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State-of-the-Art Catalytical Technology in South Korea II

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A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 13743

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Francis Verpoort

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Guest Editor

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430000, China
Interests: organometallics; metal–organic frameworks; porous organic polymers, and their applications in electro-, photo-, and thermo-catalysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is a continuation of the previous successful Special Issue “State-of-the-Art Catalytical Technology in South Korea”.

South Korea has been becoming an important district in the field of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, including but not limited to catalysts for chemical synthesis, biorefinery process, environmental remediation, and sustainable energy devices such as fuel cells. This Special Issue welcomes both review and original research articles on all aspects of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis with an emphasis on fundamental and applied research implemented across South Korea. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Air treatment;
Water/wastewater treatment and disinfection;
Catalytic reactions relevant for fuel cell;
Catalysts related to biorefinery process;
Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis for organic synthesis;
Green synthesis by solar photochemistry and photocatalysis;
Photocatalytic hybrid systems;
Photocatalytic, photochemical, and photosynthetic systems for H₂ production and CO₂ utilization;
Carbon dioxide reforming
New materials for all types of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions
Operando spectroscopy for identifying catalytically active sites

Although papers should report on trends and advances in the field of catalysis across South Korea, collaborative work between South Korean and non-South Korean partners is also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Francis Verpoort
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

oxidation of volatile organic compounds
selective catalytic reduction
wastewater treatment
pollution abatement
solar photocatalysis
Fenton process
photosynthesis
energy
biorefinery process
partial oxidation
nitrogen activation
solar-to-fuel process
carbon dioxide
hydrogen production
nanomaterials
Operando spectroscopy

Related Special Issue

State-of-the-Art Catalytical Technology in South Korea in Catalysts (18 articles)

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 3229 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Synthesis of Zinc-Titanium Oxide Nanocomposites by Plasma Jet and Its Application to Photocatalyst

by Hyeon-Jin Seo, Jung-Hoon Yu, Antony Ananth, Rak-Hyun Jeong and Jin-Hyo Boo

Catalysts 2022, 12(9), 1020; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12091020 - 08 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1023

Abstract

In order to synthesize the zinc-titanium (Zn-Ti) oxide nanocomposites using an atmospheric soft plasma jet, in this study mixtures of Zn and Ti precursors such as zinc nitrate and titanium butoxide were first prepared with different molar ratios; the mixed precursors then stirred at 700 rpm for two hours with atmospheric plasma, while maintaining a temperature of 25 °C. All the synthesized Zn-Ti oxide nanocomposites were post-heat-treated at 600 °C for six hours in an electrical furnace. The morphology, particle shape and size, crystal structure, oxidation state, and composition ratio were analyzed using FE-SEM, XRD, SEM-EDS, and Raman spectroscopy. BET was measured to calculate the specific surface area of the Zn-Ti oxide nanocomposites. Photocatalytic activity tests were performed for an application study, with 10 mL of 10 ppm methylene blue dye. UV-visible spectroscopy was performed on five different samples in order to analyze the changes of photocatalytic reactions. When the composition ratio of Zn/Ti was 2/1, maximum photocatalytic efficiency was obtained. We also carried out a theoretical kinetic study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Catalytical Technology in South Korea II)

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13 pages, 3438 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Activity of TiO₂ Nanotubes Decorated with Lanthanide Ions for Hydrogen Production

by Hyekyung Cho, Hyunku Joo, Hansung Kim, Ji-Eun Kim, Kyoung-Soo Kang, Hyeonmin Jung and Jaekyung Yoon

Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 866; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12080866 - 05 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1710

Abstract

Highly ordered TiO₂ nanotubes (TNTs) decorated with a series of lanthanide ions (Ln³⁺ = Ho³⁺, Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺, Yb³⁺, and Er³⁺) were prepared through an electrochemical process and anodization. The composition, structure, and chemical bond of the as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Furthermore, the electrochemical characteristics of the catalysts were analyzed and photoelectrochemical properties were investigated through water splitting. All samples were prepared in the anatase phase without changing the crystal structure. The holmium-doped TNT photocatalyst exhibited the best performance with a hydrogen evolution rate of 90.13 μmol cm⁻²h⁻¹ and photoconversion efficiency of 2.68% (0 V vs. RHE). Photocatalytic efficiency increased because of the expansion of the absorption wavelength range attributed to the appropriate positioning of the band structure and reduced electron/hole pair recombination resulting from the unhindered electron movement. This study demonstrated the preparation of high-potential solar-active photocatalysts through the synergetic effects of the work function, band edge, and bandgap changes caused by the series of lanthanide combinations with TNTs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Catalytical Technology in South Korea II)

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13 pages, 3921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Different Effects of Salt Bridges near the Active Site of Cold-Adapted Proteus mirabilis Lipase on Thermal and Organic Solvent Stabilities

by VinayKumar Dachuri, Sei-Heon Jang and ChangWoo Lee

Catalysts 2022, 12(7), 761; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12070761 - 09 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1699

