Sea Urchin-Like NiCo-LDH Hollow Spheres Anchored on 3D Graphene Aerogel for High-Performance Supercapacitors

To enhance the inherent poor conductivity and low cycling stability of dimetallic layered double hydroxides (LDHs) materials, designing a synergistic effect between EDLC capacitors and pseudocapacitors is an efficient strategy. In this paper, we utilized a solvothermal technique employing Co-glycerate as a precursor to prepare sea urchin-like NiCo-LDH hollow spheres anchored on a 3D graphene aerogel. The unique morphology of these hollow microspheres significantly expand the specific surface area and exposes more active sites, while reducing the volume changes of materials during long-term charging and discharging processes. The 3D graphene aerogel serves as a conductive skeleton, improving the material's electrical conductivity and buffering high current. The sea urchin-like NiCo-LDH hollow spheres anchored on 3D graphene aerogel (H-NiCo-LDH@GA) has a specific surface area of 51 m2 g-1 and the ID/IG value is 1.02. The H-NiCo-LDH@GA demonstrate a significant specific capacitance of 236.8 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1, with a remarkable capacity retention rate of 63.1 % even at 20 A g-1. Even after 8000 cycles at 10 A g-1, the capacity retention still remains at 96.3 %, presenting excellent cycling stability.

Decorated Au NPs on lignin coated magnetic nanoparticles: Investigation of its catalytic application in the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds and its performance against human lung cancer

In the recent years, bio-functionalized noble metal doped advanced magnetics nanocomposite materials has been materialized as potential featured catalysts in diverse applications. In this connection, we report herein a novel biogenic lignin driven Au nanoparticle supported Fe₃O₄ composite material. The procedure is free from any harsh reducing or stabilizing agent. Morphology and structural features were assessed following different physicochemical methodologies like FT-IR, FE-SEM, TEM, EDS, XRD, VSM and ICP-OES techniques. Thereafter, the [Fe₃O₄/Lignin/Au] material was successfully employed in the efficient reduction of different nitroarenes in aqueous medium. The process was monitored over UV-Vis spectroscopic study. Excellent yields were achieved with a range of diverse functionalized nitroarenes within 10-45 min of reaction. The nanocatalyst was recycled 10 times without any significant loss of catalytic activity. Distinctiveness of the material's activity was validated by comparing the results in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. Furthermore, the prepared [Fe₃O₄/Lignin/Au] nanocomposite system exhibited outstanding antioxidant and anticancer effects against five lung cancer cell lines, such as, BICR 3, BICR 78, CALU 1, ChaGo-K-1, and A549. Cytotoxicity assay was determined in terms of % cell viability following MTT protocol. The corresponding IC₅₀ values were obtained as 47, 31, 19, 25, and 31 μg/mL respectively.

Architecture engineering of nanostructured catalyst via layer-by-layer adornment of multiple nanocatalysts on silica nanorod arrays for hydrogenation of nitroarenes

Direct consideration for both, the catalytically active species and the host materials provides highly efficient strategies for the architecture design of nanostructured catalysts. The conventional wet chemical methods have limitations in achieving such unique layer-by-layer design possessing one body framework with many catalyst parts. Herein, an innovative physical method is presented that allows the well-regulated architecture design for an array of functional nanocatalysts as exemplified by layer-by-layer adornment of Pd nanoparticles (NPs) on the highly arrayed silica nanorods. This spatially confined catalyst exhibits excellent efficiency for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes and widely deployed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions; their facile separation from the reaction mixtures is easily accomplished due to the monolithic structure. The generality of this method for the introduction of other metal source has also been demonstrated with Au NPs. This pioneering effort highlights the feasibility of physically controlled architecture design of nanostructured catalysts which may stimulate further studies in the general domain of the heterogeneous catalytic transformations.

