Catalysts, Volume 9, Issue 9 (September 2019) – 86 articles

The catalytic activity of high-loaded Ni-based catalysts for beech wood fast-pyrolysis bio-oil hydrotreatment is compared to Ru/C. The influence of promoter, temperature, reaction time, and consecutive upgrading is investigated. The catalytic activity is addressed in terms of elemental composition, pH value, H₂ consumption, and water content, while the selectivity is based on the GC-MS/FID results. The catalysts showed similar deoxygenation activity, while the highest hydrogenation activity and the highest upgraded oil yields were obtained with Ni-based catalysts. The elemental composition of upgraded oils was comparable for 2 and 4 h of reaction, and the temperature showed a positive effect for reactions with Ni–Cr and Ru/C. Ni–Cr showed superior activity for the conversion of organic acids, sugars and ketones, being selected for the 2-step upgrading reaction. The highest activity correlates to the strength of the acid sites promoted by Cr₂O₃. Consecutive upgrading reduced the content of oxygen by 64.8% and the water content by 90%, whereas the higher heating value increased by 90.1%. While more than 96% of the organic acid content was converted, the discrepancy of aromatic compounds quantified by ¹H-NMR and GC-MS/FID may indicate polymerization of aromatics taking place during the second upgrading step. Full article

The removal of coke from an aged industrial hydrodesulfurization catalyst, using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) non-thermal plasma with a pin to plate geometry, was investigated. The aged catalyst was introduced into the plasma reactor as a thin wafer. After 130 minutes of plasma treatment, with P = 30 W, 70% of the coke was removed while more than 40% of the sulfur was still present. Characterization of catalyst at different locations of the wafer showed that the coke was more easily removed at the center, close to the pin electrode where the electric field was more intense. The formation of an unexpected phase, under the plasma discharge, was highlighted, it corresponded to the family of Keggin HPA PMo₁₂O₄₀³⁻, which could be an interesting precursor of catalyst for the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process. Compared with a coked zeolite, the rate of regeneration is lower for the HDS catalyst under plasma discharge, while a lower temperature is required under conventional thermal oxidation. This is explained by the presence of metal particles, which could be responsible for the limitation in O-atom formation under plasma. Full article

This work explores the novel one-pot aqueous phase synthesis of mesoporous phenolic-hyperbranched polyethyleneimine resins without the use of a template, and their utility as heterogeneous catalysts in batch reactors and continuous microreactors. Catalyst surface areas of up to 432 m²/g were achieved with a uniform Pd distribution and an interconnected, highly porous, network structure, confirmed through Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopes (SEM), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The heterogeneous catalysts achieved a maximum 98.98 ± 1% conversion in batch Suzuki couplings, with conversions being dependent upon reaction conditions, reactant chemistries, Pd loading and catalyst surface area. The catalysts were shown to be recyclable with only a marginal loss in conversion achieved after five runs. Up to 62 ± 5% and 46.5 ± 8% conversions at 0.2 mL/s and 0.4 mL/s flow rates, respectively, were achieved in a continuous microreactor. Understanding the mechanism of action of this mesoporous resin is a future research area, which could help expand the application vistas for this catalyst platform. Full article

A series of Cu^II−SSZ−13 catalysts are prepared by in-situ hydrothermal method using different copper precursors (Cu^II(NO₃)₂, Cu^IISO₄, Cu^IICl₂) for selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH₃ in a simulated diesel vehicle exhaust. The catalysts were characterized by X−ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X−ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N₂ adsorption-desorption, hydrogen-temperature-programmed reduction (H₂−TPR), ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃−TPD), and ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The Cu^II−SSZ−13 catalyst prepared by Cu^II(NO₃)₂ shows excellent catalytic activity and hydrothermal stability. The NO conversion of Cu^II−SSZ−13 catalyst prepared by Cu^II(NO₃)₂ reaches 90% at 180 °C and can remain above 90% at a wide temperature range of 180–700 °C. After aging treatment at 800 °C for 20 h, the Cu^II−SSZ−13 catalyst prepared by Cu^II(NO₃)₂ still exhibits above 90% NO conversion under a temperature range of 240–600 °C. The distribution of Cu species and the Si/Al ratios in the framework of the synthesized Cu^II−SSZ−13 catalysts, which determine the catalytic activity and the hydrothermal stability of the catalysts, are dependent on the adsorption capacity of anions to the cation during the crystallization process due to the so called Hofmeister anion effects, the NO₃⁻ ion has the strongest adsorption capacity among the three kinds of anions (NO₃⁻, Cl⁻, and SO₄²⁻), followed by Cl^– and SO₄^2– ions. Therefore, the Cu^II−SSZ−13 catalyst prepared by Cu^II(NO₃)₂ possess the best catalytic ability and hydrothermal stability. Full article

