Photo–thermo Catalytic Oxidation over a TiO 2 ‐WO 3 ‐Supported Platinum Catalyst

Highly Stable Cesium Molybdenum Chloride Perovskite Nanocrystals for Photothermal Semihydrogenation Applications

Metal halide perovskite materials with excellent carrier transport properties have been regarded as a new class of catalysts with great application potential. However, their development is hampered by their instability in polar solvents and high temperatures. Herein, we report a solution-processed Cs2MoCl6 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) capped with the Mo6+, showing high thermostability in polar solvents. Furthermore, the Pd single atoms (PdSA) can be anchored on the surface of Cs2MoCl6 NCs through the unique coordination structure of Pd-Cl sites, which exhibit excellent semihydrogenation of different alkyne derivatives with high selectivity at full conversion at room temperature. Moreover, the activity could be improved greatly under Xe lamp irradiation. Detailed experimental characterization and DFT calculations indicate the improved activity under light illumination is due to the synergistic effect of photo-to-heat conversion and photoinduced electron transfer from Cs2MoCl6 to PdSA, which facilitates the activation of the C≡C group. This work not only provides a new catalyst for high selective semihydrogenation of alkyne derivatives but also opens a new avenue for metal halides as photothermal catalysts.

Photo-thermal Catalytic Hydrogenation of Halogenated Nitrobenzenes over Ni/P25 Catalyst

As haloanilines (HANs) are important organic intermediates and fine chemicals, their preparation over non-noble-metal-based catalysts by catalytic hydrogenation has attracted wide attention. However, the reaction suffers from relatively harsh conditions. Herein, we found that a 3.5%Ni/P25 catalyst exhibited superior photo-thermal catalytic activity with a TOFs of 5207 h-1 for hydrogenation of p-chloronitrobenzene (p-CNB) to p-chloroaniline under a 300 W full spectrum, which was much higher than that of photo- and thermal catalysis alone. Moreover, the 3.5%Ni/P25 catalyst could be recycled 4 times and was effective for the hydrogenation of various halonitrobenzenes (HNBs) with superior selectivity. Furthermore, the kinetic research showed that the excellent catalytic performance could be attributed to the better activation and dissociation of H2 by photo-thermal catalysis and the hydrogenation of p-CNB obeyed the condensation routine by ionic hydrogenation over 3.5%Ni/P25.

Photocatalytic ethylene production by oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane with dioxygen on ZnO-supported PdZn intermetallic nanoparticles

The selective oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODHE) is attracting increasing attention as a method for ethylene production. Typically, thermocatalysts operating at high temperatures are needed for C-H activation in ethane. In this study, we describe a low temperature ( < 140 °C) photocatalytic route for ODHE, using O2 as the oxidant. A photocatalyst containing PdZn intermetallic nanoparticles supported on ZnO is prepared, affording an ethylene production rate of 46.4 mmol g-1 h-1 with 92.6% ethylene selectivity under 365 nm irradiation. When we employ a simulated shale gas feed, the photocatalytic ODHE system achieves nearly 20% ethane conversion while maintaining an ethylene selectivity of about 87%. The robust interface between the PdZn intermetallic nanoparticles and ZnO support plays a crucial role in ethane activation through a photo-assisted Mars-van Krevelen mechanism, followed by a rapid lattice oxygen replenishment to complete the reaction cycle. Our findings demonstrate that photocatalytic ODHE is a promising method for alkane-to-alkene conversions under mild conditions.

Triggering photocatalytic performance of La2CoxMn2-xO6 via heat activation

The La-based perovskite (LaBO3) exhibits excellent optical properties. However, its valence band (VB) potential is not sufficiently positive to reach the oxidation potential required for the cleavage of chemical bonds (such as benzylic C-H), limiting its application in photocatalysis. Herein, we report the unconventional effects of heat activation on the reduction of the dissociation energy of benzylic C-H and aqueous H-O, thereby triggering the photocatalytic activity of La2CoxMn2-xO6 perovskites. Additionally, we demonstrate that photocatalysis is the main contributor to substrate conversion in the selective oxidation of toluene and reduction of CO2. Particularly, La2Co1.5Mn0.5O6 shows excellent performance with a product yield of 550.00 mmol gcat-1 and a toluene conversion of 22,866.67 μmol gcat-1 h-1. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest reported product yield for the selective oxidation of benzylic C-H bond of toluene. Our findings provide insight into the specific role of heat activation in photocatalysis, which is crucial for breaking and overcoming the VB barrier to realize challenging reactions.

