Minimalistic Liquid-Assisted Route to Highly Crystalline α-Zirconium Phosphate

Recent advances and perspectives on intercalation layered compounds part 1: design and applications in the field of energy

Herein, initially, we present a general overview of the global financial support for chemistry devoted to materials science, specifically intercalation layered compounds (ILCs). Subsequently, the strategies to synthesise these host structures and the corresponding guest-host hybrid assemblies are exemplified on the basis of some families of materials, including pillared clays (PILCs), porous clay heterostructures (PCHs), zirconium phosphate (ZrP), layered double hydroxides (LDHs), graphite intercalation compounds (GICs), graphene-based materials, and MXenes. Additionally, a non-exhaustive survey on their possible application in the field of energy through electrochemical storage, mostly as electrode materials but also as electrolyte additives, is presented, including lithium technologies based on lithium ion batteries (LIBs), and beyond LiBs with a focus on possible alternatives such XIBs (X = Na (NIB), K (KIB), Al (AIB), Zn (ZIB), and Cl (CIB)), reversible Mg batteries (RMBs), dual-ion batteries (DIBs), Zn-air and Zn-sulphur batteries and supercapacitors as well as their relevance in other fields related to (opto)electronics. This selective panorama should help readers better understand the reason why ILCs are expected to meet the challenge of tomorrow as electrode materials.

Design Polyaniline/α-Zirconium Phosphate Composites for Achieving Self-Healing Anti-Corrosion of Carbon Steel

The rupture of a micro/nano container can trigger the release of repair agents and provides the coating with a self-healing and anti-corrosion effect. However, the defect and inhomogeneity of the coating, produced by the rupture of the micro/nano container, may weaken its anti-corrosion performance. This study reports a rare protection mechanism, which optimizes the space occupying of zirconium phosphate, and the de-doping peculiarity of polyaniline without the rupture of the micro/nano container. Polyaniline/α-zirconium phosphate composites were constructed through in situ oxidation polymerization. Repair agents were added in the form of doped acids. According to the different repair agents in polyaniline/α-zirconium phosphate composites (citric ion, tartaric ion and phytic ion), the performance and protection mechanism of the composites were researched. Polyaniline/α-zirconium phosphate coating (with phytic ion) shows an excellent self-healing anti-corrosive effect, due to the large spatial structure and abundant chelating groups of the precipitation inhibitor. Considering the anti-corrosive application, the developed polyaniline/α-zirconium phosphate composite has a far-reaching influence on marine development.

Anhydrous Superprotonic Conductivity in the Zirconium Acid Triphosphate ZrH5 (PO4 )3

The development of solid-state proton conductors with high proton conductivity at low temperatures is crucial for the implementation of hydrogen-based technologies for portable and automotive applications. Here, we report on the discovery of a new crystalline metal acid triphosphate, ZrH₅ (PO₄ )₃ (ZP3), which exhibits record-high proton conductivity of 0.5-3.1×10^-2  S cm^-1 in the range 25-110 °C in anhydrous conditions. This is the highest anhydrous proton conductivity ever reported in a crystalline solid proton conductor in the range 25-110 °C. Superprotonic conductivity in ZP3 is enabled by extended defective frustrated hydrogen bond chains, where the protons are dynamically disordered over two oxygen centers. The high proton conductivity and stability in anhydrous conditions make ZP3 an excellent candidate for innovative applications in fuel cells without the need for complex water management systems, and in other energy technologies requiring fast proton transfer.

Mussel-Inspired Surface Modification of α-Zirconium Phosphate Nanosheets for Anchoring Efficient and Reusable Ultrasmall Au Nanocatalysts

The shortage of powerful functionalities on scalable α-zirconium phosphate (ZrP) materials blocks the facile preparation of highly dispersed and immobilized metal nanocatalysts. We herein present a mild and facile mussel-inspired strategy based on polydopamine (PDA) for the surface modification of ZrP, and hence, the generation of powerful functionalities at a high density for the straightforward reduction of chloroauric acid to Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and the immobilization of AuNPs. The resulting ternary ZrP@PDA/Au exhibited ultra-small AuNPs with a particle size of around 6.5 nm, as estimated based on TEM images. Consequently, the ZrP@PDA/Au catalyst showed significant activity in the catalytic conversion of 4-nitrophenol (4NP) to 4-aminophenol (4AP), a critical transformation reaction in turning the hazard into valuable intermediates for drug synthesis. The PDA was demonstrated to play a critical role in the fabrication of the highly efficient ZrP@PDA/Au catalyst, far outperforming the ZrP/Au counterpart. The turnover frequency (TOF) achieved by the ZrP@PDA/Au reached as high as 38.10 min^-1, much higher than some reported noble metal-based catalysts. In addition, the ZrP@PDA/Au showed high stability and reusability, of which the catalytic efficiency was not significantly degraded after prolonged storage in solution.

Tailoring the Growth of Nanosized α-Zirconium Phosphate

Nanosized α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP), unlike microcrystalline α-ZrP, takes less time to prepare and is synthesized directly in organic solvents. During the synthesis of nanosized α-ZrP, the heating step is critical because during which the particle growth/aggregation is ongoing. In order to explore more details of this step, extra water molecules were intentionally introduced to the ethanol gel of nanosized α-ZrP so that the evaporation of the solvent was slowed. To heat the gels at 65 °C for different periods (1-6 days), one could control with ease the synthesized α-ZrP in size, from 63 to 155 nm, and in morphology, from amorphous to highly crystalline. Furthermore, the heating step also affects the intercalated solvent and the dangling propionate groups on the edge of the nanosized α-ZrP, which could be deduced from the intercalation/exfoliation behavior of the nanocrystals. This modified synthesis method of nanosized α-ZrP offers an alternate means to tune the size and morphology of the nanosized α-ZrP for broad applications.

Preparation of Zirconium Hydrogen Phosphate Coatings on Sandblasted/Acid-Etched Titanium for Enhancing Its Osteoinductivity and Friction/Corrosion Resistance

Background

Sandblasted/acid-etched titanium (SLA-Ti) implants are widely used for dental implant restoration in edentulous patients. However, the poor osteoinductivity and the large amount of Ti particles/ions released due to friction or corrosion will affect its long-term success rate.

Purpose

Various zirconium hydrogen phosphate (ZrP) coatings were prepared on SLA-Ti surface to enhance its friction/corrosion resistance and osteoinduction.

Methods

The mixture of ZrCl₄ and H₃PO₄ was first coated on SLA-Ti and then calcined at 450°C for 5 min to form ZrP coatings. In addition to a series of physiochemical characterization such as morphology, roughness, wettability, and chemical composition, their capability of anti-friction and anti-corrosion were further evaluated by friction-wear test and by potential scanning. The viability and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells on different substrates were investigated via MTT, mineralization and PCR assays.

Results

The characterization results showed that there were no significant changes in the morphology, roughness and wettability of ZrP-modified samples (SLA-ZrP0.5 and SLA-ZrP0.7) compared with SLA group. The results of electrochemical corrosion displayed that both SLA-ZrP0.5 and SLA-ZrP0.7 (especially the latter) had better corrosion resistance than SLA in normal saline and serum-containing medium. SLA-ZrP0.7 also exhibited the best friction resistance and great potential to enhance the spreading, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.

Conclusion

We determined that SLA-ZrP0.7 had excellent comprehensive properties including anti-corrosion, anti-friction and osteoinduction, which made it have a promising clinical application in dental implant restoration.

Treatment of Wastewaters with Zirconium Phosphate Based Materials: A Review on Efficient Systems for the Removal of Heavy Metal and Dye Water Pollutants

Layered zirconium phosphate (ZrP) is a versatile material with phosphate (POH ) groups able to exchange inorganic and organic cations or to intercalate basic molecules. The present review deals with the use of this material as a sorbent for heavy metal cations or dye molecules in wastewater treatments. The possibility to combine ZrP with polymers or other inorganic materials, in order to have suitable systems for real and large scale applications, was investigated, as well as the combination with photocatalytic materials to obtain hetrogeneous photocatalysts for the capture and photodegradation of organic dye molecules.

Photocatalytic Activity Investigation of α-Zirconium Phosphate Nanoparticles Compositing with C3N4 under Ultraviolet Light

In order to further develop efficient ultraviolet light-driven photocatalysts for environmental application, α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) and carbon nitride (C₃N₄) were synthesized, respectively. Then, C₃N₄-ZrP compositing nanomaterials were prepared by compositing α-ZrP nanocrystals and C₃N₄ with different mass ratios. C₃N₄-ZrP compositing nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results illustrated that α-ZrP and C₃N₄ were successfully composited, and the polarization of the compositing nanomaterials was reduced compared with raw materials. The photocatalytic performances of C₃N₄-ZrP compositing nanomaterials with different mass ratios were studied by photodegradation of RhB under ultraviolet irradiation. All of the degradation rates of the C₃N₄-ZrP compositing nanomaterials system were achieved more than 90% after 18 min. When the mass ratio of C₃N₄-ZrP compositing nanomaterials is 2:1, the degradation efficiency achieved 99.95%, which is more efficient than other tested mass ratios. The result indicated the possibility of utilizing C₃N₄-ZrP compositing nanomaterials for environmental pollutants degradation.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Zirconium Phosphate Nanoplatelet-Supported Ru-Anadem Nanostructures and Their Catalytic Study for the Hydrogenation of Acetophenone

