Preparation, performances and reaction mechanism for the synthesis of H2O2 from H2 and O2 based on palladium membranes

Centrifugal microfluidic device for the high-throughput synthesis of Pd@AuPt core-shell nanoparticles to evaluate the performance of hydrogen peroxide generation

We propose a novel high-throughput screening platform using a centrifugal microfluidic device for producing combinatorial tri-metallic catalysts. The centrifugal device was designed to perform 60 reactions under different conditions on a single device. As a model to search for an optimal tri-metallic catalyst, we synthesized a variety of Pd@AuPt nanoparticles (NPs), in which Pd nanocubes served as a core, and Au and Pt atoms formed a shell. The centrifugal microfluidic device was etched on the top and bottom sides, in which two zigzag-shaped microchannels were patterned on the top side, and 60 reaction chambers were fabricated on the bottom side. Through the sophisticated zigzag-shaped microchannels, Pt²⁺ ion and Pd nanocube solutions were injected into the channel in one shot, and the centrifugal force equally and automatically divided the injected solutions into 60 aliquots during the rotation. By controlling the sophisticated channel dimensions and designing the passive valve structure, the Pt²⁺ ion, Pd nanocube, and Au³⁺ solutions were loaded into the reaction chamber in sequential order depending on the programmed rotational direction and speed. Therefore, the ratio of Au to Pt to synthesize Pd@AuPt core-shell NPs was changed from 0.028 : 1 to 12 : 1, and accordingly, the resultant 60 types of Pd@AuPt catalysts presented with different ratios of metal atom compositions. Then, we screened the catalytic activity of the Pd@AuPt NPs for generating H₂O₂ according to the degree of coating of Au and Pt, and the Pd@AuPt catalyst with the Au/Pt ratio at 0.5 turned out to be the most effective.

Graphene/CuO2 Nanoshuttles with Controllable Release of Oxygen Nanobubbles Promoting Interruption of Bacterial Respiration

An oxygen nanoshuttle based on a reduced graphene oxide/copper peroxide (rGO/CuO₂) nanocomposite has been presented to deliver in situ oxygen nanobubbles (O₂ NBs) for combating bacterial infections. In the presence of rGO, the solid source of oxygen (i.e., CuO₂) was decomposed (in response to environmental conditions such as pH and temperature) into O₂ NBs in a more controllable and long-lasting trend (from 60 to 144 h). In a neutral buffer, the O₂ NBs experienced growth and collapse evolutions, creating a dynamic micro-nanoenvironment around the nanocomposite. In addition to effective battling against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, the O₂ NBs demonstrated superior antibacterial properties on Gram-positive S. aureus to those on Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria, especially in the presence of rGO. In fact, the rGO contents could provide synergistic effects through harvesting some respiratory electrons (leading to striking interruption of the bacterial respiratory pathway) in one side and transferring them into the O₂ NBs, resulting in nanoscale reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in another side. Moreover, near-infrared laser irradiation induced more damage to the cell membrane due to the synergistic effects of local heat elevation and catalyzing the release/collapse of NBs imposing mechanical disruptions. Our results show that the O₂-containing nanoshuttles can effectively be used as intelligent and controllable anti-infection nanorobots in upcoming graphene-based nanobiomedical applications.

Catalytic Palladium-Based and Iron-Based Membrane Reactors: Novel Strategies of Synthesis

Several procedures were employed in the preparation of different Pd- and Fe-based catalytic membrane reactors (CMRs) via the normal wet impregnation method, reverse filtration of a microemulsion, sputtering method, and the precipitation of a Fe complex. Depending on the chosen procedure, the metal active phase can be found on the exterior and/or interior part of the CMR or even in its pores in concentrations between 0.05 and 2 wt %. Moreover, we have managed to implement a unique systematic process to grow hydrotalcite in the pores of a Pd-CMR. To exemplify the activity of these new CMRs, we have tested them in the peroxidation of phenol and in situ epoxidation of trans-chalcone.

Looking for the “Dream Catalyst” for Hydrogen Peroxide Production from Hydrogen and Oxygen

The reaction between hydrogen and oxygen is in principle the simplest method to form hydrogen peroxide, but it is still a “dream process”, thus needing a “dream catalyst”. The aim of this review is to analyze critically the different heterogeneous catalysts used for the direct synthesis of H2O2 trying to determine the features that the ideal or “dream catalyst” should possess. This analysis will refer specifically to the following points: (i) the choice of the metal; (ii) the metal promoters used to improve the activity and/or the selectivity; (iii) the role of different supports and their acidic properties; (iv) the addition of halide promoters to inhibit undesired side reactions; (v) the addition of other promoters; (vi) the effects of particle morphology; and (vii) the effects of different synthetic methods on catalyst morphology and performance.

