Fifty years of my romance with vanadium oxide catalysts

Low-temperature propane oxidative dehydrogenation over UiO-66 supported vanadia catalysts: Role of support confinement effects

Overoxidation is the principal barrier against commercializing propane oxidative dehydrogenation (PODH) catalysts for propylene production. The current approach to reducing overoxidation, i.e., coating the non-selective support surface with a monolayer of active phase, can itself increase the probability of overoxidation of the produced propylene due to polymerization of active phase species. Incorporating the "confinement agents" onto the metal oxide support might be considered as an alternative solution to prevent hydrocarbons from reaching the support and overoxidizing. Herein, the UiO-66 metal-organic framework, which contains numerous organic ligands connected to the zirconia nodes, was used as support for the vanadia active phase to highlight the role of support's confinement effects on the overall catalytic performance toward the PODH. The UiO-66 supported vanadia catalysts with various vanadium loadings were fabricated via an ultrasonic-assisted wet impregnation procedure. The catalytic function is related to the underlying chemical processes at catalyst surfaces using physicochemical characterization techniques, PODH performance measurements, and machine learning tools. The results showed that the catalyst with a relatively low vanadia density of 2.7 nm-2, equivalent to less than half of the entire support surface coverage, could achieve propylene productivity of 4.43 [Formula: see text] , propane conversion of 17.1%, and propylene selectivity of 49.7% at 350 °C.

Characterization of V2O3 Nanoscale Thin Films Prepared by DC Magnetron Sputtering Technique

Vanadium sesquioxide V2O3, a transition metal oxide, is an important metal transition insulator due to its potential applications in novel electronic and memory devices. V2O3 thin films of thickness around 230 nm were grown on Si/SiO2/Ti/Pt substrates at deposition temperature of 723 K in a controlled Ar:O2 atmosphere of 35:2.5 sccm employing Direct Current (DC) magnetron sputtering. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed single phase of the material stabilized in corundum rhombohedral R3¯C phase. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic results revealed chemical oxidation states are of V3+ and O2− and have nearly stochiometric elemental compositions in the films. Magnetization studies down to 10 K predicts a canted antiferromagnetic transition around 55 K. Out of 7 expected Raman active modes (2A1g + 5Eg), two A1g Raman active modes at 242 and 500 cm−1 were observed at ambient R3¯C phase. Temperature dependent Raman spectroscopic studies carried out from 80 to 300 K identified a monoclinic to rhombohedral phase transition at ~143 K.

Application of Aminopolycarboxylic Complexes of V(IV) in Catalytic Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry of Germanium

In the review, voltammetric analytical procedures that employ vanadium(IV) and aminopolycarboxylic complexes of V(IV) are presented and discussed. The focus of the paper is on the mechanism of vanadium-catalyzed reactions responsible for the amplification of the analytical signal of Ge(IV). The analytical efficacy of different catalytic systems is compared, and the optimal parameters of the respective procedures are reported.

New directions in the analysis of buried interfaces for device technology by hard X-ray photoemission

Photoelectron spectroscopy is a characterization technique which plays a key role in device technology, a field requiring, very often, a reliable and reproducible analysis of buried, critical interfaces. The recent...

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 and N2 to synthesize urea on metal-nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts: a theoretical study

Fossil fuels have been increasingly consumed since the industrial revolution, causing rapid increases in carbon dioxide emissions and disrupting the global carbon cycle. With increasing attention being paid to the harmful effects of carbon dioxide as a "greenhouse gas", its use as a feedstock for basic chemical production is an attractive topic. Nature benefits humans through "crops brought by thunderstorms". Combining these two methods to produce urea containing nitrogen is the focus of this paper. In this paper, a series of catalysts supported on the substituted corrole substrates in the form of a double transition metal are investigated by DFT calculations. The best catalyst was selected and combined with carbon and nitrogen reduction to further explore the catalytic performance of urea synthesis. Based on this study, it was found that the synergistic catalytic strategy of double active sites had broad prospects in urea synthesis, and could also provide new development strategies for the design of other efficient molecular catalysts.

How Chemoresistive Sensors Can Learn from Heterogeneous Catalysis. Hints, Issues, and Perspectives

The connection between heterogeneous catalysis and chemoresistive sensors is emerging more and more clearly, as concerns the well-known case of supported noble metals nanoparticles. On the other hand, it appears that a clear connection has not been set up yet for metal oxide catalysts. In particular, the catalytic properties of several different oxides hold the promise for specifically designed gas sensors in terms of selectivity towards given classes of analytes. In this review, several well-known metal oxide catalysts will be considered by first exposing solidly established catalytic properties that emerge from related literature perusal. On this basis, existing gas-sensing applications will be discussed and related, when possible, with the obtained catalysis results. Then, further potential sensing applications will be proposed based on the affinity of the catalytic pathways and possible sensing pathways. It will appear that dialogue with heterogeneous catalysis may help workers in chemoresistive sensors to design new systems and to gain remarkable insight into the existing sensing properties, in particular by applying the approaches and techniques typical of catalysis. However, several divergence points will appear between metal oxide catalysis and gas-sensing. Nevertheless, it will be pointed out how such divergences just push to a closer exchange between the two fields by using the catalysis knowledge as a toolbox for investigating the sensing mechanisms.