Bis(NHC) ligand precursors, L1, based on trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane were designed and synthesized. To introduce chirality at the hydroxyamide side arm on the NHC of L1, a chiral β-amino alcohol, such as enantiopure leucinol, was used. Cu-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition reactions of cyclic and acyclic enones with Et₂Zn were selected to evaluate the performance of L1 as a chiral ligand. For the reaction of cyclic enone, a combination of [bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene]-(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)copper(I) (Cu(hfacac)(btmsa)) with a (±)-trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine-based bis(NHC) ligand precursor, (rac; S,S)-L1, which was prepared from (S)-leucinol, was the most effective. Thus, treating 2-cyclohexen-1-one (3) with Et₂Zn in the presence of catalytic amounts of Cu(hfacac)(btmsa) and (rac; S,S)-L1 afforded (R)-3-ethylcyclohexanone ((R)-4) with 97% ee. Similarly, use of (rac; R,R)-L1, which was prepared from (R)-leucinol, produced (S)-4 with 97% ee. Conversely, for the asymmetric 1,4-addition reaction of the acyclic enone, optically pure (−)-trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine-based bis(NHC) ligand precursor, (R,R; S,S)-L1, worked efficiently. For example, 3-nonen-2-one (5) was reacted with Et₂Zn using the CuOAc/(R,R; S,S)-L1 catalytic system to afford (R)-4-ethylnonan-2-one ((R)-6) with 90% ee. Furthermore, initially changing the counterion of the Cu precatalyst between an OAc and a ClO₄ ligand on the metal reversed the facial selectivity of the approach of the substrates. Thus, the conjugate addition reaction of 5 with Et₂Zn using the Cu(ClO₄)₂/(R,R; S,S)-L1 catalytic system, afforded (S)-6 with 75% ee. Full article

Synthetic natural gas (SNG) using syngas from coal and biomass has attracted much attention as a potential substitute for fossil fuels because of environmental advantages. However, heating value of SNG is below the standard heating value for power generation (especially in South Korea and Japan). In this study, bimetallic Co-Fe catalyst was developed for the production of light paraffin hydrocarbons (C₂–C₄ as well as CH₄) for usage as mixing gases to improve the heating value of SNG. The catalytic performance was monitored by varying space velocity, reaction pressure and temperature. The CO conversion increases with decrease in space velocities, and with an increase in reaction pressure and temperature. CH₄ yield increases and C₂₊ yield decreases with increasing reaction temperature at all reaction pressure and space velocities. In addition, improved CH₄ yield at higher reaction pressure (20 bar) implies that higher reaction pressure is a favorable condition for secondary CO₂ methanation reaction. The bimetallic Co-Fe catalyst showed the best results with 99.7% CO conversion, 36.1% C₂–C₄ yield and 0.90 paraffin ratio at H₂/CO of 3.0, space velocity of 4000 mL/g/h, reaction pressure of 20 bar, and temperature of 350 °C. Full article

