Copper(0) nanoparticles supported on silica-coated cobalt ferrite magnetic particles: cost effective catalyst in the hydrolysis of ammonia-borane with an exceptional reusability performance

Comparative Performance Study of Acidic Pumice and Basic Pumice Inclusions for Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene-Based Composite Filaments

This study aims to evaluate the effective use of porous pumice powder as an additive in acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)-based composite materials. The influence of pumice addition on mechanical, thermomechanical, thermal, and physical properties of ABS filaments was reported. Two types of pumice, namely acidic pumice (AP) and basic pumice (BP), were melt compounded with ABS at loading levels of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight using the melt extrusion preparation method. Composites were shaped into dog bone test specimens by the injection molding process. The physical properties of pumice powders were investigated by particle size analysis and X-ray spectroscopy techniques. Mechanical, thermomechanical, thermal, melt flow, and morphological behaviors of ABS/AP and ABS/BP composite filaments were proposed. According to test results, pumice addition led to an increase in the mechanical response of ABS up to a filling ratio of 10%. Further inclusion of pumice caused sharp reduction due to the possible agglomeration of pumice particles. Composites filled with AP yielded remarkably higher mechanical performance in terms of tensile, impact, and hardness strength compared with BP-loaded composites. According to thermal analyses, ABS exhibited higher thermal stability after incorporation of AP and BP. Pumice addition also resulted in raising the glass transition temperature of ABS. Melt flow index (MFI) findings revealed that addition of two types of pumice led to an opposite trend in the melt flow behavior of ABS filaments. Homogeneous dispersion of pumice particles into the ABS matrix when adding low amounts, as well as reduction in dispersion homogeneity with high amounts, of AP and BP was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs.

MOF-Directed Construction of Cu-Carbon and Cu@N-Doped Carbon as Superior Supports of Metal Nanoparticles toward Efficient Hydrogen Generation

The modulation of electronic behavior of metal-based catalysts is vital to optimize their catalytic performance. Herein, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are pyrolyzed to afford a series of different-structured Cu-carbon composites and Cu@N-doped carbon composites. Then a series of CO-resistant catalysts, namely, Co or Ni nanoparticles supported by the Cu-based composites, are synthesized for the hydrogen generation from aqueous NH3BH3. Their catalytic activities are boosted under light irradiation and regulated by the compositions and the fine structures of doped N species with pyridine, pyrrole, and graphitic configurations in the composite supports. Particularly, the optimized Co-based catalyst with the highest graphitic N content exhibits a high activity, achieving a total turnover frequency (TOF) value of 210 min-1, which is higher than all the reported unprecious catalysts. Further investigations verify that the light-driven synergistic electron effect of plasmonic Cu-based composites and Co nanoparticles accounts for the high-performance hydrogen generation.

The Hydrogen-Storage Challenge: Nanoparticles for Metal-Catalyzed Ammonia Borane Dehydrogenation

Dihydrogen is one of the sustainable energy vectors envisioned for the future. However, the rapidly reversible and secure storage of large quantities of hydrogen is still a technological and scientific challenge. In this context, this review proposes a recent state-of-the-art on H₂ production capacities from the dehydrogenation reaction of ammonia borane (and selected related amine-boranes) as a safer solid source of H₂ by hydrolysis (or solvolysis), catalyzed by nanoparticle-based systems. The review groups the results according to the transition metals constituting the catalyst with a mention to their current cost and availability. This includes the noble metals Rh, Pd, Pt, Ru, Ag, as well as cheaper Co, Ni, Cu, and Fe. For each element, the monometallic and polymetallic structures are presented and the performances are described in terms of turnover frequency and recyclability. The structure-property links are highlighted whenever possible. It appears from all these works that the mastery of the preparation of catalysts remains a crucial point both in terms of process, and control and understanding of the electronic structures of the elaborated nanomaterials. A particular effort of the scientific community remains to be made in this multidisciplinary field with major societal stakes.

Catalytic Behavior of Iron-Containing Cubic Spinel in the Hydrolysis and Hydrothermolysis of Ammonia Borane

The paper presents a comparative study of the activity of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and copper and cobalt ferrites with the structure of a cubic spinel synthesized by combustion of glycine-nitrate precursors in the reactions of ammonia borane (NH₃BH₃) hydrolysis and hydrothermolysis. It was shown that the use of copper ferrite in the studied reactions of NH₃BH₃ dehydrogenation has the advantages of a high catalytic activity and the absence of an induction period in the H₂ generation curve due to the activating action of copper on the reduction of iron. Two methods have been proposed to improve catalytic activity of Fe₃O₄-based systems: (1) replacement of a portion of Fe²⁺ cations in the spinel by active cations including Cu²⁺ and (2) preparation of highly dispersed multiphase oxide systems, involving oxide of copper.