Bio-inspired synthesis of palladium nanoparticles fabricated magnetic Fe3O4 nanocomposite over Fritillaria imperialis flower extract as an efficient recyclable catalyst for the reduction of nitroarenes

This current research is based on a bio-inspired procedure for the synthesis of biomolecule functionalized hybrid magnetic nanocomposite with the Fe3O4 NPs at core and Pd NPs at outer shell. The central idea was the initial modification of magnetic NP by the phytochemicals from Fritillaria imperialis flower extract, which was further exploited in the green reduction of Pd2+ ions into Pd NPs, in situ. The flower extract also acted as a capping agent for the obtained Pd/Fe3O4 composite without the need of additional toxic reagents. The as-synthesized Fe3O4@Fritillaria/Pd nanocomposite was methodically characterized over different physicochemical measures like FT-IR, ICP-AES, FESEM, EDX, TEM, XPS and VSM analysis. Thereafter, its catalytic potential was evaluated in the reduction of various nitrobenzenes to arylamines applying hydrazine hydrate as reductant in ethanol/water (1:2) medium under mild conditions. Furthermore, the nanocatalyst was retrieved using a bar magnet and recycled several times without considerable leaching or loss of activity. This green, bio-inspired ligand-free protocol has remarkable advantages like environmental friendliness, high yields, easy workup and reusability of the catalyst.

Ultrasound assisted synthesis of Pd NPs decorated chitosan-starch functionalized Fe3O4 nanocomposite catalyst towards Suzuki-Miyaura coupling and reduction of 4-nitrophenol

In recent days the nanomagnetic biocomposites have been evolved as sustainable green catalysts. In that context, we are prompted to design and synthesize a novel Pd NP adorned chitosan-starch dual biopolymer encapsulated core-shell type magnetic nanocomposite (Fe₃O₄@CS-Starch/Pd) in an eco-friendly pathway applying ultrasound irradiations. The morphological and physicochemical features of the material were determined using several advanced techniques like FT-IR, FESEM, HRTEM, EDX, atomic mapping, VSM, XRD and ICP-OES. Catalytic efficiency of the material was investigated in the ultrasound assisted classical Suzuki-Miyaura coupling towards the synthesis of diverse range of biaryl derivatives and in the catalytic reduction of 4-Nitrophenol.In both the protocols the catalyst exhibited excellent performances. Sonication had a significant role in enhancing the catalytic performances in both the reactions as compared to conventional heating. Due to super-paramagnetism, the catalyst was easily magnetically isolable and reused in 11 cycles without considerable leaching and change in reactivity.

Pd(ii)-Based polyoxometalate polymers as highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts for Suzuki–Miyaura reactions

Five Pd(ii)/polyoxometalate catalysts with a unique atomic arrangement and high Pd loading were synthesized under solvothermal conditions, and their structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Boron nitride-palladium nanostructured catalyst: efficient reduction of nitrobenzene derivatives in water

Boron nitride (BN) supported palladium (Pd) nanostructured catalyst, as an alternative support for heterogeneous reduction of nitrobenzene derivatives, was prepared by a mild reduction of a Pd precursor in water. The structural characteristics and distribution of the synthesized Pd nanoparticles (NPs) on BN support were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy methods. The potential and efficiency of the BN supported Pd NPs as an active and stable nanostructured catalyst were verified in the reduction of nitroaromatics. Excellent yields of the corresponding aryl amines in water were obtained and due discussion were included about the catalytic activity of the synthesized catalyst. It was also indicated that the nanostructured catalyst can be recycled at least for six consecutive cycles in the reduction of nitrobenzene, without losing significant activity.

In situ decorated Au NPs on pectin-modified Fe3O4 NPs as a novel magnetic nanocomposite (Fe3O4/Pectin/Au) for catalytic reduction of nitroarenes and investigation of its anti-human lung cancer activities

In recent days, the green synthesized nanomagnetic biocomposites have been evolved with tremendous potential as the future catalysts. This has encouraged us to design and synthesis of a novel Au NPs immobilized pectin modified magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄/Pectin/Au). It was meticulously characterized using advanced analytical techniques like FT-IR, FESEM, TEM, EDX, XPS, VSM, XRD and ICP-OES. We investigated the chemical applications of the material in the catalytic reduction of nitroarenes using N₂H₄.H₂O as the reducing agent in the EtOH/H₂O solvent without any promoters or ligands. Due to strong paramagnetism, the catalyst was easily recovered and reused in 11 cycles without considerable leaching or loss in reactivity. The green protocol involves several advantages like mild conditions, easy workup, high yields, and reusability of the catalyst. Furthermore, the desired nanocomposite was employed in biological studies like anti-oxidant assay by DPPH radical scavenging test. Subsequently, on exhibiting a good IC₅₀ value in the DPPH assay, we extended the bio-application of the Fe₃O₄/Pectin/Au in the anticancer study of adenocarcinoma cells of human lungs using three cancer cell lines, PC-14, LC-2/ad and HLC-1 and a normal cell line HUVEC. The best result was accomplished in PC-14 cell lines with the lowest IC₅₀ values.

