adsorbates on metal surfaces.     

Methane synthesis from CO/H2O mixture on supported nickel catalysts, III. Formation of surface carbon and its role in the reaction mechanism

IR spectra of adsorbed CO species after prolonged contact with the catalyst surface show that surface carbon is formed and it participates in methane synthesis.

---

- , CO , , .

     

Organocatalytic, enantioselective intramolecular [6+2] cycloaddition reaction for the formation of tricyclopentanoids and insight on its mechanism from a computational study

Diphenylprolinol silyl ether was found to be an effective organocatalyst for promoting the asymmetric, catalytic, intramolecular [6 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of fulvenes substituted at the exocyclic 6-position with a δ-formylalkyl group to afford synthetically useful linear triquinane derivatives in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. The cis-fused triquinane derivatives were obtained exclusively; the trans-fused isomers were not detected among the reaction products. The intramolecular [6 + 2] cycloaddition occurs between the fulvene functionality (6π) and the enamine double bond (2π) generated from the formyl group in the substrates and the diphenylprolinol silyl ether. The absolute configuration of the reaction products was determined by vibrational circular dichroism. The reaction mechanism was investigated using molecular orbital calculations, B3LYP and MP2 geometry optimizations, and subsequent single-point energy evaluations on model reaction sequences. These calculations revealed the following: (i) The intermolecular [6 + 2] cycloaddition of a fulvene and an enamine double bond proceeds in a stepwise mechanism via a zwitterionic intermediate. (ii) On the other hand, the intramolecular [6 + 2] cycloaddition leading to the cis-fused triquinane skeleton proceeds in a concerted mechanism via a highly asynchronous transition state. (iii) The fulvene functionality and the enamine double bond adopt the gauche-syn conformation during the C-C bond formation processes in the [6 + 2] cycloaddition. (iv) The energy profiles calculated for the intramolecular reaction explain the observed exclusive formation of the cis-fused triquinane derivatives in the [6 + 2] cycloaddition reactions. The reasons for the enantioselectivity seen in these [6 + 2] cycloaddition reactions are also discussed.