Pseudokinases are a member of the kinase superfamily that lack one or more of the canonical residues required for catalysis. Protein pseudokinases are widely distributed across species and are present in proteins that perform a great diversity of roles in the cell. They represent approximately 10% to 40% of the kinome of a multicellular organism. In the human, the pseudokinase subfamily consists of approximately 60 unique proteins. Despite their lack of one or more of the amino acid residues typically required for the productive interaction with ATP and metal ions, which is essential for the phosphorylation of specific substrates, pseudokinases are important functional molecules that can act as dynamic scaffolds, competitors, or modulators of protein–protein interactions. Indeed, pseudokinase misfunctions occur in diverse diseases and represent a new therapeutic window for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. In this contribution, we describe the structural features of pseudokinases that are used as the basis of their classification; analyse the interactome space of human pseudokinases and discuss their potential as suitable drug targets for the treatment of various diseases, including metabolic, neurological, autoimmune, and cell proliferation disorders. Full article

Although micro-mesoporous composite molecular sieves have received significant attention due to their desirable properties, they still lack systematic studies on their crystallization process to achieve controllable synthesis of composite molecular sieves. In this study, a series of Y/SBA-15 micro-mesoporous composite molecular sieves with different porous structures were synthesized by tuning nucleation temperature, based on epitaxial growth on the outer surface of the Y-type crystal particle. All composite molecular sieves were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Moreover, the effect of nucleation temperature on the structure of composite molecular sieves was investigated, while the crystallization mechanism was also explored. Furthermore, the performance of the molecular sieves on isomerization of n-pentane was investigated, the results suggested that the isomerization selectivity was positively correlated with regularity degree of the mesoporous porous structure, where the highest isomerization reached 95.81%. This work suggests that nucleation temperature plays a key role in structures of micro-mesoporous composite molecular sieves, providing a solid basis for the further development of functional composite molecular sieves. Full article

At hte the high throughput (HT) approach is applied in the field of environmental catalysis on a routine basis. Research programs for automotive applications require validated screening protocols for conditions relevant to engine exhaust as well as experimental measures to ensure quality control using statistical design of experiment. To illustrate the HT approach for a test protocol with dynamic feed switches in a 48-fold reactor, 15 model catalysts for lean NO_x traps (LNT) were prepared and screened fresh and after 800 °C hydrothermal aging. In the fresh state, highest NO_x efficiency was found at 350–450 °C. A ranking of BaO > SrO > CaO was found as the most active NO_x storage components when used as dopants on alumina. 800 °C aging results in a severe performance loss. Using XRD and BET analysis, Pt sintering is identified as most likely cause. These findings agree well with results from conventional tests reported in the literature. Full article

N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) alkylamide or fatty acid diethanolamides (FADs) were prepared from a variety of triglycerides using diethanolamine in the presence of different transition metal-doped CaO nanocrystalline heterogeneous catalysts. The Zn-doped Cao nanospheroids were found to be the most efficient heterogeneous catalyst, with complete conversion of natural triglycerides to fatty acid diethanolamide in 30 min at 90 °C. The Zn/CaO nanoparticles were recyclable for up to six reaction cycles and showed complete conversion even at room temperature. The amidation reaction of natural triglycerides was found to follow the pseudo-first-order kinetic model, and the first-order rate constant was calculated as 0.171 min⁻¹ for jatropha oil aminolysis. The activation energy (Ea) and pre-exponential factor (A) for the same reaction were found to be 47.8 kJ mol⁻¹ and 4.75 × 10⁸ min⁻¹, respectively. Full article

The catalytic properties of unsupported iron oxides, specifically magnetite (Fe₃O₄), were investigated for the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction at temperatures between 723 K and 773 K and atmospheric pressure. This catalyst exhibited a fast catalytic CO formation rate (35.1 mmol h⁻¹ g_cat.⁻¹), high turnover frequency (0.180 s⁻¹), high CO selectivity (>99%), and high stability (753 K, 45000 cm³h⁻¹g_cat.⁻¹) under a 1:1 H₂ to CO₂ ratio. Reaction rates over the Fe₃O₄ catalyst displayed a strong dependence on H₂ partial pressure (reaction order of ~0.8) and a weaker dependence on CO₂ partial pressure (reaction order of 0.33) under an equimolar flow of both reactants. X-ray powder diffraction patterns and XPS spectra reveal that the bulk composition and structure of the post-reaction catalyst was formed mostly of metallic Fe and Fe₃C, while the surface contained Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, metallic Fe and Fe₃C. Catalyst tests on pure Fe₃C (iron carbide) suggest that Fe₃C is not an effective catalyst for this reaction at the conditions investigated. Gas-switching experiments (CO₂ or H₂) indicated that a redox mechanism is the predominant reaction pathway. Full article

