Hybrid materials based on Pd nanoparticles on carbon nanostructures for environmentally benign C-C coupling chemistry

Leveraging experimental and computational tools for advancing carbon capture adsorbents research

CO2 emissions have been steadily increasing and have been a major contributor for climate change compelling nations to take decisive action fast. The average global temperature could reach 1.5 °C by 2035 which could cause a significant impact on the environment, if the emissions are left unchecked. Several strategies have been explored of which carbon capture is considered the most suitable for faster deployment. Among different carbon capture solutions, adsorption is considered both practical and sustainable for scale-up. But the development of adsorbents that can exhibit satisfactory performance is typically done through the experimental approach. This hit and trial method is costly and time consuming and often success is not guaranteed. Machine learning (ML) and other computational tools offer an alternate to this approach and is accessible to everyone. Often, the research towards materials focuses on maximizing its performance under simulated conditions. The aim of this study is to present a holistic view on progress in material research for carbon capture and the various tools available in this regard. Thus, in this review, we first present a context on the workflow for carbon capture material development before providing various machine learning and computational tools available to support researchers at each stage of the process. The most popular application of ML models is for predicting material performance and recommends that ML approaches can be utilized wherever possible so that experimentations can be focused on the later stages of the research and development.

Supramolecular Pd@methioine-EDTA-chitosan nanocomposite: an effective and recyclable bio-based and eco-friendly catalyst for the green Heck cross-coupling reaction under mild conditions

Supramolecular palladium(ii) supported on modified chitosan by dl-methionine using an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid linker (Pd@MET-EDTA-CS) was designed and prepared through a simple procedure. The structure of this novel supramolecular nanocomposite was characterized by different spectroscopic, microscopic and analytical techniques including FTIR, EDX, XRD, FESEM, TGA, DRS, TEM, AA, and BET. The obtained bio-based nanomaterial was successfully investigated, as a highly efficient and green heterogeneous catalyst, in the Heck cross-coupling reaction (HCR) for the synthesis of various valuable biologically active cinnamic acid ester derivatives from the corresponding aryl halides using several acrylates. Indeed, aryl halides containing I or Br survived very well under optimized conditions to afford the corresponding products compared to the substrates with Cl. The prepared Pd@MET-EDTA-CS nanocatalyst promoted the HCR in high to excellent yields and short reaction times with minimum Pd loading (0.0027 mol%) on its structure as well as without any leaching occurring during the process. The recovery of the catalyst was performed by simple filtration and the catalytic activity remained approximately constant after five runs for the model reaction.

Pd@l-asparagine-EDTA-chitosan: a highly effective and reusable bio-based and biodegradable catalyst for the Heck cross-coupling reaction under mild conditions

In this research, a novel supramolecular Pd(ii) catalyst supported on chitosan grafted by l-asparagine and an EDTA linker, named Pd@ASP-EDTA-CS, was prepared for the first time. The structure of the obtained multifunctional Pd@ASP-EDTA-CS nanocomposite was appropriately characterized by various spectroscopic, microscopic, and analytical techniques, including FTIR, EDX, XRD, FESEM, TGA, DRS, and BET. The Pd@ASP-EDTA-CS nanomaterial was successfully employed, as a heterogeneous catalytic system, in the Heck cross-coupling reaction (HCR) to afford various valuable biologically-active cinnamic acid derivatives in good to excellent yields. Different aryl halides containing I, Br and even Cl were used in HCR with various acrylates for the synthesis of corresponding cinnamic acid ester derivatives. The catalyst shows a variety of advantages including high catalytic activity, excellent thermal stability, easy recovery by simple filtration, more than five cycles of reusability with no significant decrease in its efficacy, biodegradability, and excellent results in the HCR using low-loaded Pd on the support. In addition, no leaching of Pd into the reaction medium and the final products was observed.

