Effects of oxygen functional groups on the enhancement of the hydrogen spillover of Pd-doped activated carbon

Tailoring Defects in B, N-Codoped Carbon Nanowalls for Direct Electrochemical Oxidation of Glyphosate and its Metabolites

Tailoring the defects in graphene and its related carbon allotropes has great potential to exploit their enhanced electrochemical properties for energy applications, environmental remediation, and sensing. Vertical graphene, also known as carbon nanowalls (CNWs), exhibits a large surface area, enhanced charge transfer capability, and high defect density, making it suitable for a wide range of emerging applications. However, precise control and tuning of the defect size, position, and density remain challenging; moreover, due to their characteristic labyrinthine morphology, conventional characterization techniques and widely accepted quality indicators fail or need to be reformulated. This study primarily focuses on examining the impact of boron heterodoping and argon plasma treatment on CNW structures, uncovering complex interplays between specific defect-induced three-dimensional nanostructures and electrochemical performance. Moreover, the study introduces the use of defect-rich CNWs as a label-free electrode for directly oxidizing glyphosate (GLY), a common herbicide, and its metabolites (sarcosine and aminomethylphosphonic acid) for the first time. Crucially, we discovered that the presence of specific boron bonds (BC and BN), coupled with the absence of Lewis-base functional groups such as pyridinic-N, is essential for the oxidation of these analytes. Notably, the D+D* second-order combinational Raman modes at ≈2570 cm-1 emerged as a reliable indicator of the analytes' affinity. Contrary to expectations, the electrochemically active surface area and the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups played a secondary role. Argon-plasma post-treatment was found to adversely affect both the morphology and surface chemistry of CNWs, leading to an increase in sp3-hybridized carbon, the introduction of oxygen, and alterations in the types of nitrogen functional groups. Simulations support that certain defects are functional for GLY rather than AMPA. Sarcosine oxidation is the least affected by defect type.

Recent Developments in Materials for Physical Hydrogen Storage: A Review

The depletion of reliable energy sources and the environmental and climatic repercussions of polluting energy sources have become global challenges. Hence, many countries have adopted various renewable energy sources including hydrogen. Hydrogen is a future energy carrier in the global energy system and has the potential to produce zero carbon emissions. For the non-fossil energy sources, hydrogen and electricity are considered the dominant energy carriers for providing end-user services, because they can satisfy most of the consumer requirements. Hence, the development of both hydrogen production and storage is necessary to meet the standards of a "hydrogen economy". The physical and chemical absorption of hydrogen in solid storage materials is a promising hydrogen storage method because of the high storage and transportation performance. In this paper, physical hydrogen storage materials such as hollow spheres, carbon-based materials, zeolites, and metal-organic frameworks are reviewed. We summarize and discuss the properties, hydrogen storage densities at different temperatures and pressures, and the fabrication and modification methods of these materials. The challenges associated with these physical hydrogen storage materials are also discussed.

Application of Titanium Carbide MXenes in Chemiresistive Gas Sensors

The titanium carbide MXenes currently attract an extreme amount of interest from the material science community due to their promising functional properties arising from the two-dimensionality of these layered structures. In particular, the interaction between MXene and gaseous molecules, even at the physisorption level, yields a substantial shift in electrical parameters, which makes it possible to design gas sensors working at RT as a prerequisite to low-powered detection units. Herein, we consider to review such sensors, primarily based on Ti3C2Tx and Ti2CTx crystals as the most studied ones to date, delivering a chemiresistive type of signal. We analyze the ways reported in the literature to modify these 2D nanomaterials for (i) detecting various analyte gases, (ii) improving stability and sensitivity, (iii) reducing response/recovery times, and (iv) advancing a sensitivity to atmospheric humidity. The most powerful approach based on designing hetero-layers of MXenes with other crystals is discussed with regard to employing semiconductor metal oxides and chalcogenides, noble metal nanoparticles, carbon materials (graphene and nanotubes), and polymeric components. The current concepts on the detection mechanisms of MXenes and their hetero-composites are considered, and the background reasons for improving gas-sensing functionality in the hetero-composite when compared with pristine MXenes are classified. We formulate state-of-the-art advances and challenges in the field while proposing some possible solutions, in particular via employing a multisensor array paradigm.

