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Catalysts, Volume 11, Issue 8 (August 2021) – 147 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Photocatalysis is an efficient method to degrade organic pollutants in wastewater. Several parameters affect the process and the selection of the process operating parameters leading to a maximal pollutant degradation is not a straightforward task. In our study, we used response surface methodology (RSM) to analyze the photocatalytic degradation of phenol with graphitic carbon nitride and visible-light blue LED. To minimize the number of experiments, the Box Behnken design was applied for the design of experiments (DoE). The photocatalytic degradation of phenol was correlated with three independent process parameters using a second-order polynomial equation. The obtained correlation is very useful for the analysis of the process, selection of the process parameters, and optimization of pollutant degradation. View this paper
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21 pages, 4182 KiB  
Article
One-Stage Catalytic Oxidation of Adamantane to Tri-, Tetra-, and Penta-Ols
by Igor Yu. Shchapin, Dzhamalutdin N. Ramazanov, Andrey I. Nekhaev, Roman S. Borisov, Evgeny A. Buravlev and Anton L. Maximov
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1017; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081017 - 23 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2342
Abstract
Tertiary tetraols of adamantane (C10H16, Tricyclo[3.3.1.1(3,7)]decan) have been widely used for the synthesis of highly symmetric compounds with unique physical and chemical properties. The methods for one-stage simultaneously selective, deep, and cheap oxidation of adamantane to tetraols of different [...] Read more.
Tertiary tetraols of adamantane (C10H16, Tricyclo[3.3.1.1(3,7)]decan) have been widely used for the synthesis of highly symmetric compounds with unique physical and chemical properties. The methods for one-stage simultaneously selective, deep, and cheap oxidation of adamantane to tetraols of different structures have not yet been developed. In this research, chemically simple, cheap, and environmentally friendly reagents are used and that is the first step in this direction. The conditions, under which the impact of a hydrogen peroxide water solution on adamantane dissolved in acetonitrile results in full conversion of adamantane and formation of a total 72% mixture of its tri-, tetra-, and penta-oxygenated products, predominantly poliols, have been found. Conversion and adamantane oxidation depth are shown to depend on the ratio of components of the water-acetonitrile solution and the method of oxidizer solution introduction when using the dimer form of 1:1 dimethylglyoxime and copper dichloride complex as a catalyst. Under the conditions of mass-spectrometry ionization by electrons (70 eV), fragmentation across three C–C bonds of the molecular ions framework of adamantane tertiary alcohols Ad(OH)n in the range n = 0–4 increases linearly with the rise of n. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalytic Oxidation of Hydrocarbons)
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15 pages, 4222 KiB  
Article
Identifying Energy Extraction Optimisation Strategies of Actinobacillus succinogenes
by Waldo Gideon Lexow, Sekgetho Charles Mokwatlo, Hendrik Gideon Brink and Willie Nicol
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1016; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081016 - 23 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2107
Abstract
A. succinogenes is well known for utilising various catabolic pathways. A multitude of batch fermentation studies confirm flux shifts in the catabolism as time proceeds. It has also been shown that continuous cultures exhibit flux variation as a function of dilution rate. This [...] Read more.
A. succinogenes is well known for utilising various catabolic pathways. A multitude of batch fermentation studies confirm flux shifts in the catabolism as time proceeds. It has also been shown that continuous cultures exhibit flux variation as a function of dilution rate. This indicates a direct influence of the external environment on the proteome of the organism. In this work, ATP production efficiency was explored to evaluate the extent of bio-available energy on the production behaviour of A. succinogenes. It was found that the microbe successively utilised its most-to-least efficient energy extraction pathways, providing evidence of an energy optimisation survival strategy. Moreover, data from this study suggest a pyruvate overflow mechanism as a means to throttle acetic and formic acid production, indicating a scenario in which the external concentration of these acids play a role in the energy extraction capabilities of the organism. Data also indicates a fleeting regime where A. succinogenes utilises an oxidised environment to its advantage for ATP production. Here it is postulated that the energy gain and excretion cost of catabolites coupled to the changing environment is a likely mechanism responsible for the proteome alteration and its ensuing carbon flux variation. This offers valuable insights into the microbe’s metabolic logic gates, providing a foundation to understand how to exploit the system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocatalysis for Green Chemistry)
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11 pages, 1937 KiB  
Article
Monapinone Coupling Enzyme Produces Non-Natural Heterodimers
by Satoshi Ohte, Masayuki Toyoda, Keisuke Kobayashi, Isao Fujii, Taichi Ohshiro and Hiroshi Tomoda
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1015; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081015 - 23 Aug 2021
Viewed by 1734
Abstract
The monapinone coupling enzyme (MCE), a fungal multicopper oxidase, catalyzes the regioselective C–C coupling between tricyclic monapinone A (the primary substrate) and other monapinones (secondary substrates) to produce atropisomeric biaryl homo- or heterodimers. In this study, mono-, bi- and tricyclic compounds were tested [...] Read more.
The monapinone coupling enzyme (MCE), a fungal multicopper oxidase, catalyzes the regioselective C–C coupling between tricyclic monapinone A (the primary substrate) and other monapinones (secondary substrates) to produce atropisomeric biaryl homo- or heterodimers. In this study, mono-, bi- and tricyclic compounds were tested to determine whether they worked as secondary substrates for MCE. Among 14 cyclic compounds, MCE utilized semivioxanthin, YWA1, 1,3-naphthalenediol and flaviolin as secondary substrates to produce non-natural heterodimers. The atropisomeric biaryl heterodimers produced by MCE from monapinone A and semivioxanthin were isolated, and their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS. These findings indicate that MCE recognizes bi- and tricyclic compounds with a 1,3-dihydroxy or 1-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzene ring as a secondary substrate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosynthesis and Biocatalysis)
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21 pages, 12953 KiB  
Article
Application of a Combined Adsorption−Ozonation Process for Phenolic Wastewater Treatment in a Continuous Fixed-Bed Reactor
by Cristian Ferreiro, Ana de Luis, Natalia Villota, Jose María Lomas, José Ignacio Lombraña and Luis Miguel Camarero
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081014 - 22 Aug 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2511
Abstract
This work studied the removal of phenol from industrial effluents through catalytic ozonation in the presence of granular activated carbon in a continuous fixed-bed reactor. Phenol was chosen as model pollutant because of its environmental impact and high toxicity. Based on the evolution [...] Read more.