A novel sulfur tolerant water gas shift (SWGS) catalyst has been developed for the applications under lean (low) steam/gas ratio conditions, which has been extensively used for H₂/CO adjustment of syngas and H₂ enrichment in the world since 2000s with safer operation and lower steam consumption. Technology design and catalyst performances under different lean steam/gas conditions were comprehensively reported. Industrial data were collected from several large scale running plants with a variety of served catalysts characterized and precisely re-examined in the laboratory. It is shown that the developed Mo–Co/alkali/Al₂O₃ SWGS catalyst can operate very steadily even with the steam/gas ratio as low as 0.2–0.3, and the main deactivation factors are accidental caking, sintering, as well as poisoning impurities, such as As or Cl. The adoption of lean steam/gas SWGS catalyst can significantly improve the plant efficiency & safety and remarkably reduce the actual steam consumption for H₂ production, which can decrease CO₂ emission correspondingly. The work helps to evaluate how specially designed SWGS catalysts performed under applied lean steam/gas conditions, providing important references for researchers and industry. Full article

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) represent one of the main sources of haze and pollution of the atmosphere as well as the causes of photochemical smog and acid rain. Furthermore, it poses a serious threat to human health. With the increasing emission of NO_x, it is urgent to control NO_x. According to the different mechanisms of NO_x removal methods, this paper elaborated on the adsorption method represented by activated carbon adsorption, analyzed the oxidation method represented by Fenton oxidation, discussed the reduction method represented by selective catalytic reduction, and summarized the plasma method represented by plasma-modified catalyst to remove NO_x. At the same time, the current research status and existing problems of different NO_x removal technologies were revealed and the future development prospects were forecasted. Full article

It is highly desirable that efficient recoverable heterogeneous catalysts should be developed to replace the costly biocatalysts used in producing structured phospholipids (SPLs) with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). Thus, mesoporous propyl and phenyl sulfonic acid-functionalized SBA-15 materials synthesized via surface modification methods were investigated for the soybean lecithin interesterification with methyl caprate or caprylate. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized solid acids were deeply studied by small-angle X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and pyridine adsorption, etc. to build the possible structure–performance relationships. The results revealed that amounts of organosulfonic acid groups were successfully grafted onto the SBA-15 support, and most of the surface acid sites contained in the as-prepared organic–inorganic hybrid samples were assigned as strong Brӧnsted acid sites. Notably, the functionalized SBA-15 materials exhibited promising catalytic behaviors in producing MCFA-enriched SPLs under mild conditions (40 °C, 6 h) when compared with commercial Amberlyst-15 and typical phospholipases or lipases, mostly due to their high surface area, ordered structure and adequate Brӧnsted acid sites. Besides, the as-prepared materials could be easily recycled five times without obvious deactivation. This work might shed light on alternative catalysts for SPL production instead of the costly enzymes. Full article

A new hybrid photocatalytic membrane reactor that can easily be scaled-up was designed, assembled and used to test photocatalytic membranes developed using the sol–gel technique. Extremely high removals of total suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, phenolic and volatile compounds were obtained when the hybrid photocatalytic membrane reactor was used to treat olive mill wastewaters. The submerged photocatalytic membrane reactor proposed and the modified membranes represent a step forward towards the development of new advanced treatment technology able to cope with several water and wastewater contaminants. Full article

