Catalytic transformations of 1-octanol and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol over oxide catalysts, 1. Transition metal oxides as catalysts

A comparative study of 1-octanol and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol transformations over silica supported NiO, MnO₂, Cr₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, and ZnO has been performed. Zinca containing catalyst was found to be the most active in dehydrogenation and dehydration of the alcohols studied. ZnO dehydrogenating activity increased with supported oxide load.     

Effect of surface hydration on the photocatalytic activity of oxide catalysts in the CO oxidation

The effect of the state of hydrated surface of the bulk oxide photocatalysts, TiO₂, CeO₂, and ZnO on the rate of UV-induced oxidation of CO with atmospheric oxygen was studied. The activity of dehydroxylated catalyst samples evacuated at temperatures of >350 °C toward CO photooxidation decreases in the series CeO₂ > ZnO ≈ TiO₂, while that of partially hydrated samples after pretreatment at 20 °C changes in the order TiO₂ > ZnO ≥ CeO₂ ≈ 0. According to the results, the difference in the photocatalytic activity toward CO oxidation on the dehydrated ZnO, TiO₂, and CeO₂ catalysts is attributable to different concentrations of oxygen vacancies, which are formed more readily after high-temperature treatment on ZnO and CeO₂ and thus promote higher rate of CO photooxidation. Using a new technique for recording transmittance IR spectra, it was found that photoirradiation in the presence of adsorbed water and O₂ gives peroxides and hydroperoxides, with their concentrations decreasing in the series TiO₂ >> ZnO >> CeO₂. Most likely, these species are active intermediates of CO photooxidation with oxygen in the presence of adsorbed water. The hydrophobization effect was detected upon TiO₂ modification with zinc, resulting in removal of surface acid sites capable of adsorbing water. The TiO₂ modification with zinc increases the activity of CO photooxidation with respect to the oxidation catalyzed by samples pretreated at low temperatures (20—60 °C).     

Influence of sodium dodecyl sulfate on the fabrication of zinc oxide nanoparticles

Dispersive ZnO nanoparticles with a primary particle size of about 70 nm and an average agglomerate size of about 2.0 ??m were synthesized via the precipitation-thermal decomposition route using ZnSO₄ and Na₂CO₃ as the reactants and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as the surface modification agent. The presence of minor amounts of SDS in the formation of hydrozicite (Zn₅(CO₃)₂(OH)₆) precursor changed the agglomeration size of ZnO from 9.7 to 2.0 ??m and the primary particle size of ZnO from about 45 to 70 nm. Molecular simulation based on the DISCOVER model and COMPASS force field indicated that SDS was adsorbed on the surface of Zn₅(CO₃)₂(OH)₆ mainly via the coulomb and hydrogen bond interactions.     

Influence of surface modification of zinc oxide–based nanomaterials on the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide

ZnO (Z-1), Co-doped ZnO (Z-2), and Co-doped ZnO/rGO (Z-3) nanocomposites are successfully synthesized using a solvothermal method and investigated toward the photoreduction of CO₂ to CH₃OH. The as-prepared ZnO (Z-1), Co-doped ZnO (Z-2), and Co-doped ZnO/rGO (Z-3) nanomaterials are characterized by a range of spectroscopic, imaging, and thermal techniques, including X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, thermogravimetry analysis-differential thermal calorimetry, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron micrograph. It was found that Z-3 presented a higher CH₃OH rate of 30.1 μmol/g compared with Z-2 (27.3 μmol/g) and Z-1 (7.5 μmol/g). Enhanced catalytic activity of Z-3 over other samples was because of the combined effect of the amount of Co, reduced graphene (rGO), and surface area (10.62 m²/g). Theoretical calculation revealed that photocatalytic activity has some relationship with the E_LUMO = ?2.922 eV (doped ZnO). The results can not only provide an important indication about the influence of Co and rGO on the activity of CO₂ photoreduction over ZnO but also demonstrate a strategy for tuning the CO₂ photoreduction performance. Our work may lay the groundwork for directing the future design of efficient metal-modified ZnO photocatalysts for CO₂ reduction.     

Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide over reduced nanoporous zinc oxide

Nanoporous zinc oxide (ZnO) is prepared by a hydrothermal method followed by thermal decomposition for electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy results indicate that ZnO is reduced to Zn under the electrolysis conditions for catalyzing CO₂ electroreduction. The reduced nanoporous ZnO exhibits obviously higher CO Faradaic efficiency and current density than commercial Zn foil with a maximum CO Faradaic efficiency of 92.0%, suggesting that the nanoporous structure facilitates electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ over reduced nanoporous ZnO, probably due to increased surface area and more coordination unsaturated surface atoms.     

From Biomimicking to Bioinspired Design of Electrocatalysts for CO2 Reduction to C1 Products

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ (CO₂RR) is a promising approach to maintain a carbon cycle balance and produce value-added chemicals. However, CO₂RR technology is far from mature, since the conventional CO₂RR electrocatalysts suffer from low activity (leading to currents <10 mA cm⁻² in an H-cell), stability (<120 h), and selectivity. Hence, they cannot meet the requirements for commercial applications (>200 mA cm⁻², >8000 h, >90 % selectivity). Significant improvements are possible by taking inspiration from nature, considering biological organisms that efficiently catalyze the CO₂ to various products. In this minireview, we present recent examples of enzyme-inspired and enzyme-mimicking CO₂RR electrocatalysts enabling the production of C₁ products with high faradaic efficiency (FE). At present, these designs do not typically follow a methodical approach, but rather focus on isolated features of biological systems. To achieve disruptive change, we advocate a systematic design methodology that leverages fundamental mechanisms associated with desired properties in nature and adapts them to the context of engineering applications.     

Efficient aerial oxidation of different types of alcohols using ZnO nanoparticle–MnCO3-graphene oxide composites

Graphene–metal nanocomposites have been found to remarkably enhance the catalytic performance of metal nanoparticle-based catalysts. In continuation of our previous report, in which highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG)-based nanocomposites were synthesized and evaluated, we present nanocomposites of graphene oxide (GRO) and ZnO nanoparticle-doped MnCO₃ ([ZnO–MnCO₃/(1%)GRO]) synthesized via a facile, straightforward co-precipitation technique. Interestingly, it was noticed that the incorporation of GRO in the catalytic system could noticeably improve the catalytic efficiency compared to a catalyst (ZnO–MnCO₃) without GRO, for aerial oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BzOH) employing O₂ as a nature-friendly oxidant under base-free conditions. The impacts of various reaction factors were thoroughly explored to optimize reaction conditions using oxidation of BzOH to benzaldehyde (BzH) as a model substrate. The catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and Raman spectroscopy. The (1%)ZnO–MnCO₃/(1%)GRO exhibited significant specific activity (67 mmol.g⁻¹.hr⁻¹) with full convversion of BzOH and >99% BzH selectivity within just 6 min. The catalytic efficiency of the (1%)ZnO–MnCO₃/(1%)GRO nanocomposite was significantly better than the (1%)ZnO–MnCO₃/(1%)HRG and (1%)ZnO–MnCO₃ catalysts, presumably due to the existence of oxygen-possessing groups on the GRO surface and as well as a very high surface area that could have been instrumental in uniformly dispersing the active sites of the catalyst, i.e., ZnO–MnCO₃. Under optimum circumstances, various kinds of alcohols were selectively transformed to respective carbonyls with full convertibility over the (1%)ZnO–MnCO₃/(1%)GRO catalyst. Furthermore, the highly effective (1%)ZnO–MnCO₃/(1%)GRO catalyst could be successfully reused and recycled over five consecutive runs with a marginal reduction in its performance and selectivity.     

ZnO/Mg–Al layered double hydroxides as strongly adsorptive photocatalysts

Nanocomposites of magnesium aluminium layered double hydroxides with carbonate anions (Mg–Al–CO₃-LDHs) and ZnO nanorods were prepared by a homogeneous precipitation process. The ZnO nanorods give the calcined Mg–Al–CO₃-LDHs, strong adsorbents of anionic dyes, photocatalytic activity. The nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites was investigated by degradation of acid red G in aqueous solution, and the nanocomposite with the ZnO-to-Mg–Al–CO₃-LDHs mass ratio of 1:1 had the highest photocatalytic activity in this photocatalytic reaction.     

Vapour phase synthesis of quinoline from aniline and glycerol over mixed oxide catalysts

The vapour phase synthesis of quinoline from aniline and glycerol (1:2 mole ratio) in a single step was investigated over ZnO–Cr₂O₃, CuO–ZnO/Al₂O₃, MoO₃–V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ and NiO–MoO₃/Al₂O₃ catalysts in the presence of air at 623–723 K under normal atmospheric pressure. Among these catalysts investigated, the CuO–ZnO/Al₂O₃ combination effectively performed this reaction with high activity and selectivity.     

柠檬酸辅助固相研磨法制备铜基催化剂及在CO_2加氢合成甲醇反应中的性能研究

通过柠檬酸辅助固相研磨法制备铜基催化剂,采用XRD、TPR、TG-DSC、SEM、BET、TEM、XPS、CO_2-TPD等手段对催化剂性能进行表征.结果表明室温固相研磨的前驱体在惰性气体N_2中焙烧使体系中的CuO绝大部分被原位还原成Cu~0,不需外加H_2还原,直接制得了C/I-Cu/ZnO催化剂,催化剂具有中孔.利用高压固定床连续反应装置对催化剂活性进行了评价,结果表明,柠檬酸用量、前驱体焙烧温度、焙烧升温速率等条件对催化剂活性产生影响,当C_6H_8O_7/(Cu+Zn)摩尔比为1.2/1并Cu/Zn摩尔比1/1,前驱体在N_2中以3 K·min~(-1)升温速率于623 K焙烧3 h,制得的C/I-Cu/ZnO催化剂比表面积最大,Cu~0粒径最小,在CO_2加氢合成甲醇反应中表现出最佳的活性,CO_2转化率、甲醇选择性和产率分别达到了28.28%、74.29%和21.01%.与外加H_2还原的C/H-Cu/ZnO催化剂相比,原位还原C/I-Cu/ZnO催化剂比表面积较大,Cu~0的粒径较小,活性较高.     

Isobutane Dehydrogenation Assisted by CO2 over Silicalite‐1‐Supported ZnO Catalysts: Influence of Support Crystallite Size

The ZnO catalysts supported on Silicalite‐1 zeolites with different crystallite sizes (0.08, 0.35, 1 and 1.7 μm, respectively) and 5% Zn were synthesized via an incipient wetness method. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, N₂ adsorption, SEM, TEM‐EDX, DRIFT spectra and NH₃‐TPD, and their catalytic performance in isobutane dehydrogenation assisted by CO₂ was investigated. The catalytic activity is strongly dependent on the crystallite size of Silicalite‐1 support. The ZnO/S‐1‐0.35 catalyst with ca. 0.35 μm crystallite size displays the highest activity, affording an initial isobutane conversion of 51.0% and 74.5% isobutene selectivity. This can be attributed to a higher amount of acid sites present on this catalyst as well as the largest amount of nest silanols possessed by the S‐1‐0.35 support.     

Development of high performance Cu/ZnO-based catalysts for methanol synthesis and the water-gas shift reaction

Our groups studies on Cu/ZnO-based catalysts for methanol synthesis via hydrogenation of CO₂ and for the water-gas shift reaction are reviewed. Effects of ZnO contained in supported Cu-based catalysts on their activities for several reactions were investigated. The addition of ZnO to Cu-based catalyst supported on Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ or SiO₂ improved its specific activity for methanol synthesis and the reverse water-gas shift reaction, but did not improve its specific activity for methanol steam reforming and the water-gas shift reaction. Methanol synthesis from CO₂ and H₂ over Cu/ZnO-based catalysts was extensively studied under a joint research project between National Institute for Resources and Environment (NIRE; one of the former research institutes reorganized to AIST) and Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE). It was suggested that methanol should be produced via the hydrogenation of CO₂, but not via the hydrogenation of CO, and that H₂O produced along with methanol should greatly suppress methanol synthesis. The Cu/ZnO-based multicomponent catalysts such as Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ and Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃/Ga₂O₃ were highly active for methanol synthesis from CO₂ and H₂. The addition of a small amount of colloidal silica to the multicomponent catalysts greatly improved their long-term stability during methanol synthesis from CO₂ and H₂. The purity of the crude methanol produced in a bench plant was 99.9 wt% and higher than that of the crude methanol from a commercial methanol synthesis from syngas. The water-gas shift reaction over Cu/ZnO-based catalysts was also studied. The activity of Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst for the water-gas shift reaction at 523 K was less affected by the pre-treatments such as calcination and treatment in H₂ at high temperatures than that of the Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst. Accordingly, the Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst was considered to be more suitable for practical use for the water-gas shift reaction. The Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst was also highly active for the water-gas shift reaction at 673 K. Furthermore, a two-stage reaction system composed of the first reaction zone for the water-gas shift reaction at 673 K and the second reaction zone for the reaction at 523 K was found to be more efficient than a one-stage reaction system. The addition of a small amount of colloidal silica to a Cu/ZnO-based catalyst greatly improved its long-term stability in the water-gas shift reaction in a similar manner as in methanol synthesis from CO₂ and H₂.     

Zn-La复合氧化物催化剂用于甲醇与碳酸乙烯酯酯交换反应的研究

ZnO、La₂O₃和Zn-La复合氧化物催化剂用于甲醇与碳酸乙烯酯反应制备碳酸二甲酯和乙二醇。催化剂采用共沉淀法进行制备,并用BET、XRD、TG-DSC、CO₂-TPD和Hammett滴定等对催化剂进行表征。考察了Zn-La物质的量比、焙烧温度,反应条件（反应温度、反应时间、催化剂用量等）对催化剂活性的影响。结果表明,ZnLa复合氧化物物质的量比为2：1,焙烧温度为500℃时,催化剂表现了较好的催化效果。催化剂的活性与催化剂表面的碱性强度和碱量有关,碱量越多催化剂的活性越好。     

ZnO nanorods decorated calcined Mg–Al layered double hydroxides as photocatalysts with a high adsorptive capacity

The nanocomposites of magnesium–aluminium–carbonate–layered double hydroxides (Mg–Al–CO₃–LDHs) and ZnO nanorods were prepared via a homogeneous precipitation process. The presence of ZnO nanorods made the calcined Mg–Al–CO₃–LDHs, the strong adsorptive adsorbents for anions, have a photocatalytic activity. Both Mg–Al–CO₃–LDHs and the nanocomposites with various ZnO/Mg–Al–CO₃–LDHs mass ratios from 0.5:1 to 3:1 were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The nanocomposites quickly adsorbed the anionic dyes such as acid red G (ARG) without the light illumination, and the adsorbed dyes on the recovered nanocomposites were then degraded in a separated photocatalytic reactor. The adsorption ability of the nanocomposites and their photocatalytic activities for the removal of ARG were evaluated by the Fourier transform infrared spectra and UV–vis extinction spectra. The sample at 3:1 ZnO/Mg–Al–CO₃–LDHs mass ratio was shown to have higher photocatalytic efficiencies.     

Effect of the electric field on the oxide layer structure and the product composition in the reaction of zinc with supercritical fluid H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O/CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The presence of a constant electric field (300 kV m–1) and variation of CO₂ concentration in the fluid affected the morphology of ZnO nanocrystals and the internal structure of ZnO layer obtained on interacting zinc anode with supercritical H₂O/CO₂ at 673 K and 35 MPa. The electric field favors the formation of zinc oxalate and carbonate, the thermal decomposition of which forms the pore structured of ZnO. Moreover, a fraction of elongated nanocrystals in the surface layer of ZnO is increased due to the action of the electric field.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Optical Properties of ZnO Nanostructured Films Directly Grown from/on Zinc Substrates

