Metal Nanoparticles Syntheses on Ionic Liquids Functionalized Mesoporous Silica SBA‐15

Microenvironment engineering of supported metal nanoparticles for chemoselective hydrogenation

Selective hydrogenation with supported metal catalysts widely used in the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals often faces a trade-off between activity and selectivity, mainly due to the inability to adjust one factor of the active sites without affecting other factors. In order to solve this bottleneck problem, the modulation of the microenvironment of active sites has attracted more and more attention, inspired by the collaborative catalytic mode of enzymes. In this perspective, we aim to summarize recent advances in the regulation of the microenvironment surrounding supported metal nanoparticles (NPs) using porous materials enriched with organic functional groups. Insights on how the microenvironment induces the enrichment, oriented adsorption and activation of substrates through non-covalent interaction and thus determines the hydrogenation activity and selectivity will be particularly discussed. Finally, a brief summary will be provided, and challenges together with a perspective in microenvironment engineering will be proposed.

Immobilization of a Pd(ii)-containing N-heterocyclic carbene ligand on porous organic polymers: efficient and recyclable catalysts for Suzuki–Miyaura reactions

Two NHC–Pd(ii) complexes immobilized on porous organic polymers were successfully prepared via Scholl reactions and metallization. These complexes were applied in Suzuki–Miyaura reaction as heterogeneous catalysts with excellent yield and TON.

PY13FSI-Infiltrated SBA-15 as Nonflammable and High Ion-Conductive Ionogel Electrolytes for Quasi-Solid-State Sodium-Ion Batteries

Exploring electrolytes of high safety is essential to pave the practical route for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) toward their important applications in large-scale energy storage and power supplies. In this regard, ionogel electrolytes (IEs) have been highlighted owing to their high ionic conductivity, prominent electrochemical and thermal stability, and, more crucially, high interfacial wettability. However, present studies lack an understanding of the interaction of IEs, which determines the ion desolvation and migration. In this article, IEs comprising an SBA-15 host, an ionic liquid, sodium salt, and poly(vinylidene fluoride)-hexafluoro propylene (PVDF-HFP) have been proposed by mechanical ball milling and roller pressing. The component ratio has been optimized based on the balance between ionic conductivity and self-supporting capability of IEs. The optimal IEs showed sufficiently high ionic conductivity (2.48 × 10^-3 S cm^-1 at 30 °C), wide electrochemical window (up to 4.8 V vs Na⁺/Na), and high Na⁺ transference number (0.37). Due to the presence of SBA-15 and an ionic liquid, the IEs exhibited much improved thermal resistance than that of the conventional organic liquid electrolytes (OLEs). Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed the hydrogen bonding interaction between silanols and the dissolved salts, not only anchoring anions for immobilization but also promoting the dissociation of sodium salts. After being matched with the Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ (NVP) cathode and metallic Na anode, the SIBs presented a specific discharge capacity of up to 110.7 mA h g^-1 initially at room temperature with 92% capacity retention after 300 cycles. The improved safety and electrochemical performance provided insights into rationally regulating IEs and their interactions with the prospect of strengthening their practical applications in SIBs.