Ni, Co-Embedded MOF-Derived N-Doped Bimetallic Porous Carbon for Adsorption-Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes and Antibiotics

An efficient protocol for photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and antibiotics has been successfully established via MOF-derived (MOF = metal-organic framework) Ni, Co-embedded N-doped bimetallic porous carbon nanocomposites (NiCo/NC). Such a NiCo/NC nanocomposite features well-distributed structures, suitable specific surface areas, and more active sites determined by various characterization analyses. The catalyst exhibits higher photocatalytic performance and stability toward the liquid-phase degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation for 60 min, after the adsorption-desorption equilibrium and the thorough degradation into H2O and CO2. Radical quenching experiments further confirmed the dominant effect of electron holes h+ and superoxide radical anions ·O2- for the MB photodegradation process. NiCo/NC was also appropriate for the degradation of Rhodamine B, methyl orange, tetracycline hydrochloride, and norfloxacin. Moreover, NiCo/NC is robust, and its photocatalytic activity is basically maintained after 8 cycles. This work is expected to provide additional information for the design of MOF-derived carbon material with more excellent properties and lay the foundation for further industrial applications.

Construction of Self-Assembly Based Tunable Absorber: Lightweight, Hydrophobic and Self-Cleaning Properties

Although multifunctional aerogels are expected to be used in applications such as portable electronic devices, it is still a great challenge to confer multifunctionality to aerogels while maintaining their inherent microstructure. Herein, a simple method is proposed to prepare multifunctional NiCo/C aerogels with excellent electromagnetic wave absorption properties, superhydrophobicity, and self-cleaning by water-induced NiCo-MOF self-assembly. Specifically, the impedance matching of the three-dimensional (3D) structure and the interfacial polarization provided by CoNi/C as well as the defect-induced dipole polarization are the primary contributors to the broadband absorption. As a result, the prepared NiCo/C aerogels have a broadband width of 6.22 GHz at 1.9 mm. Due to the presence of hydrophobic functional groups, CoNi/C aerogels improve the stability in humid environments and obtain hydrophobicity with large contact angles > 140°. This multifunctional aerogel has promising applications in electromagnetic wave absorption, resistance to water or humid environments.

Vein-Like Ni-BTC@Ni3S4 with Sulfur Vacancy and Ni3+ Fabricated In Situ Etching Vulcanization Strategy for an Electrochemical Sensor of Dopamine

In this study, a novel Ni-BTC@Ni₃S₄ composite was fabricated by solvothermal reaction using an in situ etching vulcanization strategy and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses. The existence of a sulfur vacancy and Ni³⁺ in the as-prepared vein-like Ni-BTC@Ni₃S₄ greatly promoted the electrochemical sensing activity of the materials. Herein, a simple electrochemical sensor (Ni-BTC@Ni₃S₄/CPE) has been fabricated and used for the detection of dopamine (DA). The current signal of the Ni-BTC@Ni₃S₄/CPE-modified electrode was linear with the concentration of DA in the range of 0.05-750 μM (R² = 0.9995) with a sensitivity of 560.27 μA·mM^-1·cm^-2 and a detection limit of 0.016 μM. At the same time, the sensor has good stability and anti-interference ability. This study could provide a new idea and strategy for the structural regulation of composite electrode-modified materials and sensitive sensing detection of small biological molecules.

Reticular Coordination Induced Interfacial Interstitial Carbon Atoms on Ni Nanocatalysts for Highly Selective Hydrogenation of Bio-Based Furfural under Facile Conditions

A rational design of transition metal catalysts to achieve selective hydrogenation of furfural (FFR) to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) under facile conditions is a promising option. In this work, a series of Ni catalysts were synthesized by controlled thermal treatment of Ni-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with the purpose of modulating the interface of nickel nanoparticles by the reticular coordination in MOF precursors. The catalytic performance indicates that Ni/C catalyst obtained at 400 °C exhibits efficient conversion of FFR (>99%) and high selectivity to THFA (96.1%), under facile conditions (80 °C, 3 MPa H2, 4.0 h). The decomposition of MOF at low temperatures results in highly dispersed Ni0 particles and interfacial charge transfer from metal to interstitial carbon atoms induced by coordination in MOF. The electron-deficient Ni species on the Ni surface results in an electropositive surface of Ni nanoparticles in Ni/C-400, which ameliorates furfural adsorption and enhances the hydrogen heterolysis process, finally achieving facile hydrogenation of FFR to THFA.

Spillover Hydrogen on Electron-Rich Ni/m-TiO2 for Hydrogenation of Furfural to Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol

Conversion of biomass-derived furfural (FFA) platform molecule to value-added tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) molecule is a sustainable route using an efficient non-noble metallic catalyst in water solvent. In this work, Ni in various loadings on mesoporous titanium dioxide (m-TiO2) was synthesized in one pot by Evaporation-Induced Self-Assembly (EISA). The synthesised catalysts were evaluated for the hydrogenation of furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. The catalysts were characterised using a combination of spectroscopic techniques such as XRD, H2-TPR, H2-TPD, XPS, SEM-EDX, TEM, and HR-TEM. The characterization results show that the Ni/m-TiO2 materials exhibit enhanced electron-rich active sites, facilitated hydrogen spillover, uniform dispersion of small Ni particles (~5 nm), and strong metal support interaction between Ni and TiO2. Among the various Ni dopings, 7.5 wt.% Ni/m-TiO2 catalyst exhibited the best performance and achieved 99.9% FFA conversion and 93.2% THFA selectivity in water solvent at 100 °C and under 2 MPa H2. Additionally, detailed kinetic studies, process parameters, the stability and reusability of the catalyst were also studied. The results demonstrated that the 7.5 wt.% Ni/m-TiO2 catalyst is highly active and stable.

Ambient-Temperature Reductive Amination of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Over Al2 O3 -Supported Carbon-Doped Nickel Catalyst

An efficient catalytic system for the conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into N-containing compounds over low-cost non-noble-metal catalysts is preferable, but it is challenging to reach high conversion and selectivity under mild conditions. Herein, an Al₂ O₃ -supported carbon-doped Ni catalyst was obtained via the direct pyrolysis-reduction of a mixture of Ni₃ (BTC)₂  ⋅ 12H₂ O and Al₂ O₃ , generating stable Ni⁰ species due to the presence of carbon residue. A high yield of 96 % was observed in the reductive amination of HMF into 5-hydroxymethyl furfurylamine (HMFA) with ammonia and hydrogen at ambient temperature. The catalyst was recyclable and could be applied to the ambient-temperature synthesis of HMF-based secondary/tertiary amines and other biomass-derived amines from the carbonyl compounds. The significant performance was attributable to the synergistic effect of Ni⁰ species and acidic property of the support Al₂ O₃ , which promoted the selective ammonolysis of the imine intermediate while inhibiting the potential side reaction of over-hydrogenation.

Boron nitride nanosheets supported highly homogeneous bimetallic AuPd alloy nanoparticles catalyst for hydrogen production from formic acid

Formic acid (FA) has been recently regarded as a safe and stable source of hydrogen (H₂). Selective and efficient dehydrogenation of FA by an effective catalyst under mild conditions is still a challenge. So, different molar ratios of bimetallic Pd-Au alloy nanoparticles were effectively stabilized and uniformly distributed on boron nitride nanosheets (BNSSs) surface via the precipitation process. Obtained catalysts were employed in FA decomposition for H₂production. Pd-Au@BNNS containing 3% Au and 5% Pd (Au_.03Pd_.05@BNNS) exhibited high activity and 100% H₂selectivity for H₂production from FA at 50 °C. In order to optimize the reaction conditions, various factors including, time, temperature, solvent, base type, and amount of catalyst, were examined.

Exploring the Zn-regulated function in Co–Zn catalysts for efficient hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone

A series of CoZn catalysts supported on N-doped porous carbon (CoxZny@NPC-T) prepared at different calcination temperatures are studied for catalytic hydrogenation of biomass-based ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone, in which Zn is introduced as a regulator.

A New Class of Carbon Nanostructures for High-Performance Electro-Magnetic and -Chemical Barriers

It is of importance to explore a new carbon nanomaterial possessing vital functions to fulfill the high standards for practical achievement of the electromagnetic (EM) barrier for blocking EM waves and the electrochemical (EC) barrier as a functional separator for EC energy storage. Herein, facile synthesis of a new class of carbon nanostructures, which consist of interconnected N-doped graphitic carbon nanocubes partially embedded by nickel nanoparticles, is described. The hollow interior of graphitic nanocube induces internal reflection of EM waves and confines active materials of EC energy storage. Nitrogen functionalities implanted in graphitic structure enhance electrical conductivity as well as improve chemical interaction with active materials. Furthermore, nickel nanoparticles in graphitic nanocube function as an EM wave-absorbing material and an electrocatalyst for EC energy storage. Through comprehensive assessments, remarkable performances originating from distinctive nanostructures give new insights into structural design for the carbon nanostructure-based high-performance EM and EC barriers.

Optimizing Active Sites for High CO Selectivity during CO2 Hydrogenation over Supported Nickel Catalysts

Controlling the selectivity of CO₂ hydrogenation catalysts is a fundamental challenge. In this study, the selectivity of supported Ni catalysts prepared by the traditional impregnation method was found to change after a first CO₂ hydrogenation reaction cycle from 100 to 800 °C. The usually high CH₄ formation was suppressed leading to full selectivity toward CO. This behavior was also observed after the catalyst was treated under methane or propane atmospheres at elevated temperatures. In situ spectroscopic studies revealed that the accumulation of carbon species on the catalyst surface at high temperatures leads to a nickel carbide-like phase. The catalyst regains its high selectivity to CH₄ production after carbon depletion from the surface of the Ni particles by oxidation. However, the selectivity readily shifts back toward CO formation after exposing the catalysts to a new temperature-programmed CO₂ hydrogenation cycle. The fraction of weakly adsorbed CO species increases on the carbide-like surface when compared to a clean nickel surface, explaining the higher selectivity to CO. This easy protocol of changing the surface of a common Ni catalyst to gain selectivity represents an important step for the commercial use of CO₂ hydrogenation to CO processes toward high-added-value products.

Taming the butterfly effect: modulating catalyst nanostructures for better selectivity control of the catalytic hydrogenation of biomass-derived furan platform chemicals

This minireview highlights versatile routes for catalyst nanostructure modulation for better hydrogenation selectivity control of typical biomass-derived furan platform chemicals to tame the butterfly effect on the catalytic selectivity.

Total Hydrogenation of Furfural under Mild Conditions over a Durable Ni/TiO2-SiO2 Catalyst with Amorphous TiO2 Species

One-step total hydrogenation of furfural (FAL) toward tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol in continuous flow using cheap transition metals still remains a great challenge. We herein reported the total hydrogenation of FAL over Ni (∼5 nm) nanoparticles loaded on TiO₂-SiO₂ composites with long-term stability. The TiO₂-SiO₂ composites comprise amorphous TiO _x which was grafted on the silica aerogel by acetyl acetone-aided controlled hydrolysis of tetrabutyl titanate. The catalysts were characterized by several techniques including Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, H₂-temperature-programmed reduction, and H₂-temperature-programmed desorption. The hydrogenation performances were systematically explored in terms of TiO₂ content, Ni loading, liquid hour space velocity, and so forth. Ni nanoparticles in contact with amorphous TiO _x showed strengthened interaction with the C=O bond of FAL as well as enhanced hydrogen dissociation and desorption ability, hence benefiting the overall hydrogenation process.