Iron Pyrite Nanocrystals: A Potential Catalyst for Selective Transfer Hydrogenation of Functionalized Nitroarenes

We report a solution-based synthetic method to produce shape-tunable iron pyrite (FeS2) nanocrystals using iron oxy-hydroxide (β-FeOOH) as a precursor and their application for selective reduction of functionalized nitroarenes to aniline derivatives with formic acid-triethylamine (HCOOH-Et3N) as a hydrogen donor system.

Thiol-Functionalized Ethylene Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica as an Efficient Scavenger for Palladium: Confirming the Homogeneous Character of the Suzuki Reaction

This work describes the synthesis of thiol-functionalized periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) prepared using the precursor 1-thiol-1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane, alone or mixed with 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane. The thiol groups incorporated into the structure were found to be efficient for palladium binding. This has allowed these materials to be used as catalysts in the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of bromobenzene and phenylboronic acid. Their performance has been compared to palladium-supported periodic mesoporous (organo)silicas and important differences have been observed between them. The use of different heterogeneity tests, such as hot filtration test and poisoning experiments, has provided a deep insight into the reaction mechanism and has confirmed that the reaction occurs in the homogeneous phase following a “release and catch” mechanism. Furthermore, the thiol-functionalized periodic mesoporous organosilica, synthesized using only 1-thiol-1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane as a precursor, has proven to be an efficient palladium scavenger.

Magnetic Chitosan-Supported Silver Nanoparticles: A Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol

Developing heterogeneous catalyst using chitosan (CS) and magnetic Fe3O4 as support has been remarkably attractive due to their availability, low cost and non-toxicity. In this work, a heterogeneous catalyst (denoted as Fe3O4@CS@MS@Ag) was fabricated by the deposition of silver nanoparticles on magnetic chitosan via an easy and facile modification of its surface with methyl salicylate (MS). The catalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, CS decorated Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@CS) has shown the catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in presence of NaBH4. Surface modified magnetic chitosan (Fe3O4@CS@MS) also acts as active catalyst towards the reduction of 4-NP. However, catalytic efficiency has increased fourfold when silver-nanoparticles-deposited magnetic chitosan (Fe3O4@CS@MS@Ag) used as our target catalyst. The catalyst was separated with external magnet after each cycle of catalytic reaction and reused effectively five times with almost 90% efficiency.

Palladium Nanocatalysts on Hydroxyapatite: Green Oxidation of Alcohols and Reduction of Nitroarenes in Water

A green procedure is described for supporting Pd nanoparticles on hydroxyapatite (HAP), which serves as a highly-stable heterogeneous catalyst displaying excellent activity for the aqueous expeditious reduction of nitroaromatics to the corresponding amines with sodium borohydride, and oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols by hydrogen peroxide with high yields and selectivities. The structural features of the prepared catalyst are confirmed by latest techniques including field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reusability of the heterogeneous catalyst was affirmed in the aqueous reduction of nitrobenzene and oxidation of cycloheptanol for six consecutive runs without significant loss of catalytic activity.

Facile synthesis of palladium nanoparticles immobilized on magnetic biodegradable microcapsules used as effective and recyclable catalyst in Suzuki-Miyaura reaction and p-nitrophenol reduction

This study reports (i) preparation and characterization of palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) stabilized on magnetically separable chitosan/agar microcapsules (Pd NPs@Fe₃O₄/CS-AG microcapsules) and (ii) investigation of catalytic behaviors of the prepared nanoparticles in Suzuki-Miyaura C-C cross-coupling reactions and reduction of p-nitrophenol (p-NP). Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental mapping, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) techniques were used for analyzing the Pd NPs@Fe₃O₄/CS-AG microcapsules. Characterization studies showed that Pd NPs@Fe₃O₄/CS-AG microcapsules were successfully synthesized and the size of the particles was in the range of 28-39 nm. Pd NPs@Fe₃O₄/CS-AG microcapsules displayed highly effective catalytic performance in the conversion of various aryl halides into the corresponding biaryl derivatives by Suzuki-Miyaura reaction under solvent-free conditions in 5 min. Pd NPs@Fe₃O₄/CS-AG microcapsules were also successfully employed in p-NP reduction to p-aminophenol (p-AP) in water at room temperature in 180 s. Moreover, reproducibility studies showed that Pd NPs@Fe₃O₄/CS-AG microcapsules were highly efficient and could be used many times in both catalytic reactions due to their magnetically separable nature. According to the results of this work, Pd NPs@Fe₃O₄/CS-AG microcapsules are highly efficient, economical, practical and environmentally superb catalysts for Suzuki-Miyaura reaction and p-NP reduction.

