Controllable fabrication of carbon nanotube and nanobelt with a polyoxometalate-assisted mild hydrothermal process

Carbon nanotubes, carbon nanobelts, and carbon nanoparticles can be prepared directly from active carbon powders by a polyoxometalates (POMs)-assisted mild hydrothermal process. After the hydrothermal reaction the POMs are changed into heteropoly blues, which can be converted into the POMs by a small amount of H2O2 solution.     

Template free fabrication of hollow hematite spheres via a one-pot polyoxometalate-assisted hydrolysis process

Uniform hollow hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) spheres with diameter of about 600-700 nm and shell thickness lower than 100 nm are obtained by direct hydrothermal treatment of dilute FeCl₃ and tungstophosphoric acid H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ solution at 180 °C. The hollow spheres are composed of robust shells with small nanoparticles standing out of the surface and present a high-surface area and a weak ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. The effect of concentration of H₃PW₁₂O₄₀, reaction time and temperature for the formation of the hollow spheres are investigated in series of experiments. The formation of the hollow spheres may be ascribed to a polyoxometalte-assisted forced hydrolysis and dissolution process.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of aliphatic diols on platinum and gold Part I: Effects of chain length and isomeric position

The electrochemical reactivity of propanediol, butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol and heptanediol, on polycrystalline platinum and gold electrodes, was studied in acid and alkaline media. The effect of the number of carbon atoms, i.e. the chain length, was observed. The apparent energies of activation were evaluated systematically and discussed in relation to the molecular structure of the different diols. In the case of the butanediol isomers, an effect of the alcohol group positions on the activation energy and reaction mechanisms was clearly shown.     

Modified platinum electrode with phytic acid and single-walled carbon nanotube: Application to the selective determination of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic and uric acids

A platinum (Pt) electrode modified by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and phytic acid (PA) was investigated by voltammetric methods in buffer solution. The PA-SWNTs/Pt-modified electrode demonstrated substantial enhancements in electrochemical sensitivity and selectivity towards dopamine (DA) in the presence of L-ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). The PA-SWNTs films promoted the electron transfer reaction of DA, while the PA film, acting as a negatively charged linker, combined with the positively charged DA to induced DA accumulation in the film at pH under 7.4. However, the PA film restrained the electrochemical response of the negatively charged AA due to the electrostatic repulsion. The anodic peak potentials of DA, AA and UA could be separated by electrochemical techniques, and the interferences from AA and UA were effectively eliminated in the DA determination. Linear calibration plots were obtained in the DA concentration range of 0.2-10 μM and the detection limit of the DA oxidation current was determined to be 0.08 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The results indicated that the modified electrode can be used to determine DA without interference from AA and UA, while ensuring good sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility.     

Electrochemical oxidation of isoniazid catalyzed by (FcM)TMA at the platinum electrode and its practical analytical application

The electrocatalytic oxidation of isoniazid (INH) by (ferrocenylmethyl)trimethylammonium [(FcM)TMA] at the platinum electrode in 0.10 M Na₂SO₄ aqueous solution was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Although INH itself showed a very poor electrochemical response at the platinum electrode, the response could be greatly enhanced by using (FcM)TMA as a mediator, which enables a sensitive electrochemical determination of the substrate INH. The reaction rate constant for catalytic oxidation reaction was evaluated as (3.98±0.10)×10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ by using chronoamperometry (CA). Experimental conditions such as supporting electrolyte and its concentration, solution pH, and the concentrations of the catalyst (FcM)TMA and the substrate INH were investigated to maximize the current efficiency of the electrocatalytic oxidation. The method can be used for the sensitive practical determination of INH, and also opens an avenue for using (FcM)TMA as a mediator in electroanalytical determination which is very simple, cheap, and rapid. Furthermore, no sample pretreatment or time-consuming extraction steps are required prior to the analysis.     