Biomass-Derived Activated Carbon-Supported Copper Catalyst: An Efficient Heterogeneous Magnetic Catalyst for Base-Free Chan-Lam Coupling and Oxidations

Development of heterogeneous catalysts from biomass-derived activated carbon is a challenging task. Biomass-derived activated carbon possesses a large specific surface area, highly porous structure, and good thermal/chemical stability. Magnetic copper catalysts based on biomass-derived activated carbon exhibited good catalytic activity in base-free Chan-Lam coupling and oxidations. Herein, biomass-derived activated carbon was prepared by the carbonization of neem dead leaves (abundant waste biomass) followed by chemical activation with KOH. Such a porous carbon material was used as a low cost and highly efficient support material for the preparation of inexpensive and environmentally benign magnetic catalysts [Cu@KF-C/MFe2O4, M = Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn]. In addition, KF modification was done to impart basic character to the catalyst that can perform C-N coupling under base-free conditions. Initially, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis of the synthesized catalysts was carried out, which indicated that Cu@KF-C/CoFe2O4 possess more surface area as well as pore volume, and so accounting for the highest activity among the other synthesized catalysts. Further, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis was performed, which inferred that Cu@KF-C/CoFe2O4 contains most of the copper in reduced form, i.e., Cu(0), which is the active species responsible for better catalytic activity toward Chan-Lam coupling reactions as well as oxidation of alcohols and hydrocarbons. The physiochemical properties of the most active catalyst, Cu@KF-C/CoFe2O4, was examined by BET, XPS, Fourier transform infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Moreover, Cu@KF-C/CoFe2O4 shows excellent stability as well as reusability and could be easily separated with the help of an external magnet.

Activating Co nanoparticles on graphitic carbon nitride by tuning the Schottky barrier via P doping for the efficient dehydrogenation of ammonia-borane

A highly active Mott–Schottky nanocatalyst for the efficient dehydrogenation of ammonia-borane was constructed by rationally tuning the Schottky barrier of Co/P_xCN (P-doped g-C₃N₄) via simply varying the doping amount of P atoms.

Magnetically recyclable Co/ZnO@NiFe2O4 nanoparticles as highly active and reusable catalysts for hydrazine monohydrate hydrogen generation

The novel and cost-effective highly magnetic nanoparticle (NP) catalysts for hydrazine monohydrate dehydrogenation were successfully developed. It will provide a high gravimetric hydrogen storage capacity.

Ultrafine Pd Nanoparticles Supported on Soft Nitriding Porous Carbon for Hydrogen Production from Hydrolytic Dehydrogenation of Dimethyl Amine-Borane

Simple and efficient synthesis of a nano-catalyst with an excellent catalytic property for hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of dimethyl amine-borane (DMAB) is a missing piece. Herein, effective and recycled palladium (Pd) nanoparticles (NPs) supported on soft nitriding porous carbon (NPC) are fabricated and applied for DMAB hydrolysis. It is discovered that the soft nitriding via a low-temperature urea-pretreatment induces abundant nitrogen-containing species on the NPC support, thus promoting the affinity of the Pd precursor and hindering the agglomeration of formed Pd NPs onto the NPC surface during the preparation process. Surface-clean Pd NPs with a diameter of sub-2.0 nm deposited on the NPC support (Pd/NPC) exhibit an outstanding catalytic performance with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 2758 h^-1 toward DMAB hydrolysis, better than many previous reported Pd-based catalysts. It should be emphasized that the Pd/NPC also possesses a good stability without an obvious decrease in catalytic activity for DMAB hydrolysis in five successive recycling runs. This study provides a facile but efficient way for preparing high-performance Pd catalysts for catalytic hydrogen productions.