This work studied the removal of phenol from industrial effluents through catalytic ozonation in the presence of granular activated carbon in a continuous fixed-bed reactor. Phenol was chosen as model pollutant because of its environmental impact and high toxicity. Based on the evolution of total organic carbon (TOC) and phenol concentration, a kinetic model was proposed to study the effect of the operational variables on the combined adsorption–oxidation (Ad/Ox) process. The proposed three-phase model expressed the oxidation phenomena in the liquid and the adsorption and oxidation on the surface of the granular activated carbon in the form of two kinetic constants, k1 and k2 respectively. The interpretation of the constants allow to study the benefits and behaviour of the use of activated carbon during the ozonisation process under different conditions affecting adsorption, oxidation, and mass transfer. Additionally, the calculated kinetic parameters helped to explain the observed changes in treatment efficiency. The results showed that phenol would be completely removed at an effective contact time of 3.71 min, operating at an alkaline pH of 11.0 and an ozone gas concentration of 19.0 mg L−1. Under these conditions, a 97.0% decrease in the initial total organic carbon was observed. Full article
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47 pages, 19049 KiB  
Review
Regiodivergent Organocatalytic Reactions
by Mayavan Viji, Srinu Lanka, Jaeuk Sim, Chanhyun Jung, Heesoon Lee, Manjunatha Vishwanath and Jae-Kyung Jung
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1013; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081013 - 22 Aug 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3735
Abstract
Organocatalysts are abundantly used for various transformations, particularly to obtain highly enantio- and diastereomeric pure products by controlling the stereochemistry. These applications of organocatalysts have been the topic of several reviews. Organocatalysts have emerged as one of the very essential areas of research [...] Read more.
Organocatalysts are abundantly used for various transformations, particularly to obtain highly enantio- and diastereomeric pure products by controlling the stereochemistry. These applications of organocatalysts have been the topic of several reviews. Organocatalysts have emerged as one of the very essential areas of research due to their mild reaction conditions, cost-effective nature, non-toxicity, and environmentally benign approach that obviates the need for transition metal catalysts and other toxic reagents. Various types of organocatalysts including amine catalysts, Brønsted acids, and Lewis bases such as N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysts, cinchona alkaloids, 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), and hydrogen bond-donating catalysts, have gained renewed interest because of their regioselectivity. In this review, we present recent advances in regiodivergent reactions that are governed by organocatalysts. Additionally, we briefly discuss the reaction pathways of achieving regiodivergent products by changes in conditions such as solvents, additives, or the temperature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalytic Organic Transformations/Organic Synthesis)
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13 pages, 4452 KiB  
Article
Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production from Urine Using Sr-Doped TiO2 Photocatalyst with Subsequent Phosphorus Recovery via Struvite Crystallization
by Oranoot Sittipunsakda, Patiya Kemacheevakul, Navadol Laosiripojana and Surawut Chuangchote
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081012 - 22 Aug 2021
Viewed by 2204
Abstract
Currently, the discharge of wastewater and utilization of phosphorus (P) in human activities cause some environmental problems, such as high organic pollutants in aquatic environments which results in dirty water sources, and a shortage of phosphate rock reserves due to the high demand [...] Read more.
Currently, the discharge of wastewater and utilization of phosphorus (P) in human activities cause some environmental problems, such as high organic pollutants in aquatic environments which results in dirty water sources, and a shortage of phosphate rock reserves due to the high demand of P. Therefore, fuel energy and struvite crystallization from waste sources can be considered interesting alternatives. In this work, the modified catalyst for hydrogen production, along with solving environmental problems, was examined. The strontium (Sr) doped-titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized by wetness impregnation method. The synthesized catalyst was characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis), photoluminescence (PL), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The Sr-doped TiO2 catalysts had been utilized as the photocatalyst for the hydrogen production from synthetic human urine (a representative of waste source). The doping content of Sr in TiO2 varied from 0.5, 1, 2, and 4%, and the photocatalytic performances were compared with pristine TiO2 nanoparticles. The results showed that 1% Sr-doped TiO2 had the highest photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production and decreased the amount of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the synthetic human urine. Subsequently, P could be recovered from the treated human urine in the form of struvite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photocatalysis and Renewable Materials)
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18 pages, 3656 KiB  
Article
CalkGH9T: A Glycoside Hydrolase Family 9 Enzyme from Clostridium alkalicellulosi
by Paripok Phitsuwan, Sengthong Lee, Techly San and Khanok Ratanakhanokchai
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1011; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081011 - 22 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2609
Abstract
Glycoside hydrolase family 9 (GH9) endoglucanases are important enzymes for cellulose degradation. However, their activity on cellulose is diverse. Here, we cloned and expressed one GH9 enzyme (CalkGH9T) from Clostridium alkalicellulosi in Escherichia coli. CalkGH9T has a modular structure, [...] Read more.