Platinum coordination compounds of thiosemicarbazide derivatives: a new class of platinum blues

Platinum(II) forms blue 1?:?2 coordination compounds with 1-phenylthiosemicarbazide [H(1-PTSC)], 4-phenylthiosemicarbazide [H(4-PTSC)], 1,4-diphenylthiosemicarbazide [H(1,4-DPTSC)] and 4-(2-pyridyl)-thiosemicarbazide [H(4-(2py)-TSC)]. Electronic spectra of these compounds have been studied in different solvents. In all compounds, a band is observed in the 650–750?nm region that appears to be a metal-to-ligand charge transfer band. Infrared and proton NMR studies have been carried out to determine possible coordination sites and the nature of the complexes. IR spectra indicate bonding through sulfur and nitrogen and proton NMR spectra indicate bonding through the N¹nitrogen.     

Extended structural materials constructed from sulfate-centered Preyssler-type polyoxometalate with excellent electrocatalytic property

The sulfate-centered Preyssler-type polyoxometalate was firstly used to construct inorganic-organic hybrid materials, which exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward reduction of H₂O₂ and NO₂^-.     

Controllable fabrication of nanocrystal-polymer hybrids via the catalytic chain transfer polymerization process

A facile catalytic chain transfer polymerization (CCTP) technique has been developed to synthesize covalently linked CdS nanocrystal-polymer hybrids with good optical properties. The in situ polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) on the surface of modified CdS nanocrystals (NCs) with diameter of 5 nm via CCTP process yielded CdS-polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) hybrid nanocomposites; while the incorporation of hydroxyl-coated CdS NCs into poly(methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane) (PMPS)-co-PMMA matrices prepared by CCTP afforded CdS-PMPS-co-PMMA hybrid nanocomposites, which were further cross-linked by free radical polymerization to form CdS NC-polymer network. The spectroscopic studies indicate that as-prepared CdS NC-polymer hybrids show good photoluminescence (PL) and the NC-polymer network exhibits highly enhanced PL property with respect to that before cross-linking. Also described are the probable mechanism for the catalytic chain transfer polymerization on the surface of modified nanocrystal and the measurement of chain transfer constants.     

Assembly of two new polyoxometalate-templated supramolecular compounds by utilizing flexible 1,4-bis(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene ligand

Two new polyoxometalate-templated supramolecular compounds, [Cu^I₄(bpmb)₄][PMo^VI₁₁Mo^VO₄₀] (1) and [Cu^I₄(bpmb)₄SiW₁₂O₄₀] (2) (bpmb = 1,4-bis(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by routine methods. Structural analysis shows that in 1, there exist crown-like [Cu^I₄(bpmb)₄] coordination macrocycles, and the Keggin polyanions [PMo ^VI₁₁Mo^VO₄₀]^4? (abbr. as PMo₁₂), which direct the crown-like macrocycle to form a 3-D supramolecular framework. In 2, there exist unusual meso-helix chains, and these chains are mutually interlaced in a wave–trough pattern, but without intersection resulting in a multi-cavity layer, in which the [SiW₁₂O₄₀]^4? (abbr. as SiW₁₂) clusters as guest molecules occupy the cavities of the layers. The distinct structural features of the two compounds suggest that Keggin polyanions should play a significant role in the process of assembly. Electrocatalytic properties of 1 and 2 were investigated.     

Cyclometallated platinum complexes with heterocyclic ligands

The reactions of [Pt₂Me₄(μ-SMe₂)₂] with imine ligands derived from 3-furaldehyde, 3- or 4-pyridinealdehyde and N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, and 3-furaldehyde and chlorobenzylamine are reported. The furane ligands coordinated to platinum through the nitrogen donor and could be forced to orthometallate under severe conditions. The ligands with pyridine rings gave only substitution of the ligand for the dimethylsulphide. The oxidative addition reactions of the orthometallated complexes with methyl iodide as well as the complexes' reactions with triphenylphosphine are also reported. Correlation between aromaticity of the orthometallated ring and reactivity of the complexes is observed.     