Streamlining the synthesis of amides using Nickel-based nanocatalysts

The synthesis of amides is a key technology for the preparation of fine and bulk chemicals in industry, as well as the manufacture of a plethora of daily life products. Furthermore, it constitutes a central bond-forming methodology for organic synthesis and provides the basis for the preparation of numerous biomolecules. Here, we present a robust methodology for amide synthesis compared to traditional amidation reactions: the reductive amidation of esters with nitro compounds under additives-free conditions. In the presence of a specific heterogeneous nickel-based catalyst a wide range of amides bearing different functional groups can be selectively prepared in a more step-economy way compared to previous syntheses. The potential value of this protocol is highlighted by the synthesis of drugs, as well as late-stage modifications of bioactive compounds. Based on control experiments, material characterizations, and DFT computations, we suggest metallic nickel and low-valent Ti-species to be crucial factors that makes this direct amide synthesis possible.

Urea-H2O2 defect engineering of δ-MnO2 for propane photothermal oxidation: Structure-activity relationship and synergetic mechanism determination

Photothermal catalysis has an advantage in effective and economical elimination technology of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the ascendant. Herein, various surface defect engineering routes were adopted to enhance the low-temperature propane oxidation of δ-MnO₂. Compared to reducing etchants urea and vitamin C, δ-MnO₂ treated with urea - H₂O₂ exhibited an excellent thermal (T₉₀ = 240 ℃) and photothermal (T₉₀ = 196 ℃) activities of propane oxidation. Urea - H₂O₂ treatment provided high concentration of Mn⁴⁺ and surface-active oxygen (Mn⁴⁺-O_sur) species as surface-active sites, and produced numerous oxygen vacancies to improve charge separation and superoxide species generation capacity. Thus, the photothermal conversion efficiency and low-temperature reducibility were remarkably enhanced. Furthermore, the photothermal synergistic catalytic mechanism was proposed based on in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and control experiments. The strategy here offered insight into the rational design of efficient transition catalysts, and in-depth understanding of the photothermal catalytic VOCs removal mechanism.

Enhanced Water Resistance and Catalytic Performance of Ru/TiO2 by Regulating Brønsted Acid and Oxygen Vacancy for the Oxidative Removal of 1,2-Dichloroethane and Toluene

The compositions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under actual industrial conditions are often complex; especially, the interaction of intermediate products easily leads to more toxic emissions that are harmful to the atmospheric environment and human health. Herein, we report a comparative investigation on 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) and (1,2-DCE + toluene) oxidation over the Ru/TiO₂, phosphotungstic acid (HPW)-modified Ru/TiO₂, and oxygen vacancy-rich Ru/TiO_x catalysts. The doping of HPW successfully introduced the 1,2-DCE adsorption sites to promote its oxidation and exhibited outstanding water resistance. For the mixed VOCs, Ru/HPW-TiO₂ promoted the preferential and superfluous adsorption of toluene and resulted in the inhibition of 1,2-DCE degradation. Therefore, HPW modification is a successful strategy in catalytic 1,2-DCE oxidation, but Brønsted acid sites tend to adsorb toluene in the mixed VOC oxidation. The Ru/TiO_x catalyst exhibited excellent activity and stability in the oxidation of mixed VOCs and could inhibit the generation of byproducts and Cl₂ compared with the Ru/HPW-TiO₂ catalyst. Compared with the Brønsted acid modification, the oxygen vacancy-rich catalysts are significantly suitable for the oxidation of multicomponent VOCs.

Photothermal Suzuki Coupling Over a Metal Halide Perovskite/Pd Nanocube Composite Catalyst

The development of improved catalysts capable of performing the Suzuki coupling reaction has attracted considerable attention. Recent findings have shown that the use of photoactive catalysts improves the performance, while the reaction mechanism and temperature-dependent performance of such systems are still under debate. Herein, we report Pd nanocubes/CsPbBr₃ as an efficient catalyst for the photothermal Suzuki reaction. The photo-induced and thermal contribution to the overall catalytic performance has been investigated. Light controls the activity at temperatures around and below 30 °C, while thermal catalysis determines the reactivity at higher temperatures. The Pd/CsPbBr₃ catalyst exhibits 11 times higher activity than pure CsPbBr₃ at 30 °C due to reduced activation barrier and facilitated charge carrier dynamics. Furthermore, the alkoxide radicals (R-O^-) for the Suzuki reaction are experimentally and theoretically confirmed, and photogenerated holes are proven to be crucial for cleaving C-B bonds of phenylboronic acids to drive the reaction. This work prescribes a general strategy to study photothermal catalysis and offers a mechanistic guideline for photothermal Suzuki reactions.

