Catalytic combustion of carbon particulates over perovskite-type oxides

A Cu/Cr₂O₃ catalyst was prepared by co-precipitation method, studied in methanol dehydrocoupling to methyl formate in different gas streams and characterized by BET, XRD, TPR, TPD of NH₃ and CO₂, etc. The results demonstrate that the catalyst can catalyze the dehydrocoupling of methanol to methyl formate in high efficiency,e. g. 99% selectivity to methyl formate at 48% conversion of methanol. The results further indicate that metallic copper might be the active species for the formation of methyl formate     

Non‐natural Cofactor and Formate‐Driven Reductive Carboxylation of Pyruvate

A non‐natural cofactor and formate driven system for reductive carboxylation of pyruvate is presented. A formate dehydrogenase (FDH) mutant, FDH*, that favors a non‐natural redox cofactor, nicotinamide cytosine dinucleotide (NCD), for generation of a dedicated reducing equivalent at the expense of formate were acquired. By coupling FDH* and NCD‐dependent malic enzyme (ME*), the successful utilization of formate is demonstrated as both CO₂ source and electron donor for reductive carboxylation of pyruvate with a perfect stoichiometry between formate and malate. When ¹³C‐isotope‐labeled formate was used in in vitro trials, up to 53 % of malate had labeled carbon atom. Upon expression of FDH* and ME* in the model host E. coli, the engineered strain produced more malate in the presence of formate and NCD. This work provides an alternative and atom‐economic strategy for CO₂ fixation where formate is used in lieu of CO₂ and offers dedicated reducing power.     

Mechanism of methanol conversion on ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and 5% Cu/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> according to in situ IR spectroscopic data

It is demonstrated by in situ IR spectroscopy that, in methanol conversion on ZrO₂ and 5% Cu/ZrO₂ catalysts, methoxy groups are present on the catalyst surface, which result from O-H or C-O bond breaking in the methanol molecule. Two types of formate complexes, localized on ZrO₂ and CuO, are also observed. The formate complexes form via the oxidative conversion of the methoxy groups. There are two types of linear methoxy groups. First-type linear methoxy groups condense with the formate complex located on CuO to yield methyl formate and then CO and H₂. Second-type methoxy groups appear as intermediate products in the formation of dimethyl ether. The main hydrogen formation reactions are the recombination of hydrogen atoms (which result from the interconversion of surface complexes) on copper clusters and the decomposition of methyl formate. The source of CO₂ in the gas phase is the formate complex, and the source of CO is methyl formate. The effect of water vapor and oxygen the surface reactions and product formation is discussed.     

Methanol conversion over CuO supported on CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>: An in situ IR spectroscopic study

The main reactions yielding hydrogen are the recombination of hydrogen atoms on copper clusters and methyl formate decomposition. Methyl formate results from the interaction between the linear methoxy group and the formate complex located on CuO. The source of CO₂ appearing in the gas phase is the formate complex, and the source of CO is methyl formate. The rates of methoxy group conversion and product formation over supports (ZrO₂, CeO₂, Ce_0.8Zr_0.2O₂) and copper-containing catalysts (5%Cu/CeO₂, 5%Cu/ZrO₂, 2%Cu/Ce_0.8Zr_0.2O₂, 2%Cu/Ce_0.1Y_0.1Zr_0.8) are compared. The dominant process in methoxy group conversion over the supports and copper-containing catalysts is methanol decomposition to H₂ and CO and to H₂ and CO₂, respectively. The methoxy group conversion rate is proportional to the H₂ and CO₂ formation rate and is determined by the concentration of supported copper.     

Non-natural Cofactor and Formate-Driven Reductive Carboxylation of Pyruvate

A non-natural cofactor and formate driven system for reductive carboxylation of pyruvate is presented. A formate dehydrogenase (FDH) mutant, FDH*, that favors a non-natural redox cofactor, nicotinamide cytosine dinucleotide (NCD), for generation of a dedicated reducing equivalent at the expense of formate were acquired. By coupling FDH* and NCD-dependent malic enzyme (ME*), the successful utilization of formate is demonstrated as both CO₂ source and electron donor for reductive carboxylation of pyruvate with a perfect stoichiometry between formate and malate. When ¹³C-isotope-labeled formate was used in in vitro trials, up to 53 % of malate had labeled carbon atom. Upon expression of FDH* and ME* in the model host E. coli, the engineered strain produced more malate in the presence of formate and NCD. This work provides an alternative and atom-economic strategy for CO₂ fixation where formate is used in lieu of CO₂ and offers dedicated reducing power.     