Magnetic recyclable CoFe2O4@PPy prepared by in situ Fenton oxidization polymerization with advanced photo-Fenton performance

Here we present a magnetic recyclable photo-Fenton catalyst CoFe₂O₄@PPy with uniform morphology and excellent dispersibility prepared via simple in situ Fenton oxidization polymerization. The CoFe₂O₄ core provides good magnetic recyclability for the catalysts as well as the ion source for catalyzed decomposition of H₂O₂ in PPy coating. The optimal catalytic effect can be obtained by adjusting the ratio of CoFe₂O₄ and PPy. Methylene blue, Methyl orange and Rhodamine B (RhB) employed as model pollutants certificated that the catalyst exhibits a wide range of photodegradability. The decoloration rates reach nearly 100% in the photodegradation of 10 mg L⁻¹ RhB after 2 h visible-light irradiation and only low toxicity small molecules are detected by LC-MS. Moreover, the catalytic activity remains after 5 cycles with decoloration rates up to 90%. The degradation measurement in the presence of scavengers of reactive species reveals that the positive holes (h⁺) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) are the main reactive oxygen species in the CoFe₂O₄@PPy system. The performance enhancement may be attributed to the combination of improved Fenton activity by coordinated Fe²⁺ and PPy redox pairs and photo-catalytic activity by broaden adsorption and photo-generated charge separation.

Here we present a magnetic recyclable photo-Fenton catalyst CoFe₂O₄@PPy with uniform morphology and excellent dispersibility prepared via simple in situ Fenton oxidization polymerization.

Noble-metal-free nanocatalysts for hydrogen generation from boron- and nitrogen-based hydrides

We focus on the recent advances in non-noble metal catalyst design, synthesis and applications in dehydrogenation of chemical hydrides (e.g. NaBH₄, NH₃BH₃, NH₃, N₂H₄, N₂H₄BH₃) due to their high hydrogen contents and CO-free H₂ production.

PtNi/NiO Clusters Coated by Hollow Sillica: Novel Design for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Production from Ammonia-Borane

Ammonia-borane (NH₃·BH₃; AB) has been considered as an excellent chemical material for hydrogen storage. However, developing highly efficient catalysts for continuous hydrogen generation from AB is still a challenge for future fuel cell applications. The combination of Pt with Ni is an effective strategy to achieve active bimetallic nanocatalyst, and the particle size has proved to play a crucial role in determining its final activity. However, the synthesis of PtNi bimetallic catalyst in the size of highly dispersed clusters has always been a challenge. In this report, PtNi/NiO clusters coated by small-sized hollow silica (R-PtNi/NiO@SiO₂) were designed for efficient hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia-borane. The newly designed catalysis system showed extremely high activity with the initial turnover frequency value reaching 1240.3 mol of H₂·mol^-1 of Pt·min^-1, which makes it one the most active Pt-based catalysts for this reaction. Detailed characterization by means of scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy element mapping, etc. revealed that the excellent performance of R-PtNi/NiO@SiO₂ is derived from the highly dispersed PtNi/NiO clusters and the reduction of extra Pt⁴⁺ on the surface of PtNi/NiO clusters to Pt⁰ at relatively low temperature.

Non-Noble-Metal Nanoparticle Supported on Metal-Organic Framework as an Efficient and Durable Catalyst for Promoting H2 Production from Ammonia Borane under Visible Light Irradiation

In this work, we propose a straightforward method to enhance the catalytic activity of AB dehydrogenation by using non-noble-metal nanoparticle supported on chromium-based metal-organic framework (MIL-101). It was demonstrated to be effective for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane under assistance of visible light irradiation as a noble-metal-free catalyst. The catalytic activity of metal nanoparticles supported on MIL-101 under visible light irradiation is remarkably higher than that without light irradiation. The TOFs of Cu/MIL-101, Co/MIL-101, and Ni/MIL-101 are 1693, 1571, and 3238 h(-1), respectively. The enhanced activity of catalysts can be primarily attributed to the cooperative promoting effects from both non-noble-metal nanoparticles and photoactive metal-organic framework in activating the ammonia borane molecule and strong ability in the photocatalytic production of hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anions, and electron-rich non-noble-metal nanoparticle. This work sheds light on the exploration of active non-noble metals supported on photoactive porous materials for achieving high catalytic activity of various redox reactions under visible light irradiation.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of degrading short chain chlorinated paraffins over reduced graphene oxide/CoFe2O4/Ag nanocomposite

Short chain chlorinated paraffins have recently attracted great attention because of their environmental persistence and biological toxicity as an important organic pollutant. In this work, reduced graphene oxide/CoFe2O4/Ag (RGO/CoFe2O4/Ag) nanocomposite was prepared and employed for photocatalytic degradation of short chain chlorinated paraffins. The process of photocatalytic degradation of short chain chlorinated paraffins over RGO/CoFe2O4/Ag under visible light (λ>400nm) was investigated by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the related mechanisms were proposed. An apparent degradation ratio of 91.9% over RGO/CoFe2O4/Ag could be obtained under visible light illumination of 12h, while only about 21.7% was obtained with commercial P25 TiO2 under the same experimental conditions, which demonstrates that the RGO/CoFe2O4/Ag nanocomposite is a potential candidate for effective photocatalytic removal of short chain chlorinated paraffins.