Vapor-phase ketonization of propionic acid derived from biomass was studied at 300–375 °C over ZrO₂ with different zirconia polymorph. The tetragonal ZrO₂ (t-ZrO₂) are more active than monoclinic ZrO₂ (m-ZrO₂). The results of characterizations from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman suggest m-ZrO₂ and t-ZrO₂ are synthesized by the solvothermal method. NH₃ and CO₂ temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD and CO₂-TPD) measurements show that there were more medium-strength Lewis acid base sites with lower coordination exposed on m-ZrO₂ relative to t-ZrO₂, increasing the adsorption strength of propionic acid. The in situ DRIFTS (Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy) of adsorbed propionic acid under ketonization reaction reveal that as the most abundant surface intermediates, the monodentate propionates are more active than bidentate propionates. In comparison with m-ZrO₂, the t-ZrO₂ surface favors monodentate adsorption over bidentate adsorption. Additionally, the adsorption strength of monodentate propionate is weaker on t-ZrO₂. These differences in adsorption configuration and adsorption strength of propionic acid are affected by the zirconia structure. The higher surface concentration and weaker adsorption strength of monodentate propionates contribute to the higher ketonization rate in the steady state. Full article

The challenges facing propane dehydrogenation are to solve the Pt sintering and carbon deposition. This paper provides a new way to disperse and stabilize Pt species and resist carbon deposition. Highly dispersed Pt species were topologically transformed from reconstructed PtIn-hydrotalcite-like precursors in a flower-like hierarchical microstructure. The lattice confinement of reconstructed hydrotalcite-like precursor is in favor of stabilizing the highly dispersed Pt species, and the hierarchical microstructure is an important factor to prolong its lifetime by enhancing tolerance to carbon deposition. In propane dehydrogenation, the propene selectivity decreases in the sequences of catalyst in flower-like > single-plate > block mass with small, flakeys. A propene selectivity of >97% with a conversion of 48% at 600 °C has been achieved over a flower-like PtIn/Mg(Al)O catalyst. Additionally, no visible Pt sintering can even be observed on this catalyst after a reaction time of 190 h. This strategy provides an effective and feasible alternative for the facile preparation of highly dispersed metal catalysts. Full article

Mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolite is developed to enhance the catalytic performance in a hydrocracking reaction. The generated mesopores and mesoporous channels in the new catalyst supply more opportunities for reactant accessing the active sites according to the better mass transfer and diffusion. Meanwhile, the acidity of the mesoporous catalyst is also weakened because of the removal of Si and Al species from its MFI structure, which makes the products distribution drift to more valued chemicals such as olefins. In the modified mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolites via different metallic promoters, the olefins’ selectivity increases as the alkalinity of the catalyst increases. The reason for this is that the formed olefins will be further hydrogenated into corresponding alkanes immediately over the extremely acidic zeolite catalyst. Hence, the moderate alkalinity will limit this process, while at the same time the remaining olefins products will too. Furthermore, the Pd-based mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolite shows an excellent n-decane conversion and high propane selectivity due to the occurrence of hydrogen spillover via the Pd promoter. The phenomenon of hydrogen spillover supplies more chemisorbed sites of hydrogen atoms for hydrocracking and hydrogenating in this reaction. In short, this study explores the important effect factors in n-decane hydrocracking reaction activity and products distribution. It also shows a potential for the further industrial application of petroleum-derived fuel hydrocracking according to the optimized products distribution under metallic promoted mesoporous zeolite. Full article

Graphene-based composites have been widely explored for electrode and electrocatalyst materials for electrochemical energy systems. In this paper, a novel composite material of the reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGON) with gold nanoparticles (NPs) (rGON-AuNP) is synthesized, and its morphology, structure, and composition are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR), Raman, and UV-Vis techniques. To confirm this material’s electrochemical activity, a glucose oxidase (GOD) is chosen as the target reagent to modify the rGON-AuNP layer to form GOD/rGON-AuNP/glassy carbon (GC) electrode. Two pairs of distinguishable redox peaks, corresponding to the redox processes of two different conformational GOD on AuNP, are observed on the cyclic voltammograms of GOD/rGON-AuNP/GC electrode. Both cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are employed to study the mechanism of direct electron transfer from GOD to GC electrode on the rGON-AuNP layer. In addition, this GOD/rGON-AuNP/GC electrode shows catalytic activity toward glucose oxidation reaction. Full article