Electrocatalytic Activity of Pt/C Electrodes for Ethanol Oxidation in Vapor Phase

Introduction The selective oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehydeis of special interest in the areas where biomass-basedeconomics are under development since acetaldehydecan be used for the syntheses of other basic chemicalssuch as acetic acid, acetic anhydride,n-butanol,etc.[1—6]. With the advancement of fuel cell technologyand electrocatalysis stimulated by the world energy andraw material situation, some special opportunities havebeen provided for investigating electrosynthesis of or-ganic c…     

ZnO-based hollow microspheres with mesoporous shells: Polyoxometalate-assisted fabrication, growth mechanism and photocatalytic properties

With the assistance of Keggin-type polyoxometalate, ZnO hollow microspheres with mesoporous shells were synthesized via a simple solvothermal approach without any templates and surfactants. The observations of morphology and structure performed by field emission scanning electronic microscopy and transmission electron microscopy indicated that the shells of the ZnO hollow spheres were built from nanosheets which were composed of nanoparticles. The transformation of structure and composition of samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry and fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy. The formation mechanism of the hollow spheres is proposed based on time-dependent experimental results. The ZnO hollow microspheres exhibited a high photocatalytic activity for decolorization of Rhodamine B under ultraviolet irradiation.     

甲醇在铂微粒修饰的聚硫堇电极上的电催化氧化

利用电化学循环伏安和现场ＦＴＩＲ反射光谱等技术研究了甲醇在铂微粒修饰的聚硫堇电极上的电催化氧化。结果表明，循环伏安法制备的铂微粒均匀分散于聚合物膜上，其粒径大小约为３０－１３０ｎｍ；复合修饰电极对甲醇电化学氧化呈现了较高的催化活性，其催化活性的大小依赖于Ｐｔ载量。现场ＦＴＩＲ光谱实验揭示了线性吸附的ＣＯ物种是甲醇在复合电极上氧化的唯一中间体，这种吸附的ＣＯ物种在复合修饰电极上更容易被氧化为最终产物     

Easy-handling and low-leaching heterogeneous palladium and platinum catalysts via coating with a silicone elastomer

We have developed a practical protocol for coating of commercial Pd/Al₂O₃ and Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts in micro-powders with a silicone elastomer. Compared to original catalysts, the treated catalysts are easier to weight and transfer, and they are easier to recover by simple filtration. More importantly, the metal leaching of treated catalysts was significantly reduced. The treated catalysts worked very well in diverse hydrogenation reactions.     

Stereochemistry of heterometallic platinum clusters

Heterometallic platinum complexes cover a huge field, as shown by a recent survey covering the crystallographic and structural data of almost 1500 examples. About 5% of those complexes exists as isomers and are summarized in this review; except one cis-trans example, the remainder are distortion isomers. These are discussed in terms of the coordination about the platinum atom, and correlations are drawn between donor atom, bond lengths and interbond angles, with attention to trans effect and metal-metal bonds. Distortion isomers, differing only by degree of distortion in Pt–L and Pt–M distances and L–M–L bond angles, spread over a wide range of oxidation states of platinum: zero, +1, +2 (most common) and +4. The mean Pt–Pt bond distance elongate with increase in oxidation state of platinum: 2.705 Å (Pt(0)–Pt(0)) < 2.720 Å (Pt(I)–Pt(I)) < 2.773 Å (Pt(II)–Pt(II)). The shortest mean Pt–M bond distances are: Pt(0)–Ga = 2.37 Å; Pt(I) = Au 2.697 Å, Pt(II)–Fe = 2.625 Å and Pt(IV)–Sn, 2.580 Å.     

Reactivity of cyclometallated platinum complexes with chiral ligands

The reaction of [Pt₂Me₄(μ-SMe₂)₂] with 3-substituted iminic thiophenes and 2-phenylpyridine gives platinum (II) [C,N] cyclometallated complexes which contain a labile ligand (SMe₂ or CH₃CN). Several platinum (II) complexes have been synthesized by substitution reactions with phosphine or sulfoxide ligands to introduce, in most cases, a second chiral center. The new complexes’ reactions with methyl iodide were subsequently studied and showed results that are dependent on the steric and electronic effects of both the cyclometallated ligand and the ancillary phosphine or sulfoxide ligand. The structure of [PtMe((R)-C₁₀H₇CHMeNCHC₄H₂S)(CH₃CN)], a synthetic precursor, is also reported.     