Thermo-photo catalysis: a whole greater than the sum of its parts

Thermo-photo catalysis, which is the catalysis with the participation of both thermal and photo energies, not only reduces the large energy consumption of thermal catalysis but also addresses the low efficiency of photocatalysis. As a whole greater than the sum of its parts, thermo-photo catalysis has been proven as an effective and promising technology to drive chemical reactions. In this review, we first clarify the definition (beyond photo-thermal catalysis and plasmonic catalysis), classification, and principles of thermo-photo catalysis and then reveal its superiority over individual thermal catalysis and photocatalysis. After elucidating the design principles and strategies toward highly efficient thermo-photo catalytic systems, an ample discussion on the synergetic effects of thermal and photo energies is provided from two perspectives, namely, the promotion of photocatalysis by thermal energy and the promotion of thermal catalysis by photo energy. Subsequently, state-of-the-art techniques applied to explore thermo-photo catalytic mechanisms are reviewed, followed by a summary on the broad applications of thermo-photo catalysis and its energy management toward industrialization. In the end, current challenges and potential research directions related to thermo-photo catalysis are outlined.

Oxygen Vacancy-Governed Opposite Catalytic Performance for C3H6 and C3H8 Combustion: The Effect of the Pt Electronic Structure and Chemisorbed Oxygen Species

Revealing the role of engineered surface oxygen vacancies in the catalytic degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is of importance for the development of highly efficient catalysts. However, because of various structures of VOC molecules, the role of surface oxygen vacancies in different catalytic reactions remains ambiguous. Herein, a defective Pt/TiO_2-x catalyst is proposed to uncover the different catalytic mechanisms of C₃H₆ and C₃H₈ combustion via experiments and theoretical calculations. The electron transfer, originated from the oxygen vacancy, facilitates the formation of reduced Pt⁰ species and simultaneously interfacial chemisorbed O₂, thus promoting the C₃H₆ combustion via efficient C═C cleavage. The reduced Pt nanoparticles facilitate the robust chemisorption of bridging dimer O₂^2- (Pt-O-O-Ti) species. This chemisorbed oxygen inhibits the C₃H₈ combustion by depressing C₃H₈ adsorption. This work offers insights for the rational design of highly efficient catalysts for activating the C═C bond in alkene or C-H bond in alkane.

Photothermal Chemistry Based on Solar Energy: From Synergistic Effects to Practical Applications

With the development of society, energy shortage and environmental problems have become more and more outstanding. Solar energy is a clean and sustainable energy resource, potentially driving energy conversion and environmental remediation reactions. Thus, solar-driven chemistry is an attractive way to solve the two problems. Photothermal chemistry (PTC) is developed to achieve full-spectral utilization of the solar radiation and drive chemical reactions more efficiently under relatively mild conditions. In this review, the mechanisms of PTC are summarized from the aspects of thermal and non-thermal effects, and then the interaction and synergy between these two effects are sorted out. In this paper, distinguishing and quantifying these two effects is discussed to understand PTC processes better and to design PTC catalysts more methodically. However, PTC is still a little far away from practical. Herein, several key points, which must be considered when pushing ahead with the engineering application of PTC, are proposed, along with some workable suggestions on the practical application. This review provides a unique perspective on PTC, focusing on the synergistic effects and pointing out a possible direction for practical application.

Highly Active PdO/Mn3 O4 /CeO2 Nanocomposites Supported on One Dimensional Halloysite Nanotubes for Photoassisted Thermal Catalytic Methane Combustion

In this work, we have successfully triggered the aqueous auto-redox reactions between reductive Ce(OH)₃ and oxidative MnO₄ ^- /Pd²⁺ ions to form PdO/Mn₃ O₄ /CeO₂ (PMC) nanocomposites. PMC could spontaneously self-assemble into compact encapsulation on the surface of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) to form the final one dimensional HNTs supported PMCs (HPMC). It is identified that there exists strong synergistic effects among the components of PdO, Mn₃ O₄ , and CeO₂ , and hence HPMC could show excellent performance on photoassisted thermal catalytic CH₄ combustion that its light-off temperature was sharply reduced to be 180 °C under visible light irradiation. Based on detailed studies, it is found that the catalytic reaction process well follows the classic MVK mechanism, and adsorption/activation of O₂ into active oxygen species (O*) should be the rate-determining step for CH₄ conversion.