Preparation and Crystal Structure of a New Uranyl Sulfate Templated by a Bis-isothiouronium Cation

Crystals of a new uranyl sulfate (C₂N₄H₈S₂)[UO₂(SO₄)₂] · 0.3H₂O ( 1 ) templated by a relatively rare bis-isothiouronium cation, were formed upon evaporation of aqueous solutions containing uranyl acetate, thiourea, and excess sulfuric acid. The new compound is orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 6.928(2) Å, b = 13.398(3) Å, c = 15.225(3) Å, Z = 2. Its crystal structure is comprised of [UO₂(SO₄)₂] moieties linked by hydrogen bonds formed between the template cations and terminal oxygen atoms of the sulfate tetrahedra. The C₂N₄H₈S₂²⁺ template is most likely formed in situ during a redox reaction between uranyl cation and thiourea in a strongly acidic medium, with UO₂²⁺ partially reduced to U⁴⁺.     

Remarkable improvement of cyclic stability in Li–O2 batteries using ruthenocene as a redox mediator

Nonaqueous Li–O₂ batteries attract attention for their theoretical specific energy density. However, due to the difficulty of decomposition of Li₂O₂, Li–O₂ batteries have high charge overpotential and poor cycling life. So all kinds of catalysts have been studied on the cathode. Compared to heterogeneous solid catalysts, soluble catalysts achieve faster and more effective transport of electrons by reversible redox pairs. Here, we first report ruthenocene (Ruc) as a mobile redox mediator in a Li–O₂ battery. 0.01 mol/L Ruc in the electrolyte effectively reduces the charging voltage by 610 mV. Additionally, Ruc greatly increases the cycling life by four-fold (up to 83 cycles) with a simple ketjen black (KB) cathode. The results of SEM, XPS and XRD confirm that less discharge product residue accumulated after recharge. To verify the reaction mechanisms of the mediator, free energy profiles of the possible reaction pathways based on DFT are provided.     

Analytical theory for ion transfer–electron transfer coupled reactions at redox layer–modified/thick film–modified electrodes

Electrodes modified by liquid films or plasticized polymeric membranes containing a redox species offer valuable alternatives for the study of ion transfers and bimolecular electron transfers at liquid–liquid interfaces with conventional electrode arrangements and stable interfaces. The ion-to-electron (or electron-to-electron) transducer affects the electrochemical signal, complicating the accurate analysis of experimental data. This can be reduced through the use of an electrode surface-attached redox species of well-defined electrochemical behaviour. As will be demonstrated, the voltammetry of these systems show significant deviations with respect to individual charge transfers, which must be considered for appropriate diagnosis and quantitative analysis. For this, a simple analytical theory is presented here, deducing mathematical expressions for the current–potential response, as well as for the potential difference at the two polarized interfaces, the surface excess of the redox species and the ion interfacial concentrations.     

Evaluation of Redox Activity of Human Myocardium‐derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

In this study the redox activity of human myocardium‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hmMSC) were investigated by redox‐competition (RC‐SECM) and generation‐collection (GC‐SECM) modes of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), using 2‐methylnaphthalene‐1,4‐dione (menadione, MD) as a redox mediator. The redox activity of human healthy and dilated hmMSCs was evaluated by measuring reduction of MD. Measurements were performed by approaching and retracting the UME from the surface of growing hmMSC cells. The current study shows that the RC‐SECM mode can be applied to investigate integrity of cell membranes, whereas the most promising results were observed by using the GC‐SECM mode and applying the Hill's equation for the calculation/fitting of dependencies of electrical current vs menadione concentration. The calculated apparent Michaelis constant (K_M) for the production of menadiol (MDH₂) in the pathological hmMSC cells was 14.4 folds higher compared to that of the healthy hmMSC revealing the lover redox activity of pathological cells. Moreover, the calculated Hill's coefficient n shows a negative cooperative binding between MD and healthy hmMSC and positive cooperative binding between MD and pathological hmMSC. It means that healthy hmMSC is of lower affinity to MD, which is also related to the better membrane integrity of healthy cells. Data of this study demonstrate that SECM can be applied to investigate intracellular redox and membrane changes ongoing in human dilated myocardium‐derived hmMSC in order to improve their functioning and further regenerative potential.     