Noncovalent Assembly and Catalytic Activity of Hybrid Materials Based on Pd Complexes Adsorbed on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and Graphene Nanoplatelets

Green catalysts with excellent performance in Cu-free Sonogashira coupling reactions can be prepared by the supramolecular decoration of graphene surfaces with Pd(II) complexes. Here we report the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic properties of new catalysts obtained by the surface decoration of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphene (G), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPTs) with Pd(II) complexes of tetraaza-macrocyclic ligands bearing one or two anchor functionalities. The decoration of these carbon surfaces takes place under environmentally friendly conditions (water, room temperature, aerobic) in two steps: (i) π–π stacking attachment of the ligand via electron-poor anchor group 6-amino-3,4-dihydro-3-methyl-5-nitroso-4-oxo-pyrimidine and (ii) Pd(II) coordination from PdCl₄^2–. Ligands are more efficiently adsorbed on the flat surfaces of G and GNPTs than on the curved surfaces of MWCNTs. All catalysts work very efficiently under mild conditions (50 °C, aerobic, 7 h), giving a similar high yield (90% or greater) in the coupling of iodobenzene with phenylacetylene to form diphenylacetylene in one catalytic cycle, but catalysts based on G and GNPTs (especially on GNPTs) provide greater catalytic efficiency in reuse (four cycles). The study also revealed that the active centers of the ligand-Pd type decorating the support surfaces are much more efficient than the Pd(0) and PdCl₄^2– centers sharing the same surfaces. All of the results allow a better understanding of the structural factors to be controlled in order to obtain an optimal efficiency from similar catalysts based on graphene supports.

Green catalysts with high efficiency in the Cu-free Sonogashira C−C coupling reactions can be prepared by the supramolecular functionalization of carbon materials.

Photoinduced Palladium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Radical Cascade Cyclization of N-Arylacrylamides with Unactivated Alkyl Bromides

A mild visible-light-induced Pd-catalyzed intermolecular radical cascade reaction of N-arylacrylamides with unactivated alkyl bromides is disclosed. Photoexcited Pd complexes transfer a single electron in this protocol, and hybrid alkyl Pd-radical species are involved as the key reaction intermediates. Sophisticated bioactive oxindole derivatives bearing various substituents and substitution patterns can be efficiently afforded through this approach.

Immobilization of a Pd(ii)-containing N-heterocyclic carbene ligand on porous organic polymers: efficient and recyclable catalysts for Suzuki–Miyaura reactions

Two NHC–Pd(ii) complexes immobilized on porous organic polymers were successfully prepared via Scholl reactions and metallization. These complexes were applied in Suzuki–Miyaura reaction as heterogeneous catalysts with excellent yield and TON.

Deposition of Palladium Nanoparticles by the Coating of the Carbonaceous Layer from Wastepaper-Derived Bio-Oil

A highly active and recyclable Pd-deposited catalyst has been successfully prepared for the Heck reaction. Bio-oil liquid, a byproduct from the microwave pyrolysis of wastepaper, is employed to immobilize palladium nanoparticles on a solid support. FTIR, GC, and NMR results indicate the self-polymerization feature of bio-oil, thus giving rise to a uniform carbonaceous layer coated around the surface of the catalyst. Characteristic analysis of the catalyst indicates that palladium nanoparticles are well-dispersed on the parent SBA-15 solid substrate, which is attributed to the carbonaceous layer that is derived from bio-oil carbonization, allowing a high catalytic performance as a heterogeneous catalyst for the Heck reaction. The as-synthesized catalyst demonstrates remarkable recyclability with firm deposition of palladium nanoparticles on the solid support and could be reused without a dramatic decrease in catalytic activity.

Mechanochemical Preparation of Pd(II) and Pt(II) Composites with Carbonaceous Materials and Their Application in the Suzuki-Miyaura Reaction at Several Energy Inputs

Pd(II) and Pt(II) composites with activated carbon (AC), graphene oxide, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes were prepared by ball milling and used as catalysts for the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction, under several energy inputs (mechanical grinding, conventional heating, and microwave irradiation). The catalytic composites were characterized by ICP-MS, BET, XPS analyses, TEM, and SEM. The average particle size of the prepared composites was estimated to be in the range of 6–30 nm, while the loadings of Pd and Pt did not significantly affect the surface area of the AC support due to the tendency to agglomerate as observed by the TEM analysis. The Pd/AC composites exhibit high mechanochemical catalytic activity in cross-coupling of bromobenzene and phenylboronic acid with molar yields up to 80% with TON and TOF of 222 and 444 h⁻¹, respectively, achieved with Pd(4.7 wt%)-AC catalyst under the liquid assisted grinding for 0.5 h at ambient conditions, using cyclohexene as an additive.