Glycoside hydrolase family 9 (GH9) endoglucanases are important enzymes for cellulose degradation. However, their activity on cellulose is diverse. Here, we cloned and expressed one GH9 enzyme (CalkGH9T) from Clostridium alkalicellulosi in Escherichia coli. CalkGH9T has a modular structure, containing one GH9 catalytic module, two family 3 carbohydrate binding modules, and one type I dockerin domain. CalkGH9T exhibited maximal activity at pH 7.0–8.0 and 55 °C and was resistant to urea and NaCl. It efficiently hydrolyzed carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) but poorly degraded regenerated amorphous cellulose (RAC). Despite strongly binding to Avicel, CalkGH9T lacked the ability to hydrolyze this substrate. The hydrolysis of CMC by CalkGH9T produced a series of cello-oligomers, with cellotetraose being preferentially released. Similar proportions of soluble and insoluble reducing ends generated by hydrolysis of RAC indicated non-processive activity. Our study extends our knowledge of the molecular mechanism of cellulose hydrolysis by GH9 family endoglucanases with industrial relevance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Enzyme Technology)
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11 pages, 3139 KiB  
Article
Photocatalytic Properties of Amorphous N-Doped TiO2 Photocatalyst under Visible Light Irradiation
by Kyong-Hwan Chung, Byung-Joo Kim, Young-Kwon Park, Sang-Chai Kim and Sang-Chul Jung
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1010; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081010 - 21 Aug 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2846
Abstract
Amorphous TiO2 doped with N was characterized by its photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. The amorphous N-doped TiO2 was prepared by the sol-gel method through heat treatment at a low temperature. The photocatalyst showing activity in visible light despite heat [...] Read more.
Amorphous TiO2 doped with N was characterized by its photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. The amorphous N-doped TiO2 was prepared by the sol-gel method through heat treatment at a low temperature. The photocatalyst showing activity in visible light despite heat treatment at low temperature can be applied to plastics and has excellent utility. The N-doped TiO2 appeared amorphous when heat-treated at 130 °C. It was converted into an anatase-type N-doped TiO2 when this was calcined at 500 °C. The photocatalyst showed photocatalytic activities in the photocatalytic decomposition of formaldehyde and methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The photocatalyst exhibited a higher rate of hydrogen production than that of TiO2 in photocatalytic decomposition of water under liquid-phase plasma irradiation. The bandgap of the amorphous N-doped TiO2 measured by investigation of optical properties was 2.4 eV. The lower bandgap induced the photocatalytic activities under visible light irradiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production)
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8 pages, 1378 KiB  
Article
Volatile Fatty Acids from Lipid-Extracted Yeast Provide Additional Feedstock for Microbial Lipid Production
by Gwon Woo Park, Seongsoo Son, Myounghoon Moon, Subin Sin, Kyoungseon Min, Jin-Suk Lee and Ho Nam Chang
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1009; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081009 - 21 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1822
Abstract
Microbial lipid production from oleaginous yeasts is a promising process for the sustainable development of the microbial biodiesel industry. However, the feedstock cost poses an economic problem for the production of microbial biodiesel. After lipid extraction, yeast biomass can be used as an [...] Read more.
Microbial lipid production from oleaginous yeasts is a promising process for the sustainable development of the microbial biodiesel industry. However, the feedstock cost poses an economic problem for the production of microbial biodiesel. After lipid extraction, yeast biomass can be used as an organic source for microbial biodiesel production. In this study, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), produced via anaerobic digestion of a lipid-extracted yeast (LEY) residue, were utilized as a carbon source for the yeast Cryptococcus curvatus. The response surface methodology was used to determine the initial pH and inoculum volume for the optimal VFA production. The experimental result for VFA concentration was 4.51 g/L at an initial pH of 9 and an inoculation 25%. The optimization results from the response surface methodology showed that the maximal VFA concentration was 4.58 g/L at an initial pH of 8.40 and an inoculation of 39.49%. This study indicates that VFAs from LEY can be used as a carbon source for microbial biodiesel production, with the potential to significantly reduce feedstock costs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocatalysis and Bioconversion Utilizing Sustainable Feedstock)
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13 pages, 3341 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of rGO-CuO Nanocomposites for the Degradation of Organic Pollutants
by Suresh Sagadevan, Jayasingh Anita Lett, Getu Kassegn Weldegebrieal, Seema Garg, Won-Chun Oh, Nor Aliya Hamizi and Mohd Rafie Johan
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1008; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081008 - 21 Aug 2021
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4004
Abstract
Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through the effective synthetic route method. Powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet-visible absorption, and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to analyze the chemical structure, functional groups, absorbance, and morphology. [...] Read more.
Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through the effective synthetic route method. Powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet-visible absorption, and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to analyze the chemical structure, functional groups, absorbance, and morphology. Under visible light illumination, the CuO/rGO nanocomposites have higher catalytic activity compared to the bare CuO NPs which were suitable for degradation of methylene blue (MB) and Congo red (CR) dyes. According to the findings, the CuO/rGO nanocomposites possess excellent photocatalytic efficiency. Thus, the synthesized CuO/rGO nanocomposite is a promising photocatalyst for the deterioration of organic pollutants in water and wastewater treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology and Catalysis)
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20 pages, 2239 KiB  
Review
Contemporary Enzyme-Based Methods for Recombinant Proteins In Vitro Phosphorylation
by Marcela Slovakova and Zuzana Bilkova
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1007; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081007 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2796
Abstract
Phosphorylation is a reversible, enzyme-controlled posttranslational process affecting approximately one-third of all proteins in eukaryotic cells at any given time. Any deviation in the degree and/or site of phosphorylation leads to an abnormal conformation of proteins, resulting in a decline or loss of [...] Read more.
Phosphorylation is a reversible, enzyme-controlled posttranslational process affecting approximately one-third of all proteins in eukaryotic cells at any given time. Any deviation in the degree and/or site of phosphorylation leads to an abnormal conformation of proteins, resulting in a decline or loss of their function. Knowledge of phosphorylation-related pathways is essential for understanding the understanding of the disease pathogenesis and for the design of new therapeutic strategies. Recent availability of various kinases at an affordable price differs in activity, specificity, and stability and provides the opportunity of studying and modulating this reaction in vitro. We can exploit this knowledge for other applications. There is an enormous potential to produce fully decorated and active recombinant proteins, either for biomedical or cosmetic applications. Closely related is the possibility to exploit current achievements and develop new safe and efficacious vaccines, drugs, and immunomodulators. In this review, we outlined the current enzyme-based possibilities for in vitro phosphorylation of peptides and recombinant proteins and the added value that immobilized kinases provide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering)
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18 pages, 5995 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Synthetic and Natural Zeolite Catalysts’ Behavior in the Production of Lactic Acid and Ethyl Lactate from Biomass-Derived Dihydroxyacetone
by Natalia Sobuś and Izabela Czekaj
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081006 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2597
Abstract
This article presents the results of the conversion of dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to lactic acid (LA) with the use of zeolite catalysts. For this purpose, synthetic zeolite beta (BEA) and natural clinoptilolite (CLI) were used as a matrix. The zeolites were modified with various [...] Read more.
