Glycerol Role in Nano Oxides Synthesis and Catalysis

The transformation of biomass and the utilization of all the by products derived from chemical conversion of biomass resources is one of the most important challenges nowadays. The impact in society and the level of awareness that already exists inside and outside the scientific community, makes the challenge of improving conversion of biomass to commodities a hot topic. Glycerol, a by-product obtained from the biodiesel production, is a key player compound due to its chemical versatility. The possibility of being used as solvent, reagent, reducing agent (in the polyol method), and so forth, makes glycerol an extremely appealing commodity. When used within nanotechnology, namely combined with nanomaterials, its potential becomes even higher. This review summarizes the work developed by the scientific community, during the last five years, in the use of glycerol with nano oxides. The analysis goes from the simple role of solvent to the oxidation of glycerol by nano oxides.

Shape-controlled Pt nanocubes directly grown on carbon supports and their electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation

Synthesis of shape-controlled Pt nanocrystals is substantial and important for enhancing chemical and electrochemical reactions. However, the removal of capping agents, shape-controlling chemicals, on Pt surfaces is essential prior to conducting the catalytic reactions. Here we report a facile one-pot synthesis of Pt nanocubes directly grown on carbon supports (Pt nanocubes/C) with modulating the kinetic reaction factors for shaping the nanocrystals, but without adding any capping agents for preserving the clean Pt surfaces. Well-dispersed Pt nanocubes/C shows enhanced activity and long-term stability toward methanol oxidation reaction compared to the commercial Pt/C catalyst.