Photoreduction of carbon dioxide by hydrogen and methane

Zirconium oxide is active for photoreduction of gaseous carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide with hydrogen. A stable surface species arises under the photoreduction of CO₂ on zirconium oxide, and it is identified as surface formate by infrared spectroscopy. Adsorbed CO₂ is converted to formate by photoreaction with hydrogen. The surface formate is a true reaction intermediate since CO is formed by the photoreaction of formate and CO₂; surface formate works as a reductant of carbon dioxide to yield carbon monoxide. The dependence on the wavelength of irradiation light shows that a bulk ZrO₂ is not a photoactive species. When ZrO₂ adsorbs CO₂ a new band appears in photoluminescence excitation spectrum. The photoactive species in the reaction that CO₂+H₂ yields HCOO⁻ is presumably formed by the adsorption of CO₂ on ZrO₂ surface. Hydrogen molecules play a role to supply an atomic hydrogen. Therefore, methane molecules can also be used as a reductant of carbon dioxide.     

Metal–Organic Framework‐Derived Carbon Nanorods Encapsulating Bismuth Oxides for Rapid and Selective CO2 Electroreduction to Formate

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversion is promising in alleviating the excessive CO₂ level and simultaneously producing valuables. This work reports the preparation of carbon nanorods encapsulated bismuth oxides for the efficient CO₂ electroconversion toward formate production. This resultant catalyst exhibits a small onset potential of ?0.28 V vs. RHE and partial current density of over 200 mA cm^?2 with a stable and high Faradaic efficiency of 93 % for formate generation in a flow cell configuration. Electrochemical results demonstrate the synergistic effect in the Bi₂O₃@C promotes the rapid and selective CO₂ reduction in which the Bi₂O₃ is beneficial for improving the reaction kinetics and formate selectivity, while the carbon matrix would be helpful for enhancing the activity and current density of formate production. This work provides effective bismuth‐based MOF derivatives for efficient formate production and offers insights in promoting practical CO₂ conversion technology.     

Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Carbon Nanorods Encapsulating Bismuth Oxides for Rapid and Selective CO2 Electroreduction to Formate

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversion is promising in alleviating the excessive CO₂ level and simultaneously producing valuables. This work reports the preparation of carbon nanorods encapsulated bismuth oxides for the efficient CO₂ electroconversion toward formate production. This resultant catalyst exhibits a small onset potential of −0.28 V vs. RHE and partial current density of over 200 mA cm⁻² with a stable and high Faradaic efficiency of 93 % for formate generation in a flow cell configuration. Electrochemical results demonstrate the synergistic effect in the Bi₂O₃@C promotes the rapid and selective CO₂ reduction in which the Bi₂O₃ is beneficial for improving the reaction kinetics and formate selectivity, while the carbon matrix would be helpful for enhancing the activity and current density of formate production. This work provides effective bismuth-based MOF derivatives for efficient formate production and offers insights in promoting practical CO₂ conversion technology.     

Energy Transfer Dynamics of Formate Decomposition on Cu(110)

Energy transfer dynamics of formate (HCOO_a) decomposition on a Cu(110) surface has been studied by measuring the angle‐resolved intensity and translational energy distributions of CO₂ emitted from the surface in a steady‐state reaction of HCOOH and O₂. The angular distribution of CO₂ shows a sharp collimation with the direction perpendicular to the surface, as represented by cosⁿ θ (n= 6). The mean translational energy of CO₂ is measured to be as low as 100 meV and is independent of the surface temperature (T _s). These results clearly indicate that the decomposition of formate is a thermal non‐equilibrium process in which a large amount of energy released by the decomposition reaction of formate is transformed into the internal energies of CO₂ molecules. The thermal non‐equilibrium features observed in the dynamics of formate decomposition support the proposed Eley–Rideal (ER)‐type mechanism for formate synthesis on copper catalysts.     