This article presents the results of the conversion of dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to lactic acid (LA) with the use of zeolite catalysts. For this purpose, synthetic zeolite beta (BEA) and natural clinoptilolite (CLI) were used as a matrix. The zeolites were modified with various metals (Sn, Fe, Cu and Zn) during ion exchange under hydrothermal conditions. The DHA conversion process with the participation of metal-functionalized zeolites allowed us to obtain intermediates, i.e., pyruvic aldehyde (PAL), which during the further reaction was transformed into a mixture of products such as ethyl lactate (EL), pyruvic aldehyde (PA), lactic acid and ethyl acetate (EA). The best selectivity towards lactic acid was achieved using Sn-CLI (100%) > Na-BEA (98.7%) > Sn-BEA (95.9%) > Cu-BEA (92.9%), ethyl lactate using Cu-CLI, and pyruvic aldehyde using the Zn-BEA catalyst. In the case of a natural zeolite, modification with Sn is promising for obtaining a pure lactic acid with a relatively good carbon balance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysts in Biomass Valorization)
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15 pages, 7207 KiB  
Article
Development of Pilot-Scale CO2 Methanation Using Pellet-Type Catalysts for CO2 Recycling in Sewage Treatment Plants and Its Validation through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modeling
by Jeongyoon Ahn, Heysuk Kim, Yeonhee Ro, Jintae Kim, Woojin Chung and Soonwoong Chang
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1005; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081005 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2824
Abstract
In this study, a pilot-scale reactor was designed and compared using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for a high-efficiency CO2 methanation reaction. The trends of the CO2 methanation catalyst efficiency at a pilot or industrial scale could be lower than those measured [...] Read more.
In this study, a pilot-scale reactor was designed and compared using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for a high-efficiency CO2 methanation reaction. The trends of the CO2 methanation catalyst efficiency at a pilot or industrial scale could be lower than those measured at the laboratory scale, owing to the flow of fluid characteristics. Therefore, the CO2 methanation reactor was designed based on the results of the CFD analysis to minimize the above phenomenon. Ni–Ce–Zr was used to manufacture a CO2 methanation catalyst in the form of pellets. The catalyst successfully produced about 43.3 Nm3/d of methane from the reactor. This result shows that CO2 methanation, which is known as an exothermic reaction, was stable at the pilot scale. It is believed that the self-supply of energy will be possible when this CO2 methanation technology is applied to industrial processes generating large amounts of CO2 and H2 from by-product gases. Full article
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10 pages, 1909 KiB  
Article
Organocatalysis for the Asymmetric Michael Addition of Cycloketones and α, β-Unsaturated Nitroalkenes
by Jae Ho Shim, Byung Kook Ahn, Ji Yeon Lee, Hyeon Soo Kim and Deok-Chan Ha
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1004; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081004 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3637
Abstract
Michael addition is one of the most important carbon–carbon bond formation reactions. In this study, an (R, R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine (DPEN)-based thiourea organocatalyst was applied to the asymmetric Michael addition of nitroalkenes and cycloketones to produce a chiral product. The primary amine [...] Read more.
Michael addition is one of the most important carbon–carbon bond formation reactions. In this study, an (R, R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine (DPEN)-based thiourea organocatalyst was applied to the asymmetric Michael addition of nitroalkenes and cycloketones to produce a chiral product. The primary amine moiety in DPEN reacts with the ketone to form an enamine and is activated through the hydrogen bond formation between the nitro group in the α, β-unsaturated nitroalkene and thiourea. Here, the aim was to obtain an asymmetric Michael product through the 1,4-addition of the enamine to an alkene to form a new carbon–carbon bond. As a result, the primary amine of the chiral diamine was converted into an enamine. The reaction proceeded with a relatively high level of enantioselectivity achieved using double activation through the hydrogen bonding of the nitro group and thiourea. Michael products with high levels of enantioselectivity (76–99% syn ee) and diastereoselectivity (syn/anti = 9/1) were obtained with yields in the range of 88–99% depending on the ketone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Organocatalysis: Mechanistic Investigations, Design, and Applications)
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19 pages, 3388 KiB  
Review
Anti-Coking and Anti-Sintering Ni/Al2O3 Catalysts in the Dry Reforming of Methane: Recent Progress and Prospects
by Xingyuan Gao, Zhiyong Ge, Guofeng Zhu, Ziyi Wang, Jangam Ashok and Sibudjing Kawi
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1003; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081003 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 49 | Viewed by 5349
Abstract
Coking and metal sintering are limitations of large-scale applications of Ni/Al2O3 catalysts in DRM reactions. In this review, several modification strategies to enhance the anti-deactivation property of Ni/Al2O3 are proposed and discussed with the recently developed catalyst [...] Read more.
Coking and metal sintering are limitations of large-scale applications of Ni/Al2O3 catalysts in DRM reactions. In this review, several modification strategies to enhance the anti-deactivation property of Ni/Al2O3 are proposed and discussed with the recently developed catalyst systems, including structure and morphology control, surface acidity/basicity, interfacial engineering and oxygen defects. In addition, the structure–performance relationship and deactivation/anti-deactivation mechanisms are illustrated in depth, followed by prospects for future work. Full article
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20 pages, 3215 KiB  
Review
Sustainable One-Pot Immobilization of Enzymes in/on Metal-Organic Framework Materials
by M. Asunción Molina, Victoria Gascón-Pérez, Manuel Sánchez-Sánchez and Rosa M. Blanco
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081002 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4146
Abstract
The industrial use of enzymes generally necessitates their immobilization onto solid supports. The well-known high affinity of enzymes for metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, together with the great versatility of MOFs in terms of structure, composition, functionalization and synthetic approaches, has led the scientific [...] Read more.