Hydrogen Spillover-Enhanced Heterogeneously Catalyzed Hydrodeoxygenation for Biomass Upgrading

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is regarded as a promising technology for biomass upgrading to obtain sustainable and competitive chemicals and fuels. In fact, biomass HDO over heterogeneous solid catalysts is often accompanied by the phenomenon of hydrogen spillover, which further affects the catalytic performance. Thus, it is necessary to gain in-depth understand the promoting effect of hydrogen spillover in the biomass HDO process to obtain desired conversion and selectivity. This Review summarized the extensive research on hydrogen spillover in biomass refining and discussed in detail the regulation mechanism of hydrogen spillover in biomass HDO process, mainly by regulating different active center sites on catalyst supports, such as metal sites, acid sites, surface functional groups, and defective sites, which exhibit independent and synergistic characteristics promoting catalyst activity, selectivity, and stability. Finally, the prospective of hydrogen spillover in biomass HDO applications was critically evaluated, and the key technical challenges in developing "hydrogen-free" HDO and upgrading biofuels were highlighted. The presentation of hydrogen spillover-enhanced catalytic biomass HDO in this Review will hopefully provide insight and guidance for further development of efficient catalysts and preparation of high-value chemicals in the future.

Emerging Technology for a Green, Sustainable Energy-Promising Materials for Hydrogen Storage, from Nanotubes to Graphene-A Review

The energetic and climate crises should pose a challenge for scientists in finding solutions in the field of renewable, green energy sources. Throughout more than two decades, the search for new opportunities in the energy industry made it possible to observe the potential use of hydrogen as an energy source. One of the greatest challenges faced by scientists for the sake of its use as an energy source is designing safe, usable, reliable, and effective forms of hydrogen storage. Moreover, the manner in which hydrogen is to be stored is closely dependent on the potential use of this source of green energy. In stationary use, the aim is to achieve high volumetric density of the container. However, from the point of view of mobile applications, an extremely important aspect is the storage of hydrogen, using lightweight tanks of relatively high density. That is why, a focus of scientists has been put on the use of carbon-based materials and graphene as a perspective solution in the field of H₂ storage. This review focuses on the comparison of different methods for hydrogen storage, mainly based on the carbon-based materials and focuses on efficiently using graphene and its different forms to serve a purpose in the future H₂-based economy.

Synopsis of Factors Affecting Hydrogen Storage in Biomass-Derived Activated Carbons

Hydrogen (H2) is largely regarded as a potential cost-efficient clean fuel primarily due to its beneficial properties, such as its high energy content and sustainability. With the rising demand for H2 in the past decades and its favorable characteristics as an energy carrier, the escalating USA consumption of pure H2 can be projected to reach 63 million tons by 2050. Despite the tremendous potential of H2 generation and its widespread application, transportation and storage of H2 have remained the major challenges of a sustainable H2 economy. Various efforts have been undertaken by storing H2 in activated carbons, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), etc. Recently, the literature has been stressing the need to develop biomass-based activated carbons as an effective H2 storage material, as these are inexpensive adsorbents with tunable chemical, mechanical, and morphological properties. This article reviews the current research trends and perspectives on the role of various properties of biomass-based activated carbons on its H2 uptake capacity. The critical aspects of the governing factors of H2 storage, namely, the surface morphology (specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size distribution), surface functionality (heteroatom and functional groups), physical condition of H2 storage (temperature and pressure), and thermodynamic properties (heat of adsorption and desorption), are discussed. A comprehensive survey of the literature showed that an “ideal” biomass-based activated carbon sorbent with a micropore size typically below 10 Å, micropore volume greater than 1.5 cm3/g, and high surface area of 4000 m2/g or more may help in substantial gravimetric H2 uptake of >10 wt% at cryogenic conditions (−196 °C), as smaller pores benefit by stronger physisorption due to the high heat of adsorption.

