Biomass-derived Fe-NC hybrid for hydrogenation with formic acid: control of Fe-based nanoparticle distribution

Preparation of Nitrogen Doped Biochar-Based Iron Catalyst for Enhancing Gasoline-Range Hydrocarbons Production

Developing catalysts to obtain high space time yield (STY) of gasoline-range hydrocarbons via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a huge challenge due to the restriction of Anderson-Schulz-Flory distribution. Herein, a nitrogen doped biochar-based iron catalyst was synthesized by a one-step method using sugar cane bagasse as carbon precursor, which exhibited an excellent gasoline STY of 8.65 g_C5-12 g_Fe^-1 h^-1, exceeding most reported catalysts. A strong positive relationship between the amount of pyrrolic N and long-chain hydrocarbons selectivity was displayed. The characterization results indicated that pyrrolic N configuration on anchor sites tuned effectively the dispersion of iron species and metal-support interaction as well as CO adsorption, improving the FTS performance.

Emerging carbon shell-encapsulated metal nanocatalysts for fuel cells and water electrolysis

The development of low-cost, high-efficiency electrocatalysts is of primary importance for hydrogen energy technology. Noble metal-based catalysts have been extensively studied for decades; however, activity and durability issues still remain a challenge. In recent years, carbon shell-encapsulated metal (M@C) catalysts have drawn great attention as novel materials for water electrolysis and fuel cell applications. These electrochemical reactions are governed mainly by interfacial charge transfer between the core metal and the outer carbon shell, which alters the electronic structure of the catalyst surface. Furthermore, the rationally designed and fine-tuned carbon shell plays a very interesting role as a protective layer or molecular sieve layer to improve the performance and durability of energy conversion systems. Herein, we review recent advances in the use of M@C type nanocatalysts for extensive applications in fuel cells and water electrolysis with a focus on the structural design and electronic structure modulation of carbon shell-encapsulated metal/alloys. Finally, we highlight the current challenges and future perspectives of these catalytic materials and related technologies in this field.

Fe/N co-doped mesoporous carbon derived from cellulose-based ionic liquid as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst toward nitro aromatic compound reduction reaction

Iron and nitrogen-doped carbon substances with abundant active sites that related to dispersion of heteroatom species (Fe and N) on the surface of carbonous structure, are promising choice for eco-friendly catalytic reactions. Herein, cellulose-based ionic liquid (IL) derivative not only employed as the both nitrogen and iron heteroatom precursors, but also has been used as the green and biodegradable substrate. The non-noble Fe-NC@550, was successfully fabricated by convenient carbonization of cellulose-based IL. Further, the FeCl₄^- anion was used as the iron precursor and also it has been applied to elevate the SSA (specific surface area) of catalyst (from 40.96 to 160.42 m²/g) due to the presence of chlorine. On the basis of several pertinent physicochemical and experimental outcomes, the structure of the catalyst was successfully proved in different synthetic steps. As expected, the Fe-NC@550 exhibited the substantial efficiency toward hydrogenation of nitroarenes with high TOF value and also remarkable reusability.