Palladium catalyst immobilized on functionalized microporous organic polymers for C-C coupling reactions

Two microporous organic polymer immobilized palladium (MOP-Pd) catalysts were prepared from benzene and 1,10-phenanthroline by Scholl coupling reaction and Friedel-Crafts reaction, respectively. The structure and composition of the catalyst were characterized by FT-IR, TGA, N2 sorption, SEM, TEM, ICP-AES and XPS. MOP-Pd catalysts were found to possess high specific surface areas, large pore volume and low skeletal bone density. Moreover, the immobilized catalyst also had advantages, such as readily available raw materials, chemical and thermal stability, and low synthetic cost. The Pd catalyst is an effective heterogeneous catalyst for carbon-carbon (C-C) coupling reactions, such as the Heck reaction and Suzuki-Miyaura reaction, affording good to high yields. In these reactions, the catalyst was easily recovered and reused five times without significant activity loss.

A New Heterogeneous Catalyst Obtained via Supramolecular Decoration of Graphene with a Pd2+ Azamacrocyclic Complex

A new G-(H2L)-Pd heterogeneous catalyst has been prepared via a self-assembly process consisting in the spontaneous adsorption, in water at room temperature, of a macrocyclic H2L ligand on graphene (G) (G + H2L = G-(H2L)), followed by decoration of the macrocycle with Pd2+ ions (G-(H2L) + Pd2+ = G-(H2L)-Pd) under the same mild conditions. This supramolecular approach is a sustainable (green) procedure that preserves the special characteristics of graphene and furnishes an efficient catalyst for the Cu-free Sonogashira cross coupling reaction between iodobenzene and phenylacetylene. Indeed, G-(H2L)-Pd shows an excellent conversion (90%) of reactants into diphenylacetylene under mild conditions (50 °C, water, aerobic atmosphere, 14 h). The catalyst proved to be reusable for at least four cycles, although decreasing yields down to 50% were observed.

Applications of SBA-15 supported Pd metal catalysts as nanoreactors in C-C coupling reactions

Nanoreactors are material structures with engineered internal cavities which create exclusive confined nanoscale surroundings for chemical reactions. The cavities of mesoporous silica SBA-15 can be used as nanoreactors for incorporating catalytic species such as metal nanoparticles, complexes etc. Since SBA-15 silica has a neutral framework, organic functional groups and heteroatoms have been embedded by direct or post-synthesis approaches in order to modify their functionality. Palladium is the most used transition metal for C-C bond formations. Because of the great importance of C-C coupling reactions, this review article aims at providing a deep insight into the state of art in the field of the synthesis and the application of mesoporous SBA-15 silica-supported Pd catalysts in C-C coupling transformations. In most cases, synthesis and modification of the catalyst, time and yield of reactions, recyclability and leaching of the Pd species from the SBA-15 support are discussed to reveal the role of SBA-15 in C-C coupling reactions.

CuCl heterogenized on metformine-modified multi walled carbon nanotubes as a recyclable nanocatalyst for Ullmann-type C–O and C–N coupling reactions

Herein, a novel MWCNTs-Met/CuCl nanocatalyst synthesis method by metformine covalent grafting on the surface of carbon nanotubes and subsequent coordination with a CuCl catalyst is described.

Electroless plating of a Sn–Ni/graphite sheet composite with improved cyclability as an anode material for lithium ion batteries

A Sn–Ni/graphite sheet composite is synthesized by a simple electroless plating method as an anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The microstructure and electrochemical properties of the composite are characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and AC impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the as-prepared composite has Sn–Ni nanoparticles around 100 nm in size, where metallic Ni acts as an “anchor” to fix metallic Sn. The reunion phenomenon of Sn is alleviated by adding metallic Ni between the metallic Sn and graphite sheets. The Sn–Ni/graphite sheet electrode exhibits a good rate performance with a capability of 637.4, 586.3, 466.7, 371.5, 273.6, 165.3 and 97.3 mA h g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 and 10 A g⁻¹, respectively. The good electrical conductivity of Ni, high specific capacity of Sn and excellent cycling capability of the graphite sheets have a synergistic effect and are the main reasons behind the superior electrochemical performance. Furthermore, the as-prepared composite exhibits excellent lithium storage capacity and the reversible capacity increased as the cycle number increased.