Uniform ZnO nanorods arrays are grown directly from and on Zn foils in pure water under hydrothermal conditions at a relatively low temperature. The nanorods are 80–200 nm in diameter and ∼ 1 μm in length, which grow on the Zn foil along the [001] direction. By changing the pure water to a urea solution, a Zn compound ([Zn₅(OH)₆(CO₃)₂], a precursor of ZnO nanoflowers film, is created by self-assembly. The ZnO nanoflowers film can be easily obtained by heating the [Zn₅(OH)₆(CO₃)₂] compound in N₂ at 350∘C for 5–6 hours. Possible growth processes of the ZnO nanorods arrays and the [Zn₅(OH)₆(CO₃)₂] nanoflowers are discussed. Photoluminescence properties of the as-prepared ZnO nanostructures have been measured. The ZnO nanorods array synthesized using our method has minimal defects so that only band-gap emission is observed. However, the ZnO nanoflowers film, obtained by heating the [Zn₅(OH)₆(CO₃)₂] nanoflower precursor in N₂, is polycrystalline and displays strong defect-related emission.     

Catalytic performance of metal oxide modified SiMCM-41 catalysts in diphenyl carbonate synthesis

Decomposition of CCl₄ into diphenyl carbonate (DPC) was examined over metal oxides modified SiMCM-41. ZnO/SiMCM-41 and Fe₂O₃/SiMCM-41 showed high activity in DPC synthesis. Although many other metal oxides, such as La₂O₃, CuO, Al₂O₃ and alkali or alkaline earth oxide, were success in destruction of CCl₄, they displayed nearly no activity on DPC synthesis. ZnO/SiMCM-41 and Fe₂O₃/SiMCM-41 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Raman, ²⁹Si MAS NMR and N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, and results showed that ferric and zinc oxide were supported onto SiMCM-41. The well ZnO dispersion in SiMCM-41 channels and the weak electrostatic interaction between chlorine anion and Zn²⁺ play an important role for the high activity of ZnO/SiMCM-41 in decomposition of CCl₄ into DPC.     

Titania supported copper catalysts for methanol synthesis from carbon dioxide

The effect of co-catalyst (ZnO or ZrO₂) has been tested for hydrogenation of CO₂ on CuO/TiO₂ and CuO/Al₂O₃. CuO−ZnO/TiO₂ catalyst showed the highest activity for methanol synthesis. Kinetic parameters were also determined.     

MXene-Regulated Metal-Oxide Interfaces with Modified Intermediate Configurations Realizing Nearly 100% CO2 Electrocatalytic Conversion

Electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction via renewable electricity provides a sustainable way to produce valued chemicals, while it suffers from low activity and selectivity. Herein, we constructed a novel catalyst with unique Ti₃C₂T_x MXene-regulated Ag−ZnO interfaces, undercoordinated surface sites, as well as mesoporous nanostructures. The designed Ag−ZnO/Ti₃C₂T_x catalyst achieves an outstanding CO₂ conversion performance of a nearly 100% CO Faraday efficiency with high partial current density of 22.59 mA cm⁻² at −0.87 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. The electronic donation of Ag and up-shifted d-band center relative to Fermi level within MXene-regulated Ag−ZnO interfaces contributes the high selectivity of CO. The CO₂ conversion is highly correlated with the dominated linear-bonded CO intermediate confirmed by in situ infrared spectroscopy. This work enlightens the rational design of unique metal-oxide interfaces with the regulation of MXene for high-performance electrocatalysis beyond CO₂ reduction.     

Infrared spectroscopic study of the CO2 adsorption effect on the surface acidity of zinc oxide

Taking account the bands ν_a(O¹²CO) and ν_a(O¹³CO) (in natural abundance) due to linear species, the study by FT-infrared spectroscopy of the CO₂ adsorption on ZnO has shown particular sites which can be described as Zn²⁺ ions with two vacancies, with a reactive oxygen ion in an adjacent position. Using the usual probe molecules (CO, acetonitrile, ammonia, pyridine), we have compared the Lewis acidity of ZnO and ZnO which has been pretreated with CO₂. This preadsorption causes an increase of the Lewis acidity. Moreover we have found that it prevents the dissociative adsorption of acetonitrile, ammonia, pyridine, propene and butenes. The model site described above well accounts for these results. It is concluded that the increase of the acidity due to CO₂ preadsorption is related to the formation of bidentate carbonates.