First-principles Study on the Properties of CaO(100) Surface Adsorbing Carbon Dioxide

The increasing carbon dioxide emissions have a huge impact on the global environment. Carbonation reaction of CaO is regarded as a potential method to capture carbon dioxide. The density functional theory calculations have been performed to investigate the adsorption of CO_2 on CaO(100) surface. This paper systematically studied the adsorption of CO_2 at different adsorption sites on CaO(100) surface and the influence of adsorption angle on adsorption energy. Based on the studying of adsorption sites, adsorption energy and electronic structure of the CO_2/CaO(100) systems, chemical adsorption mainly happens when CO_2 molecules are absorbed on the CaO(100) surfaces, but physical adsorption may also happen. The research found that CO_2 molecules reacted with surface O atom through C, forming monodentate surface carbonate species and tridentate carbonate. Among them, low-coordinated monodentate ligands have a higher stability than tridentate ligands due to the shorter C–OS bond length of monodentate ligands.     

A Study on the Kinetics of the Catalytic Reforming Reaction of CH4 with CO2： Determination of the Reaction Order

The kinetics of the catalytic reforming reaction of methane with carbon dioxide to produce synthesis gas on a Ni/(α-A1203 and a HSD-2 type commercial catalyst has been studied. The results indicate that the reaction orders are one and zero for methane and carbon dioxide, respectively, when the carbon dioxide partial pressure was about 12.5-30.0 kPa and the temperature was at 1123-1173 K. However, when the carbon dioxide partial pressure was changed to 30.0-45.0 kPa under the same temperature range of 1123-1173 K, the reaction orders of methane and carbon dioxide are one. Furthermore, average rate constants at different temperatures were determined.     

TiO_2/EDTA-rich carbon composites:Synthesis,characterization and visible-light-driven photocatalytic reduction of Cr(Ⅵ)

Ti02/EDTA-rich carbon composites(TiO_2/EDTA-RC) have been successfully synthesized via a low temperature carbonization process. TiO_2/EDTA-RC exhibits marked absorption of visible light and excellent photoreduction of Cr(Ⅵ) activity under visible light irradiation(λ420 nm). Due to the high carboxyl group content and strong coordination ability of EDTA, TiO_2-EDTA complex can be easily fabricated between EDTA incorporated in carbon sheet and titanol group on the surface of TiO_2. TiO_2-EDTA complexes on the surface of TiO_2/EDTA-RC, the LMCT complex, are responsible for the prominent photoreduction of Cr(Ⅵ) properties of Ti02/EDTA-RC under visible light irradiation. In addition, the unique structure ofTiO_2/EDTA-RC is also propitious to the visible-light photocatalytic reduction of Cr(Ⅵ).Carbon sheet of TiO_2/EDTA-RC acts as a supporter. TiO_2 nanoparticles and EDTA homogeneously disperse into the carbon sheet supporter and form the TiO_2-EDTA complexes, which can avoid the aggregation of TiO_2 nanoparticles in the aqueous solution and provide more photocatalytic reaction points for the reduction of Cr(Ⅵ).     

One-step preparation of novel conjugated porous polymer with tubular structure

A shape-persistent dendritic molecule,tris(4-(2,7-dibromo-9-phenyl-9-fluoren-9-yl)phenyl)amine (TF-6Br),has been readily synthesized in high yield through a concise Friedel-Crafts reaction from triphenylamine and 2,7-dibromo(9-phenyl-fluoren-9-ol).It was further employed as the key building block to achieve the synthesis of conjugated porous polymer via Sonogashira coupling with 1,4-diethynylbenzene.Under experimental reaction conditions,the resulting porous polymer shows exceptionally nanotubular morphology,which further allows for a template-free synthesis of porous carbon nanotubes via thermal treatment at high temperature.The obtained nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes feature with an improved porosity and high surface area.     

High-yield production of 2,5-dimethylfuran from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural over carbon supported Ni–Co bimetallic catalyst

The catalytic conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF) to 2,5-dimethylfuran(DMF) has attracted extensive research interests because DMF can be used as potential and competitive renewable transportation fuel or additives. Here we report a non-noble bimetallic catalyst with improved activity for hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis by introducing active carbon as support into a nickel–cobalt catalyst. The characterizations of the catalyst indicate that the Ni and Co species are uniformly dispersed on the active carbon through the wetness impregnation method. The influences of reaction temperature and hydrogen pressure are systematically investigated and an excellent yield(up to 95%) of DMF can be obtained at relatively mild conditions, 130 °C and 1 MPa H_2, over the carbon supported Ni–Co bimetallic catalyst. The high catalytic activity originates from the synergistic effect between Ni and CoO xspecies, the high BET surface area of the catalyst, and the uniform dispersion of Ni and Co species on the active carbon. The catalyst could be reused for 5 times without loss of activity in a batch reactor. Futhermore, the conversion of HMF to DMF on a fixed-bed reactor was also investigated and the 2%Ni–20%Co/C catalyst exhibited an excellent yield to DMF(90%) for 71 h time on stream, indicating the high activity and stability of the catalyst.     