Development of Titanium Dioxide-Supported Pd Catalysts for Ligand-Free Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling of Aryl Chlorides

The catalyst activities of various heterogeneous palladium catalysts supported by anatase-, rutile- and brookite-type titanium oxide for ligand-free Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of aryl chlorides were evaluated. Palladium acetate [Pd(OAc)2], supported on anatase-type titanium oxide (TiO2) via acetonitrile solution impregnation process without reduction [Pd/TiO2 (anatase-type)], demonstrated the highest catalyst activity in comparison to those of other titanium oxide (rutile- or brookite-type) supported Pd(OAc)2 without reduction and reduced Pd/TiO2 (anatase-type) [Pd(red)/TiO2 (anatase-type)]. Various aryl chloride and bromide derivatives were smoothly coupled with arylboronic acids including heteroarylboronic acids in the presence of 5–10 mol% Pd/TiO2 (anatase-type) without the addition of any ligands. Although the fresh Pd/TiO2 (anatase-type) catalyst was surprisingly comprised of ca. 1:2 mixture of palladium(II) and palladium(0) species according to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), in spite of no reduction process, significant further increment of palladium(0) species was observed during the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction, and Pd/TiO2 (anatase-type) was converted into a catalyst, which contained palladium(0) species as the main component [ca. 1:5 mixture of palladium(II) and palladium(0) species]. Therefore, the reduction via the electron donation process to the palladium(II) species may have occurred during the reaction on anatase-type titanium oxide.

Mechanochemically Synthesized Supported Magnetic Fe-Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Efficient Vanillin Production

Magnetically separable nanocatalysts were synthesized by incorporating ironnanoparticles on a mesoporous aluminosilicate (Al-SBA-15) through a mechanochemical grindingpathway in a single step. Noticeably, magnetic features were achieved by employing biomass wasteas a carbon source, which additionally may confer high oxygen functionalities to the resultingmaterial. The resulting catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectronspectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, porosimetry, andmagnetic susceptibility. The magnetic nanocatalysts were tested in the selective oxidative cleavagereaction of isoeugenol and vanillyl alcohol to vanillin. As a result, the magnetic nanocatalystsdemonstrated high catalytic activity, chemical stability, and enormous separation/reusabilityqualities. The origin of catalytic properties and its relationship with the iron oxide precursor wereanalyzed in terms of the chemical, morphological, and structural properties of the samples. Suchanalysis allows, thus, to highlight the superficial concentration of the iron entities and the interactionwith Al as key factors to obtain a good catalytic response.

Copper oxide-graphene oxide nanocomposite: efficient catalyst for hydrogenation of nitroaromatics in water

A low-cost nanocomposite catalyst containing copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) on graphene oxide (GO) was fabricated by a facile hydrothermal self-assembly process. The segregated CuO NPs and GO exhibited negligible catalytic activities for the reduction of nitroaromatics. However, their hybrid composite accomplished facile reduction with high conversions for several substituted nitroaromatics in aqueous NaBH4 solution; synergetic coupling effect of CuO NPs with GO in the nanocomposite catalyst provided excellent catalytic activity. The nanocomposite catalyst could be separated from the reaction mixture and recycled consecutively.