Microwave-antenna induced in situ synthesis of Cu nanowire threaded ZIF-8 with enhanced catalytic activity in H2 production

A microwave-antenna strategy was developed for the in situ synthesis of Cu nanowire (CuNW) threaded ZIF-8. The CuNWs acted as microwave-antennas to generate surface "super hot" dots. The high temperature of "super hot" dots induced adsorption and coordination of metal ions and organic ligands, followed by in situ assembly and crystal-growth along the CuNWs. This catalyst exhibited high activity and stability in H2 production via NH3BH3 hydrolysis owing to the synergetic effect. The CuNWs supplied a rapid electron transfer channel while ZIF-8 assembled on the CuNWs offered a large capacity for adsorbing reactants and channels for rapidly transferring H(-)/H(+) ions toward Cu active sites. Other one-dimensional threaded MOFs, including CuNW threaded MOF-5 and UIO-66, or carbon nanotube threaded ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 could also be prepared using the microwave-antenna strategy.

Nano-Bio Interactions of Porous and Nonporous Silica Nanoparticles of Varied Surface Chemistry: A Structural, Kinetic, and Thermodynamic Study of Protein Adsorption from RPMI Culture Medium

Understanding complex chemical changes that take place at nano-bio interfaces is of great concern for being able to sustainably implement nanomaterials in key applications such as drug delivery, imaging, and environmental remediation. Typical in vitro assays use cell viability as a proxy to understanding nanotoxicity but often neglect how the nanomaterial surface can be altered by adsorption of solution-phase components in the medium. Protein coronas form on the nanomaterial surface when incubated in proteinaceous solutions. Herein, we apply a broad array of techniques to characterize and quantify protein corona formation on silica nanoparticle surfaces. The porosity and surface chemistry of the silica nanoparticles have been systematically varied. Using spectroscopic tools such as FTIR and circular dichroism, structural changes and kinetic processes involved in protein adsorption were evaluated. Additionally, by implementing thermogravimetric analysis, quantitative protein adsorption measurements allowed for the direct comparison between samples. Taken together, these measurements enabled the extraction of useful chemical information on protein binding onto nanoparticles in solution. Overall, we demonstrate that small alkylamines can increase protein adsorption and that even large polymeric molecules such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) cannot prevent protein adsorption in these systems. The implications of these results as they relate to further understanding nano-bio interactions are discussed.

The release of hydrogen from ammonia borane over copper/hexagonal boron nitride composites

Facile solution-phase synthesis of copper nanoparticles dispersed on h-BN via a solvothermal method is proposed for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane.

Ruthenium nanoparticles confined in SBA-15 as highly efficient catalyst for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane and hydrazine borane

Ultrafine ruthenium nanoparticles (NPs) within the mesopores of the SBA-15 have been successfully prepared by using a “double solvents” method, in which n-hexane is used as a hydrophobic solvent and RuCl₃ aqueous solution is used as a hydrophilic solvent. After the impregnation and reduction processes, the samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, EDX, XPS, N₂ adsorption-desorption, and ICP techniques. The TEM images show that small sized Ru NPs with an average size of 3.0 ± 0.8 nm are uniformly dispersed in the mesopores of SBA-15. The as-synthesized Ru@SBA-15 nanocomposites (NCs) display exceptional catalytic activity for hydrogen generation by the hydrolysis of ammonia borane (NH₃BH₃, AB) and hydrazine borane (N₂H₄BH₃, HB) at room temperature with the turnover frequency (TOF) value of 316 and 706 mol H₂ (mol Ru min)⁻¹, respectively, relatively high values reported so far for the same reaction. The activation energies (E_a) for the hydrolysis of AB and HB catalyzed by Ru@SBA-15 NCs are measured to be 34.8 ± 2 and 41.3 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Moreover, Ru@SBA-15 NCs also show satisfied durable stability for the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of AB and HB, respectively.