3D printing for aqueous and non-aqueous redox flow batteries

Additive manufacturing technologies, generally grouped under the name of 3D printing, are experiencing an explosion of interest during the last few years. The possibility of fast prototyping enabled by 3D printing has been recognized as a crucial booster for device fabrication and general scientific advancements. In this review, attention is focused on the latest developments in the field of redox flow batteries which are, similar to other energy related devices, characterized by the recent adoption of 3D printing methods for the fabrication of key components. Whether simply to investigate flow phenomena, test new designs or fabricate final-product components with custom features, the use of 3D printing can critically drive this field of research towards better performing energy-storage systems. The latest and most representative examples of redox flow battery studies will be discussed, categorized in relation to the electrolyte used and whether the devices are employed in aqueous or non-aqueous applications.     

Graphdiyne-actinyl complexes as potential catalytic materials: A DFT perspective from their structural,bonding, electronic and redox properties

Versatile graphdiyne (GDY) substrate has been modified by numerous transition metals and resulting composites showed excellent photo/electro-catalytic performance. However, GDY materials modified by actinides that are stockpiled waste product due to large-scale use in nuclear industry, are particularly scarce and remains great challenge. To deeply understand the structural properties, GDY complexating actinyl (An^mO₂)ⁿ⁺ (An = U, Np, Pu; m = VI, V) species with its atomistic pore was investigated by relativistic density functional theory (DFT). The GDY pore was found suitable to hold actinyl species, by forming organometallic AnC dative bonds. This chemical coupling interaction was further confirmed by quantum theory of atoms-in-molecule and electronic structure calculations. The GDY-uranyl(V), for instance, shows a π(UC) bonding HOMO, which is anticipated to improve electron transfer between ligand and metal. Orbital structures and compositions of complexes suggest their implication towards catalysis, which were further corroborated by calculations on redox potentials of GDY-actinyl complexes. Hence, our results show the potential applications of GDY complexating actinyl species towards novel catalytic surfaces.     

光激发四苯基卟啉钴氧化还原反应机理研究

金属卟啉在光激发条件下会呈现出重要催化特性和光学性质。四苯基卟啉亚钴(Co~Ⅱ TPP)性质稳定,难以通过强氧化剂氧化至四苯基卟啉钴(Co~ⅢTPP)。本文分别利用全波长氙灯与355nm激光脉冲诱导Co~Ⅱ TPP,探究其分子内的氧化还原过程。研究发现,Co~Ⅱ TPP的Soret带最大吸收峰随光照时长的递增出现红移,且吸收强度呈现先下降后上升的趋势,最大吸收峰位置由415nm逐渐红移至433nm,其Q带最大吸收峰位置由532nm逐渐红移至545nm。两种光源诱导Co~Ⅱ TPP均出现稳态吸光度的降低,分子内的活性中心钴离子由Co~(2+)氧化到Co~(3+)。咪唑使得Co~Ⅱ TPP受光诱导后更易出现稳态吸收峰红移。Co~Ⅱ TPP的瞬态吸收光谱有3个瞬态吸收峰,激光激发含咪唑的Co~Ⅱ TPP溶液仅在396nm出现单个瞬态吸收峰。数据表明光激发时,电子从卟啉的π成键分子轨道向具有配体特征的π~*反键分子轨道迁移,发生金属对配体的电荷迁移,生成稳定的高价态Co~Ⅲ。     

CeO2(110)负载Au纳米颗粒催化CO+NOx反应的DFT+U研究

通过在位库伦校正的密度泛函理论（DFT+U）方法计算,我们研究了CO和NO_x分子在Au负载CeO₂（110）表面的吸附. 结果表明,CO在Au纳米颗粒的顶位有很强的吸附能,大约为1.2 eV,而NO在Au纳米颗粒上或者Au与CeO₂载体界面处都是弱吸附. 然而,当NO_x在界面处形成N₂O₂二聚体之后,通过断裂末端的N-O键能够有效地被降解. 纵观整个反应过程,第一步CO+N₂O₂的反应遵循了Langmuir-Hinshelwood机理,活化能只有0.4 eV,通过形成ONNOCO的中间物种最终产生N₂O和CO₂. 不同的是,第二步消除N₂O反应遵循了Eley-Rideal碰撞机理,需要相当高的能垒,约为1.8 eV. 通过进一步分析表明,稀土Ce元素独特的电子特性能够使电子从Au上转移并且局域到载体表面的Ce阳离子上,并且有助于形成带负电的N₂O₂分子. 而且Au纳米颗粒有很强的结构流动性,能够促进吸附的CO分子靠近界面处的N₂O₂并与之反应.     