A Sn–Ni/graphite sheet composite is synthesized by a simple electroless plating method as an anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs).

DNA-supported palladium nanoparticles as a reusable catalyst for the copper- and ligand-free Sonogashira reaction

Palladium nanoparticles on DNA have been shown to be an effective and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the copper- and ligand-free Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl iodides under mild conditions in air.

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Polyamidoamine Dendrimer Hybrids for Heterogeneous Catalysis

We report the synthesis and catalytic properties of single-walled carbon nanotube-polyamidoamine dendrimers hybrids (SWCNT-PAMAM), prepared via a convergent strategy. The direct reaction of cystamine-based PAMAM dendrimers (generations 2.5 and 3.0) with pristine SWCNTs in refluxing toluene, followed by immobilization and reduction of [PdCl4](2-), led to the formation of highly dispersed small palladium nanoparticles homogeneously confined throughout the nanotube length. One of these functional materials proved to be an efficient catalyst in Suzuki and Heck reactions, able to promote the above processes down to 0.002 mol % showing a turnover number (TON) of 48 000 and a turnover frequency (TOF) of 566 000 h(-1). In addition, the hybrid material could be recovered and recycled for up to 6 times. No leaching of the metal has been detected during the Suzuki coupling. Additional experiments carried out on the spent catalyst permitted to suggest that a "release and catch" mechanism is operative in both reactions, although during Heck reaction small catalytically active soluble Pd species are also present.

Silver nanoparticles confined in carbon nanotubes: on the understanding of the confinement effect and promotional catalysis for the selective hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate

A confined Ag nanomaterial in the channels of herringbone multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Ag-in/hCNT) was effectively prepared. The space restriction induces morphological changes of Ag nanoparticles into rough nanowires with an estimated aspect ratio of 60 : 8 (nm/nm). Dihydrogen activation is enhanced through the vacancy-enriched wire-like Ag nanocatalyst, as well as the confinement effect. The grain boundaries of Ag and rolled-up graphene layers of CNTs are speculated to play vital roles in the diffusion of activated hydrogen species. The Ag-in/hCNT catalyst exhibits an activity that is three times higher than that of Ag nanoparticles located on the CNT exterior walls in DMO hydrogenation. This finding may insinuate that interplanar spaces provide available access to the external surface of CNTs. Designed experiments further confirm the importance of herringbone CNTs with higher reaction rate than parallel CNTs, and confined Ag produces considerably more activated hydrogen species, thereby benefiting the reduction of surface copper nanoparticles or DMO molecules during hydrogenation. This paper presents a study of the effective utilization of hydrogen over herringbone CNT confined Ag and an understanding of the confinement and promotional catalytic effects.

Carboxyl-containing microporous organic nanotube networks as a platform for Pd catalysts

A novel method that enables carboxyl-containing microporous organic nanotube networks as a Pd catalyst support (Pd@MONNs) with high activity and stability for the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction is reported for the first time.

Multifunctional carbon nanomaterial hybrids for magnetic manipulation and targeting

Nanosized materials and multifunctional nanoscale platforms have attracted in the last years considerable interest in a variety of different fields including biomedicine. Carbon nanotubes and graphene are some of the most widely used carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) due to their unique morphology and structure and their characteristic physicochemical properties. Their high surface area allows efficient drug loading and bioconjugation and makes them the ideal platforms for decoration with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). In the biomedical area, MNPs are of particular importance due to their broad range of potential applications in drug delivery, non-invasive tumor imaging and early detection based on their optical and magnetic properties. The remarkable characteristics of CNMs and MNPs can be combined leading to CNM/MNP hybrids which offer numerous promising, desirable and strikingly advantageous properties for improved performance in comparison to the use of either material alone. In this minireview, we attempt to comprehensively report the most recent advances made with CNMs conjugated to different types of MNPs for magnetic targeting, magnetic manipulation, capture and separation of cells towards development of magnetic carbon-based devices.