The catalytic hydrogenation of organic compounds containing carbonyl groups has been extensively studied and widely used in industrial processes. Herein, we report the preparation of a novel nanomaterial, α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) nanoplatelet-supported ruthenium nano-anadem catalyst, which possesses high selectivity in the catalytic hydrogenation of aromatic ketones. The α-ZrP nanoplatelets were prepared using a modified reflux method. Through an ion-exchange and reduction reaction pathway, ruthenium nanoparticles were loaded on ZrP to produce Ru-ZrP with a nano-anadem structure. The successful synthesis of Ru-ZrP composites is supported by a series of characterization techniques (PXRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, XPS, FT-IR, etc.). Compared with pure ZrP nanoplatelets, the catalytic hydrogenation of acetophenone has been dramatically improved when using Ru-ZrP. Full conversion was achieved at room temperature, and the yield of 1-cyclohexylehtanol was up to 95%. The effects of reaction time, reaction temperature, and hydrogen pressure were investigated. The investigation illustrates that there are two proposed reaction pathways in the hydrogenation of acetophenone, which are further supported by computational analyses. Recycling experiments indicate that the Ru-ZrP material could be reused four times without a noticeable activity decrease.

Preparation of Zirconium Phosphate Nanomaterials and Their Applications as Inorganic Supports for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanomaterials have been studied extensively ever since the preparation of the first crystalline form was reported in 1964. ZrP and its derivatives, because of their versatility, have found applications in several fields. Herein, we provide an overview of some advancements made in the preparation of ZrP nanomaterials, including exfoliation and morphology control of the nanoparticles. We also provide an overview of the advancements made with ZrP as an inorganic support for the electrocatalysis of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Emphasis is made on how the preparation of the ZrP electrocatalysts affects the activity of the OER.

Morphology control of metal-modified zirconium phosphate support structures for the oxygen evolution reaction

The morphology of ZrP supports affects the loading and coverage of Co and Ni species, explaining their different OER performances.

One-Pot Synthesis of Layered Disodium Zirconium Phosphate: Crystal Structure and Application in the Remediation of Heavy-Metal-Contaminated Wastewater

Inorganic ion exchangers offer advantages whenever operation at high temperatures or in oxidizing environments is required. A novel two-dimensional disodium zirconium phosphate, Zr(NaPO₄)₂·H₂O, was reported and investigated as an ion exchanger for heavy metals. The material was synthesized by a novel minimalistic solventless approach, and its solid-state structure was determined from powder X-ray diffraction data. Zr(NaPO₄)₂·H₂O crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c with cell parameters a = 8.7584(1) Å, b = 5.3543(1) Å, c = 18.1684(3) Å, β = 109.053 (1)°, and Z = 4. Its layered structure is similar to that of α-zirconium phosphate, Zr(HPO₄)₂·H₂O. However, unlike α-zirconium phosphate which is limited in practical applications by its narrow interlayer spacing (d = 7.6 Å), the disodium zirconium phosphate has a larger spacing of 8.6 Å between planes. The material with inherent structural advantages displays excellent sorption for heavy metals such as Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Tl⁺, maintaining its high selectivity with distribution coefficients, K_d, of 10⁴-10⁵ mL/g even in the presence of a large excess of Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺, which are commonly present in underground water. In particular, the maximum sorption capacity for the highly toxic Tl⁺ is a record high, 5.07 mmol/g (1036 mg/g). The fast reaction kinetics indicate that the exchangeable positions in Zr(NaPO₄)₂·H₂O are readily accessible, in contrast to Zr(HPO₄)₂·H₂O. The ease of preparation, benign nature, and advantageous ion-exchange properties make Zr(NaPO₄)₂·H₂O a highly promising sorbent for the treatment of water polluted with heavy metals.

Mechanochemistry-Based Synthesis of Highly Crystalline γ-Zirconium Phosphate for Selective Ion Exchange

Highly crystalline γ-zirconium phosphate has been synthesized by a novel minimalistic approach and investigated as a selective ion exchanger for cesium, ammonium and potassium. In contrast to current solution-based preparations, the mechanochemistry-based synthesis provides easy access to γ-zirconium phosphate with short synthesis times and low crystallization temperature. The addition of NaF as a mineralizer increases the crystallinity of γ-zirconium phosphate, which forms micrometer-sized uniformly shaped rectangular platelets. The crystalline material has extremely high selectivity to cesium even in the presence of 1000- or 500-fold excess Na⁺ or Ca²⁺, respectively. The removal efficiency was >98% in the pH range of 2-5.5. As an ion exchanger for purification of dialysate, crystalline γ-zirconium phosphate shows higher uptake of ammonium and potassium ions than the amorphous gel compound currently used in sorbent cartridges. This sustainable protocol opens up opportunities for many practical applications of γ-zirconium phosphate.