Magnetically Separable Nanocatalysts: Bridges between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis

Characterization and Functionality of Immidazolium Ionic Liquids Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles

1,3-Dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquids were chemically synthesized and bonded on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with easy one-step reaction. The obtained six kinds of ionic liquid modified MNPs were characterized with transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, magnetization, and FTIR, which owned the high adsorption capacity due to the nanometer size and high-density modification with ionic liquids. Functionality of MNPs with ionic liquids greatly influenced the solubility of the MNPs with organic solvents depending on the alkyl chain length and the anions of the ionic liquids. Moreover, the obtained MNPs showed the specific extraction efficiency to organic pollutant, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, while superparamagnetic property of the MNPs facilitated the convenient separation of MNPs from the bulks water samples.

Modified superparamagnetic nanocomposite microparticles for highly selective Hg(II) or Cu(II) separation and recovery from aqueous solutions

The synthesis of a reusable, magnetically switchable nanocomposite microparticle, which can be modified to selectively extract and recover Hg(II) or Cu(II) from water, is reported. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (magnetite) nanoparticles act as the magnetic component in this system, and these nanoparticles were synthesized in a continuous way, allowing their large-scale production. A new process was used to create a silica matrix, confining the magnetite nanoparticles using a cheap silica source [sodium silicate (water glass)]. This results in a well-defined, filigree micrometer-sized nanocomposite via a fast, simple, inexpensive, and upscalable process. Hence, because of the ideal size of the resulting microparticles and their comparably large magnetization, particle extraction from fluids by low-cost magnets is achieved.

Preparation of superparamagnetic Fe3O4@alginate/chitosan nanospheres for Candida rugosa lipase immobilization and utilization of layer-by-layer assembly to enhance the stability of immobilized lipase

Superparamagnetic alginate nanospheres with diameter of 50 nm were prepared by self-assembly of alginate in the Ca(2+) solution; and then superparamagnetic alginate/chitosan nanospheres, which have positive charge and could adsorb lipase directly, were obtained with a following assembly of chitosan based on the electrostatic interaction between alginate and chitosan. Subsequently, oxidic poly (ethylene glycol) was used to functionalize the magnetic alginate/chitosan nanospheres. Thus, the magnetic nanospheres with aldehyde groups and a brushlike structure were formed. With various characterizations, it was verified that the magnetic alginate/chitosan nanospheres held small diameters (around 60 nm) and displayed superparamagnetism with high saturation magnetization. The Candida rugosa lipase (CRL), meanwhile, was immobilized onto the magnetic alginate/chitosan nanospheres by electrostatic adsorption and covalent bonding, respectively. Afterward, a layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly process was utilized to coat the immobilized CRL (ICRL) with covering layers made up of alginate and chitosan. After studying the properties of ICRL such as activity, kinetic behaviors, stability and reusability, it was proved that the ICRL prepared with two methods displayed more excellent properties than that prepared with electrostatic adsorption only. Additionally, coating ICRL with covering layers showed good effect on improving the stability of ICRL.

Magnetically recyclable nanocatalysts (MRNCs): a versatile integration of high catalytic activity and facile recovery

Recent advances in wet chemical synthesis of magnetically recyclable nanocatalysts (MRNCs), a versatile integration of high catalytic activity and facile recovery, have led to a dramatic expansion of their potential applications. This review focuses on the recent work in the development of metal and metal oxide based MRNCs for catalytic conversion of organic compounds in solution phase. This will be discussed in detail, according to the two main synthesis methods of MRNCs as classified by us. The two methods are: template-assisted synthetic strategy and direct synthetic strategy. And the template-assisted synthesis is further divided into three subcategories, synthetic strategies assisted by hard-, soft-, and mixed hard-soft coupling layers. At the end, we outline future trends and perspectives in these research areas.

Transesterification catalyzed by ionic liquids on superhydrophobic mesoporous polymers: heterogeneous catalysts that are faster than homogeneous catalysts

Homogeneous catalysts usually show higher catalytic activities than heterogeneous catalysts because of their high dispersion of catalytically active sites. We demonstrate here that heterogeneous catalysts of ionic liquids functionalized on superhydrophobic mesoporous polymers exhibit much higher activities in transesterification to form biodiesel than homogeneous catalysts of the ionic liquids themselves. This phenomenon is strongly related to the unique features of high enrichment and good miscibility of the superhydrophobic mesoporous polymers for the reactants. These features should allow the design and development of a wide variety of catalysts for the conversion of organic compounds.