Effects of MoO3 and CeO2 doping on the decomposition and reactivity of NH4HSO4 on V2O5/TiO2 catalysts

The deposition of NH₄HSO₄ on catalysts is one of the key issues for selective catalytic reduction of NO_x. In this study, NH₄HSO₄ was preloaded on catalysts, and the effects of MoO₃ and CeO₂ doping on the decomposition and reactivity of NH₄HSO₄ on V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalysts are studied. The results show that the introduction of MoO₃ and CeO₂ significantly promoted NO_x conversion on the V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalysts. Doping with MoO₃ could effectively enhance the S and H₂O resistance of the catalysts. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicate that it is the strong chemical interactions between NH₄HSO₄ and the catalysts that are adverse to the decomposition of NH₄HSO₄. However, doping with MoO₃ apparently inhibits these interactions, which significantly decrease the decomposition temperature of NH₄HSO₄. In situ FTIR experiments show that the NH₄⁺ in preloaded NH₄HSO₄ could react with gaseous NO on catalysts, and doping with MoO₃ could facilitate the reaction rate.

Modification of Graphene Oxide/V2O5·nH2O Nanocomposite Films via Direct Laser Irradiation

Herein, photothermal modification of nanocomposite films consisting of hydrated vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅·nH₂O) nanoribbons wrapped with graphene oxide (GO) flakes was performed via 405 nm direct laser irradiation. The combination of X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy allowed comprehensive characterization of physical and chemical changes of GO/V₂O₅·nH₂O nanocomposite films upon photothermal modification. The modified nanocomposite films exhibited porous surface morphology (17.27 m² g^-1) consisting of randomly distributed pillarlike protrusions. The photothermal modification process of GO/V₂O₅·nH₂O enhanced the electrical conductivity of nanocomposite from 1.6 to 6.8 S/m. It was also determined that the direct laser irradiation of GO/V₂O₅·nH₂O resulted in considerable decrease of C-O bounds as well as O-H functional groups with an increase of the laser power density.

Metal Oxides in Heterogeneous Oxidation Catalysis: State of the Art and Challenges for a More Sustainable World

This Review presents current knowledge, recent results, and challenges for the future in heterogeneous oxidation catalysis in liquid and gaseous phases on solid metal oxide catalysts. Metal oxides that are used as catalysts and their main structures and properties are summarized, as well as their catalytic properties in selective and total oxidation reactions, which were studied intensively, experimentally and theoretically, by Professor Jerzy Haber during his scientific life. Some emphasis is placed on the classical and unusual catalyst activation procedures for improving catalytic properties for better efficiency. For a more sustainable world, several examples are given of the oxidation of biomass derivatives to synthesize valuable chemicals and of other applications of metal oxides, such as depollution, photocatalysis, hydrogen production and fuel-cell components. The importance of metal oxide catalysis in environmental and green chemistry and sustainability is discussed, and challenges for the future are considered.

Vanadium-density-dependent thermal decomposition of NH4HSO4 on V2O5/TiO2 SCR catalysts

The vanadium density influences the interaction between ABS and catalyst, thus changing the decomposition process of the ABS-related surface species.

V-Containing Mixed Oxide Catalysts for Reduction–Oxidation-Based Reactions with Environmental Applications: A Short Review

V-containing mixed oxide catalytic materials are well known as active for partial oxidation reactions. Oxidation reactions are used in industrial chemistry and for the abatement of pollutants. An analysis of the literature in this field during the past few years shows a clear increase in the use of vanadium-based materials as catalysts for environmental applications. The present contribution makes a brief revision of the main applications of vanadium containing mixed oxides in environmental catalysis, analyzing the properties that present the catalysts with a better behavior that, in most cases, is related with the stabilization of reduced vanadium species (as V4+/V3+) during reaction.

Catalytic Applications of Vanadium: A Mechanistic Perspective

The chemistry of vanadium has seen remarkable activity in the past 50 years. In the present review, reactions catalyzed by homogeneous and supported vanadium complexes from 2008 to 2018 are summarized and discussed. Particular attention is given to mechanistic and kinetics studies of vanadium-catalyzed reactions including oxidations of alkanes, alkenes, arenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and sulfur species, as well as oxidative C-C and C-O bond cleavage, carbon-carbon bond formation, deoxydehydration, haloperoxidase, cyanation, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and oxo/imido heterometathesis. Additionally, insights into heterogeneous vanadium catalysis are provided when parallels can be drawn from the homogeneous literature.