Nickel-Catalysed Vapour-Phase Hydrogenation of Furfural, Insights into Reactivity and Deactivation

Furfural is a key bioderived platform molecule, and its hydrogenation affords access to a number of important chemical intermediates that can act as “drop-in” replacements to those derived from crude oil or novel alternatives with desirable properties. Here, the vapour phase hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol at 180 °C over standard impregnated nickel catalysts is reported and contrasted with the same reaction over copper chromite. Whilst the selectivity to furfuryl alcohol of the unmodified nickel catalysts is much lower than for copper chromite as expected, the activity of the nickel catalysts in the vapour phase is significantly higher, and the deactivation profile remarkably similar. In the case of the supported nickel catalysts, possible contribution to the deactivation by acidic sites on the catalyst support is discounted based on the similarity of deactivation kinetics on Ni/SiO2 with those seen for less acidic Ni/TiO2 and Ni/CeO2. Powder X-ray diffraction is used to exclude sintering as a primary deactivation pathway. Significant coking of the catalyst (~ 30 wt% over 16 h) is observed using temperature programmed oxidation. This, in combination with the solvent extraction analysis and infrared spectroscopy of the coked catalysts points to deactivation by polymeric condensation products of (reactant or) products and hydrocarbon like coke. These findings pave the way for targeted modification of nickel catalysts to use for this important biofeedstock-to-chemicals transformation.

Highly dispersed nickel anchored on a N-doped carbon molecular sieve derived from metal-organic frameworks for efficient hydrodeoxygenation in the aqueous phase

ZIF-8 was employed as a template to synthesize HD-Ni/N-CMS containing highly dispersed Ni at the atomic level anchored on a N-doped carbon molecular sieve for vanillin hydrodeoxygenation. The ZIF-8 structure was inherited and Ni-N bonds were formed by the coordination of Ni with N-rich defects, therefore it exhibited a high turnover frequency (1047.1 h-1) and good stability.

Metal organic frameworks for biomass conversion

This review narrates the recent developments on the catalytic applications of pristine metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), functionalized MOFs, guests embedded over MOFs and MOFs derived carbon composites for biomass conversion into platform chemicals.

Synthesis of novel mesoporous sulfated zirconia nanosheets derived from Zr-based metal–organic frameworks

Flower-like mesoporous sulfated zirconia nanosheets (SZNs) were developed by pyrolysis of in situ sulfated Zr-MOFs for the first time.

Recent Advances in Catalytic Hydrogenation of Furfural

Furfural has been considered as one of the most promising platform molecules directly derived from biomass. The hydrogenation of furfural is one of the most versatile reactions to upgrade furanic components to biofuels. For instance, it can lead to plenty of downstream products, such as (tetrahydro)furfuryl alcohol, 2-methyl(tetrahydro)furan, lactones, levulinates, cyclopentanone(l), or diols, etc. The aim of this review is to discuss recent advances in the catalytic hydrogenation of furfural towards (tetrahydro)furfuryl alcohol and 2-methyl(tetrahydro)furan in terms of different non-noble metal and noble metal catalytic systems. Reaction mechanisms that are related to the different catalytic materials and reaction conditions are properly discussed. Selective hydrogenation of furfural could be modified not only by varying the types of catalyst (nature of metal, support, and preparation method) and reaction conditions, but also by altering the reaction regime, namely from batch to continuous flow. In any case, furfural catalytic hydrogenation is an open research line, which represents an attractive option for biomass valorization towards valuable chemicals and fuels.

Ambient Temperature NO Adsorber Derived from Pyrolysis of Co-MOF(ZIF-67)

Co-, Ni-, and Zn-containing MOFs are prepared and then pyrolyzed to generate materials for ambient temperature NO adsorption. Materials containing Co are much more efficient for NO adsorption than those containing Ni and Zn; therefore, Co is identified as the active phase. The best performing material studied here achieves 100% low concentration (10 ppm) NO adsorption for more than 15 h under a weight hourly space velocity of 120 000 mL g^-1 h^-1. Powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopies, along with scanning electron microscopy and TEM, are used to probe the physicochemical properties of the materials, particularly the Co active phase, and chemistries involved in NO adsorption-desorption. NO adsorbs on oxygen-covered Co nanoparticle surfaces in the form of nitrates and desorbs as NO at higher temperatures as a result of surface nitrate decomposition. NO storage capacity decreases gradually upon repeated NO adsorption-desorption cycles, likely because of Co₃O₄ formation during these processes.

