1
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Mofidfar M, Mehrgardi MA, Zare RN. Water Microdroplets Surrounded by Alcohol Vapor Cause Spontaneous Oxidation of Alcohols to Organic Peroxides. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 38935892 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c04092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Using real-time mass spectrometric (MS) monitoring, we demonstrate one-step, catalyst-free spontaneous oxidation of various alcohols (ROH) to key reactive intermediates for the formation of ROO- compounds on the surface of water microdroplets surrounded by alcohol vapor, carried out under ambient conditions. These organic peroxides (POs) can act as important secondary organic aerosols (SOA). We used hydrogen-deuterium exchange by spraying D2O instead of H2O to learn about the reaction mechanism, and the results demonstrate the crucial role of the water-air interface in microdroplet chemistry. We find that the formation of POs relies on electron transfer occurring at the microdroplet interface, which generates hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals that lead to a cascade of radical reactions. This electron transfer is believed to be driven by two factors: (1) the emergence of a strong electrostatic potential on the microdroplet's surface; and (2) the partial solvation of ions at the interface. Mass spectra reveal that the formation of POs is dependent on the alcohol structure, with tertiary alcohols showing a higher tendency to form organic peroxides than secondary alcohols, which in turn are more reactive than primary alcohols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mofidfar
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | | | - Richard N Zare
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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2
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de la Puente M, Laage D. Impact of interfacial curvature on molecular properties of aqueous interfaces. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:234504. [PMID: 38888129 DOI: 10.1063/5.0210884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The curvature of soft interfaces plays a crucial role in determining their mechanical and thermodynamic properties, both at macroscopic and microscopic scales. In the case of air/water interfaces, particular attention has recently focused on water microdroplets, due to their distinctive chemical reactivity. However, the specific impact of curvature on the molecular properties of interfacial water and interfacial reactivity has so far remained elusive. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to determine the effect of curvature on a broad range of structural, dynamical, and thermodynamical properties of the interface. For a droplet, a flat interface, and a cavity, we successively examine the structure of the hydrogen-bond network and its relation to vibrational spectroscopy, the dynamics of water translation, rotation, and hydrogen-bond exchanges, and the thermodynamics of ion solvation and ion-pair dissociation. Our simulations show that curvature predominantly impacts the hydrogen-bond structure through the fraction of dangling OH groups and the dynamics of interfacial water molecules. In contrast, curvature has a limited effect on solvation and ion-pair dissociation thermodynamics. For water microdroplets, this suggests that the curvature alone cannot fully account for the distinctive reactivity measured in these systems, which are of great importance for catalysis and atmospheric chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- M de la Puente
- PASTEUR, Department of Chemistry, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - D Laage
- PASTEUR, Department of Chemistry, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
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3
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Tang Q, Song C, Wang Y, Zhang JH, Liu M, Xu Y, Wang C, Cui X. Drop-On-Demand Microdroplet Generation under Charge Injection by Corona Discharge. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:11966-11973. [PMID: 38809418 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c00403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
In printing, microreactors, and bioassays, the precise control of micrometer-scale droplet generation is essential but challenging, often restricted by the equipment and nozzles used in traditional methods. We introduce a needle-plate electrode corona discharge technique that injects charges into an oil layer, enabling the precise manipulation of droplet polarization and splitting. This method allows for meticulous adjustment of microdroplet formation regarding location, size, and quantity by modulating the discharge voltage, discharge time, and electrode positioning. It enables the immediate initiation and cessation of droplet production, thereby facilitating on-demand droplet generation. Our study on the voltage-dependent droplet stretch coefficient shows that as the voltage increases, the droplets transition from controlled splitting to regular Taylor cone-like ejections, eventually reaching the Rayleigh limit and fully breaking apart. These advancements significantly improve microfluidic droplet manipulation, offering considerable benefits for applications in targeted drug delivery, rapid disease diagnostics, and precise environmental monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Tang
- Base for Innovative Methods Promotion Application and Demonstration of Anhui Province, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, Anhui, China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, Anhui, China
| | - Chengcheng Song
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, Anhui, China
| | - Yan Wang
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, Anhui, China
| | - Jia-Han Zhang
- School of Electronic Information Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Manfei Liu
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, Anhui, China
| | - Yunshan Xu
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, Anhui, China
| | - Chengjun Wang
- Base for Innovative Methods Promotion Application and Demonstration of Anhui Province, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, Anhui, China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaxia Cui
- Base for Innovative Methods Promotion Application and Demonstration of Anhui Province, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, Anhui, China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, Anhui, China
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4
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Yuan G, Jin Z, Cao Y, Schulz HM, Gluyas J, Liu K, He X, Wang Y. Microdroplets initiate organic-inorganic interactions and mass transfer in thermal hydrous geosystems. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4960. [PMID: 38862499 PMCID: PMC11167059 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49293-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Organic-inorganic interactions regulate the dynamics of hydrocarbons, water, minerals, CO2, and H2 in thermal rocks, yet their initiation remains debated. To address this, we conducted isotope-tagged and in-situ visual thermal experiments. Isotope-tagged studies revealed extensive H/O transfers in hydrous n-C20H42-H2O-feldspar systems. Visual experiments observed water microdroplets forming at 150-165 °C in oil phases near the water-oil interface without surfactants, persisting until complete miscibility above 350 °C. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) detected hydroxyl free radicals concurrent with microdroplet formation. Here we propose a two-fold mechanism: water-derived and n-C20H42-derived free radicals drive interactions with organic species, while water-derived and mineral-derived ions trigger mineral interactions. These processes, facilitated by microdroplets and bulk water, blur boundaries between organic and inorganic species, enabling extensive interactions and mass transfer. Our findings redefine microscopic interplays between organic and inorganic components, offering insights into diagenetic and hydrous-metamorphic processes, and mass transfer cycles in deep basins and subduction zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Deep Oil and Gas, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, P.R. China.
- Institute of Energy, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, P.R. China.
| | - Zihao Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Deep Oil and Gas, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, P.R. China
| | - Yingchang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Deep Oil and Gas, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, P.R. China.
| | - Hans-Martin Schulz
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jon Gluyas
- Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Keyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Deep Oil and Gas, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, P.R. China
| | - Xingliang He
- Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, China Geological Survey, Qingdao, China
| | - Yanzhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Deep Oil and Gas, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, P.R. China
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5
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Judd KD, Parsons SW, Eremin DB, Fokin VV, Dawlaty JM. Visualizing partial solvation at the air-water interface. Chem Sci 2024; 15:8346-8354. [PMID: 38846382 PMCID: PMC11151832 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc01311e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite significant research, the mechanistic nuances of unusual reactivity at the air-water interface, especially in microdroplets, remain elusive. The likely contributors include electric fields and partial solvation at the interface. To reveal these intricacies, we measure the frequency shift of a well-defined azide vibrational probe at the air-water interface, while independently controlling the surface charge density by introducing surfactants. First, we establish the response of the probe in the bulk and demonstrate that it is sensitive to both electrostatics and hydrogen bonding. From interfacial spectroscopy we infer that the azide is neither fully hydrated nor in a completely aprotic dielectric environment; instead, it experiences an intermediate environment. In the presence of hydrogen bond-accepting sulphate surfactants, competition arises for interfacial water with the azide. However, the dominant influence stems from the electrostatic effect of their negative heads, resulting in a significant blue-shift. Conversely, for the positive ammonium surfactants, our data indicate a balanced interplay between electrostatics and hydrogen bonding, leading to a minimal shift in the probe. Our results demonstrate partial solvation at the interface and highlights that both hydrogen bonding and electrostatics may assist or oppose each other in polarizing a reactant, intermediate, or product at the interface, which is important for understanding and tuning interfacial reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth D Judd
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Southern California Los Angeles CA 90089 USA
| | - Sean W Parsons
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Southern California Los Angeles CA 90089 USA
| | - Dmitry B Eremin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Southern California Los Angeles CA 90089 USA
| | - Valery V Fokin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Southern California Los Angeles CA 90089 USA
| | - Jahan M Dawlaty
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Southern California Los Angeles CA 90089 USA
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6
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Kumar A, Avadhani VS, Nandy A, Mondal S, Pathak B, Pavuluri VKN, Avulapati MM, Banerjee S. Water Microdroplets in Air: A Hitherto Unnoticed Natural Source of Nitrogen Oxides. Anal Chem 2024. [PMID: 38829716 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Water microdroplets are widespread in the atmosphere. We report a striking observation that micron-sized water droplets obtained from zero-volt spray sources (sonic spray, humidifier, spray bottle, steamer, etc.) spontaneously generate nitrogen oxides. The mechanistic investigation through the development of custom-designed sampling sources combined with mass spectrometry and isotope labeling experiments confirmed that air nitrogen reacts with the water at the air-water interface, fixing molecular nitrogen to its oxides (NO, NO2, and N2O) and acids (HNO2 and HNO3) at trace levels without any catalyst. These reactions are attributed to the consequence of an experimentally detected feeble corona discharge (breakdown of air) at the air-water interface, likely driven by the high intrinsic electric field at the surface of water microdroplets. The extent of this corona discharge effect varies depending on the pH, salinity/impurity, size, speed, and lifetime of microdroplets in the air. Thus, this study discloses that the air-water interface of microdroplets breaks the strong chemical bond of nitrogen (N2), producing nitrogen oxides in the environment, while lightning strikes and microbial processes in soil are considered their dominant natural sources. As nitrogen oxides are toxic air pollutants, their spontaneous formation at the air-water interface should have important implications in atmospheric reactions, requiring further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anubhav Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India
| | - Veena Shankar Avadhani
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India
| | - Abhijit Nandy
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India
| | - Supratim Mondal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India
| | - Barsha Pathak
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India
| | | | - Madan Mohan Avulapati
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati, Tirupati 517619, India
| | - Shibdas Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India
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7
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Cooks RG, Holden DT. Breaking down microdroplet chemistry. Science 2024; 384:958-959. [PMID: 38815043 DOI: 10.1126/science.adp7627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Charged microdroplets accelerate mineral disintegration.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Graham Cooks