Since the persistently increasing trend of energy consumption, technologies for renewable energy production and conversion have drawn great attention worldwide. The performance and the cost of electrocatalysts play two crucial roles in the globalization of advanced energy conversion devices. Among the developed technics involving metal catalysts, transition-metal catalysts (TMC) are recognized as the most promising materials due to the excellent properties and stability. Particularly, the iron–cobalt bimetal catalysts exhibit exciting electrochemical properties because of the interior cooperative effects. Herein, we summarize recent advances in iron–cobalt bimetal catalysts for electrochemical applications, especially hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Moreover, the components and synergetic effects of the composites and catalytic mechanism during reaction processes are highlighted. On the basis of extant catalysts and mechanism, the current issues and prospective outlook of the field are also discussed. Full article

This work demonstrates new evidence of the efficient destruction and mineralization of an emergent organic pollutant using UV-A and titanium nanosized catalysts. The target compound considered in this work is the primary metabolite of a lipid regulator drug, clofibrate, identified in many studies as refractory during conventional wastewater treatment. The photocatalytic performance study was carried out in batch mode at laboratory scale, in aqueous suspension. Kinetic data showed that titanium dioxide P25 Aeroxide^® exhibits the highest photocatalytic efficiency compared to the other investigated catalysts. Pollutant degradation and mineralization efficiencies strongly increased when decreasing the initial substrate concentration. Target molecules oxidized faster when the catalyst load increased, and the mineralization was enhanced under acidic conditions: 92% of mineralization was achieved at pH 4 after 190 min of reaction. Radical quenching assays confirmed that HO^• and ( ${\mathrm{h}}_{\mathrm{vb}}^{+})$ were the reactive oxygen species involved in the photocatalytic oxidation of the considered pollutant. In addition, further results revealed that the removal efficiency decreased in real water matrices. Finally, data collected through a series of phytotoxicity tests demonstrated that the photocatalytic process considerably reduces the toxicity of the treated solutions, confirming the process’s effectiveness in the removal of persistent and biorefractory emergent organic water pollutants. Full article

Processes for the conversion of CO₂ to valuable chemicals are highly desired as a result of the increasing CO₂ levels in the atmosphere and the subsequent elevating global temperature. However, CO₂ is thermodynamically and kinetically inert to transformation and, therefore, many efforts were made in the last few decades. Reformation/hydrogenation of CO₂ is widely used as a means to access valuable products such as acetic acids, CH₄, CH₃OH, and CO. The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ using hetero- and homogeneous catalysts recently attracted much attention. In particular, molecular CO₂ reduction catalysts were widely studied using transition-metal complexes modified with various ligands to understand the relationship between various catalytic properties and the coordination spheres above the metal centers. Concurrently, the coupling of CO₂ with various electrophiles under homogeneous conditions is also considered an important approach for recycling CO₂ as a renewable C-1 substrate in the chemical industry. This review summarizes some recent advances in the conversion of CO₂ into valuable chemicals with particular focus on the metal-catalyzed reductive conversion and functionalization of CO₂. Full article

Graphene and its nanocomposites are showing excellent potential in improving the catalytic performances of different materials. However, the synthetic protocol and its form, such as graphene oxide (GRO) or highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG), influence the catalytic efficiencies. Here, we present, a facile synthesis of graphene oxide (GRO) and ZrO_x-MnCO₃-based nanocomposites [(1%)ZrO_x–MnCO₃/(x%)GRO] and their outcome as an oxidation catalyst for alcohol oxidation under mild conditions using O₂ as a clean oxidant. The ZrO_x–MnCO₃/GRO catalyst prepared by incorporating GRO to pre-calcined ZrO_x-MnCO₃ using ball milling showed remarkable enhancement in the catalytic activities as compared to pristine ZrO_x–MnCO₃, ZrO_x–MnCO₃ supported on HRG or ZrO_x–MnCO₃/GRO prepared by in-situ growth of ZrO_x–MnCO₃ onto GRO followed by calcination. The catalyst with composition (1%)ZrO_x–MnCO₃/(1%)GRO exhibited superior specific activity (57.1 mmol/g·h) with complete conversion and >99% selectivity of the product within a short period of time (7 min) and at a relatively lower temperature (100 °C). The catalyst could be recycled at least five times with a negligible decrease in efficiency and selectivity. The catalytic study was extended to different aromatic as well as aliphatic alcohols under optimized conditions, which confirmed the efficiency and selectivity of the catalyst. Full article