Theoretical study on the reaction mechanism of CN radical with ketene

The bimolecular single collision reaction potential energy surface of CN radical with ketene (CH2CO) was investigated by means of B3LYP and QCISD(T) methods. The calculated results indicate that there are three possible channels in the reaction. The first is an attack reaction by the carbon atom of CN at the carbon atom of the methylene of CH2CO to form the intermediate NCCH2CO followed by a rupture reaction of the C-C bond combined with -CO group to the products CH2CN CO. The second is a direct addition reaction between CN and CH2CO to form the intermediate CH2C(O)CN followed by its isomerization into NCCH2CO via a CN-shift reaction, and subsequently, NCCH2CO dissociates into CH2CN CO through a CO-loss reaction. The last is a direct hydrogen abstraction reaction of CH2CO by CN radical. Because of the existence of a 15.44 kJ/mol reaction barrier and higher energy of reaction products, the path can be ruled out as an important channel in the reaction kinetics. The present theoretical computation results, which give an available suggestion on the reaction mechanism, are in good agreement with previous experimental studies.     

Interface diffusion and chemical reaction of PZT layer/Si (111) sample during the annealing treatment in air

The interface diffusion and chemical reaction between a PZT (PbZrxTi1-xO3) layer and a Si(111) substrate during the annealing treatment in air have been studied by using XPS (X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) and AES (Auger Electron Spectroscopy). The results indicate that the Ti element in the PZT precursor reacted with residual carbon and silicon, diffused from the Si substrate, to form TiCx, TiSix species in the PZT layer during the thermal treatment. A great interface diffusion and chemical reaction took place on the interface of PZT Si also. The silicon atoms diffused from silicon substrate onto the surface of PZT layer. The oxygen atoms, which came from air, diffused into silicon substrate also and reacted with Si atoms to form a SiO2 interlayer between the PZT layer and the Si (111) substrate. The thickness of SiO2 interlayer was proportional to the square root of treatment time. The formation of the SiO2 interlayer was governed by the diffusion of oxygen in the PZT layer at low annealing tempera     

A HREELS study of the adsorption of formic acid on slightly oxidized Nb(110) surface

An investigation has been made on the adsorption and decomposition of formic acid on slightly oxidized Nb(110) surface (0/Nb atom ratio = 0.2) using high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS),and a corresponding surface reaction mode is given.At 140 K,formic acid of low exposure on such an Nb(110) surface decomposed to formate,which bonded on Nb in monodentate configuration,simultaneously some formate decomposed to CO,which adsorbed on the surface.Formic acid multilayers formed when the exposure was high.While the temperature was increased to above 190 K,multilayer formic acid desorbed,and the surface was covered with mon-odentate-bonded formate and CO.In the temperature range of 250-300 K,chemisorbed formate changed from monodentate configuration into bridging configuration and CO molecules disappeared.The decomposition of formate at higher temperatures led to the oxidation of Nb.The formate formed in the high exposure case was so stable that it did not decompose even the temperature wa     

Quasiclassical trajectory study of the reaction NH(X~3∑~-)+H→N(~4S)+H_2

The dynamics of the NH + H→N+H2 reaction has been investigated by means of the 3D quasiclassical trajectory approach by using the LEPS potential energy surface.The calculated rate coefficient is in good agreement with the experimental value.The reaction was found to occur via a direct channel.The product H2 has a cold excitation of rotational state,but has a reverse distribution of the vibrational state with a peak at v=1.Based on the potential energy surface and the trajectory analysis,the reaction mechanism has been explained successfully.     

Structure and Catalytic Behaviour of Saponite and Its Cross-Linking Product

Synthetic saponites have been intercalated with hydroxyl aluminium oligomers and characterized with several techniques. The basal 001 peak of the pillared saponite (PS) is 1. 8 nm. The amount of the aluminium in the tctrahedral sheet is correlative with cross-linking density. The sheet-to-pillar linkage mode may be Si-O-AlpⅥ. The acid sites in pillared saponite may locate either at surface of clay or at that of pillar. The cumene conversion is relative to accessible acid sites on the surface of PS. The pillar density in the PS has an effect on the pore structure which is correlative with shape selectivity during the reaction between ethanol and ammonia.     