The industrial use of enzymes generally necessitates their immobilization onto solid supports. The well-known high affinity of enzymes for metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, together with the great versatility of MOFs in terms of structure, composition, functionalization and synthetic approaches, has led the scientific community to develop very different strategies for the immobilization of enzymes in/on MOFs. This review focuses on one of these strategies, namely, the one-pot enzyme immobilization within sustainable MOFs, which is particularly enticing as the resultant biocomposite Enzyme@MOFs have the potential to be: (i) prepared in situ, that is, in just one step; (ii) may be synthesized under sustainable conditions: with water as the sole solvent at room temperature with moderate pHs, etc.; (iii) are able to retain high enzyme loading; (iv) have negligible protein leaching; and (v) give enzymatic activities approaching that given by the corresponding free enzymes. Moreover, this methodology seems to be near-universal, as success has been achieved with different MOFs, with different enzymes and for different applications. So far, the metal ions forming the MOF materials have been chosen according to their low price, low toxicity and, of course, their possibility for generating MOFs at room temperature in water, in order to close the cycle of economic, environmental and energy sustainability in the synthesis, application and disposal life cycle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering)
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11 pages, 1655 KiB  
Article
Accelerating the Design of Photocatalytic Surfaces for Antimicrobial Application: Machine Learning Based on a Sparse Dataset
by Heesoo Park, El Tayeb Bentria, Sami Rtimi, Abdelilah Arredouani, Halima Bensmail and Fedwa El-Mellouhi
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1001; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081001 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2665
Abstract
Nowadays, most experiments to synthesize and test photocatalytic antimicrobial materials are based on trial and error. More often than not, the mechanism of action of the antimicrobial activity is unknown for a large spectrum of microorganisms. Here, we propose a scheme to speed [...] Read more.
Nowadays, most experiments to synthesize and test photocatalytic antimicrobial materials are based on trial and error. More often than not, the mechanism of action of the antimicrobial activity is unknown for a large spectrum of microorganisms. Here, we propose a scheme to speed up the design and optimization of photocatalytic antimicrobial surfaces tailored to give a balanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon illumination. Using an experiment-to-machine-learning scheme applied to a limited experimental dataset, we built a model that can predict the photocatalytic activity of materials for antimicrobial applications over a wide range of material compositions. This machine-learning-assisted strategy offers the opportunity to reduce the cost, labor, time, and precursors consumed during experiments that are based on trial and error. Our strategy may significantly accelerate the large-scale deployment of photocatalysts as a promising route to mitigate fomite transmission of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi) in hospital settings and public places. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photocatalysis and Environment)
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12 pages, 4193 KiB  
Article
Dehydration of 2,3-Butanediol to 1,3-Butadiene and Methyl Ethyl Ketone: Modeling, Numerical Analysis and Validation Using Pilot-Scale Reactor Data
by Daesung Song, Sung-Yong Cho, Toan-Thang Vu, Hoang-Phi-Yen Duong and Eunkyu Kim
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 999; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080999 - 19 Aug 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2947
Abstract
This work presents the numerical analysis and validation of a fixed bed reactor model for 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) dehydration. The 1D heterogeneous reactor model considering interfacial and intra-particle gradients, was simulated and numerical analysis of the model was conducted to understand the characteristics of [...] Read more.
This work presents the numerical analysis and validation of a fixed bed reactor model for 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) dehydration. The 1D heterogeneous reactor model considering interfacial and intra-particle gradients, was simulated and numerical analysis of the model was conducted to understand the characteristics of the reactions in a catalyst along the reactor length. The model was also validated by comparing predicted performance data with pilot-scale plant data operated at 0.2 bar, 299–343 °C and 0.48–2.02 h−1 of weight hourly space velocity (WHSV). The model showed good agreement with the temperature profile, 2,3-BDO conversion and selectivity of target products. In addition, sensitivity analyses of the model were investigated by changing feed flow rate, feed composition, and inlet temperature. It was found that stable and efficient operation conditions are lower than 0.65 h−1 of WHSV and 330–340 °C of inlet temperature. Additionally, the reactor performance was not affected by 2,3-BDO feed concentration above 70%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Catalytic Reactor: From Active Center to Application Tests)
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45 pages, 5212 KiB  
Review
Technology Advances in Phenol Removals: Current Progress and Future Perspectives
by Wibawa Hendra Saputera, Amellia Setyani Putrie, Ali Asghar Esmailpour, Dwiwahju Sasongko, Veinardi Suendo and Rino R. Mukti
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080998 - 19 Aug 2021
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 6109
Abstract
Phenol acts as a pollutant even at very low concentrations in water. It is classified as one of the main priority pollutants that need to be treated before being discharged into the environment. If phenolic-based compounds are discharged into the environment without any [...] Read more.