Zeolite-based catalysts are versatile catalytic systems for a wide range of laboratory studies and industrial scale processes. The chemical composition, ion exchange, and pore size structure attributes of zeolites are responsible for their extensive catalytic applications. Esterification is one of the most important and routinely processes in diverse fields of organic synthesis. It has a long history in both industrial processes and laboratory work due to its versatility. This review intends to give a detailed insight into the significance of zeolite-based catalysts for ester bond formation Full article

Biomass thermochemical conversion with in situ CO₂ capture is a promising technology in the production of high-quality gas. The adsorption competition mechanism of gas molecules (H₂O, CO₂, CO, CH₄, and H₂) on CaO-based catalyst surfaces was studied using density functional theory (DFT) and experimental methods. The adsorption characteristics of CO₂ on CaO and 10 wt % Ni/CaO (100) surfaces were investigated in a temperature range of 550–700 °C. The adsorption energies were increased and then weakened, reaching their maximum at 650 °C. The simulation results were verified by CO₂ temperature-programmed desorption (CO₂-TPD) experiments. By the density of states and Mulliken population analysis, CaO doped with Ni caused a change in the electronic structure of the O_surf atom and decreased the C–O bond stability. The molecular competition mechanism on the CaO-based catalyst surface was identified by DFT simulation. As a result, the adsorption energies decreased in the following order: H₂O > CO₂ > CO > CH₄ > H₂. The increase of CO₂ adsorption energy on the 10 wt % Ni/CaO surface, compared with the CaO surface, was the largest among those of the studied molecules, and its value increased from 1.45 eV to 1.81 eV. Therefore, the 10 wt % Ni/CaO catalyst is conducive to in situ CO₂ capture in biomass pyrolysis. Full article

Well-defined polyhedral Pd-Pt nanocrystals anchored on the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are successfully synthesized via a facile and efficient surfactant-free solvothermal route. The formation mechanism is carefully illustrated via tuning the surface state of rGO substrate and the Pd/Pt ratio in Pd-Pt nanocrystals. rGO substrates with continuous smooth surface, which can offer continuous 2D larger π electrons, play important roles in the formation of the well-defined polyhedral Pd-Pt nanocrystals. Suitable Pd/Pt ratio, which determines the affinity between the rGO substrate and polyhedral Pd-Pt nanocrystals, is another important factor for the formation of polyhedral Pd-Pt nanocrystals. Due to the well-defined surface of Pd-Pt nanocrystals, rich corners and edges from polyhedral structure, as well as more exposed (111) facets, the low-Pt polyhedral Pd-Pt nanocrystals anchored on rGO, used as electrocatalysts, exhibit high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction with excellent methanol tolerance. Full article

A packed-bed plug-flow reactor, denoted as the lab-scale liquid-solid (LS)² reactor, has been developed for the assessment of heterogeneous catalyst deactivation in liquid-phase reactions. The possibility to measure intrinsic kinetics was first verified with the model transesterification of ethyl acetate with methanol, catalyzed by the stable commercial resin Lewatit K2629, for which a turnover frequency (TOF) of 6.2 ± 0.4 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ was obtained. The absence of temperature and concentration gradients was verified with correlations and experimental tests. The potential for assessing the deactivation of a catalyst was demonstrated by a second intrinsic kinetics evaluation where a methylaminopropyl (MAP)-functionalized mesoporous silica catalyst was used for the aldol reaction of acetone with 4-nitrobenzaldehyde in different solvents. The cooperative MAP catalyst deactivated as a function of time on stream when using hexane as solvent. Yet, the monofunctional MAP catalyst exhibited stable activity for at least 4 h on stream, which resulted in a TOF of 1.2 ± 0.1 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹. It did, however, deactivate with dry acetone or DMSO as solvent due to the formation of site-blocking species. This deactivation was mitigated by co-feeding 2 wt % of water to DMSO, resulting in stable catalyst activity. Full article