Synthesis of Vanadium Oxide Nanofibers with Variable Crystallinity and V5+/V4+ Ratios

Tailoring the morphological, chemical, and physical properties of vanadium oxides (VOx) is crucial to optimize their performance in current and future applications. The present contribution proposes a new route to obtain VOx nanofibers with different V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ ratios and crystallinity. The method involves the exclusive electrospinning of water-free NH₄VO₃-saturated solutions including a reductant. Subsequent air-annealing under suitable conditions yields vanadium oxide fibers of 20-90 nm diameter and 10-50 m²/g surface area. The presence of the reductant gives rise to VOx nanofibers with a considerable proportion of V⁴⁺. Then, the right choice of the calcination heating rate and temperature permits to modify the V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ ratio as well as the crystalline phase and crystallite size of the fibers. With the proposed methodology, long-range continuous single-phase orthorhombic V₂O₅ and monoclinic V₃O₇ nanofibers are obtained.

Novel potentiometric sensors for the determination of the dinotefuran insecticide residue levels in cucumber and soil samples

Five new potentiometric membrane sensors for the determination of the dinotefuran levels in cucumber and soil samples have been developed. Four of these sensors were based on a newly designed molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) material consisting of acrylamide or methacrylic acid as a functional monomer in a plasticized PVC (polyvinyl chloride) membrane before and after elution of the template. A fifth sensor, a carboxylated PVC-based sensor plasticized with dioctyl phthalate, was also prepared and tested. Sensor 1 (acrylamide washed) and sensor 3 (methacrylic acid washed) exhibited significantly enhanced responses towards dinotefuran over the concentration range of 10^-7-10^-2molL^-1. The limit of detection (LOD) for both sensors was 0.35µgL^-1. The response was near-Nernstian, with average slopes of 66.3 and 50.8mV/decade for sensors 1 and 3 respectively. Sensors 2 (acrylamide non-washed), 4 (methacrylic acid non-washed) and 5 (carboxylated-PVC) exhibited non-Nernstian responses over the concentration range of 10^-7-10^-3molL^-1, with LODs of 10.07, 6.90, and 4.30µgL^-1, respectively, as well as average slopes of 39.1, 27.2 and 33mV/decade, respectively. The application of the proposed sensors to the determination of the dinotefuran levels in spiked soil and cucumber samples was demonstrated. The average recoveries from the cucumber samples were from 7.93% to 106.43%, with a standard deviation of less than 13.73%, and recoveries from soil samples were from 97.46% to 108.71%, with a standard deviation of less than 10.66%. The sensors were applied successfully to the determination of the dinotefuran residue, its rate of disappearance and its half-life in cucumbers in soil in which a safety pre-harvest interval for dinotefuran was suggested.

Relationship between Surface Chemistry and Catalytic Performance of Mesoporous γ-Al2O3 Supported VOX Catalyst in Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Propane

Mesoporous γ-Al₂O₃ was synthesized via a cation-anion double hydrolysis approach (CADH). The synthesized mesoporous alumina displayed a relatively high surface area, a large pore volume and a narrow pore size distribution. By applying the mesoporous alumina as a support, supported vanadium catalysts were prepared and evaluated in the dehydrogenation of propane, exhibiting a superior catalytic performance over that supported on a commercial alumina. Materials were characterized with a variety of techniques such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, ⁵¹V magnetic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy of pyridine adsorption and thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis. The correlated structure-performance relationship of catalysts reveals that a higher crystallization temperature endows mesoporous alumina materials with more surface acid sites, favoring the formation of polymerized VO_X species, which are more active than isolated ones in the propane dehydrogenation, resulting in a better catalytic performance. The established relationship between surface chemistry and catalytic performance of supported VO_X catalysts suggests that a superior vanadium catalyst for propane dehydrogenation could be achieved by rationally enriching the concentration of polymeric VO_X species on the catalyst, which can be realized by tuning the surface acidity of alumina support.

Synthesis and characterization of metastable transition metal oxides and oxide nitrides

New routes to vanadium sesquioxide and tantalum oxide nitride (γ- and δ-phase) are presented. Phase pure V2O3 with bixbyite-type structure, a metastable polymorph, was obtained from vanadium fluoride hydrates at ~750 K. It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system in space group I a 3 ¯ $Ia\bar 3$ with lattice parameter a=939.30(5) pm. The catalytical properties of the corresponding oxide nitride phases and their oxidation and reduction solid-state kinetics were investigated. The preparation of γ-TaON as a phase pure sample can be realized by ammonolysis of X-ray amorphous tantalum oxide precursors at 1073 K. This metastable tantalum oxide nitride crystallizes in the monoclinic VO2(B)-type structure in space group C2/m. The same precursors can be used to synthesize the δ-modification with an anatase-type structure at 1023 K. It crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system in space group I41/amd. A maximum yield of 82 m % could be obtained. The fundamental band gaps of the synthesized and of other metastable TaON polymorphs were calculated from first principles using the GW method. The present results are compared to experimental data and to previous calculations at hybrid DFT level.