Synthetic strategies and application of gold-based nanocatalysts for nitroaromatics reduction

With the increasing requirement of efficient organic transformations on the basic concept of Green Sustainable Chemistry, the development of highly efficient catalytic reaction system is greatly desired. In this case, gold (Au)-based nanocatalysts are promising candidates for catalytic reaction, especially for the reduction of nitroaromatics. They have attracted wide attention and well developed in the application of nitroaromatics reduction because of the unique properties compared with that of other conventional metal-based catalysts. With this respect, this review proposes recent trends in the application of Au nanocatalysts for efficient reduction process of nitroaromatics. Some typical approaches are compared and discussed to guide the synthesis of highly efficient Au nanocatalysts. The mechanism on the use of H₂ and NaBH₄ solution as the source of hydrogen is compared, and that proposed under light irradiation is discussed. The high and unique catalytic activity of some carriers, such as oxides and carbons-based materials, based on different sizes, structures, and shapes of supported Au nanocatalysts for nitroaromatics reduction are described. The catalytic performance of Au combining with other metal nanoparticles by alloy or doping, like multi-metal nanoparticles system, is further discussed. Finally, a short discussion is introduced to compare the catalysis with other metallic nanocatalysts.

Palladium Comprising Dicationic Bipyridinium Supported Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica (PMO): Pd@Bipy–PMO as an Efficient Hybrid Catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reaction in Water

In this study, we developed a novel catalysts consisting of periodic mesoporous organosilica functionalized with bipyridinium ionic liquid supported palladium. The physiochemical properties of the hybrid catalyst were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, small angle X–ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, nitrogen adsorption–desorption analyses, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The stabilized Pd species inside the mesochannels provided good catalytic efficiency for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions in water. The activity of the designed catalysts retained for several consecutive recycle runs. The stability, recoverability, and reusability of the designed heterogeneous catalyst were also studied under various reaction conditions.

Recent Advances in the Nanocatalysts-assisted NaBH4 Reduction of Nitroaromatics in water

In view of the increasing applications of nanocatalysis in chemical transformations, this article illustrates recent advances on the use of nanocatalysts for an important reduction reaction, the hydrogenation of nitroaromatics to significant aminoaromatics with aqueous NaBH₄ solution; the utility of mono- and multi-metal nanocatalysts with special emphasis on heterogeneous nanocatalysts are included. A progressive trend on the applicability of nanocatalysts is also incorporated with large scale application and their sustainable recyclization and reuse utilizing supported and magnetic nanocatalysts; representative methods for the synthesis of such reusable nanocatalysts are featured.

Green reusable Pd nanoparticles embedded in phytochemical resins for mild hydrogenations of nitroarenes

Reusable biosourced Pd NPs are prepared and used under environment-friendly conditions for mild and chemospecific hydrogenations of nitroarenes.

A capping agent dissolution method for the synthesis of metal nanosponges and their catalytic activity towards nitroarene reduction under mild conditions

We report a general strategy for the synthesis of metal nanosponges (M = Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, and Cu) using a capping agent dissolution method where addition of water to the M@BNHx nanocomposite affords the metal nanosponges. The B-H bond of the BNHx polymer gets hydrolysed upon addition of water and produces hydrogen gas bubbles which act as dynamic templates leading to the formation of nanosponges. The rate of B-H bond hydrolysis has a direct impact on the final nanostructure of the materials. The metal nanosponges were characterized using powder XRD, electron microscopy, XPS, and BET surface area analyzer techniques. The porous structure of these nanosponges offers a large number of accessible surface sites for catalytic reactions. The catalytic activity of these metal nanosponges has been demonstrated for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol where palladium exhibits the highest catalytic activity (k = 0.314 min-1). The catalytic activity of palladium nanosponge was verified for the tandem dehydrogenation of ammonia borane and the hydrogenation of nitroarenes to arylamines in methanol at room temperature. The reduction of various substituted nitroarenes was proven to be functional group tolerant except for a few halogenated nitroarenes (X = Br and I) and >99% conversion was noted within 30-60 min with high turnover frequencies (TOF) at low catalyst loading (0.1 mol%). The catalyst could be easily separated out from the reaction mixture via centrifugation and was recyclable over several cycles, retaining its porous structure.

Bubble-assisted fabrication of hollow CoMoO4 spheres for energy storage

Herein, gas bubbles generated in situ from precursors assist the rapid construction of hollow sycamore fruit-like CoMoO4 spheres (HSCSs). This bubble-assisted fabrication strategy is easy to operate, ultra-fast, low cost and post-treatment-free, showing great potential for the large-scale production of HSCSs. The growth mechanism of HSCSs is discussed to reveal the evolution process, which may be generalized to the construction of a series of hollow ternary Mo-based oxides. The obtained HSCSs exhibit a superior specific capacitance and outstanding cyclic stability when applied in supercapacitors.