Phenol acts as a pollutant even at very low concentrations in water. It is classified as one of the main priority pollutants that need to be treated before being discharged into the environment. If phenolic-based compounds are discharged into the environment without any treatments, they pose serious health risks to humans, animals, and aquatic systems. This review emphasizes the development of advanced technologies for phenol removal. Several technologies have been developed to remove phenol to prevent environmental pollution, such as biological treatment, conventional technologies, and advanced technologies. Among these technologies, heterogeneous catalytic ozonation has received great attention as an effective, environmentally friendly, and sustainable process for the degradation of phenolic-based compounds, which can overcome some of the disadvantages of other technologies. Recently, zeolites have been widely used as one of the most promising catalysts in the heterogeneous catalytic ozonation process to degrade phenol and its derivatives because they provide a large specific surface area, high active site density, and excellent shape-selective properties as a catalyst. Rational design of zeolite-based catalysts with various synthesis methods and pre-defined physiochemical properties including framework, ratio of silica to alumina (SiO2/Al2O3), specific surface area, size, and porosity, must be considered to understand the reaction mechanism of phenol removal. Ultimately, recommendations for future research related to the application of catalytic ozonation technology using a zeolite-based catalyst for phenol removal are also described. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Zeolite Catalysts)
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9 pages, 1188 KiB  
Article
Effect of Ion-Exchange Sequences on Catalytic Performance of Cerium-Modified Cu-SSZ-13 Catalysts for NH3-SCR
by Yan Wang, Zhaoqiang Li, Zhiyong Ding, Na Kang, Rongrong Fan, Yu Wang, Cheng Zhang, Xin Guo and Rong Wang
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080997 - 19 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1701
Abstract
Cerium-modified Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts were prepared by an aqueous ion-exchange method, and Ce and Cu were incorporated through different ion-exchange sequences. The results of NH3-SCR activity evaluations displayed that Cu1(CeCu)2 catalyst presented excellent catalytic activity, and over 90% NOx conversion was [...] Read more.
Cerium-modified Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts were prepared by an aqueous ion-exchange method, and Ce and Cu were incorporated through different ion-exchange sequences. The results of NH3-SCR activity evaluations displayed that Cu1(CeCu)2 catalyst presented excellent catalytic activity, and over 90% NOx conversion was obtained across the temperature range of 200–500 °C. The characterization results showed that the ion-exchange sequence of Cu and Ce species influenced the crystallinity of the zeolites and the coordination of Al. A small amount of Ce could participate in the reduction process and change the location and coordination environment of copper ions. Furthermore, Ce-modified Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts possessed more acidic sites due to their containing replacement of Ce and movement of Cu in the preparation process. The cooperation of strong redox abilities and NH3 storage capacity led to the increase of active adsorbed species adsorption and resulted in better activity of Cu1(CeCu)2. Full article
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25 pages, 5012 KiB  
Review
Clostridium thermocellum as a Promising Source of Genetic Material for Designer Cellulosomes: An Overview
by Dung Minh Ha-Tran, Trinh Thi My Nguyen and Chieh-Chen Huang
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 996; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080996 - 19 Aug 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2750
Abstract
Plant biomass-based biofuels have gradually substituted for conventional energy sources thanks to their obvious advantages, such as renewability, huge quantity, wide availability, economic feasibility, and sustainability. However, to make use of the large amount of carbon sources stored in the plant cell wall, [...] Read more.
Plant biomass-based biofuels have gradually substituted for conventional energy sources thanks to their obvious advantages, such as renewability, huge quantity, wide availability, economic feasibility, and sustainability. However, to make use of the large amount of carbon sources stored in the plant cell wall, robust cellulolytic microorganisms are highly demanded to efficiently disintegrate the recalcitrant intertwined cellulose fibers to release fermentable sugars for microbial conversion. The Gram-positive, thermophilic, cellulolytic bacterium Clostridium thermocellum possesses a cellulolytic multienzyme complex termed the cellulosome, which has been widely considered to be nature’s finest cellulolytic machinery, fascinating scientists as an auspicious source of saccharolytic enzymes for biomass-based biofuel production. Owing to the supra-modular characteristics of the C. thermocellum cellulosome architecture, the cellulosomal components, including cohesin, dockerin, scaffoldin protein, and the plentiful cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymes have been widely used for constructing artificial cellulosomes for basic studies and industrial applications. In addition, as the well-known microbial workhorses are naïve to biomass deconstruction, several research groups have sought to transform them from non-cellulolytic microbes into consolidated bioprocessing-enabling microbes. This review aims to update and discuss the current progress in these mentioned issues, point out their limitations, and suggest some future directions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering)
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16 pages, 3714 KiB  
Article
Conversion of Residual Palm Oil into Green Diesel and Biokerosene Fuels under Sub- and Supercritical Conditions Employing Raney Nickel as Catalyst
by Eduardo Falabella Sousa-Aguiar, Carolina Zanon Costa, Maria Antonieta Peixoto Gimenes Couto, Débora de Almeida Azevedo and José Faustino Souza de Carvalho Filho
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 995; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080995 - 19 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2105
Abstract
A comprehensive study of the thermal deoxygenation of palm residue under sub- and supercritical water conditions using Raney nickel as a heterogeneous catalyst is presented in this paper. Hydrothermal technology was chosen to replace the need for hydrogen as a reactant, as happens, [...] Read more.
A comprehensive study of the thermal deoxygenation of palm residue under sub- and supercritical water conditions using Raney nickel as a heterogeneous catalyst is presented in this paper. Hydrothermal technology was chosen to replace the need for hydrogen as a reactant, as happens, for example, in catalytic hydrotreatment. Several experiments were carried out at different reaction temperatures (350, 370, and 390 °C) and were analyzed with different times of reaction (1, 3.5, and 6 h) and catalyst loads (5, 7.5, 10 wt.%). No hydrogen was introduced in the reactions, but it was produced in situ. The results showed the selectivity of biokerosene ranged from 2% to 67%, and the selectivity of diesel ranged from 5% to 98%. The best result was achieved for 390 °C, 10 wt.% catalyst load, and 3.5 h of reaction, when the selectivities equal to 67% for biokerosene and 98% for diesel were obtained. The Raney nickel catalyst demonstrated a tendency to promote the decarboxylation reaction and/or decarbonylation reaction over the hydrodeoxygenation reaction. Moreover, the fatty acid and glycerol reforming reaction and the water−gas shift reaction were the main reactions for the in situ H2 generation. This study demonstrated that a hydrothermal catalytic process is a promising approach for producing liquid paraffin (C11−C17) from palm residue under the conditions of no H2 supply. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis in Aquathermolysis of Heavy Oil)
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13 pages, 3427 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Gold Nanoparticles on the Catalytic Activity of NiTiO3 for Hydrodeoxygenation of Guaiacol
by Bin Zhao, Guanghui Zhang, Jingbo Mao, Yanli Wang, Hong Yang and Xinwen Guo
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 994; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080994 - 19 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1914
Abstract
Guaiacol is a typical model compound used to investigate and understand the hydrodeoxygenation behaviour of bio-oils, which is critical to their application as an alternative to fossil resources. While extensive research has been carried out on developing catalysts for guaiacol hydrodeoxygenation, the true [...] Read more.