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The infrared and Raman spectra of the light blue modification of anhydrous copper(II) formate, Cu(HCOO)₂, and copper(II) formate-d₂, Cu(DCOO)₂, are reported, as well as the Raman spectra of copper(II) formate tetrahydrate Cu(HCOO)₂ · 4H₂O and copper(II) formate tetrahydrate-d₈ Cu(HCOO)₂ · 4D₂O over a wide range of temperatures. In the latter two compounds, the fundamental formate modes, active in the Raman spectra, showed splittings when the phase transition temperature was traversed. These low-temperature Raman spectra were interpreted in terms of a P2₁ space group and prove that the phase transition not only involves an ordering in the orientation of the water molecules, but also displacements of the heavy atoms. Only a limited number of weak translational modes of the water molecules could be identified in the Raman spectra of the copper(II) formate tetrahydrate, and it is not possible therefore to determine exactly how ordering affects the Raman-active lattice modes of these molecules.     

First-principles characterization of formate and carboxyl adsorption on stoichiometric CeO2(111) and CeO2(110) surfaces

Molecular adsorption of formate and carboxyl on stoichiometric CeO₂(111) and CeO₂(110) surfaces was studied using periodic density functional theory (DFT+U) calculations. Two distinguishable adsorption modes (strong and weak) of formate are identified. The bidentate configuration is more stable than the monodentate adsorption configuration. Both formate and carboxyl bind at the more open CeO₂(110) surface are stronger. The calculated vibrational frequencies of two adsorbed species are consistent with the experimental measurements. Finally, the effects of U parameters on the adsorption of formate and carboxyl over both CeO₂ surfaces were investigated. We found that the geometrical configurations of two adsorbed species are not affected by different U parameters (U = 0, 5, and 7). However, the calculated adsorption energy of carboxyl pronouncedly increases with the U value while the adsorption energy of formate only slightly changes (<0.2 eV). The Bader charge analysis shows the opposite charge transfer occurs for formate and carboxyl adsorption where the adsorbed formate is negatively charge while the adsorbed carboxyl is positively charged. Interestingly, with the increasing U parameter, the amount of charge is also increased.     

Properties of surface compounds in methanol conversion on copper-containing catalysts based on CeO2 according to in situ IR-spectroscopic data

Formate and carbonate complexes and bridging and linear methoxy groups were detected on the surfaces of CeO₂ and 5.0% Cu/CeO₂ under the reaction conditions of methanol conversion using IR spectroscopy. The reaction products were H₂, methyl formate, CO, CO₂, and H₂O. The bridging and linear methoxy groups were the sources of formation of bi- and monodentate formate complexes, respectively. Methyl formate was formed as a result of the interaction of the linear methoxy group and the formate complex. The study demonstrated that the recombination of hydrogen atoms on copper clusters and the decomposition of methyl formate were the main reactions of hydrogen formation. Formate and carbonate complexes were the source of CO₂ formation in the gas phase, and the decomposition of methyl formate was the source of CO. It was found that the addition of water vapor to the reaction flow considerably decreased the rate of CO formation at a constant yield of hydrogen. The effects of water vapor and oxygen on the course of surface reactions and the formation of products are discussed. To explain the mechanism of methanol conversion, a scheme of surface reactions is proposed.     

An Integrated CO2 Electrolyzer and Formate Fuel Cell Enabled by a Reversibly Restructuring Pb–Pd Bimetallic Catalyst

A single device combining the functions of a CO₂ electrolyzer and a formate fuel cell is a new option for carbon‐neutral energy storage but entails rapid, reversible and stable interconversion between CO₂ and formate over a single catalyst electrode. We report a new catalyst with such functionalities based on a Pb–Pd alloy system that reversibly restructures its phase, composition, and morphology and thus alters its catalytic properties under controlled electrochemical conditions. Under cathodic conditions, the catalyst is relatively Pb‐rich and is active for CO₂‐to‐formate conversion over a wide potential range; under anodic conditions, it becomes relatively Pd‐rich and gains stable catalytic activity for formate‐to‐CO₂ conversion. The bifunctional activity and superior durability of our Pb–Pd catalyst leads to the first proof‐of‐concept demonstration of an electrochemical cell that can switch between the CO₂ electrolyzer/formate fuel cell modes and can stably operate for 12 days.     