Methanolysis of ammonia borane by shape-controlled mesoporous copper nanostructures for hydrogen generation

Diverse mesoporous CuO nanostructures have been prepared by a facile and scaleable wet-chemical method and reduced to mesoporous Cu nanostructures by using the reductant ammonia borane (AB). These mesoporous Cu nanostructures have been applied as a catalyst for hydrogen generation from the methanolysis of AB. The catalytic results show that the reaction rate and the amount of hydrogen evolution significantly relied on their morphologies. Compared with the nanosheet-like, bundle-like and dandelion-like Cu, the flower-like Cu nanostructures exhibit the highest catalytic activity with a total turnover frequency (TOF) value of 2.41 mol H2 mol catalyst(-1) min(-1) and a low activation energy value of 34.2 ± 1.2 kJ mol(-1) at room temperature. Furthermore, the flower-like Cu nanostructures have also shown excellent activity in recycling tests. The low cost and high performance of Cu nanocatalysts may offer high potential for its practical application in hydrogen generation from the methanolysis of AB.

Highly efficient hydrogen generation from methanolysis of ammonia borane on CuPd alloy nanoparticles

A low-cost and facile route has been developed for the synthesis of monodisperse CuPd nanoparticles with tunable composition. (Scanning transmission electron microscopy-energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy) STEM-EDX results verified the structure of the alloy for the obtained nanoparticles. These CuPd nanoparticles supported on carbon were active catalysts for hydrogen generation from the methanolysis of ammonia borane (AB) at room temperature, and their activities were closely related with the compositions. Cu48Pd52 NPs exhibited the highest activity among the tested catalysts. Moreover, their activity can be further improved by thermal annealing at 300 °C under nitrogen flow, with a very high total turnover frequency value of 53.2 min(-1). The reusability test indicated that the Cu48Pd52/C catalyst retains 86% of its initial activity and 100% conversion after 8 cycles. The catalyst, which features lost cost and high efficiency, may help move forward the practical application of AB as a sustainable hydrogen storage material.

Reductive dechlorination of BCl3 for efficient ammonia borane regeneration

Chemical regeneration of ammonia borane (AB) from its digestion product of H₂-depleted AB, BCl₃, has been implemented based on reduction and ammoniation reactions.

Stereoselective formation and catalytic activity of hydrido(acylphosphane)(chlorido)(pyrazole)rhodium(iii) complexes. Experimental and DFT studies

Stereoselectivity assisted by hydrogen bond formation, inhibited by steric hindrance, predicted by DFT calculations.

One-pot synthesis of core-shell Cu@SiO2 nanospheres and their catalysis for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane and hydrazine borane

Ultrafine copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) within porous silica nanospheres (Cu@SiO₂) were prepared via a simple one-pot synthetic route in a reverse micelle system and characterized by SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, N₂ adsorption-desorption, CO-TPD, XPS, and ICP methods. The characterized results show that ultrafine Cu NPs with diameter of around 2 nm are effectively embedded in the center of well-proportioned spherical SiO₂ NPs of about 25 nm in diameter. Compared to commercial SiO₂ supported Cu NPs, SiO₂ nanospheres supported Cu NPs, and free Cu NPs, the synthesized core-shell nanospheres Cu@SiO₂ exhibit a superior catalytic activity for the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (AB, NH₃BH₃) and hydrazine borane (HB, N₂H₄BH₃) under ambient atmosphere at room temperature. The turnover frequencies (TOF) for the hydrolysis of AB and HB in the presence of Cu@SiO₂ nanospheres were measured to be 3.24 and 7.58 mol H₂ (mol Cu min)⁻¹, respectively, relatively high values for Cu nanocatalysts in the same reaction. In addition, the recycle tests show that the Cu@SiO₂ nanospheres are still highly active in the hydrolysis of AB and HB, preserving 90 and 85% of their initial catalytic activity even after ten recycles, respectively.

Polymer engineering for drug/gene delivery: from simple towards complex architectures and hybrid materials

The paper summarizes the history of the drug/gene delivery domain, pointing on polymers as a solution to specific challenges, and outlines the current situation in the field – focusing on the newest strategies intended to improve systems effectiveness and responsiveness (design keys, preparative approaches). Some recent results of the authors are briefly presented.

Facile in situ synthesis of copper nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane

A facile in situ procedure has been successfully applied for synthesis of a RGO/Cu nanocomposite, which leads to the highest catalytic activity of Cu nanocatalysts up to now for the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane.