FTIR Investigation of the H2, N2, and C2H4 Molecular Complexes Formed on the Cr(II) Sites in the Phillips Catalyst: a Preliminary Step in the understanding of a Complex System

Ultrafast and Reversible Superwettability Switching of 3D Graphene Foams via Solvent-Exclusive Plasma Treatments

For highly active electron transfer and ion diffusion, controlling the surface wettability of electrically and thermally conductive 3D graphene foams (3D GFs) is required. Here, we present ultrasimple and rapid superwettability switching of 3D GFs in a reversible and reproducible manner, mediated by solvent-exclusive microwave arcs. As the 3D GFs are prepared with vapors of nonpolar acetone or polar water exclusively, short microwave radiation (≤10 s) leads to plasma hotspot-mediated production of methyl and hydroxyl radicals, respectively. Upon immediate radical chemisorption, the 3D surfaces become either superhydrophobic (water contact angle = ∼170°) or superhydrophilic (∼0°), and interestingly, the wettability transition can be repeated many times due to the facile exchange between previously chemisorbed and newly introduced radicals via the formation of methanol-like intermediates. When 3D GFs of different surficial polarities are incorporated into electric double-layer capacitors with nonpolar ionic liquids or polar aqueous electrolytes, the polarity matching between graphene surfaces and electrolytes results in ≥548.0 times higher capacitance compared to its mismatching at ≥0.5 A g-1, demonstrating the significance of wettability-controlled 3D GFs.

The Role of In Situ/Operando IR Spectroscopy in Unraveling Adsorbate-Induced Structural Changes in Heterogeneous Catalysis

Heterogeneous catalysts undergo thermal- and/or adsorbate-induced dynamic changes under reaction conditions, which consequently modify their catalytic behavior. Hence, it is increasingly crucial to characterize the properties of a catalyst under reaction conditions through the so-called "operando" approach. Operando IR spectroscopy is probably one of the most ubiquitous and versatile characterization methods in the field of heterogeneous catalysis, but its potential in identifying adsorbate- and thermal-induced phenomena is often overlooked in favor of other less accessible methods, such as XAS spectroscopy and high-resolution microscopy. Without detracting from these techniques, and while aware of the enormous value of a multitechnique approach, the purpose of this Review is to show that IR spectroscopy alone can provide relevant information in this field. This is done by discussing a few selected case studies from our own research experience, which belong to the categories of both "single-site"- and nanoparticle-based catalysts.

Size-Dependent Reactivity of Nano-Sized Neutral Manganese Oxide Clusters toward Ethylene

Neutral manganese oxide clusters with the general composition Mn_2 N O_3 N+x (N=2-22; x=-1, 0, 1) with dimensions up to a nanosize were prepared by laser ablation and reacted with C₂ H₄ in a fast flow reactor. The size-dependent reactivity of C₂ H₄ adsorption on these clusters was experimentally identified and the adsorption reactivity decreases generally with an increase of the cluster size. Density functional theory calculations were performed to study the geometrical and electronic structures of the Mn_2 N O_3 N (N=1-6) clusters. The calculated results indicated that the coordination number and the charge distribution of the metal centers are responsible for the experimentally observed size-dependent reactivity. The highly charged Mn atoms with low coordination are preferential to adsorb C₂ H₄ . In contrast, the neutral manganese oxide clusters are completely inert toward the saturated hydrocarbon molecule C₂ H₆ . This work provides new perspectives to design related materials in the separation of hydrocarbon molecules.

Probing zeolites by vibrational spectroscopies

This review addresses the most relevant aspects of vibrational spectroscopies (IR, Raman and INS) applied to zeolites and zeotype materials. Surface Brønsted and Lewis acidity and surface basicity are treated in detail. The role of probe molecules and the relevance of tuning both the proton affinity and the steric hindrance of the probe to fully understand and map the complex site population present inside microporous materials are critically discussed. A detailed description of the methods needed to precisely determine the IR absorption coefficients is given, making IR a quantitative technique. The thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process that can be extracted from a variable-temperature IR study are described. Finally, cutting-edge space- and time-resolved experiments are reviewed. All aspects are discussed by reporting relevant examples. When available, the theoretical literature related to the reviewed experimental results is reported to support the interpretation of the vibrational spectra on an atomic level.

Surface chromium single sites: open problems and recent advances

The results of decades of studies on the Phillips chromium (Cr)/silica polymerization catalyst are briefly summarized. The application of several characterization methods has allowed a detailed knowledge of the structure and reactivity of Cr centres to be obtained. In particular, many aspects of this apparently simple single-site catalyst, including the heterogeneity, the modification of the ligand sphere upon interaction with many molecules and the initiation mechanism of the ethylene polymerization reaction, have been clarified. It is shown that based on the acquired knowledge, it is now possible to proceed further towards the intelligent modification of the ligand sphere with the scope to increase the reaction rate and selectivity. It is also illustrated that, besides polymerization/oligomerization reactions, it is possible to extend the study of Cr II reactivity towards new reactions.

Probing the surfaces of heterogeneous catalysts by in situ IR spectroscopy

This critical review describes the reactivity of heterogeneous catalysts from the point of view of four simple, but essential for Chemistry, molecules (namely dihydrogen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide and ethylene) that are considered as probes or as reactants in combination with "in situ" controlled temperature and pressure Infrared spectroscopy. The fundamental properties of H(2), CO, NO and C(2)H(4) are shortly described in order to justify their different behaviour in respect of isolated sites in different environments, extended surfaces, clusters, crystalline or amorphous materials. The description is given by considering some "key studies" and trying to evidence similarities and differences among surfaces and probes (572 references).

Hydrogen storage in metal-organic frameworks

New materials capable of storing hydrogen at high gravimetric and volumetric densities are required if hydrogen is to be widely employed as a clean alternative to hydrocarbon fuels in cars and other mobile applications. With exceptionally high surface areas and chemically-tunable structures, microporous metal-organic frameworks have recently emerged as some of the most promising candidate materials. In this critical review we provide an overview of the current status of hydrogen storage within such compounds. Particular emphasis is given to the relationships between structural features and the enthalpy of hydrogen adsorption, spectroscopic methods for probing framework-H(2) interactions, and strategies for improving storage capacity (188 references).

Selective catalysis and nanoscience: an inseparable pair

Selective catalysts can be considered as nanomachines designed to perform the synthesis of molecules with high reaction activity and high selectivity. These properties arise from a precise control of the structure of the active sites, of the three-dimensional environment and of their relationship. In both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts the active site three-dimensional environment ensemble is always a complex structure resembling the tuneable structure of enzymes, which are the most efficient catalysts optimized by nature over billions of years. To illustrate this concept the structure of a few homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for alkenes hydrogenation and for olefin polymerization are chosen and discussed as examples.

Adsorption properties of HKUST-1 toward hydrogen and other small molecules monitored by IR

Among microporous systems metal organic frameworks are considered promising materials for molecular adsorption. In this contribution infrared spectroscopy is successfully applied to highlight the positive role played by coordinatively unsaturated Cu2+ ions in HKUST-1, acting as specific interaction sites. A properly activated material, obtained after solvent removal, is characterized by a high fraction of coordinatively unsaturated Cu2+ ions acting as preferential adsorption sites that show specific activities towards some of the most common gaseous species (NO, CO2, CO, N2 and H2). From a temperature dependent IR study, it has been estimated that the H2 adsorption energy is as high as 10 kJ mol(-1). A very complex spectral evolution has been observed upon lowering the temperature. A further peculiarity of this material is the fact that it promotes ortho-para conversion of the adsorbed H2 species.

On the fraction of CrII sites involved in the C2H4 polymerization on the Cr/SiO2 Phillips catalyst: a quantification by FTIR spectroscopy

An estimation of the fraction of Cr(II) sites involved in the C(2)H(4) polymerization on a Cr(II)/SiO(2) Phillips catalyst has been obtained by means of in situ alternated CO adsorption and C(2)H(4) polymerization FTIR experiments: about 28% of the total surface sites react fast with C(2)H(4), while a lower fraction, which depends upon the temperature reaction conditions, is more slowly involved, in agreement with XANES results.