Abstract

Organic solvent-tolerant (OST) enzymes have been discovered in psychrophiles. Cold-adapted OST enzymes exhibit increased conformational flexibility in polar organic solvents resulting from their intrinsically flexible structures. Proteus mirabilis lipase (PML), a cold-adapted OST lipase, was used to assess the contribution of salt bridges near the active site involving two arginine residues (R237 and R241) on the helix η1 and an aspartate residue (D248) on the connecting loop to the thermal and organic solvent stabilities of PML. Alanine substitutions for the ion pairs (R237A, R241A, D248A, and R237A/D248A) increased the conformational flexibility of PML mutants compared to that of the wild-type PML in an aqueous buffer. The PML mutants became more susceptible to denaturation after increasing the dimethyl sulfoxide or methanol concentration than after a temperature increase. Methanol was more detrimental to the structural stability of PML compared to dimethyl sulfoxide. These results suggest that direct interactions of dimethyl sulfoxide and methanol with the residues near the active site can have a destructive effect on the structure of PML compared with the global effect of heat on the protein structure. This study provides insight into the conformational changes within an OST enzyme with different effects on its thermal and organic solvent stabilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Catalytical Technology in South Korea II)

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11 pages, 2966 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Formation Mechanism of Carbon-Supported Hollow PtNi Nanoparticles via One-Step Preparations for Use in the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

by Dong-gun Kim, Yeonsun Sohn, Injoon Jang, Sung Jong Yoo and Pil Kim

Catalysts 2022, 12(5), 513; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12050513 - 04 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1917

Abstract

Hollow Pt-based nanoparticles are known to possess the properties of high electrocatalytic activity and durability. Nonetheless, their practical applications as catalytic materials are limited because of the requirement for exhaustive preparation. In this study, we prepared carbon-supported hollow PtNi_x (x = the moles of the Ni precursor to the Pt precursor in the catalyst preparation step) catalysts using a one-step preparation method, which substantially reduced the complexity of the conventional method for preparing hollow Pt-based catalysts. In particular, this hollow structure formation mechanism was proposed based on extensive characterizations. The prepared catalysts were examined to determine if they could be used as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Among the investigated catalysts, the acid-treated hollow PtNi₃/C catalyst demonstrated the best ORR activity, which was 3 times higher and 2.3 times higher than those of the commercial Pt/C and acid-treated particulate PtNi₃/C catalysts, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Catalytical Technology in South Korea II)

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12 pages, 1865 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient Utilization of Hydrocarbon Mixture to Produce Aromatics over Zn/ZSM-5 and Physically Mixed with ZSM-5

by Hyunjin Shim, Jinju Hong and Kyoung-Su Ha

Catalysts 2022, 12(5), 501; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12050501 - 29 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1859

Abstract

A mixture of saturated and unsaturated light hydrocarbon was used as feed gas for the production of aromatics. Natural gas liquids (NGL) from gas fields and hydrocarbon molecules obtained in the middle of conversion processes could be considered a kind of light hydrocarbon mixture. Therefore, for the conversion of the mixture into aromatics compounds, Zn-impregnated ZSM-5 catalysts were prepared and evaluated by employing different loading of Zn. In addition, the catalytic performance was tested and compared by charging physically mixed two different kinds of catalysts in the bed. The NH₃-TPD result showed that the impregnation of Zn led to an increase in the number of medium-strength acid sites, whereas those of weak and strong acid sites were decreased. From the results of the catalytic activity tests, 0.5Zn/ZSM-5 showed the highest aromatics yield. As the amount of Zn loading was further increased to 1 wt.%, the yield of aromatics decreased. The test result in the case of the physically mixed catalysts showed a slightly lower yield in terms of total aromatics, but showed the highest BTX yield. To reveal the relative contribution of each hydrocarbon conversion to aromatics yield, each C₂ compound was separately tested for aromatization over Zn/ZSM-5. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Catalytical Technology in South Korea II)

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15 pages, 4736 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Metal Embedded Porous Carbon for Efficient CO₂ Cycloaddition under Mild Conditions

by Chen Qi, Somboon Chaemchuen, Meng Liu, Jichao Wang, Serge Zhuiykov and Francis Verpoort

Catalysts 2022, 12(4), 427; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12040427 - 11 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2266

Abstract

Nitrogen-doped porous carbon material was generated via thermal pyrolysis of zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIFs). The structure of the ZIF templates was tuned, so that the obtained product was an N-doped porous carbon-containing encapsulated metal nanoparticle. The hierarchical structural and unique properties of pyrolyzed materials are involved in further application, including catalysis. The as-synthesized porous carbon materials were applied as a catalyst for CO₂ fixation on cyclic carbonates under near ambient pressure without solvent and co-catalyst. The zinc dispersion in highly porous carbon material, deriving from ZIF-8, exhibited a superior catalytic performance among the synthesized materials. The acid sites (Zn species) and the incorporated basic sites (N-species) present in the porous carbon material are essential for a high affinity for gas adsorption and CO₂ conversion. Additionally, the catalyst was found to be very robust and stable during recycling studies as the catalytic performance remained high for seven cycles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Catalytical Technology in South Korea II)

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9 pages, 2329 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperCommunication

Sustainable Catalytic Synthesis of 2,5-Diformylfuran from Various Carbohydrates

by Si Ae Kim, Kihyuk Sung, June Young Jang, Sohee Bang, Seung Uk Son and Hye-Young Jang

Catalysts 2022, 12(4), 360; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12040360 - 23 Mar 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2327

Abstract

Versatile homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts that convert carbohydrates to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) are essential for the development of sustainable processes for producing high-value chemicals from biomass-derived carbohydrates. An efficient catalytic system consisting of Br⁻, disulfide, and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) promoted the sustainable and selective synthesis of DFF in modest-to-good yields from various carbohydrates, such as fructose, glucose, mannose, galactose, and sucrose. Heterogeneous catalysts containing Br⁻ also facilitated this reaction with recyclable high yields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Catalytical Technology in South Korea II)

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