Guaiacol is a typical model compound used to investigate and understand the hydrodeoxygenation behaviour of bio-oils, which is critical to their application as an alternative to fossil resources. While extensive research has been carried out on developing catalysts for guaiacol hydrodeoxygenation, the true active sites in these catalysts are often illusive. This study investigated the effect of Au-loading on the catalytic activity of NiTiO3 for the hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol. It showed that metallic Ni formed by the partial reduction in NiTiO3 was responsible for its catalytic activity. Au-loading in NiTiO3 effectively reduces the temperature required for the NiTiO3 reduction from 400 °C to 300 °C. Consequently, at an Au-loading of 0.86 wt%, the 0.86 Au/NiTiO3-300 °C catalyst was found to deliver a guaiacol conversion of ~32%, more than 6 times higher than that of the pure NiTiO3-300 °C catalyst. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art of Catalytical Technology in China)
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9 pages, 2329 KiB  
Article
Positive Effect of Antagonistic Additives on the Homogeneous Catalytic Etherification Reaction of Glycerol
by Taeyoul Han and Je Seung Lee
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 1000; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11081000 - 19 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1579
Abstract
Various compounds prepared using glycerol, diglycerol (DG), and triglycerol (TG) have been gaining increasing attention due to their wide range of applications. To increase the yield and selectivity of DG and TG syntheses, previous studies investigated a variety of catalysts with different basicity [...] Read more.
Various compounds prepared using glycerol, diglycerol (DG), and triglycerol (TG) have been gaining increasing attention due to their wide range of applications. To increase the yield and selectivity of DG and TG syntheses, previous studies investigated a variety of catalysts with different basicity and variable reaction temperatures. In this study, we introduced additives that act as inhibitors to increase the selectivity of the etherification reaction for DG and TG production and depress the formation of higher oligomers by moderating the activity of the catalyst. By adding weakly acidic alkali metal-based inorganic salts (NaHSO4 and KHSO4), the selectivity of DG and TG formation could be enhanced, although the conversion of glycerol decreased due to the reduced activity of catalyst. We found that the decrease in the activity of the catalyst caused by the additives could be recovered and that side reactions were reduced if the reaction was carried out at an increased temperature of 280 °C and if the reaction time was shortened to 2 h to suppress the formation of oligomers. The dependence of the reaction on the amount of the additive, the reaction time, and the reaction temperature was investigated to elucidate the role of the additive. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalytic Conversion of Glycerol)
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20 pages, 4326 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Assessment of Catalytic Performances of Mn2O3 Nanoparticles for Peroxymonosulfate Activation during Bisphenol A Degradation
by Li Chen, Wanyi Fu, Congyu Hou, Yulong Yang and Xihui Zhang
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 993; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080993 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2727
Abstract
Catalytic performances of Mn2O3 nanoparticles for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation in bisphenol A (BPA) degradation were comprehensively investigated in this study. Experimental results showed that 10 mg/L BPA could be 100% degraded within 20 min with the dosages of 0.2 g/L [...] Read more.
Catalytic performances of Mn2O3 nanoparticles for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation in bisphenol A (BPA) degradation were comprehensively investigated in this study. Experimental results showed that 10 mg/L BPA could be 100% degraded within 20 min with the dosages of 0.2 g/L Mn2O3 and 0.1 mM PMS. Moreover, Mn2O3 showed remarkable activity in activation of PMS and excellent adaptability in various real water matrices, including river water, tap water and secondary effluents. Based on the radical detection and scavenging experiments, it was found that both radical and non-radical oxidation contributed to the degradation of BPA and 1O2 was the dominant species in the degradation compared to OH, SO4•− and O2•−. A total of 15 transformation products were identified by LC/MS-MS during BPA degradation in the Mn2O3/PMS system, and degradation pathways via three routes are proposed. Compared with lab-made catalysts reported in the literature, the Mn2O3 catalyst demonstrated its superiority in terms of its high TOC removal, low PMS consumption and fast degradation rate for BPA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Catalysis for Water Remediation)
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17 pages, 2561 KiB  
Article
On the Effect of the M3+ Origin on the Properties and Aldol Condensation Performance of MgM3+ Hydrotalcites and Mixed Oxides
by Valeriia Korolova, Oleg Kikhtyanin, Martin Veselý, Dan Vrtiška, Iva Paterová, Vlastimil Fíla, Libor Čapek and David Kubička
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080992 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2054
Abstract
Hydrotalcites (HTCs) are promising solid base catalysts to produce advanced biofuels by aldol condensation. Their main potential lies in the tunability of their acid-base properties by varying their composition. However, the relationship between the composition of hydrotalcites, their basicity, and their catalytic performance [...] Read more.
Hydrotalcites (HTCs) are promising solid base catalysts to produce advanced biofuels by aldol condensation. Their main potential lies in the tunability of their acid-base properties by varying their composition. However, the relationship between the composition of hydrotalcites, their basicity, and their catalytic performance has not yet been fully revealed. Here, we investigate systematically the preparation of HTCs with the general formula of Mg6M3+2(OH)16CO3·4H2O, where M3+ stands for Al, Ga, Fe, and In, while keeping the Mg/M3+ equal to 3. We use an array of analytical methods including XRD, N2 physisorption, CO2-TPD, TGA-MS, FTIR-ATR, and SEM to assess changes in the properties and concluded that the nature of M3+ affected the HTC crystallinity. We show that the basicity of the HTC-derived mixed oxides decreased with the increase in atomic weight of M3+, which was reflected by decreased furfural conversion in its aldol condensation with acetone. We demonstrate that all MgM3+ mixed oxides can be fully rehydrated, which boosted their activity in aldol condensation. Taking all characterization results together, we conclude that the catalytic performance of the rehydrated HTCs is determined by the “host” MgO component, rather than the nature of M3+. Full article
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11 pages, 2630 KiB  
Article
First-Principles Study of Electronic and Optical Properties of Two-Dimensional WSSe/BSe van der Waals Heterostructure with High Solar-to-Hydrogen Efficiency
by Zhengyang Zhu, Kai Ren, Huabing Shu, Zhen Cui, Zhaoming Huang, Jin Yu and Yujing Xu
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080991 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3120
Abstract
In this paper, the optical and electronic properties of WSSe/BSe heterostructure are investigated by first-principles calculations. The most stable stacking pattern of the WSSe/BSe compounds is formed by van der Waals interaction with a thermal stability proved by ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. [...] Read more.
In this paper, the optical and electronic properties of WSSe/BSe heterostructure are investigated by first-principles calculations. The most stable stacking pattern of the WSSe/BSe compounds is formed by van der Waals interaction with a thermal stability proved by ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. The WSSe/BSe heterostructure exhibits a type-I band alignment with direct bandgap of 2.151 eV, which can improve the effective recombination of photoexcited holes and electrons. Furthermore, the band alignment of the WSSe/BSe heterostructure can straddle the water redox potential at pH 0–8, and it has a wide absorption range for visible light. In particular, the solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of the WSSe/BSe heterostructure is obtained at as high as 44.9% at pH 4 and 5. All these investigations show that the WSSe/BSe heterostructure has potential application in photocatalysts to decompose water. Full article
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10 pages, 2117 KiB  
Article
Spectroscopic Analyses of Changes in Photocatalytic and Catalytic Activities of Mn- and Ni-Ion Doped and Base-Treated Reduced Graphene Oxide
by Hangil Lee and Hyun Sung Kim
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080990 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1898
Abstract
While reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is used widely as a catalyst, its catalytic activity can be improved significantly by modifying it with a metal. In this study, we compared the photocatalytic and catalytic properties of base-treated rGO particles and transition-metal-ion-doped rGO based on [...] Read more.
While reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is used widely as a catalyst, its catalytic activity can be improved significantly by modifying it with a metal. In this study, we compared the photocatalytic and catalytic properties of base-treated rGO particles and transition-metal-ion-doped rGO based on the oxidation reaction of thiophenol and the photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol. Since the two catalytic activities are related to the changes in the electronic structure of rGO, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were performed. When rGO was doped with Mn2+ ions, its catalytic properties improved with respect to both reactions. The changes in the electronic structure of rGO are attributed to the formation of defect structures on the rGO surface via a reaction between the doped Mn2+ ions and oxygen of the rGO surface. Thus, the results show that the doping of rGO with Mn ions in the +2-charge state (stable oxide form: MnO) enhances its catalytic and photocatalytic activities. Hence, this study provides new insights into the use of defect-controlled rGO as a novel catalyst. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Photocatalysts for Environmental and Energy Applications)
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16 pages, 3397 KiB  
Article
The Activity Enhancement Effect of Ionic Liquids on Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts: From Rotating Disk Electrode to Membrane Electrode Assembly
by Kan Huang, Oscar Morales-Collazo, Zhichao Chen, Tangqiumei Song, Liang Wang, Honghong Lin, Joan F. Brennecke and Hongfei Jia
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 989; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080989 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2641
Abstract
Ionic liquids (ILs) have been explored as a surface modification strategy to promote the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on Pt/C and their chemical structures were identified to have strong influence on the ORR activities. To better understand the roles of anion and cation [...] Read more.
Ionic liquids (ILs) have been explored as a surface modification strategy to promote the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on Pt/C and their chemical structures were identified to have strong influence on the ORR activities. To better understand the roles of anion and cation of ILs on the catalytic reaction, two cations ([MTBD]+ and [bmim]+) were paired with three anions ([TFSI], [beti], and [C4F9SO3]) to form various IL structures. By systematically varying the IL combinations and studying their effects on the electrochemical behaviors, such as electrochemical surface area and specific ORR activities, it was found that cation structure had a higher influence than anion, and the impact of the [MTBD]+ series was stronger than the [bmim]+ series. In addition to the investigation in the half-cell, studies were also extended to the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). Considerable performance enhancements were demonstrated in both the kinetic region and high current density region with the aid of IL. This work suggests that IL modification can provide a complementary approach to improve the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Developments in Fuel-Cell Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts)
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12 pages, 3992 KiB  
Article
Aerobic Oxidative Desulfurization of Liquid Fuel Catalyzed by P–Mo–V Heteropoly Acids in the Presence of Aldehyde
by Reem Ghubayra, Rachel Hindle, Rana Yahya, Elena F. Kozhevnikova and Ivan V. Kozhevnikov
Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080988 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2208
Abstract
Aerobic oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of model liquid fuel (dodecane spiked with dibenzothiophene (DBT)) was carried out in the presence of bulk and supported Keggin-type heteropoly acids H3+nPMo12-nVnO40 (HPA-n, n = 0–3) as heterogeneous catalysts and benzaldehyde [...] Read more.
Aerobic oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of model liquid fuel (dodecane spiked with dibenzothiophene (DBT)) was carried out in the presence of bulk and supported Keggin-type heteropoly acids H3+nPMo12-nVnO40 (HPA-n, n = 0–3) as heterogeneous catalysts and benzaldehyde as a sacrificial reductant. In the presence of bulk H4PMo11VO40 (HPA-1), 100% of DBT was removed from fuel (converted to DBT sulfone) at 60 °C and ambient air pressure. Multiple catalyst reuse without loss of activity was demonstrated. The ODS reaction was strongly inhibited by radical scavengers. An unbranched radical chain mechanism was proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Catalytic Desulfurization Processes to Prepare Clean Fuels)
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