Carbon nanomaterials combined with metal nanoparticles for theranostic applications

Among targeted delivery systems, platforms with nanosize dimensions, such as carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) and metal nanoparticles (NPs), have shown great potential in biomedical applications. They have received considerable interest in recent years, especially with respect to their potential utilization in the field of cancer diagnosis and therapy. The many functions of nanomaterials provide opportunities to use them as multimodal agents for theranostics, a combination of therapy and diagnosis. Carbon nanotubes and graphene are some of the most widely used CNMs because of their unique structural and physicochemical properties. Their high specific surface area allows for efficient drug loading and the possibility of functionalization with various bioactive molecules. In addition, CNMs are ideal platforms for the attachment of NPs. In the biomedical field, NPs have also shown tremendous potential for use in drug delivery, non-invasive tumour imaging and early detection due to their optical and magnetic properties. NP/CNM hybrids not only combine the unique properties of the NPs and CNMs but they also exhibit new properties arising from interactions between the two entities. In this review, the preparation of CNMs conjugated to different types of metal NPs and their applications in diagnosis, imaging, therapy and theranostics are presented.

Room temperature Suzuki coupling of aryl iodides, bromides, and chlorides using a heterogeneous carbon nanotube-palladium nanohybrid catalyst

Palladium nanoparticles were immobilized on multi-walled carbon nanotubes by a layer-by-layer approach, resulting in a well-defined assembly that was used as a heterogenous catalyst in Suzuki couplings.

Palladium nanoparticles supported on modified single-walled carbon nanotubes: a heterogeneous and reusable catalyst in the Ullmann-type N-arylation of imidazoles and indoles

Application of SWCNT-Met/Pd as an efficient and heterogeneous catalyst in the Ullmann coupling of imidazoles and indoles with aryl iodides.

A novel strategy to synthesize hierarchical, porous carbohydrate-derived carbon with tunable properties

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of carbohydrate is an interesting candidate for the preparation of carbon materials, as it provides an easy, inexpensive and environmental friendly route. However, it is difficult to prepare porous carbon materials by a straight HTC process. Herein, the solubilising technology of micelles was introduced to direct the HTC of fructose by using an amphiphilic block copolymer, poly-(4-vinylpyridine)-block-poly-(ethylene glycol) (P4VP-PEG), as a structure-directing agent. By this strategy, hierarchical porous carbon materials with tunable properties were prepared. It was found that P4VP-PEG micelles could solubilize fructose and confine the formation of primary carbon domains during a sol-gel process. And the micelle size could be adjusted easily by changing the preparation conditions. Accordingly, the particle size of the obtained carbon materials was effectively tuned from 20 to 100 nm by the direction of the primary micelle size. After calcination, the hierarchical porous carbon materials were evidenced as effective electrode materials for supercapacitor with a capacitance of ∼197 F at 1 A g(-1), which was almost four times higher than the carbon materials prepared by a straight HTC process.

A core-shell-satellite structured Fe3O4@MS-NH2@Pd nanocomposite: a magnetically recyclable multifunctional catalyst for one-pot multistep cascade reaction sequences

A hierarchical core-shell-satellite structured composite system Fe3O4@MS-NH2@Pd, which was composed of Pd nanoparticles well-dispersed on an amino group functionalized mesoporous silica (MS-NH2) nanosphere, and superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles scattered inside the silica sphere, was prepared by using a facile procedure. The composite combined the catalytic properties of amino groups and Pd nanoparticles with superparamagnetic properties of magnetite into a single platform. This integrated nanosystem acted as an efficient magnetically recyclable noble metal-base multifunctional nanocatalyst and showed excellent catalytic activity, selectivity and stability for the direct synthesis of α-alkylated nitriles under mild conditions through facile one-pot multistep cascade reaction sequences.