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Dylan T Holden
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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8
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Wang K, Pera-Titus M. Microstructured gas-liquid-(solid) interfaces: A platform for sustainable synthesis of commodity chemicals. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado5448. [PMID: 38809985 PMCID: PMC11135396 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado5448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Gas-liquid-solid catalytic reactions are widespread in nature and man-made technologies. Recently, the exceptional reactivity observed on (electro)sprayed microdroplets, in comparison to bulk gas-liquid systems, has attracted the attention of researchers. In this perspective, we compile possible strategies to engineer catalytically active gas-liquid-(solid) interfaces based on membrane contactors, microdroplets, micromarbles, microbubbles, and microfoams to produce commodity chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, and formic acid. In particular, particle-stabilized microfoams, with superior upscaling capacity, emerge as a promising and versatile platform to conceive high-performing (catalytic) gas-liquid-(solid) nanoreactors. Gas-liquid-(solid) nanoreactors could circumvent current limitations of state-of-the-art multiphase reactors (e.g., stirred tanks, trickle beds, and bubble columns) suffering from poor gas solubility and mass transfer resistances and access gas-liquid-(solid) reactors with lower cost and carbon footprint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Wang
- Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Marc Pera-Titus
- Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
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9
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Shaik S. My Vision of Electric-Field-Aided Chemistry in 2050. ACS PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY AU 2024; 4:191-201. [PMID: 38800723 PMCID: PMC11117677 DOI: 10.1021/acsphyschemau.3c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
This manuscript outlines my outlook on the development of electric-field (EF)-mediated-chemistry and the vision of its state by 2050. I discuss applications of oriented-external electric-fields (OEEFs) on chemical reactions and proceed with relevant experimental verifications. Subsequently, the Perspective outlines other ways of generating EFs, e.g., by use of pH-switchable charges, ionic additives, water droplets, and so on. A special section summarizes conceptual principles for understanding and predicting OEEF effects, e.g., the "reaction-axis rule", the capability of OEEFs to act as tweezers that orient reactants and accelerate their reaction, etc. Finally, I discuss applications of OEEFs in continuous-flow setups, which may, in principle, scale-up to molar concentrations. The Perspective ends with the vision that by 2050, OEEF usage will change chemical education, if not also the art of making new molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sason Shaik
- Institute of Chemistry, The
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
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10
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Fan J, Liang L, Zhou X, Ouyang Z. Accelerating protein aggregation and amyloid fibrillation for rapid inhibitor screening. Chem Sci 2024; 15:6853-6859. [PMID: 38725489 PMCID: PMC11077537 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00437j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The accumulation and deposition of amyloid fibrils, also known as amyloidosis, in tissues and organs of patients has been found to be linked to numerous devastating neurodegenerative diseases. The aggregation of proteins to form amyloid fibrils, however, is a slow pathogenic process, and is a major issue for the evaluation of the effectiveness of inhibitors in new drug discovery and screening. Here, we used microdroplet reaction technology to accelerate the amyloid fibrillation process, monitored the process to shed light on the fundamental mechanism of amyloid self-assembly, and demonstrated the value of the technology in the rapid screening of potential inhibitor drugs. Proteins in microdroplets accelerated to form fibrils in milliseconds, enabling an entire cycle of inhibitor screening for Aβ40 within 3 minutes. The technology would be of broad interest to drug discovery and therapeutic design to develop treatments for diseases associated with protein aggregation and fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjin Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Liwen Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Zheng Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
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11
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Heindel JP, LaCour RA, Head-Gordon T. The role of charge in microdroplet redox chemistry. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3670. [PMID: 38693110 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47879-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
In charged water microdroplets, which occur in nature or in the lab upon ultrasonication or in electrospray processes, the thermodynamics for reactive chemistry can be dramatically altered relative to the bulk phase. Here, we provide a theoretical basis for the observation of accelerated chemistry by simulating water droplets of increasing charge imbalance to create redox agents such as hydroxyl and hydrogen radicals and solvated electrons. We compute the hydration enthalpy of OH- and H+ that controls the electron transfer process, and the corresponding changes in vertical ionization energy and vertical electron affinity of the ions, to create OH• and H• reactive species. We find that at ~ 20 - 50% of the Rayleigh limit of droplet charge the hydration enthalpy of both OH- and H+ have decreased by >50 kcal/mol such that electron transfer becomes thermodynamically favorable, in correspondence with the more favorable vertical electron affinity of H+ and the lowered vertical ionization energy of OH-. We provide scaling arguments that show that the nanoscale calculations and conclusions extend to the experimental microdroplet length scale. The relevance of the droplet charge for chemical reactivity is illustrated for the formation of H2O2, and has clear implications for other redox reactions observed to occur with enhanced rates in microdroplets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P Heindel
- Kenneth S. Pitzer Theory Center and Department of Chemistry, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - R Allen LaCour
- Kenneth S. Pitzer Theory Center and Department of Chemistry, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Teresa Head-Gordon
- Kenneth S. Pitzer Theory Center and Department of Chemistry, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering University of CAlifornia, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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12
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Qiu L, Cooks RG. Spontaneous Oxidation in Aqueous Microdroplets: Water Radical Cation as Primary Oxidizing Agent. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400118. [PMID: 38302696 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Exploration of the unique chemical properties of interfaces can unlock new understanding. A striking example is the finding of accelerated reactions, particularly spontaneous oxidation reactions, that occur without assistance of catalysts or external oxidants at the air interface of both aqueous and organic solutions (provided they contain some water). This finding opened a new area of interfacial chemistry but also caused heated debate regarding the primary chemical species responsible for the observed oxidation. An overview of the literature covering oxidation in microdroplets with air interfaces is provided, together with a critical examination of previous findings and hypotheses. The water radical cation/radical anion pair, formed spontaneously and responsible for the electric field at or near the droplet/air interface, is suggested to constitute the primary redox species. Mechanisms of accelerated microdroplet reactions are critically discussed and it is shown that hydroxyl radical/hydrogen peroxide formation in microdroplets does not require that these species be the primary oxidant. Instead, we suggest that hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide are the products of water radical cation decay in water. The importance of microdroplet chemistry in the prebiotic environment is sketched briefly and the role of partial solvation in reaction acceleration is noted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingqi Qiu
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, U.S
| | - R Graham Cooks
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, U.S
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13
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Chen X, Xia Y, Wu Y, Xu Y, Jia X, Zare RN, Wang F. Sprayed Oil-Water Microdroplets as a Hydrogen Source. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:10868-10874. [PMID: 38573037 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c01455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Liquid water provides the largest hydrogen reservoir on the earth's surface. Direct utilization of water as a source of hydrogen atoms and molecules is fundamental to the evolution of the ecosystem and industry. However, liquid water is an unfavorable electron donor for forming these hydrogen species owing to its redox inertness. We report oil-mediated electron extraction from water microdroplets, which is easily achieved by ultrasonically spraying an oil-water emulsion. Based on charge measurement and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, contact electrification between oil and a water microdroplet is demonstrated to be the origin of electron extraction from water molecules. This contact electrification results in enhanced charge separation and subsequent mutual neutralization, which enables a ∼13-fold increase of charge carriers in comparison with an ultrapure water spray, leading to a ∼16-fold increase of spray-sourced hydrogen that can hydrogenate CO2 to selectively produce CO. These findings emphasize the potential of charge separation enabled by spraying an emulsion of liquid water and a hydrophobic liquid in driving hydrogenation reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuke Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yu Xia
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Yingfeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, P. R. China
| | - Yunpeng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Xiuquan Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Richard N Zare
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Feng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
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14
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Chen H, Wang R, Chiba T, Foreman K, Bowen K, Zhang X. Designer "Quasi-Benzyne": The Spontaneous Reduction of Ortho-Diiodotetrafluorobenzene on Water Microdroplets. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:10979-10983. [PMID: 38586980 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
It has been widely shown that water microdroplets have a plethora of unique properties that are highly distinct from those of bulk water, among which an especially intriguing one is the strong reducing power as a result of the electrons spontaneously generated at the air-water interface. In this study, we take advantage of the reducing power of water microdroplets to reduce ortho-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (o-C6F4I2) into a C6F4I2•- radical anion. Photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory computations reveal that the excess electron in C6F4I2•- occupies the I-C1-C2-I linkage, which elongates the C-I bonds but surprisingly shortens the C1-C2 bond, making the bond order higher than a double bond, similar to the benzyne molecule, so we named it "quasi-benzyne". The C6F4I2•- anion was further successfully utilized in a Diels-Alder reaction, a typical reaction for benzyne. This study provides a good example of strategically utilizing the spontaneous properties of water microdroplets and generating an especially exotic anion, and we anticipate that microdroplet chemistry can be an avenue rich in opportunities for new catalyst-free organic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Chen
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin300071, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin300192, China
| | - Ruijing Wang
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin300071, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin300192, China
| | - Tatsuya Chiba
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Kathryn Foreman
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Kit Bowen
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Xinxing Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin300071, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin300192, China
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15
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Song Z, Zhu C, Gong K, Wang R, Zhang J, Zhao S, Li Z, Zhang X, Xie J. Deciphering the Microdroplet Acceleration Factors of Aza-Michael Addition Reactions. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:10963-10972. [PMID: 38567839 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Microdroplet chemistry is emerging as a great tool for accelerating reactions by several orders of magnitude. Several unique properties such as extreme pHs, interfacial electric fields (IEFs), and partial solvation have been reported to be responsible for the acceleration; however, which factor plays the key role remains elusive. Here, we performed quantum chemical calculations to explore the underlying mechanisms of an aza-Michael addition reaction between methylamine and acrylamide. We showed that the acceleration in methanol microdroplets results from the cumulative effects of several factors. The acidic surface of the microdroplet plays a dominating role, leading to a decrease of ∼9 kcal/mol in the activation barrier. We speculated that the dissociation of both methanol and trace water contributes to the surface acidity. An IEF of 0.1 V/Å can further decrease the barrier by ∼2 kcal/mol. Partial solvation has a negligible effect on lowering the activation barrier in microdroplets but can increase the collision frequency between reactants. With acidity revealed to be the major accelerating factor for methanol droplets, reactions on water microdroplets should have even higher rates because water is more acidic. Both theoretically and experimentally, we confirmed that water microdroplets significantly accelerate the aza-Michael reaction, achieving an acceleration factor that exceeds 107. This work elucidates the multifactorial influences on the microdroplet acceleration mechanism, and with such detailed mechanistic investigations, we anticipate that microdroplet chemistry will be an avenue rich in opportunities in the realm of green synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhexuan Song
- Key Laboratory of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic/Electrophotonic Conversion Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Chenghui Zhu
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Ke Gong
- Key Laboratory of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic/Electrophotonic Conversion Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ruijing Wang
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jianze Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Supin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic/Electrophotonic Conversion Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zesheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic/Electrophotonic Conversion Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xinxing Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Key Laboratory of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic/Electrophotonic Conversion Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
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16
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Song X, Yan H, Zhang Y, Zhou W, Li S, Zhang J, Ciampi S, Zhang L. Hydroxylation of the indium tin oxide electrode promoted by surface bubbles. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:4186-4189. [PMID: 38530669 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc00307a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Adherent bubbles at electrodes are generally treated as reaction penalties. Herein, in situ hydroxylation of indium tin oxide surfaces can be easily achieved by applying a constant potential of +1.0 V in the presence of bubbles. Its successful hydroxylation is further demonstrated by preparing a ferrocene-terminated film, which is confirmed by cyclic voltammetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Song
- Institute of Quantum and Sustainable Technology (IQST), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang City, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Hui Yan
- Institute of Quantum and Sustainable Technology (IQST), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang City, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Yuqiao Zhang
- Institute of Quantum and Sustainable Technology (IQST), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang City, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Weiqiang Zhou
- Institute of Quantum and Sustainable Technology (IQST), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang City, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Shun Li
- Institute of Quantum and Sustainable Technology (IQST), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang City, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jianming Zhang
- Institute of Quantum and Sustainable Technology (IQST), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang City, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Simone Ciampi
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
| | - Long Zhang
- Institute of Quantum and Sustainable Technology (IQST), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang City, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China.
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17
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Xia D, Zhang H, Ju Y, Xie HB, Su L, Ma F, Jiang J, Chen J, Francisco JS. Spontaneous Degradation of the "Forever Chemicals" Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) on Water Droplet Surfaces. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 38584396 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Because of their innate chemical stability, the ubiquitous perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been dubbed "forever chemicals" and have attracted considerable attention. However, their stability under environmental conditions has not been widely verified. Herein, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a widely used and detected PFAS, was found to be spontaneously degraded in aqueous microdroplets under room temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions. This unexpected fast degradation occurred via a unique multicycle redox reaction of PFOA with interfacial reactive species on the droplet surface. Similar degradation was observed for other PFASs. This study extends the current understanding of the environmental fate and chemistry of PFASs and provides insight into aid in the development of effective methods for removing PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deming Xia
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (MOE), Dalian Key Laboratory on Chemicals Risk Control and Pollution Prevention Technology, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6316, United States
| | - Hong Zhang
- School of Marin Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology at Weihai, Weihai, Shandong 264209, China
| | - Yun Ju
- School of Marin Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology at Weihai, Weihai, Shandong 264209, China
| | - Hong-Bin Xie
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (MOE), Dalian Key Laboratory on Chemicals Risk Control and Pollution Prevention Technology, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Lihao Su
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (MOE), Dalian Key Laboratory on Chemicals Risk Control and Pollution Prevention Technology, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Fangfang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (MOE), Dalian Key Laboratory on Chemicals Risk Control and Pollution Prevention Technology, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Jie Jiang
- School of Marin Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology at Weihai, Weihai, Shandong 264209, China
| | - Jingwen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (MOE), Dalian Key Laboratory on Chemicals Risk Control and Pollution Prevention Technology, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Joseph S Francisco
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6316, United States
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18
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Zhang R, Zhang Z, Chen X, Jiang J, Hua L, Jia X, Bao R, Wang F. Pyrogenic Carbon Degradation by Galvanic Coupling with Sprayed Seawater Microdroplets. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:8528-8535. [PMID: 38497738 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Surface waves are known for their mechanical role in coastal processes that influence the weather and climate. However, their chemical impact, particularly on the transformation of pyrogenic carbon, is poorly understood. Pyrogenic carbon is generally assumed to show negligible postformational alteration of its stable carbon isotope composition. Here we present an electrochemical interaction of pyrogenic carbon with the sprayed seawater microdroplets resulting from wave breaking, driven by the galvanic coupling between the microdroplet water-carbon interfaces and the microdroplet water-vapor interfaces. This enables refractory pyrogenic carbon to rapidly degrade via the oxygenation and mineralization reaction, which makes it ∼2.6‰ enriched in 13C, far exceeding the generally assumed postformation alteration values (<0.5‰) of pyrogenic carbon. The unique chemical dynamics of seawater microdroplets provide new insights into the discrepancy in carbon isotope signatures between riverine and marine black carbon, emphasizing the potential of coastal oceans for carbon sequestration in the global carbon cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruolan Zhang
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Zhenyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xuke Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jichun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Lei Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Xiuquan Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Rui Bao
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Lab of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, P. R. China
| | - Feng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
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19
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Angelaki M, Carreira Mendes Da Silva Y, Perrier S, George C. Quantification and Mechanistic Investigation of the Spontaneous H 2O 2 Generation at the Interfaces of Salt-Containing Aqueous Droplets. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:8327-8334. [PMID: 38488457 PMCID: PMC10979748 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c14040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
There is now much evidence that OH radicals and H2O2 are spontaneously generated at the air-water interface of atmospheric aerosols. Here, we investigated the effect of halide anions (Cl-, Br-, I-), which are abundant in marine aerosols, on this H2O2 production. Droplets were generated via nebulization of water solutions containing Na2SO4, NaCl, NaBr, and NaI containing solutions, and H2O2 was monitored as a function of the salt concentration under atmospheric relevant conditions. The interfacial OH radical formation was also investigated by adding terephthalic acid (TA) to our salt solutions, and the product of its reaction with OH, hydroxy terephthalic acid (TAOH), was monitored. Finally, a mechanistic investigation was performed to examine the reactions participating in H2O2 production, and their respective contributions were quantified. Our results showed that only Br- contributes to the interfacial H2O2 formation, promoting the production by acting as an electron donor, while Na2SO4 and NaCl stabilized the droplets by only reducing their evaporation. TAOH was observed in the collected droplets and, for the first time, directly in the particle phase by means of online fluorescence spectroscopy, confirming the interfacial OH production. A mechanistic study suggests that H2O2 is formed by both OH and HO2 self-recombination, as well as HO2 reaction with H atoms. This work is expected to enhance our understanding of interfacial processes and assess their impact on climate, air quality, and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Angelaki
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, IRCELYON, UMR 5256, F-69626, Villeurbanne, France
| | | | - Sébastien Perrier
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, IRCELYON, UMR 5256, F-69626, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Christian George
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, IRCELYON, UMR 5256, F-69626, Villeurbanne, France
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20
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Feng C, Zhang L. Microdroplet assisted hollow ZnCdS@PDA nanocages' synergistic confinement effect for promoting photocatalytic H 2O 2 production. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024; 11:1515-1527. [PMID: 38240069 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh01915b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Solar-driven photocatalytic H2O2 production is greatly impeded by the slow mass transfer and rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers for multiphase reactions. Polydopamine (PDA)-coated hollow ZnCdS (ZnCdS@PDA) octahedral cages with sulfur vacancies were constructed as micro-reactors to provide a delimited micro-environment for highly efficient paired H2O2 production through water oxidation coupled with oxygen reduction. At neutral pH, hollow ZnCdS@PDA cages exhibited a high H2O2 production yield of 45.5 mM g-1 h-1 without the assistance of sacrificial agents in bulk solution, which can be attributed to the distinguished space constraint in hollow nanocages and a surprisingly adjusted band structure. Compared to the bulk water system, H2O and O2 inside the hollow nanocage can form an ideal system for boosting such nanoconfined H2O or O2 molecules' adsorption/enrichment on the interior of the ZnCdS active sites. More importantly, the photocatalytic yield of H2O2 generation (H2O2 concentrations of 190-65.6 mM g-1 h-1) obtained in the abundant gas-liquid interface of microdroplets is dramatically higher than that obtained in an aqueous bulk environment under visible light conditions without using sacrificial agents. This enhancement can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the hollow ZnCdS@PDA nanocage reactor and the microdroplet confinement photocatalysis reaction. Particularly, the improved/confined enhancement of O2 availability and enhanced charge separation, along with high catalytic durability are the main reasons leading to significant H2O2 production due to an ultrahigh interfacial electric field and an extremely large specific surface area in microdroplets. In addition to producing a highly concentrated liquid of hydrogen peroxide during the microdroplet photoreaction, we also obtained white solid hydrogen peroxide powder with strong oxidizing properties reducing costs and increasing safety in storage and transportation. This study highlights that nano-liquid catalysis (using microdroplets) provides a very efficient pathway for accelerating semiconductor photocatalysis limited by gas diffusion in a liquid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Feng
- Lei Zhang, College of Chemistry, Liaoning University, 66 Chongshan Middle Road, Shenyang 110036, P. R. China.
| | - Lei Zhang
- Lei Zhang, College of Chemistry, Liaoning University, 66 Chongshan Middle Road, Shenyang 110036, P. R. China.
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21
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Wang W, Liu Y, Wang T, Ge Q, Li K, Liu J, You W, Wang L, Xie L, Fu H, Chen J, Zhang L. Significantly Accelerated Photosensitized Formation of Atmospheric Sulfate at the Air-Water Interface of Microdroplets. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:6580-6590. [PMID: 38427385 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The multiphase oxidation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to form sulfate is a complex and important process in the atmosphere. While the conventional photosensitized reaction mainly explored in the bulk medium is reported to be one of the drivers to trigger atmospheric sulfate production, how this scheme functionalizes at the air-water interface (AWI) of aerosol remains an open question. Herein, employing an advanced size-controllable microdroplet-printing device, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) analysis, nanosecond transient adsorption spectrometer, and molecular level theoretical calculations, we revealed the previously overlooked interfacial role in photosensitized oxidation of SO2 in humic-like substance (HULIS) aerosol, where a 3-4 orders of magnitude increase in sulfate formation rate was speculated in cloud and aerosol relevant-sized particles relative to the conventional bulk-phase medium. The rapid formation of a battery of reactive oxygen species (ROS) comes from the accelerated electron transfer process at the AWI, where the excited triplet state of HULIS (3HULIS*) of the incomplete solvent cage can readily capture electrons from HSO3- in a way that is more efficient than that in the bulk medium fully blocked by water molecules. This phenomenon could be explained by the significantly reduced desolvation energy barrier required for reagents residing in the AWI region with an open solvent shell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Yangyang Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Tao Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Qiuyue Ge
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Kejian Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Juan Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Wenbo You
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Longqian Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Lifang Xie
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Hongbo Fu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Jianmin Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Liwu Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, Peoples' Republic of China
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22
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Galembeck F, Santos LP, Burgo TAL, Galembeck A. The emerging chemistry of self-electrified water interfaces. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:2578-2602. [PMID: 38305696 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00763d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Water is known for dissipating electrostatic charges, but it is also a universal agent of matter electrification, creating charged domains in any material contacting or containing it. This new role of water was discovered during the current century. It is proven in a fast-growing number of publications reporting direct experimental measurements of excess charge and electric potential. It is indirectly verified by its success in explaining surprising phenomena in chemical synthesis, electric power generation, metastability, and phase transition kinetics. Additionally, electrification by water is opening the way for developing green technologies that are fully compatible with the environment and have great potential to contribute to sustainability. Electrification by water shows that polyphasic matter is a charge mosaic, converging with the Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars effect, which was discovered one century ago but is still often ignored. Electrified sites in a real system are niches showing various local electrochemical potentials for the charged species. Thus, the electrified mosaics display variable chemical reactivity and mass transfer patterns. Water contributes to interfacial electrification from its singular structural, electric, mixing, adsorption, and absorption properties. A long list of previously unexpected consequences of interfacial electrification includes: "on-water" reactions of chemicals dispersed in water that defy current chemical wisdom; reactions in electrified water microdroplets that do not occur in bulk water, transforming the droplets in microreactors; and lowered surface tension of water, modifying wetting, spreading, adhesion, cohesion, and other properties of matter. Asymmetric capacitors charged by moisture and water are now promising alternative equipment for simultaneously producing electric power and green hydrogen, requiring only ambient thermal energy. Changing surface tension by interfacial electrification also modifies phase-change kinetics, eliminating metastability that is the root of catastrophic electric discharges and destructive explosions. It also changes crystal habits, producing needles and dendrites that shorten battery life. These recent findings derive from a single factor, water's ability to electrify matter, touching on the most relevant aspects of chemistry. They create tremendous scientific opportunities to understand the matter better, and a new chemistry based on electrified interfaces is now emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Galembeck
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Campinas, Institute of Chemistry, 13083-872, Campinas, Brazil.
- Galembetech Consultores e Tecnologia, 13080-661, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Leandra P Santos
- Galembetech Consultores e Tecnologia, 13080-661, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Thiago A L Burgo
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), 15054-000, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Andre Galembeck
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-560, Recife, Brazil
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23
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Cassone G, Martelli F. Electrofreezing of liquid water at ambient conditions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1856. [PMID: 38424051 PMCID: PMC10904787 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46131-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Water is routinely exposed to external electric fields. Whether, for example, at physiological conditions, in contact with biological systems, or at the interface of polar surfaces in countless technological settings, water responds to fields on the order of a few V Å-1 in a manner that is under intense investigation. Dating back to the 19th century, the possibility of solidifying water upon applying electric fields - a process known as electrofreezing - is an alluring promise that has canalized major efforts since, with uncertain outcomes. Here, we perform long (up to 500 ps per field strength) ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of water at ambient conditions under external electric fields. We show that fields of 0.10 - 0.15 V Å-1 induce electrofreezing to a ferroelectric amorphous phase which we term f-GW (ferroelectric glassy water). The transition occurs after ~ 150 ps for a field of 0.15 V Å-1 and after ~ 200 ps for a field of 0.10 V Å-1 and is signaled by a structural and dynamic arrest and the suppression of the fluctuations of the hydrogen bond network. Our work reports evidence of electrofreezing of bulk liquid water at ambient conditions and therefore impacts several fields, from fundamental chemical physics to biology and catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cassone
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, National Research Council, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, Messina, 98158, Italy.
| | - Fausto Martelli
- IBM Research Europe, Keckwik Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD, UK.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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24
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Ben-Amotz D. Interfacial chemical reactivity enhancement. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:084704. [PMID: 38391019 DOI: 10.1063/5.0186945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Interfacial enhancements of chemical reaction equilibria and rates in liquid droplets are predicted using a combined theoretical and experimental analysis strategy. Self-consistent solutions of reaction and adsorption equilibria indicate that interfacial reactivity enhancement is driven primarily by the adsorption free energy of the product (or activated complex). Reactant surface activity has a smaller indirect influence on reactivity due to compensating reactant interfacial concentration and adsorption free energy changes, as well as adsorption-induced depletion of the droplet core. Experimental air-water interfacial adsorption free energies and critical micelle concentration correlations provide quantitative surface activity estimates as a function of molecular structure, predicting an increase in interfacial reactivity with increasing product size and decreasing product polarity, aromaticity, and charge (but less so for anions than cations). Reactions with small, neutral, or charged products are predicted to have little reactivity enhancement at an air-water interface unless the product is rendered sufficiently surface active by, for example, interactions with interfacial water dangling OH groups, charge transfer, or voltage fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dor Ben-Amotz
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
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25
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Eatoo MA, Mishra H. Busting the myth of spontaneous formation of H 2O 2 at the air-water interface: contributions of the liquid-solid interface and dissolved oxygen exposed. Chem Sci 2024; 15:3093-3103. [PMID: 38425539 PMCID: PMC10901496 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc06534k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent reports on the spontaneous formation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at the air-water and solid-water interfaces challenge our current understanding of aquatic chemistry and have ramifications on atmosphere chemistry models, surface science, and green chemistry. Suggested mechanisms underlying this chemical transformation include ultrahigh instantaneous electric fields at the air-water interface and the oxidation of water and reduction of the solid at the solid-water interface. Here, we revisit this curious problem with NMR spectroscopy (with an H2O2 detection limit ≥50 nM) and pay special attention to the effects of nebulizing gas, dissolved oxygen content, and the solid-water interface on this chemical transformation in condensed and sprayed water microdroplets. Experiments reveal that the reduction of dissolved oxygen at the solid-water interface predominantly contributes to the H2O2 formation (not the oxidation of hydroxyl ions at the air-water interface or the oxidation of water at the solid-water interface). We find that the H2O2 formation is accompanied by the consumption (i.e., reduction) of dissolved oxygen and the oxidation of the solid surface, i.e., in the absence of dissolved oxygen, the formation of H2O2(aq) is not observed within the detection limit of ≥50 nM. Remarkably, the tendency of the solids investigated in this work towards forming H2O2 in water followed the same order as their positions in the classic Galvanic series. These findings bust the prevailing myths surrounding H2O2 formation due to the air-water interface, the ultrahigh electric fields therein, or the micro-scale of droplets. The hitherto unrealized role of the oxidation of the solid surface due to dissolved oxygen in the formation of H2O2 is exposed. These findings are especially relevant to corrosion science, surface science, and electrochemistry, among others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muzzamil Ahmad Eatoo
- Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE) Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) 23955-6900 Thuwal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) 23955-6900 Thuwal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Himanshu Mishra
- Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE) Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) 23955-6900 Thuwal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) 23955-6900 Thuwal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Center for Desert Agriculture (CDA), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) 23955-6900 Thuwal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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26
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Liu J, Yang Z, Yan Z, Duan S, Chen X, Cui D, Cao D, Kuang T, Ma X, Wang W. Chemical Micromotors Move Faster at Oil-Water Interfaces. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:4221-4233. [PMID: 38305127 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c13743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Many real-world scenarios involve interfaces, particularly liquid-liquid interfaces, that can fundamentally alter the dynamics of colloids. This is poorly understood for chemically active colloids that release chemicals into their environment. We report here the surprising discovery that chemical micromotors─colloids that convert chemical fuels into self-propulsion─move significantly faster at an oil-water interface than on a glass substrate. Typical speed increases ranged from 3 to 6 times up to an order of magnitude and were observed for different types of chemical motors and interfaces made with different oils. Such speed increases are likely caused by faster chemical reactions at an oil-water interface than at a glass-water interface, but the exact mechanism remains unknown. Our results provide valuable insights into the complex interactions between chemical micromotors and their environments, which are important for applications in the human body or in the removal of organic pollutants from water. In addition, this study also suggests that chemical reactions occur faster at an oil-water interface and that micromotors can serve as a probe for such an effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhou Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zuyao Yan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shifang Duan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaowen Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Donghao Cui
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dezhou Cao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ting Kuang
- Education Center of Experiments and Innovations, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xing Ma
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
- Sauvage Laboratory for Smart Materials, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
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27
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Zhang S, Li D, Ge S, Wu C, Xu X, Liu X, Li R, Zhang F, Wang G. Elucidating the Mechanism on the Transition-Metal Ion-Synergetic-Catalyzed Oxidation of SO 2 with Implications for Sulfate Formation in Beijing Haze. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2912-2921. [PMID: 38252977 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Currently, atmospheric sulfate aerosols cannot be predicted reliably by numerical models because the pathways and kinetics of sulfate formation are unclear. Here, we systematically investigated the synergetic catalyzing role of transition-metal ions (TMIs, Fe3+/Mn2+) in the oxidation of SO2 by O2 on aerosols using chamber experiments. Our results showed that the synergetic effect of TMIs is critically dependent on aerosol pH due to the solubility of Fe(III) species sensitive to the aqueous phase acidity, which is effective only under pH < 3 conditions. The sulfate formation rate on aerosols is 2 orders of magnitude larger than that in bulk solution and increases significantly on smaller aerosols, suggesting that such a synergetic-catalyzed oxidation occurs on the aerosol surface. The kinetic reaction rate can be described as R = k*[H+]-2.95[Mn(II)][Fe(III)][S(IV)] (pH ≤ 3.0). We found that TMI-synergetic-catalyzed oxidation is the dominant pathway of sulfate formation in Beijing when haze particles are very acidic, while heterogeneous oxidation of SO2 by NO2 is the most important pathway when haze particles are weakly acidic. Our work for the first time clarified the role and kinetics of TMI-synergetic-catalyzed oxidation of SO2 by O2 in haze periods, which can be parameterized into models for future studies of sulfate formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Zhang
- Key Lab of Geographic Information Science of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- Institute of Eco-Chongming, 20 Cuiniao Rd., Chongming, Shanghai 202150, China
| | - Dapeng Li
- Key Lab of Geographic Information Science of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- Shanghai Energy Construction Group Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200434, China
| | | | - Can Wu
- Key Lab of Geographic Information Science of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- Institute of Eco-Chongming, 20 Cuiniao Rd., Chongming, Shanghai 202150, China
| | - Xinbei Xu
- Key Lab of Geographic Information Science of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xiaodi Liu
- Key Lab of Geographic Information Science of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Rui Li
- Key Lab of Geographic Information Science of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- Institute of Eco-Chongming, 20 Cuiniao Rd., Chongming, Shanghai 202150, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Key Lab of Geographic Information Science of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- Institute of Eco-Chongming, 20 Cuiniao Rd., Chongming, Shanghai 202150, China
| | - Gehui Wang
- Key Lab of Geographic Information Science of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- Institute of Eco-Chongming, 20 Cuiniao Rd., Chongming, Shanghai 202150, China
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28
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Martins-Costa MTC, Ruiz-López MF. Reactivity of Monoethanolamine at the Air-Water Interface and Implications for CO 2 Capture. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:1289-1297. [PMID: 38279927 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c06856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
The development of CO2-capture technologies is key to mitigating climate change due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. These cover a number of technologies designed to reduce the level of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere or to eliminate CO2 from ambient air. In this context, amine-based sorbents in aqueous solutions are broadly used in most advanced separation techniques currently implemented in industrial applications. It has been reported that the gas/liquid interface plays an important role in the early stages of the capture process, but how the interface influences the chemistry is still a matter of debate. With the help of first-principles molecular dynamics simulations, we show that monoethanolamine (MEA), a prototypical sorbent molecule, has a weak affinity for the air-water interface, where in addition it exhibits a lower nucleophilicity compared to bulk solution. The change in reactivity is due to the combination of structural and electronic factors, namely, the shift of the conformational equilibrium and the stabilization of the N-atom lone pair. Based on these results, strategies for improving the efficiency of alkanolamine sorbents are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilia T C Martins-Costa
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie Théoriques, UMR CNRS 7019, University of Lorraine, CNRS, BP 70239, 54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Manuel F Ruiz-López
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie Théoriques, UMR CNRS 7019, University of Lorraine, CNRS, BP 70239, 54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
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29
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Devlin SW, Bernal F, Riffe EJ, Wilson KR, Saykally RJ. Spiers Memorial Lecture: Water at interfaces. Faraday Discuss 2024; 249:9-37. [PMID: 37795954 DOI: 10.1039/d3fd00147d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
In this article we discuss current issues in the context of the four chosen subtopics for the meeting: dynamics and nano-rheology of interfacial water, electrified/charged aqueous interfaces, ice interfaces, and soft matter/water interfaces. We emphasize current advances in both theory and experiment, as well as important practical manifestations and areas of unresolved controversy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane W Devlin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Franky Bernal
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Erika J Riffe
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kevin R Wilson
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Richard J Saykally
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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30
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Zhao G, Li Y, Zhen W, Gao J, Gu Y, Hong B, Han X, Zhao S, Pera-Titus M. Enhanced Biphasic Reactions in Amphiphilic Silica Mesopores. THE JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. C, NANOMATERIALS AND INTERFACES 2024; 128:1644-1653. [PMID: 38322775 PMCID: PMC10839897 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.3c07477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effect of the pore volume and mesopore size of surface-active catalytic organosilicas on the genesis of particle-stabilized (Pickering) emulsions for the dodecanal/ethylene glycol system and their reactivity for the acid-catalyzed biphasic acetalization reaction. To this aim, we functionalized a series of fumed silica superparticles (size 100-300 nm) displaying an average mesopore size in the range of 11-14 nm and variable mesopore volume, with a similar surface density of octyl and propylsulfonic acid groups. The modified silica superparticles were characterized in detail using different techniques, including acid-base titration, thermogravimetric analysis, TEM, and dynamic light scattering. The pore volume of the particles impacts their self-assembly and coverage at the dodecanal/ethylene glycol (DA/EG) interface. This affects the stability and the average droplet size of emulsions and conditions of the available interfacial surface area for reaction. The maximum DA-EG productivity is observed for A200 super-SiNPs with a pore volume of 0.39 cm3·g-1 with an interfacial coverage by particles lower than 1 (i.e., submonolayer). Using dissipative particle dynamics and all-atom grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations, we unveil a stabilizing role of the pore volume of porous silica superparticles for generating emulsions and local micromixing of immiscible dodecanal and ethylene glycol, allowing fast and efficient solvent-free acetalization in the presence of Pickering emulsions. The micromixing level is interrelated to the adsorption energy of self-assembled particles at the DA/EG interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guolin Zhao
- Eco-Efficient
Products and Processes Laboratory (E2P2L), UMI 3464 CNRS − Solvay, 3966 Jin Du Road, Xin Zhuang Ind. Zone, Shanghai 201108, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yao Li
- Eco-Efficient
Products and Processes Laboratory (E2P2L), UMI 3464 CNRS − Solvay, 3966 Jin Du Road, Xin Zhuang Ind. Zone, Shanghai 201108, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wen Zhen
- School
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi
University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jie Gao
- Eco-Efficient
Products and Processes Laboratory (E2P2L), UMI 3464 CNRS − Solvay, 3966 Jin Du Road, Xin Zhuang Ind. Zone, Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Yunjiao Gu
- Eco-Efficient
Products and Processes Laboratory (E2P2L), UMI 3464 CNRS − Solvay, 3966 Jin Du Road, Xin Zhuang Ind. Zone, Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Bing Hong
- Eco-Efficient
Products and Processes Laboratory (E2P2L), UMI 3464 CNRS − Solvay, 3966 Jin Du Road, Xin Zhuang Ind. Zone, Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Xia Han
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shuangliang Zhao
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- School
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi
University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Marc Pera-Titus
- Eco-Efficient
Products and Processes Laboratory (E2P2L), UMI 3464 CNRS − Solvay, 3966 Jin Du Road, Xin Zhuang Ind. Zone, Shanghai 201108, China
- Cardiff
Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, U.K.
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31
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Zhou K, Su H, Gao J, Li H, Liu S, Yi X, Zhang Z, Wang W. Deciphering the Kinetics of Spontaneous Generation of H 2O 2 in Individual Water Microdroplets. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:2445-2451. [PMID: 38230586 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Spontaneous generation of H2O2 in sub-10 μm-sized water microdroplets has received increasing interest since its first discovery in 2019. On the other hand, due to the short lifetime of these microdroplets (rapid evaporation) and lack of suitable tools to real-time monitor the generation of H2O2 in individual microdroplets, such a seemingly thermodynamically unfavorable process has also raised vigorous debates on the origin of H2O2 and the underlying mechanism. Herein, we prepared water microdroplets with a long lifetime (>1 h) by virtue of microwell confinement and dynamically monitored the spontaneous generation of H2O2 in individual microdroplets via time-lapsed fluorescence imaging. It was unveiled that H2O2 was continuously generated in the as-prepared water microdroplets and an apparent equilibrium concentration of ∼3 μM of H2O2 in the presence of a H2O2-consuming reaction can be obtained. Through engineering the geometry of these microdroplets, we further revealed that the generation rates of H2O2 in individual microdroplets were positively proportional to their surface-to-volume ratios. This also allowed us to extract a maximal H2O2 generation rate of 7.7 nmol m-2 min-1 in the presence of a H2O2-consuming reaction and derive the corresponding probability of spontaneous conversion of interfacial H2O into H2O2 for the first time, that is, ∼1 of 65,000 water molecules in 1 s. These findings delivered strong evidence that the spontaneous generation of H2O2 indeed occurs at the surface of microdroplets and provided us with an important starting point to further enhance the yield of H2O2 in water microdroplets for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hua Su
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jia Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haoran Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shasha Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xuannuo Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhibing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of Ministry of Education (MOE), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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32
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Dong J, Chen J, Wang W, Wei Z, Tian ZQ, Fan FR. Charged Microdroplets as Microelectrochemical Cells for CO 2 Reduction and C-C Coupling. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:2227-2236. [PMID: 38224553 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c12586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Charged microdroplets offer novel electrochemical environments, distinct from traditional solid-liquid or solid-liquid-gas interfaces, due to the intense electric fields at liquid-gas interfaces. In this study, we propose that charged microdroplets serve as microelectrochemical cells (MECs), enabling unique electrochemical reactions at the gas-liquid interface. Using electrospray-generated microdroplets, we achieved multielectron CO2 reduction and C-C coupling to synthesize ethanol using molecular catalysts. These catalysts effectively harness and relay electrons, enhancing the longevity of solvated electrons and enabling multielectron reactions. Importantly, we revealed the intrinsic relationship between the size and charge density of a MEC and its reaction selectivity. Employing in situ mass spectrometry, we identified reaction intermediates (molecular catalyst adducts with HCOO) and oxidation products, elucidating the CO2 reduction mechanism and the comprehensive reaction procedure. Our research underscores the promising role of charged microdroplets in pioneering new electrochemical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Jianxiong Chen
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Wenxin Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zhenwei Wei
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zhong-Qun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Feng Ru Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
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33
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Skurski P, Simons J. Two potential paths for OH radical formation on surfaces of pure water microdroplets. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:034708. [PMID: 38235794 DOI: 10.1063/5.0188908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Experimental findings by others suggest that OH radicals are formed in unexpected abundance on or near surfaces of 1-50 µm microdroplets comprised of pure water, but the mechanism by which these radicals are generated is not yet fully resolved. In this work, we examine two possibilities using ab initio electronic structure methods: (1) electron transfer (ET) from a microdroplet surface-bound OH- anion to a nearby H3O+ cation and (2) proton transfer (PT) from such a H3O+ cation to a nearby OH- anion. Our findings suggest that both processes are possible but only if the droplet's underlying water molecules comprising the microdroplet provide little screening of the Coulomb interaction between the anion and cation once they reach ∼10 Å of one another. In the ET event, an OH radical is formed directly; for PT, the OH formation occurs because the new O-H bond formed by the transferred proton is created at a bond length sufficiently elongated to permit homolytic cleavage. Both the ET and PT pathways predict that H atoms will also be formed. Finally, we discuss the roles played by strong local electric fields in mechanisms that have previously been proposed and that occur in our two mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Skurski
- Henry Eyring Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Laboratory of Quantum Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Jack Simons
- Henry Eyring Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
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34
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Simons J. An environmental impact statement for molecular anions. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:1564-1586. [PMID: 38126406 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp04842j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
A molecular anion's (MA's) chemical reactivity and physical behavior can be quite different when it is surrounded by other molecules than when it exists in isolation. This sensitivity to the surrounding environment is especially high for anions because their outermost valence electrons are typically loosely bound and exist in rather spatially diffuse orbitals, allowing even weak intermolecular interactions arising from the environment to have strong effects. This Perspective offers illustrations of such sensitivity for a variety of cases including (i) the effect of solvation on electron binding energies, (ii) how some "well known" anions need to have solvent molecules around to even exist as stable species, (iii) how internal Coulomb repulsions within a multiply charged MA can provide temporary stability toward electron loss, (iv) how MAs arrange themselves spatially near liquid/vapor interfaces in manners that can produce unusual reactivity, (v) how nearby cationic sites can facilitate electron attachment to form a MA site elsewhere, (vi) how internal vibrational or rotational energy can make a MA detach an electron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Simons
- Henry Eyring Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
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35
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Qiu L, Cooks RG. Oxazolone mediated peptide chain extension and homochirality in aqueous microdroplets. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2309360120. [PMID: 38165938 PMCID: PMC10786291 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309360120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Peptide formation from amino acids is thermodynamically unfavorable but a recent study provided evidence that the reaction occurs at the air/solution interfaces of aqueous microdroplets. Here, we show that i) the suggested amino acid complex in microdroplets undergoes dehydration to form oxazolone; ii) addition of water to oxazolone forms the dipeptide; and iii) reaction of oxazolone with other amino acids forms tripeptides. Furthermore, the chirality of the reacting amino acids is preserved in the oxazolone product, and strong chiral selectivity is observed when converting the oxazolone to tripeptide. This last fact ensures that optically impure amino acids will undergo chain extension to generate pure homochiral peptides. Peptide formation in bulk by wet-dry cycling shares a common pathway with the microdroplet reaction, both involving the oxazolone intermediate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingqi Qiu
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN47907
| | - R. Graham Cooks
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN47907
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36
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Siddiqui SA, Stuyver T, Shaik S, Dubey KD. Designed Local Electric Fields-Promising Tools for Enzyme Engineering. JACS AU 2023; 3:3259-3269. [PMID: 38155642 PMCID: PMC10752214 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Designing efficient catalysts is one of the ultimate goals of chemists. In this Perspective, we discuss how local electric fields (LEFs) can be exploited to improve the catalytic performance of supramolecular catalysts, such as enzymes. More specifically, this Perspective starts by laying out the fundamentals of how local electric fields affect chemical reactivity and review the computational tools available to study electric fields in various settings. Subsequently, the advances made so far in optimizing enzymatic electric fields through targeted mutations are discussed critically and concisely. The Perspective ends with an outlook on some anticipated evolutions of the field in the near future. Among others, we offer some pointers on how the recent data science/machine learning revolution, engulfing all science disciplines, could potentially provide robust and principled tools to facilitate rapid inference of electric field effects, as well as the translation between optimal electrostatic environments and corresponding chemical modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakir Ali Siddiqui
- Molecular Simulation Lab, Department of Chemistry,
School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence,
Delhi NCR, India 201314
| | - Thijs Stuyver
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure de
Chimie de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health
Sciences, 75 005 Paris, France
| | - Sason Shaik
- Institute of Chemistry, Edmond J Safra Campus,
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram, Jerusalem,
9190400, Israel
| | - Kshatresh Dutta Dubey
- Molecular Simulation Lab, Department of Chemistry,
School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence,
Delhi NCR, India 201314
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37
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Song X, Basheer C, Zare RN. Water Microdroplets-Initiated Methane Oxidation. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:27198-27204. [PMID: 38054976 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
The special redox reactivity of water microdroplets causes "mild ignition" of methane gas to form methane oxygenates. The C(sp3)-H bond of methane can be activated by the hydroxyl radical (OH·) or the hydrogen radical (H·) across the air-water interface (AWI) of microdroplets to generate the methyl radical (CH3·). Once CH3· is formed, it undergoes free-radical reactions with O2 in the air, excessive OH· and H· across the AWI, and H2O2 present at the AWI and generated CH3· itself to produce methanol and other species. Production of the methanol and other oxygenates was confirmed by gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance. Formic acid, acetic acid, ethanol, carbon dioxide, and methyl peroxide were also detected as methane oxidation byproducts. This water microdroplet-initiated oxidation process can be further enhanced under ultrasonication to yield 2.66 ± 0.77 mM methanol conversion from the methane gas in a single spray run for 30 min, with a selectivity of 19.2% compared with all other oxygenated species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Song
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Chanbasha Basheer
- Chemistry Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Richard N Zare
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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38
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Li K, You W, Wang W, Gong K, Liu Y, Wang L, Ge Q, Ruan X, Ao J, Ji M, Zhang L. Significantly Accelerated Photochemical Perfluorooctanoic Acid Decomposition at the Air-Water Interface of Microdroplets. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:21448-21458. [PMID: 38047763 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The efficient elimination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from the environment remains a huge challenge and requires advanced technologies. Herein, we demonstrate that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) photochemical decomposition could be significantly accelerated by simply carrying out this process in microdroplets. The almost complete removal of 100 and 500 μg/L PFOA was observed after 20 min of irradiation in microdroplets, while this was achieved after about 2 h in the corresponding bulk phase counterpart. To better compare the defluorination ratio, 10 mg/L PFOA was used typically, and the defluorination rates in microdroplets were tens of times faster than that in the bulk phase reaction system. The high performances in actual water matrices, universality, and scale-up applicability were demonstrated as well. We revealed in-depth that the great acceleration is due to the abundance of the air-water interface in microdroplets, where the reactants concentration enrichment, ultrahigh interfacial electric field, and partial solvation effects synergistically promoted photoreactions responsible for PFOA decomposition, as evidenced by simulated Raman scattering microscopy imaging, vibrational Stark effect measurement, and DFT calculation. This study provides an effective approach and highlights the important roles of air-water interface of microdroplets in PFASs treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejian Li
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbo You
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Kedong Gong
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangyang Liu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Longqian Wang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuyue Ge
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejun Ruan
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianpeng Ao
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Minbiao Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Liwu Zhang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China
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39
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Song Z, Liang C, Gong K, Zhao S, Yuan X, Zhang X, Xie J. Harnessing the High Interfacial Electric Fields on Water Microdroplets to Accelerate Menshutkin Reactions. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:26003-26008. [PMID: 38011046 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Even though it is still an emerging field, the application of a high external electric field (EEF) as a green and efficient catalyst in synthetic chemistry has recently received significant attention for the ability to deliver remarkable control of reaction selectivity and acceleration of reaction rates. Here, we extend the application of the EEF to Menshutkin reactions by taking advantage of the spontaneous high electric field at the air-water interfaces of sprayed water microdroplets. Experimentally, a series of Menshutkin reactions were accelerated by 7 orders of magnitude. Theoretically, both density functional theory calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations predict that the reaction barrier decreases significantly in the presence of oriented external electric fields, thereby supporting the notion that the electric fields in the water droplets are responsible for the catalysis. In addition, the ordered solvent and reactant molecules oriented by the electric field alleviate the steric effect of solvents and increase the successful collision rates, thus facilitating faster nucleophilic attack. The success of Menshutkin reactions in this study showcases the great potential of microdroplet chemistry for green synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhexuan Song
- Key Laboratory of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic/Electrophotonic Conversion Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Chiyu Liang
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Ke Gong
- Key Laboratory of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic/Electrophotonic Conversion Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Supin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic/Electrophotonic Conversion Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xu Yuan
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Xinxing Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Key Laboratory of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic/Electrophotonic Conversion Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
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40
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Song X, Basheer C, Xia Y, Li J, Abdulazeez I, Al-Saadi AA, Mofidfar M, Suliman MA, Zare RN. One-step Formation of Urea from Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen Using Water Microdroplets. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:25910-25916. [PMID: 37966066 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Water (H2O) microdroplets are sprayed onto a graphite mesh covered with a CuBi2O4 coating using a 1:1 mixture of N2 and CO2 as the nebulizing gas. The resulting microdroplets contain urea [CO(NH2)2] as detected by both mass spectrometry and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. This gas-liquid-solid heterogeneous catalytic system synthesizes urea in one step on the 0.1 ms time scale. The conversion rate reaches 2.7 mmol g-1 h-1 at 25 °C and 12.3 mmol g-1 h-1 at 65 °C, with no external voltage applied. Water microdroplets serve as the hydrogen source and the electron transfer medium for N2 and CO2 in contact with CuBi2O4. Water-gas and water-solid contact electrification are speculated to drive the reaction process. This strategy couples N2 fixation and CO2 utilization in an ecofriendly process to produce urea, converting a greenhouse gas into a value-added product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Song
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Chanbasha Basheer
- Chemistry Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yu Xia
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Juan Li
- School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ismail Abdulazeez
- Chemistry Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz A Al-Saadi
- Chemistry Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Mofidfar
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Mohammed Altahir Suliman
- Chemistry Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Richard N Zare
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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41
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Lu SM, Vannoy KJ, Dick JE, Long YT. Multiphase Chemistry under Nanoconfinement: An Electrochemical Perspective. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:25043-25055. [PMID: 37934860 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Most relevant systems of interest to modern chemists rarely consist of a single phase. Real-world problems that require a rigorous understanding of chemical reactivity in multiple phases include the development of wearable and implantable biosensors, efficient fuel cells, single cell metabolic characterization techniques, and solar energy conversion devices. Within all of these systems, confinement effects at the nanoscale influence the chemical reaction coordinate. Thus, a fundamental understanding of the nanoconfinement effects of chemistry in multiphase environments is paramount. Electrochemistry is inherently a multiphase measurement tool reporting on a charged species traversing a phase boundary. Over the past 50 years, electrochemistry has witnessed astounding growth. Subpicoampere current measurements are routine, as is the study of single molecules and nanoparticles. This Perspective focuses on three nanoelectrochemical techniques to study multiphase chemistry under nanoconfinement: stochastic collision electrochemistry, single nanodroplet electrochemistry, and nanopore electrochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Min Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P.R. China
| | - Kathryn J Vannoy
- Department of Chemistry, Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jeffrey E Dick
- Department of Chemistry, Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Yi-Tao Long
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P.R. China
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42
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Li L, Wu Q, Xiang SK, Mu S, Zhao R, Xiao M, Long C, Zheng X, Cui C. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Tracks Condition-Sensitive Water Radical Cation. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:9183-9191. [PMID: 37800664 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Oxidizing species or radicals generated in water are of vital importance in catalysis, the environment, and biology. In addition to several related reactive oxygen species, using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), we present a nontrapping chemical transformation pathway to track water radical cation (H2O+•) species, whose formation is very sensitive to the conditioning environments, such as light irradiation, mechanical action, and gas/chemical introduction. We reveal that H2O+• can oxidize the 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) to the crucial epoxy hydroxylamine (HDMP=O) intermediate, which further reacts with the hydroxyl radical (•OH) for the formation of the EPR-active sextet radical (DMPO=O•). Interestingly, we uncover that H2O+• can react with dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP), 5-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (BMPO), and α-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) which contain a double-bond structure to produce corresponding derivatives as well. It is thus expected that both H2O+• and •OH are ubiquitous in nature and in various water-containing experimental systems. These findings provide a novel perspective on radicals for water redox chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Qianbao Wu
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Shi-Kai Xiang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610068, China
| | - Shijia Mu
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Ruijuan Zhao
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Mengjun Xiao
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Chang Long
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Xia Zheng
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Chunhua Cui
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
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43
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Devlin SW, Jamnuch S, Xu Q, Chen AA, Qian J, Pascal TA, Saykally RJ. Agglomeration Drives the Reversed Fractionation of Aqueous Carbonate and Bicarbonate at the Air-Water Interface. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:22384-22393. [PMID: 37774115 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c05093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
In the course of our investigations of the adsorption of ions to the air-water interface, we previously reported the surprising result that doubly charged carbonate anions exhibit a stronger surface affinity than singly charged bicarbonate anions. In contrast to monovalent, weakly hydrated anions, which generally show enhanced concentrations in the interfacial region, multivalent (and strongly hydrated) anions are expected to show a much weaker surface propensity. In the present work, we use resonantly enhanced deep-UV second-harmonic generation spectroscopy to measure the Gibbs free energy of adsorption of both carbonate (CO32-) and bicarbonate (HCO3-) anions to the air-water interface. Contrasting the predictions of classical electrostatic theory and in support of our previous findings from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we find that carbonate anions do indeed exhibit much stronger surface affinity than do the bicarbonate anions. Extensive computer simulations reveal that strong ion pairing of CO32- with the Na+ countercation in the interfacial region results in the formation of near-neutral agglomerate clusters, consistent with a theory of interfacial ion adsorption based on hydration free energy and capillary waves. Simulated X-ray photoelectron spectra predict a 1 eV shift in the carbonate spectra compared to that of bicarbonate, further confirming our experiments. These findings not only advance our fundamental understanding of ion adsorption chemistry but also impact important practical processes such as ocean acidification, sea-spray aerosol chemistry, and mammalian respiration physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane W Devlin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Sasawat Jamnuch
- ATLAS Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Nano Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92023, United States
| | - Qiang Xu
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Amanda A Chen
- ATLAS Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Nano Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92023, United States
| | - Jin Qian
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Tod A Pascal
- ATLAS Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Nano Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92023, United States
- Materials Science and Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92023, United States
- Sustainable Power and Energy Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92023, United States
| | - Richard J Saykally
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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44
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Li M, Boothby C, Continetti RE, Grassian VH. Size-Dependent Sigmoidal Reaction Kinetics for Pyruvic Acid Condensation at the Air-Water Interface in Aqueous Microdroplets. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:22317-22321. [PMID: 37787586 PMCID: PMC10591466 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The chemistry of pyruvic acid (PA) under thermal dark conditions is limited in bulk solutions, but in microdroplets it is shown to readily occur. Utilizing in situ micro-Raman spectroscopy as a probe, we investigated the chemistry of PA within aqueous microdroplets in a relative humidity- and temperature-controlled environmental cell. We found that PA undergoes a condensation reaction to yield mostly zymonic acid. Interestingly, the reaction follows a size-dependent sigmoidal kinetic profile, i.e., an induction period followed by reaction and then completion. The induction time is linearly proportional to the surface area (R2), and the maximum apparent reaction rate is proportional to the surface-to-volume ratio (1/R), showing that both the induction and reaction occur at the air-water interface. Furthermore, the droplet size is shown to be dynamic due to changes in droplet composition and re-equilibration with the relative humidity within the environmental cell as the reaction proceeds. Overall, the size-dependent sigmoidal kinetics, shown for the first time in microdroplets, demonstrates the complexity of the reaction mechanism and the importance of the air-water interface in the pyruvic acid condensation reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, University of California San
Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Christian Boothby
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, University of California San
Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Robert E. Continetti
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, University of California San
Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Vicki H. Grassian
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, University of California San
Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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45