CORRELATION BETWEEN THE BINDING OF FORMATE AND DECREASED RATES OF CHARGE TRANSFER THROUGH THE PHOTOSYSTEM II QUINONES

Abstract— The binding parameters of bicarbonate to the thylakoid membrane at different formate concentrations have been established [Stemler and Murphy (1983) Photochem. Phorobiol. 38, 701–707]. Based on these parameters, predictions could be made concerning the effects of bicarbonate and formate on photosynthetic electron flow. In this work these effects of various concentrations of bicarbonate and formate are measured and compared to predictions from the binding study. Electron flow is measured between Q_A and Q_B (the primary and secondary quinone acceptors) and Q_B and the plastoquinone pool. Also, these same concentration effects are determined for silicomolybdate supported oxygen evolution. It is found that the results of the bicarbonate binding study are in good agreement with the concentration dependence determined for the quinone reactions, as well as the silicomolybdate reaction. The bicarbonate concentrations required for half-maximal effects are approximately 100 μM, 300 μM and 1.3 mM in the presence of 0, 20 mM and 100 mM formate, respectively. It is concluded that a hierarchy of possible electron flow rates exist. The slowest rates occur when formate is bound. A substantially higher rate occurs when neither formate nor bicarbonate (< 2 μM) are present, but only chloride is present. The highest rates of electron flow occur when bicarbonate is bound. The Q_A- Q_B→ Qa Qb^? Qa^? Qb^2– PQ → Q_a Q_b- PQ^2–, and the silicomolybdate reactions all have the same concentration dependence on formate and bicarbonate. From this it is concluded that a single binding site for formate and bicarbonate affect all of these reactions. The possibility that multiple sites exist with approximately equal affinities for bicarbonate cannot be excluded.     

In situ FTIR Study of the Adsorption of Formaldehyde, Formic Acid, and Methyl Formiate at the Surface of TiO2 (Anatase)

The catalytic properties of TiO₂ (anatase) in the reactions of formaldehyde oxidation and formic acid decomposition are examined. At 100–150°C, formaldehyde is converted into methyl formate with high selectivity regardless of the presence of oxygen in the reaction mixture. Formic acid is decomposed to CO and water. Surface compounds formed in the reactions of formaldehyde, formic acid, and methyl formate with TiO₂ (anatase) are identified by in situ FTIR spectroscopy. In a flow of a formaldehyde-containing mixture at 100°C, H-bonded HCHO, dioxymethylene species, bidentate formate, and coordinatively bonded HCHO are observed on the TiO₂ surface. In the adsorption of formic acid, H-bonded HCOOH and two types of formates (bidentate and unsymmetrical formates) are formed. In the adsorption of methyl formate, H-bonded HCOOCH₃, HCOOCH₃ coordinatively bonded via the carbonyl oxygen, and bidentate formate are identified.     

Boosting CO2 Hydrogenation to Formate over Edge-Sulfur Vacancies of Molybdenum Disulfide

Synthesis of formate from hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is an atom-economic reaction but is confronted with challenges in developing high-performance non-precious metal catalysts for application of the process. Herein, we report a highly durable edge-rich molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) catalyst for CO₂ hydrogenation to formate at 200 °C, which delivers a high selectivity of over 99 % with a superior turnover frequency of 780.7 h⁻¹ surpassing those of previously reported non-precious metal catalysts. Multiple experimental characterization techniques combined with theoretical calculations reveal that sulfur vacancies at MoS₂ edges are the active sites and the selective production of formate is enabled via a completely new water-mediated hydrogenation mechanism, in which surface OH* and H* species in dynamic equilibrium with water serve as moderate hydrogenating agents for CO₂ with residual O* reduced by hydrogen. This study provides a new route for developing low-cost high-performance catalysts for CO₂ hydrogenation to formate.     