Structural Transformation of 2,7-Dibromopyrene on Au(111) Mediated by Halogen-Bonding Motifs

Fundamental understanding of the bonding motifs that elaborately mediate the formation of supramolecular nanostructures is essential for the rational design of stable artificial organic architectures. Herein, the structural transformation of the adsorption complex of 2, 7-dibromopyrene (Br₂Py) on the Au(111) surface has been investigated by scanning tunnelling microscopy combined with X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and density function theory calculations. In the initial stage of self-assembly, well ordered patterns are formed in the manner of extended supramolecular structures balanced by intermolecular halogen bonding motifs, whilst the Au(111) reconstruction is still fairly visible. Subsequent thermal annealing promotes the dehalogenation and on-surface Ullmann coupling, and polymerized oligomers are consequently constructed. Interestingly, such polymerized chains are still stably mediated by the halogen bonding motif via dissociated Br atoms which are revealed to be absorbed on the bridge site of Au(111), while the number of halogen bonds increases significantly from self-assembly to Ullmann coupling polymerization, indicating that the halogen bonding motif contributes significantly to the extended one-dimensional polymers.     

Comparing Ullmann Coupling on Noble Metal Surfaces: On‐Surface Polymerization of 1,3,6,8‐Tetrabromopyrene on Cu(111) and Au(111)

The on‐surface polymerization of 1,3,6,8‐tetrabromopyrene (Br₄Py) on Cu(111) and Au(111) surfaces under ultrahigh vacuum conditions was investigated by a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Deposition of Br₄Py on Cu(111) held at 300 K resulted in a spontaneous debromination reaction, generating the formation of a branched coordination polymer network stabilized by C?Cu?C bonds. After annealing at 473 K, the C?Cu?C bonds were converted to covalent C?C bonds, leading to the formation of a covalently linked molecular network of short oligomers. In contrast, highly ordered self‐assembled two‐dimensional (2D) patterns stabilized by both Br?Br halogen and Br?H hydrogen bonds were observed upon deposition of Br₄Py on Au(111) held at 300 K. Subsequent annealing of the sample at 473 K led to a dissociation of the C?Br bonds and the formation of disordered metal‐coordinated molecular networks. Further annealing at 573 K resulted in the formation of covalently linked disordered networks. Importantly, we found that the chosen substrate not only plays an important role as catalyst for the Ullmann reaction, but also influences the formation of different types of intermolecular bonds and thus, determines the final polymer network morphology. DFT calculations further support our experimental findings obtained by STM and XPS and add complementary information on the reaction pathway of Br₄Py on the different substrates.     

Synthesis of indolequinones via a Sonogashira coupling/cyclization cascade reaction

A mild strategy for constructing indolequinone motifs is described on the basis of the Sonogashira reaction and a copper-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization cascade reaction. The first step involves the palladium- and copper-catalyzed reaction between halogenated naphthoquinone and terminal acetylene to generate a coupling product, which then reacts in a copper-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization with the nitrogen functional group adjacent to the carbon-carbon triple bond.     

Halogenation of carbon substrates for increased reactivity with alkenes

Carbon substrates are readily functionalized with alkene-containing molecules via an ultraviolet-light-catalyzed reaction, resulting in the formation of a carbon-carbon bond with the surface. This reaction is typically performed on hydrogen-terminated carbon substrates, limiting its utility as alkene molecules with low electron affinities do not readily attach to this surface. Recently, a wet-chemical method for preparing bromine- and chlorine-terminated carbon substrates has been developed. Replacing the terminal hydrogen atoms with a halogen analog increases the surface's reactivity with alkene-containing molecules, affording a means of modifying the carbon substrate with the alkene molecules that do not readily attach to the hydrogen-terminated surface and with a greatly reduced reaction time.     

Methanol oxidation on a Pt(111)-OH/O surface

The methanol oxidation on a hydroxylated Pt (Pt(111)-OH) surface has been investigated by means of infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and in acidic solution. The Pt(111)-OH surface in UHV was prepared by introducing water molecules on a Pt(111)-(2 x 2)-O surface and annealed at temperature higher than 160 K. Methanol was then, introduced to the Pt(111)-OH surface to show the dependence of the reaction intermediate on the annealing temperature. At an annealing temperature below 160 K, IR bands assignable to methanol overlayer were observed and no detectable intermediates, such as CO, formaldehyde and formate, were formed, suggesting that methanol molecules remain stable on Pt(111) surface without dissociation at this temperature region. At an annealing temperature above 160 K, on the other hand, CO and formate were observed. In addition, the oxidation of CO on Pt(111)-OH showed no sign of formate formation, indicating that formate is not derived from CO, but from a direct oxidation of methanol. Methanol oxidation was carried out in 0.1 mol dm(-3) HClO(4) solution on Pt(111) with a flow cell configuration and showed the formation of formate. These results indicate that the formate is the dominant non-CO intermediate both in UHV and in acidic solution, and the preadsorbed oxygen-containing species, in particular OH adsorbates, on Pt(111) surface plays a very important role in the formate formation process in methanol oxidation reaction.     