Electrochemical impedance studies of the undoping process of platinum phthalocyanine charge transfer microcrystals

Platinum phthalocyanine (PtPc) microcrystal films undergo three successive electrochemical oxidations. Each of these processes is associated with anion insertion or doping. The reverse process of anion insertion, undoping, has been investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and in-situ UV–vis spectroscopy. The impedance theory of conductive polymer films developed by Vorotyntsev et al. is applicable to this process. The kinetics of the undoping process depend upon the previous oxidative treatment, and thus the doping level. Three different states of the film can be demarcated, depending on the degree of oxidation (and thus the degree of doping) of the PtPc film. These are called the lightly doped, the conductive and the over-doped state, respectively. For lightly doped films, the film conductivity, the redox capacitance, the diffusion coefficient for charge transport and the rate of electrochemical reaction all decrease with decreasing potential. The film conductivity depends upon the concentration of free charge carriers. For the more highly doped conductive film, all of the above parameters are greatly enhanced, and the electrochemical reaction is accelerated and proceeds at a very high rate. The potential dependence of the redox capacitance and the diffusion coefficient depends on the type of anion. During undoping at 0 V, unusually high diffusion coefficients with a magnitude of order 10⁻² cm² s⁻¹ are observed and are attributed to the strong interactions between the electronic and ionic carriers during the phase transformation. For the over-doped film, undoping leads to an increase in the film conductivity and electrochemical reaction rate. The potential dependence of the redox capacitance and diffusion coefficients for charge transport implies strong interactions within the film. Hypsochromic shifts in UV–vis spectra with decreasing potential indicate conformational relaxation during the undoping process. SEM investigation confirms that the doped film swells during the de-doping process.     

Synthesis, characterization and photovoltaic properties of a low-bandgap platinum(II) polyyne functionalized with a 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-benzothiadiazole hybrid spacer

The synthesis, characterization and optical spectroscopy of a deep blue platinum(II) polyyne functionalized with the (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-benzothiadiazole hybrid spacer (P1) and its dinuclear platinum molecular model complex (M1) are described. This metalated polymer P1 exhibits good thermal stability and possesses a narrow bandgap of 1.76 eV. Optical spectroscopic measurements of these materials reveal a substantial donor-acceptor interaction along the rigid backbone of the organometallic polyynes through the interaction of metal center and the conjugated tricyclic ligand. Preliminary study shows that P1: methanofullerene acceptor blend can be used as an active layer of bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells. Photoexcitation of this blend layer in some yet-to-be optimized cells results in a photo-induced electron transfer from the π-conjugated metallopolyyne electron donor to [6,6]-phenyl C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) close to 0.30% under air mass (AM1.5) simulated solar illumination. The power dependencies of the solar cell parameters (including the short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage, fill-factor and PCE) were also studied.     

分子印刷技术铂微粒修饰电极及甲醇的电催化氧化

利用分子印刷技术(Molecular Imprinting Technology，MIT)，将铂微粒沉积到谷胱甘肽自组装膜的针孔上，并用循环伏安法研究了甲醇在该电极上的电催化氧化行为。实验结果表明，该电极对甲醇电化学氧化呈现出较高的催化活性，活性高低与载铂量、溶液pH值及电极表面铂微粒所处的微环境有关。     

Synthesis and characterization of a new platinum(II) complex with L-mimosine

Synthesis and characterization of a new Pt(II)–mimosine complex are described. Elemental, mass spectrometry and thermal analyses for the complex are consistent with the formula [PtCl₂(C₈H₁₀N₂O₄)]·1.5H₂O. ¹³C NMR, ¹⁵N NMR and infrared spectroscopy indicate coordination of the ligand to Pt(II) through the N and O atoms in a square-planar geometry. The final residue after thermal treatment was identified as metallic Pt. The complex is soluble in dimethylsulfoxide.