Metal–organic-framework derived Co–Pd bond is preferred over Fe–Pd for reductive upgrading of furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol

The metal–organic-framework-derived Co–Pd bond can more efficiently catalyze the reductive upgrading of furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol production as compared to the Fe–Pd bond.

Enhanced catalytic activity over palladium supported on ZrO2@C with NaOH-assisted reduction for decomposition of formic acid

Pd/ZrO₂@C was prepared employing UiO-66-derived ZrO₂@C as the support and showed high catalytic activity for formic acid decomposition.

The catalytic behaviour in aqueous-phase hydrogenation over a renewable Ni catalyst derived from a perovskite-type oxide

Water is inevitably associated with the production of bio-derived platform molecules, but most supported metallic catalysts have poor water compatibility. Although there have been a great number of investigations regarding the hydrogenation of bio-derived unsaturated compounds in the organic phase, the reactions that proceed in water are still quite challenging. Herein, we report the synthesis of a supported nickel catalyst (Ni-LN650) by the reduction of the perovskite-type oxide LaNiO₃ precursor at 650 °C. The derived catalyst affords attractive activity in the hydrogenation of furfural by using water as the reaction medium, in which furfural is completely converted into tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol with the highest productivity of 289.7 mmol g_Ni^-1 h^-1 at 120 °C and 1 MPa of H₂ within 5 h of reaction. The Ni-LN650 catalyst also exhibits good stability and renewability in a cycle test, stemming from the self-regeneration peculiarity of the perovskite-type oxide precursor. Moreover, the catalyst can also demonstrate high activity in the aqueous-phase hydrogenation of various aldehydes, alkenes and carboxylic acids in a series of experiments. Due to the merits of usability in water, the renewability and wide application scope, the Ni-LN650 catalyst can be treated as a promising candidate for the catalytic conversion of bio-derived platform molecules into high value-added fuels and chemicals.

Highly dispersed Co and Ni nanoparticles encapsulated in N-doped carbon nanotubes as efficient catalysts for the reduction of unsaturated oxygen compounds in aqueous phase

N-Doped carbon nanotube-encapsulated Co and Ni nanoparticles exhibit excellent catalytic performance for the selective reduction of unsaturated oxygen compounds in aqueous phase.

The selective hydrogenation of furfural over supported palladium nanoparticle catalysts prepared by sol-immobilisation: effect of catalyst support and reaction conditions

Pd-TiO₂ nanoparticles prepared by sol-immobilisation are very active for selective hydrogenation of furfural under mild conditions, and addition of Pt enhances performance to achieve a 95% yield of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.

Functionalised heterogeneous catalysts for sustainable biomass valorisation

Functionalised heterogeneous catalysts show great potentials for efficient valorisation of renewable biomass to value-added chemicals and high-energy density fuels.

Strong electric wave response derived from the hybrid of lotus roots-like composites with tunable permittivity

Lotus roots-like NiO/NiCo₂O₄ hybrids derived from Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are fabricated for the first time by using flake NiCo-MOF precursors as reactant templates. It was found that a thin sample consisting of 60 wt % NiO/NiCo₂O₄ hybrids in the wax matrix exhibited an effective microwave absorption bandwidth of 4.2 GHz at the thickness of 1.6 mm. The highest reflection loss of -47 dB was observed at 13.4 GHz for a sample with a thickness of 1.7 mm. Results obtained in this study indicate that hybrids of NiO and NiCo₂O₄ are promising microwave absorbing materials with adjustable permittivity, which can exhibit broad effective absorption bandwidth at low filler loading and thin thickness.