Cyclotrimerization‐Induced Chiral Supramolecular Structures of 4‐Ethynyltriphenylamine on Au(111) Surface

Cyclotrimerization‐induced chiral supramolecular structures of 4‐ethynyltriphenylamine (ETPA) have been synthesized on the Au(111) surface through alkyne‐based reactions. Whereas the ETPA molecules adsorbed on the Au(111) surface remain inert and form a close‐packed self‐assembled structure at room temperature, the combination of scanning tunneling microscopy observations and theoretical calculations unambiguously reveal that the ETPA molecules cyclotrimerize to form new trimer‐like species—1,3,5‐tris[4‐(diphenylamino)phenyl]benzene (TPAPB)—after annealing at 323 K. Further annealing drives these cyclotrimerized TPAPB molecules to form chiral hexagonal supramolecular structures with an extraordinary self‐healing ability.     

Scanning tunneling microscopy studies of pulse deposition of dinuclear organometallic molecules on Au(111)

Ultrahigh-vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was used to study trans-[Cl(dppe)2Ru(C Triple Bond C)6Ru(dppe)2Cl] [abbreviated as Ru2, diphenylphosphinoethane (dppe)] on Au(111). This large organometallic molecule was pulse deposited onto the Au(111) surface under ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) conditions. UHV STM studies on the prepared sample were carried out at room temperature and 77 K in order to probe molecular adsorption and to characterize the surface produced by the pulse deposition process. Isolated Ru2 molecules were successfully imaged by STM at room temperature; however, STM images were degraded by mobile toluene solvent molecules that remain on the surface after the deposition. Cooling the sample to 77 K allows the solvent molecules to be observed directly using STM, and under these conditions, toluene forms organized striped domains with regular domain boundaries and a lattice characterized by 5.3 and 2.7 A intermolecular distances. When methylene chloride is used as the solvent, it forms analogous domains on the surface at 77 K. Mild annealing under vacuum causes most toluene molecules to desorb from the surface; however, this annealing process may lead to thermal degradation of Ru2 molecules. Although pulse deposition is an effective way to deposit molecules on surfaces, the presence of solvent on the surface after pulse deposition is unavoidable without thermal annealing, and this annealing may cause undesired chemical changes in the adsorbates under study. Preparation of samples using pulse deposition must take into account the characteristics of sample molecules, solvent, and surfaces.     

Synthesis of a C-linked glycosylated thymine-based PNA monomer and its incorporation into a PNA oligomer

Backbone modification of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) by glycosylation has been shown to enhance selective biodistribution and cellular targeting of PNA oligomers based on sugar and cell surface lectin interactions. Here we report the synthesis of a new backbone-glycosylated thymine-based PNA monomer (T(gal)). The sugar residue was attached to the backbone of PNA via a stable carbon-carbon linkage between the sugar and the PNA monomers. Also, incorporation of the modified monomer into a PNA decamer (H-Ala(gal)-G-G-G-T(gal)-C-A-G-C-T(gal)-T-Lys-NH2) was successfully performed. Melting temperature (UV-Tm) of the modified PNA against the complementary DNA was only slightly lower than unmodified PNA.     

The self-assembly of porphine molecules on NaCl pre-covered Cu(110) surface

The self-assembly of porphine molecules on NaCl pre-covered Cu(110) surface has been investigated at a single molecular level by scanning tunneling microscopy. The pre-grown NaCl stripe pattern has been partly interrupted due to the adsorption of porphine molecules at RT. Annealing the sample at 333 K and 423 K gradually promotes the formation of self-assembly network composed of porphine molecules and Cu atoms. Annealing at 473 K helps to convert this self-assembly structure into organometallic nanoribbon through C–Cu–C connecting.     

Click Chemistry in Ultra-high Vacuum – Tetrazine Coupling with Methyl Enol Ether Covalently Linked to Si(001)

The additive-free tetrazine/enol ether click reaction was performed in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) with an enol ether group covalently linked to a silicon surface: Dimethyl 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate molecules were coupled to the enol ether group of a functionalized cyclooctyne which was adsorbed on the silicon (001) surface via the strained triple bond of cyclooctyne. The reaction was observed at a substrate temperature of 380 K by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A moderate energy barrier was deduced for this click reaction in vacuum by means of density functional theory based calculations, in good agreement with the experimental results. This UHV-compatible click reaction thus opens a new, flexible route for synthesizing covalently bound organic architectures.