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Guo Y, Li K, Perrier S, An T, Donaldson DJ, George C. Spontaneous Iodide Activation at the Air-Water Interface of Aqueous Droplets. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15580-15587. [PMID: 37804225 PMCID: PMC10586319 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
We present experimental evidence that atomic and molecular iodine, I and I2, are produced spontaneously in the dark at the air-water interface of iodide-containing droplets without any added catalysts, oxidants, or irradiation. Specifically, we observe I3- formation within droplets, and I2 emission into the gas phase from NaI-containing droplets over a range of droplet sizes. The formation of both products is enhanced in the presence of electron scavengers, either in the gas phase or in solution, and it clearly follows a Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism, suggesting an interfacial process. These observations are consistent with iodide oxidation at the interface, possibly initiated by the strong intrinsic electric field present there, followed by well-known solution-phase reactions of the iodine atom. This interfacial chemistry could be important in many contexts, including atmospheric aerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Guo
- Guangdong
Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control,
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure
and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute
of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Université
Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, IRCELYON, Villeurbanne F-69626, France
| | - Kangwei Li
- Université
Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, IRCELYON, Villeurbanne F-69626, France
- Department
of Environmental Sciences, University of
Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Sebastien Perrier
- Université
Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, IRCELYON, Villeurbanne F-69626, France
| | - Taicheng An
- Guangdong
Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control,
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure
and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute
of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - D. James Donaldson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Christian George
- Université
Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, IRCELYON, Villeurbanne F-69626, France
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46
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Zhu C, Pham LN, Yuan X, Ouyang H, Coote ML, Zhang X. High Electric Fields on Water Microdroplets Catalyze Spontaneous and Fast Reactions in Halogen-Bond Complexes. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:21207-21212. [PMID: 37724917 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The use of external electric fields as green and efficient catalysts in synthetic chemistry has recently received significant attention for their ability to deliver remarkable control of reaction selectivity and acceleration of reaction rates. Technically, methods of generating high electric fields in the range of 1-10 V/nm are limited, as in-vacuo techniques have obvious scalability issues. The spontaneous high fields at various interfaces promise to solve this problem. In this study, we take advantage of the spontaneous high electric field at the air-water interface of sprayed water microdroplets in the reactions of several halogen bond systems: Nu:--X-X, where Nu: is pyridine or quinuclidine and X is bromine or iodine. The field facilitates ultrafast electron transfer from Nu:, yielding a Nu-X covalent bond and causing the X-X bond to cleave. This reaction occurs in microseconds in microdroplets but takes days to weeks in bulk solution. Density functional theory calculations predict that the reaction becomes barrier-free in the presence of oriented external electric fields, supporting the notion that the electric fields in the water droplets are responsible for the catalysis. We anticipate that microdroplet chemistry will be an avenue rich in opportunities in the reactions facilitated by high electric fields and provides an alternative way to tackle the scalability problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghui Zhu
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Le Nhan Pham
- Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Xu Yuan
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Haoran Ouyang
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Michelle L Coote
- Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Xinxing Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
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47
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Mi D, Zhang Y, Yu Y, Qi P, Dong X, Li YC. Nitrogen Fixation by Benzene into Pyridine and Aniline in Water/Nitrogen Plasma. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2023; 34:2365-2373. [PMID: 37625159 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrated direct conversion of benzene into pyridine and aniline, assisted through exact mass measurements (m/z 80.0494, 93.0574, and 94.0651, respectively), through the interaction of benzene with water/nitrogen vapor plasma produced by corona discharge. Systematic analysis using a series of isotopic standards indicated that formation of pyridine and aniline occurred through the reaction between neutral benzene and reactive N+(OH2)2 in water/nitrogen plasma; exact mass measurements of products and intermediates supported this hypothesis. As the proportion of water vapor in plasma increased over time, the reaction proceeded from exclusive formation of protonated pyridine to formation of protonated aniline as the main product; theoretical simulations indicated that the presence of water vapor promoted proton migration to elicit formation of protonated aniline. The reactions we discovered suggest a new mechanism for direct nitrogen fixation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongbo Mi
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry and Instrumentation, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Yunpeng Zhang
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry and Instrumentation, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Yongpeng Yu
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry and Instrumentation, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Pengkun Qi
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry and Instrumentation, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Xiaofeng Dong
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry and Instrumentation, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Yan-Chun Li
- International Joint Research Laboratory of Nano-Micro Architecture Chemistry, Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
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Grooms AJ, Nordmann AN, Badu-Tawiah AK. Dual Tunability for Uncatalyzed N-Alkylation of Primary Amines Enabled by Plasma-Microdroplet Fusion. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023:e202311100. [PMID: 37770409 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202311100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
The fusion of non-thermal plasma with charged microdroplets facilitates catalyst-free N-alkylation for a variety of primary amines, without halide salt biproduct generation. Significant reaction enhancement (up to >200×) is observed over microdroplet reactions generated from electrospray. This enhancement for the plasma-microdroplet system is attributed to the combined effects of energetic collisions and the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS (e.g., O2 ⋅- ) act as a proton sink to increase abundance of free neutral amines in the charged microdroplet environment. The effect of ROS on N-alkylation is confirmed through three unique experiments: (i) utilization of radical scavenging reagent, (ii) characterization of internal energy distribution, and (iii) controls performed without plasma, which lacked reaction acceleration. Establishing plasma discharge in the wake of charged microdroplets as a green synthetic methodology overcomes two major challenges within conventional gas-phase plasma chemistry, including the lack of selectivity and product scale-up. Both limitations are overcome here, where dual tunability is achieved by controlling reagent concentration and residence time in the microdroplet environment, affording single or double N-alkylated products. Products are readily collected yielding milligram quantities in eight hours. These results showcase a novel synthetic strategy that represents a straightforward and sustainable C-N bond-forming process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Grooms
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH-43210, USA
| | - Anna N Nordmann
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH-43210, USA
| | - Abraham K Badu-Tawiah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH-43210, USA
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Pugini M, Credidio B, Walter I, Malerz S, Trinter F, Stemer D, Hergenhahn U, Meijer G, Wilkinson I, Winter B, Thürmer S. How to measure work functions from aqueous solutions. Chem Sci 2023; 14:9574-9588. [PMID: 37712029 PMCID: PMC10498509 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc01740k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent application of concepts from condensed-matter physics to photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) of volatile, liquid-phase systems has enabled the measurement of electronic energetics of liquids on an absolute scale. Particularly, vertical ionization energies, VIEs, of liquid water and aqueous solutions, both in the bulk and at associated interfaces, can now be accurately, precisely, and routinely determined. These IEs are referenced to the local vacuum level, which is the appropriate quantity for condensed matter with associated surfaces, including liquids. In this work, we connect this newly accessible energy level to another important surface property, namely, the solution work function, eΦliq. We lay out the prerequisites for and unique challenges of determining eΦ of aqueous solutions and liquids in general. We demonstrate - for a model aqueous solution with a tetra-n-butylammonium iodide (TBAI) surfactant solute - that concentration-dependent work functions, associated with the surface dipoles generated by the segregated interfacial layer of TBA+ and I- ions, can be accurately measured under controlled conditions. We detail the nature of surface potentials, uniquely tied to the nature of the flowing-liquid sample, which must be eliminated or quantified to enable such measurements. This allows us to refer aqueous-phase spectra to the Fermi level and to quantitatively assign surfactant-concentration-dependent spectral shifts to competing work function and electronic-structure effects, where the latter are typically associated with solute-solvent interactions in the bulk of the solution which determine, e.g., chemical reactivity. The present work describes the extension of liquid-jet PES to quantitatively access concentration-dependent surface descriptors that have so far been restricted to solid-phase measurements. Correspondingly, these studies mark the beginning of a new era in the characterization of the interfacial electronic structure of aqueous solutions and liquids more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Pugini
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Faradayweg 4-6 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Bruno Credidio
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Faradayweg 4-6 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Irina Walter
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Faradayweg 4-6 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Sebastian Malerz
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Faradayweg 4-6 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Florian Trinter
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Faradayweg 4-6 14195 Berlin Germany
- Institut für Kernphysik, Goethe-Universität Max-von-Laue-Straße 1 60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Dominik Stemer
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Faradayweg 4-6 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Uwe Hergenhahn
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Faradayweg 4-6 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Gerard Meijer
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Faradayweg 4-6 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Iain Wilkinson
- Institute for Electronic Structure Dynamics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1 14109 Berlin Germany
| | - Bernd Winter
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Faradayweg 4-6 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Stephan Thürmer
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo-Ku 606-8502 Kyoto Japan
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Shaik S, Danovich D, Zare RN. Valence Bond Theory Allows a Generalized Description of Hydrogen Bonding. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:20132-20140. [PMID: 37664980 PMCID: PMC10510329 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes the nature of the hydrogen bond (HB), B:---H-A, using valence bond theory (VBT). Our analysis shows that the most important HB interactions are polarization and charge transfer, and their corresponding sum displays a pattern that is identical for a variety of energy decomposition analysis (EDA) methods. Furthermore, the sum terms obtained with the different EDA methods correlate linearly with the corresponding VB quantities. The VBT analysis demonstrates that the total covalent-ionic resonance energy (RECS) of the HB portion (B---H in B:---H-A) correlates linearly with the dissociation energy of the HB, ΔEdiss. In principle, therefore, RECS(HB) can be determined by experiment. The VBT wavefunction reveals that the contributions of ionic structures to the HB increase the positive charge on the hydrogen of the corresponding external/free O-H bonds in, for example, the water dimer compared with a free water molecule. This increases the electric field of the external O-H bonds of water clusters and contributes to bringing about catalysis of reactions by water droplets and in water-hydrophobic interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sason Shaik
- Institute
of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - David Danovich
- Institute
of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Richard N. Zare
- Department
of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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