Boosting the Characterization of Heterogeneous Catalysts for H2O2 Direct Synthesis by Infrared Spectroscopy

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is among the most powerful spectroscopic techniques available for the morphological and physico-chemical characterization of catalytic systems, since it provides information on (i) the surface sites at an atomic level, (ii) the nature and structure of the surface or adsorbed species, as well as (iii) the strength of the chemical bonds and (iv) the reaction mechanism. In this review, an overview of the main contributions that have been determined, starting from IR absorption spectroscopy studies of catalytic systems for H2O2 direct synthesis, is given. Which kind of information can be extracted from IR data? IR spectroscopy detects the vibrational transitions induced in a material by interaction with an electromagnetic field in the IR range. To be IR active, a change in the dipole moment of the species must occur, according to well-defined selection rules. The discussion will be focused on the advancing research in the use of probe molecules to identify (and possibly, quantify) specific catalytic sites. The experiments that will be presented and discussed have been carried out mainly in the mid-IR frequency range, between approximately 700 and 4000 cm−1, in which most of the molecular vibrations absorb light. Some challenging possibilities of utilizing IR spectroscopy for future characterization have also been envisaged.

Structural Rearrangement of Au-Pd Nanoparticles under Reaction Conditions: An ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study

The structure, composition, and atomic distribution of nanoalloys under operating conditions are of significant importance for their catalytic activity. In the present work, we use ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to understand the structural behavior of Au-Pd nanoalloys supported on rutile TiO₂ under different conditions. We find that the Au-Pd structure is strongly dependent on the redox properties of the support, originating from strong metal-support interactions. Under reducing conditions, Pd atoms are inclined to move toward the metal/oxide interface, as indicated by a significant increase of Pd-Ti bonds. This could be attributed to the charge localization at the interface that leads to Coulomb attractions to positively charged Pd atoms. In contrast, under oxidizing conditions, Pd atoms would rather stay inside or on the exterior of the nanoparticle. Moreover, Pd atoms on the alloy surface can be stabilized by hydrogen adsorption, forming Pd-H bonds, which are stronger than Au-H bonds. Our work offers critical insights into the structure and redox properties of Au-Pd nanoalloy catalysts under working conditions.

The modification of Pd core–silica shell catalysts by functional molecules (KBr, CTAB, SC) and their application to the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen

Pd core–silica shell catalysts were prepared with different functional molecules. The catalyst Pd_KBr@SiO₂ had the highest H₂O₂ selectivity and productivity in the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide.

A review on research progress in the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen: noble-metal catalytic method, fuel-cell method and plasma method

The direct synthesis of H₂O₂ from H₂ and O₂ using Pd catalyst, fuel cell and plasma methods have been reviewed systematically.

Catalysts for direct H2O2 synthesis taking advantage of the high H2 activating ability of Pt: kinetic characteristics of Pt catalysts and new additives for improving H2O2 selectivity

To develop efficient catalysts for the direct H₂O₂ synthesis from H₂ and O₂ by taking advantage of the high H₂ activating ability of Pt, kinetic studies of the H₂–O₂ reaction were performed using a Pt-PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) colloid and Pt supported on carbon (Pt/C) as catalysts, and new additives were explored.

Enhanced Hydrogen Transport over Palladium Ultrathin Films through Surface Nanostructure Engineering

Palladium ultrathin films (around 2 μm) with different surface nanostructures are characterized by TEM, SEM, AFM, and temperature programmed reduction (TPR), and evaluated in terms of H2 permeability and H2-N2 separation. A change in the characteristics of Pd seeds by controlled oxidation-reduction treatments produces films with the same thickness, but different surface and bulk nanostructure. In particular, the films have finer and more homogeneous Pd grains, which results in lower surface roughness. Although all samples show high permeo-selectivity to H2 , the samples with finer grains exhibit enhanced permeance and lower activation energy for H2 transport. The analysis of the data suggests that grain boundaries between the Pd grains at the surface favor H2 transfer from surface to subsurface. Thus, the surface nanostructure plays a relevant role in enhancing the transport of H2 over the Pd ultrathin film, which is an important aspect to develop improved membranes that function at low temperatures and toward new integrated process architectures in H2 and syngas production with enhanced sustainability.

Hydrogen peroxide synthesis: an outlook beyond the anthraquinone process

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is widely used in almost all industrial areas, particularly in the chemical industry and environmental protection. The only degradation product of its use is water, and thus it has played a large role in environmentally friendly methods in the chemical industry. Hydrogen peroxide is produced on an industrial scale by the anthraquinone oxidation (AO) process. However, this process can hardly be considered a green method. It involves the sequential hydrogenation and oxidation of an alkylanthraquinone precursor dissolved in a mixture of organic solvents followed by liquid-liquid extraction to recover H2O2. The AO process is a multistep method that requires significant energy input and generates waste, which has a negative effect on its sustainability and production costs. The transport, storage, and handling of bulk H2O2 involve hazards and escalating expenses. Thus, novel, cleaner methods for the production of H2O2 are being explored. The direct synthesis of H2O2 from O2 and H2 using a variety of catalysts, and the factors influencing the formation and decomposition of H2O2 are examined in detail in this Review.