磷酸对二氧化铈催化剂氨选择性催化还原氮氧化物反应的促进作用(英文)

氮氧化物NO_x(NO和NO_2)对大气的污染日益严重,主要表现为形成酸雨、导致光化学烟雾和产生温室效应等,严重危害人类健康.氨气选择性催化还原(NH_3-SCR)NO_x是目前最有效的固定源NO_x消除技术.工业中常用的催化剂主要是V_2O_5-WO_3/TiO_2,但其活性组分V_2O_5有毒,且存在氧化能力较强和操作温度窗口过窄等缺点.开发新型环境友好的非钒基NH_3-SCR催化剂体系己成为NO_x催化净化领域的研究热点.CeO_2在稀土市场中占有很大比重且相对廉价,同时还具有优异的氧化-还原及储氧性能,因此开发Ce基SCR脱硝催化剂具有非常好的发展前景.对于NH_3-SCR反应,催化剂必须同时具有酸性位和氧化还原中心.酸性位有利于还原剂NH_3的吸附与活化,而氧化还原中心可以促使氧化剂和还原剂之间发生反应.对于低温SCR催化剂,表面酸性适中即可,氧化还原性能起决定作用;而对于中高温SCR催化剂,不仅要提高其表面酸性以保证足够的NH_3吸附量,同时还要控制其表面氧化性不宜太强,否则在高温段NH_3氧化,N_2选择性下降,NO转化率降低.CeO_2具有一定碱性以及优异的氧化还原性能,因此在高温阶段CeO_2催化剂上易发生NH_3深度氧化,高温NH_3-SCR活性差,温度窗口窄.为了拓宽CeO_2基催化剂的温度窗口,改善其催化性能,有必要调整CeO_2的氧化还原性能和酸碱性能.过渡金属磷酸盐或焦磷酸盐具有特殊的表面酸性和氧化还原性,被广泛应用于多种催化反应.考虑到过渡金属磷酸盐或焦磷酸盐表面同时具有酸性位和氧化还原中心,因而可用于NH_3-SCR反应.最近本课题组通过水热法制备了一种环境友好的Ce-P-O催化剂,该催化剂在较宽的温度范围(300-550℃)内表现出较高的催化NO转化能力,同时具有较强的抗碱和耐硫能力,显示出很好的应用前景.此外,硫酸盐和镍盐修饰能有效改善铈锆固溶体催化剂的NH_3-SCR性能:镍修饰增强了铈锆固溶体的Lewis酸性,有利于提高催化剂的低温活性,而硫酸盐改性提高了催化剂的Bronsted酸性,因此有利于催化剂高温下吸附NH_3,抑制了NH_3的过度氧化.另外,磷酸盐修饰能提高铈锆固溶体催化剂NH_3-SCR反应活性.然而,有关催化剂结构系统表征鲜见报道,催化剂的构效关系阐述不够详细.本文采用浸渍法将不同量的H_3PO_4负载于CeO_2上制备了H_3PO_4修饰的CeO_2催化剂,发现H_3PO_4修饰能显著改善CeO_2催化剂的NH_3-SCR性能.本文对催化剂结构进行了系统表征,详细探讨了H_3PO_4促进作用的原因.NH_3-SCR活性测试显示,H_3PO_4修饰后,催化剂活性显著提高,部分抑制了高温时CeO_2催化剂上NH_3的直接氧化,提高了SCR反应的选择性,从而拓宽了温度窗口.X射线衍射、红外光谱和拉曼光谱表征结果发现,随着H_3PO_4负载量增加,样品中CeO_2相逐渐减少,而新相如CeP_2O_7和Ce(PO_3)_4等逐渐增多,多磷酸根阴离子可能是表面酸性增强的关键因素.NH_3程序升温脱附和吸附吡啶红外光谱结果表明,随着H_3PO_4修饰量的增加,样品的酸强度逐渐增大,Lewis酸性逐渐减弱至消失,而Bronsted酸性逐渐增强.增强的Bronsted酸性可能归因于H_3PO_4修饰后样品表面不断增加的P-OH基团.相对于Lewis酸,Bronsted酸性位氧化能力更弱,可以抑制高温下NH_2(ads)继续脱氢,避免了NH_3深度氧化.程序升温还原测试结果表明,H_3PO_4修饰后,各还原峰向高温偏移,偏移量随H_3PO_4负载量增加而增加.这说明H_3PO_4修饰后CeO_2的氧化还原能力降低,抑制了高温下NH_3的过度氧化.因此,H_3PO_4的修饰使得CeO_2催化剂高温NH_3-SCR活性和N_2选择性大幅提高.综上所述,H_3PO_4-CeO_2样品优异的脱硝催化活性可能归因于H_3PO_4修饰后催化剂酸性,尤其是Bronsted酸性的增强以及氧化还原性的降低.