Investigation of the promotion effect of WO3 on the decomposition and reactivity of NH4HSO4 with NO on V2O5–WO3/TiO2 SCR catalysts

Electron deviation from catalyst atoms to SO₄²⁻ is the key factor in the behavior of NH₄HSO₄ decomposition on the catalysts.

Diethylamine gas sensor using V2O5-decorated α-Fe2O3 nanorods as a sensing material

V₂O₅-decorated α-Fe₂O₃ composite nanorods were synthesized successfully by electrospinning and an environmentally-friendly soak-calcination method.

Exploring the role of V2O5 in the reactivity of NH4HSO4 with NO on V2O5/TiO2 SCR catalysts

NH₄⁺ in NH₄HSO₄ is consumed during the reaction with NO, while S-species are stabilized as tridentate SO₄²⁻ on the catalysts.

Structure Sensitivity of the Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalyzed by Cobalt(II,III) Oxide

Quantum chemical calculations and simulated kinetics were used to examine the structure sensitivity of the oxygen evolution reaction on several surface terminations of Co3O4. Active sites consisting of two adjacent Co(IV) cations connected by bridging oxos were identified on both the (001) and (311) surfaces. Formation of the O-O bond proceeds on these sites by nucleophilic attack of water on a bridging oxo. It was found that the relative turnover frequencies for the different sites are highly dependent on the overpotential, with the dual-Co site on the (311) surface being most active at medium overpotentials (0.46-0.77 V), where O-O bond formation by water addition is rate limiting. A similar dual-Co site on the (001) surface is most active at low overpotentials (<0.46 V), where O2 release is rate limiting, and a single-Co site on the (110) surface is most active at overpotentials that are high enough (>0.77 V) to form a significant concentration of highly reactive terminal Co(V)═O species. Two overpotential-dependent Sabatier relationships were identified based on the Brønsted basicity and redox potential of the active site, explaining the change in the active site with overpotential. The (311) dual-Co site that is most active in the medium overpotential range is consistent with recent experimental observations suggesting that a defect site is responsible for the observed oxygen evolution activity and that a modest concentration of superoxo intermediates is present on the surface. Importantly, we find that it is essential to consider the kinetics of the water addition and O2 release steps rather than only the thermodynamics.

Colorimetric detection of catalytic reactivity of nanoparticles in complex matrices

There is a need for new methodologies to quickly assess the presence and reactivity of nanoparticles (NPs) in commercial, environmental, and biological samples since current detection techniques require expensive and complex analytical instrumentation. Here, we investigate a simple and portable colorimetric detection assay that assesses the surface reactivity of NPs, which can be used to detect the presence of NPs, in complex matrices (e.g., environmental waters, serum, urine, and in dissolved organic matter) at as low as part per billion (ppb) or ng/mL concentration levels. Surface redox reactivity is a key emerging property related to potential toxicity of NPs with living cells, and is used in our assays as a key surrogate for the presence of NPs and a first tier analytical strategy toward assessing NP exposures. We detect a wide range of metal (e.g., Ag and Au) and oxide (e.g., CeO2, SiO2, VO2) NPs with a diameter range of 5 to 400 nm and multiple capping agents (tannic acid (TA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), branched polyethylenimine (BPEI), polyethylene glycol (PEG)). This method is sufficiently sensitive (ppb levels) to measure concentrations typically used in toxicological studies, and uses inexpensive, commercially available reagents.

Highly sensitive room-temperature surface acoustic wave (SAW) ammonia sensors based on Co₃O₄/SiO₂ composite films

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors based on Co3O4/SiO2 composite sensing films for ammonia detection were investigated at room temperature. The Co3O4/SiO2 composite films were deposited onto ST-cut quartz SAW resonators by a sol-gel method. SEM and AFM characterizations showed that the films had porous structures. The existence of SiO2 was found to enhance the ammonia sensing property of the sensor significantly. The sensor based on a Co3O4/SiO2 composite film, with 50% Co3O4 loading, which had the highest RMS value (3.72), showed the best sensing property. It exhibited a positive frequency shift of 3500 Hz to 1 ppm ammonia as well as excellent selectivity, stability and reproducibility at room temperature. Moreover, a 37% decrease in the conductance of the composite film as well as a positive frequency shift of 12,500 Hz were observed when the sensor was exposed to 20 ppm ammonia, indicating the positive frequency shift was derived from the decrease in film conductance.