Application of ionizing radiation to environmental protection: removal of toxic Cr(VI) metal ion in industrial wastewater: preliminary study

Hexavalent chromium, a major contaminant in most wastewater sites, is a potential health threat inducing cancer to humans while trivalent chromium is an essential element for the metabolism of sugar. The radiation-induced reduction of Cr(VI) metal ion to Cr(III) by the perhydroxyl radical (HO₂ ^?) and carboxyl radical anion (CO₂ ^??) produced by continuous radiolysis of water was investigated by steady state radiolysis of O₂, Ar and N₂O-saturated pH 3 solutions in the presence of formate. In all cases the removed Cr(VI) was a linear function of the absorbed dose. The added formate was favorable for removing Cr(VI). Its presence protects the solution from reverse radiolytic oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The measured and calculated yield of removal of Cr(VI) do agree quite well at low formate concentration but at high formate concentration the measured yield was higher than the expected. When all formate is exhausted no recovery of Cr(VI) from Cr(III) was observed in case of O₂- and Ar-saturated solutions whilst in the case of N₂O-saturated solutions Cr(VI) recovers. The results obtained in this study highlight the potential of this technology for industrial wastewater treatment.     

Molecular “Multi‐rod Cable” {[Co(NC5H4–CH=CH–C6H4–CH=CH–C5H4N)(HCOO)2]8}n: A Novel Supramolecular Architecture by Cooperation of Coordination and Stacking Interactions

The cobalt‐formate coordination polymers {[Co(bpyph)(HCOO)₂]₈}_n ( 1 ) (bpyph = 1,4‐bis(2‐(4‐pyridyl)ethenyl)benzene) and {[Co(HCONH₂)₂(HCOO)₂]}_n ( 2 ) have been prepared by interaction of Co(NO₃)₂ · 6 H₂O in formamide solution with generation of formate anion by hydrolysis of the solvent. Coordination polymer 1 reveals an unprecedented example of “molecular multi‐rod cable” architecture, in which eight single “molecular wires” {[Co(bpyph)]}_n are interlinked by bridging formate anions to give infinite octameric chains. The formate groups adopt mono‐, and bi‐ and tridentate bridging and chelate modes of coordination (Co–O 1.966–2.134 Å). The coordination geometry around the cobalt atoms is essentially dominated by the demands for most effective packing of parallel situated polycyclic aromatic ligands, with extensive CH…π, or edge‐to‐face stacking interactions within the single octameric chain as well as between the closest neighbours (C…C separations within this stack are ca. 3.50 Å).     

Simultaneous Generation of H2O2 and Formate by Co-Electrolysis of Water and CO2 over Bifunctional Zn/SnO2 Nanodots

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and formate are important chemicals used in various chemical manufacturing industries. One promising approach for the simultaneous production of these chemicals is coupling anodic two-electron water oxidation with cathodic CO₂ reduction in an electrolyzer using nonprecious bifunctional electrocatalysts. Herein, we report an innovative hybrid electrosynthesis strategy using Zn-doped SnO₂ (Zn/SnO₂) nanodots as bifunctional redox electrocatalysts to achieve Faradaic efficiencies of 80.6 % and 92.2 % for H₂O₂ and formate coproduction, respectively, along with excellent stability for at least 60 h at a current density of ≈150 mA cm⁻². Through a combination of physicochemical characterizations, including operando attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), isotope labeling mass spectrometry (MS)/¹H NMR and quasi-in situ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we discovered that the Zn dopant facilitates the coupling of *OH intermediates to promote H₂O₂ production and optimizes the adsorption of *OCHO intermediates to accelerate formate formation. Our findings offer new insights into designing more efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst-based pair-electrosynthesis system for the coproduction of H₂O₂ and formate feedstocks.     

Interfacing Formate Dehydrogenase with Metal Oxides for the Reversible Electrocatalysis and Solar‐Driven Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

The integration of enzymes with synthetic materials allows efficient electrocatalysis and production of solar fuels. Here, we couple formate dehydrogenase ( FDH ) from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough (DvH) to metal oxides for catalytic CO₂ reduction and report an in‐depth study of the resulting enzyme–material interface. Protein film voltammetry (PFV) demonstrates the stable binding of FDH on metal‐oxide electrodes and reveals the reversible and selective reduction of CO₂ to formate. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR‐IR) spectroscopy confirm a high binding affinity for FDH to the TiO₂ surface. Adsorption of FDH on dye‐sensitized TiO₂ allows for visible‐light‐driven CO₂ reduction to formate in the absence of a soluble redox mediator with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 11±1 s^?1. The strong coupling of the enzyme to the semiconductor gives rise to a new benchmark in the selective photoreduction of aqueous CO₂ to formate.