Palladium nanoparticle-decorated multi-layer Ti3C2T x dual-functioning as a highly sensitive hydrogen gas sensor and hydrogen storage

In this work, palladium nanoparticle (PdNP)-decorated Ti₃C₂T_x MXene (Pd–Ti₃C₂T_x) was synthesized by a simple two-step process. For this, multilayer Ti₃C₂T_x MXene (ML-Ti₃C₂T_x) was first prepared by a selective HF etching technique, and PdNPs were directly grown on the surface of ML-Ti₃C₂T_x flakes using a polyol method. The relative weight fraction of PdNPs to ML-Ti₃C₂T_x was elaborately controlled to derive the optimal size and distribution of PdNPs, thereby to maximize its performance as a hydrogen sensor. The optimized Pd–Ti₃C₂T_x nanocomposite showed superb hydrogen-sensing capability even at room temperature with sharp, large, reproducible, concentration-dependent, and hydrogen-selective responses. Furthermore, the nanocomposite also unveiled some extent of hydrogen storage capability at room temperature and 77 K, raising a possibility that it can dual-function as a hydrogen sensor and hydrogen storage.

Nanocomposites of PdNPs and ML-Ti₃C₂T_x MXene are synthesized using a facile two-step process, and it is demonstrated that they can dual-function as a highly sensitive hydrogen sensor and hydrogen storage.

Cooperative physisorption and chemisorption of hydrogen on vanadium-decorated benzene

3d TM-decorated carbon composites have been proved to be a new generation of hydrogen storage materials. However, detailed hydrogen storage mechanisms are still unclear. Investigation of the H₂ dissociation and H migration on the 3d TM-decorated six-membered carbocycles is very critical for better understanding the hydrogen storage mechanism. In this paper, the processes of chemisorption and physisorption of multiple H₂ molecules on synthesized VC₆H₆ were simultaneously investigated for the first time. The Gibbs free energy calculations show that the optimal chemisorption pathway with the hydrogen storage capacity of 5.97 wt% is exothermic by 2.83 kcal mol⁻¹. Both the continuous hydrogenation giving the product of VC₆H₁₁–3H and reverse dehydrogenation could run smoothly at room temperature. The physisorption with a hydrogen storage capacity of 4.48 wt% will be exothermic by 13.49 kcal mol⁻¹. The H₂ molecules can be physisorbed at any temperature under 416 K and readily desorbed above 480 K at 1 atm. In summary, physisorption and chemisorption synergistically boost the hydrogen storage property of complex VC₆H₆. Our study provides a comprehensive picture of the interaction between hydrogen and VC₆H₆ and opens a new window for optimizing the future hydrogen storage materials.

We provide a comprehensive picture of hydrogen interaction with VC₆H₆ and a way of designing promising hydrogen storage materials.

The effect of surface chemistry on the performances of Pd-based catalysts supported on activated carbons

In this work we investigated in detail the effects of nitric acid on the surface chemistry of two carbons, activated by steam and by phosphoric acid, meant to identify the nature and the concentration of the oxidized surface species.

Advances in Pd Nanoparticle Size Decoration of Mesoporous Carbon Spheres for Energy Application

Pd nanoparticles with different sizes and diameter distributions were successfully deposited on the surface of disordered mesoporous carbon spheres (DMHCS). The size and diameter distribution of the Pd particles were controlled by the application of different experimental conditions. Two methods of synthesis (reflux and impregnation) and two Pd precursors (palladium (II) acetyloacetonate (Pd(acac) 2) and palladium (II) acetate (Pd(OAc)2)) were investigated and compared for the preparation of Pd-decorated DMHCS. The hydrogen storage properties of the pristine DMHCS and Pd-modified DMHCS at 40 °C and a pressure range of 0-45 bar were studied. The results showed that Pd-supported carbon samples synthesized in the presence of Pd(OAc)2 exhibited enhanced hydrogen storage capacity in respect to the pristine DMHCS. The maximum hydrogen storage of 0.38 wt.% exhibited the sample with the Pd nanoparticle diameter distribution of 2-14 nm and the average Pd crystallite size of 7.6 nm. It was found that the Pd nanoparticle content, size, and diameter distribution have a noticeable influence on H2 storage capacity.

Selective 1,3-butadiene hydrogenation by gold nanoparticles deposited & precipitated onto nano-carbon materials

GO and multiwall CNTs were modified by treatment with urea and annealing at different temperatures incorporating N adatoms. AuGO and AuCNT catalysts were prepared and their activity depended on the Au NP size and the characteristics of the support.