Catalysts, Volume 7, Issue 9 (September 2017) – 37 articles

In this communication, we present studies of the oxidative homocoupling of arylboronic acids catalyzed by immobilised palladium nanoparticles in aqueous solution. This reaction is of significant interest because it shares a key transmetallation step with the well-known Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. Additives can have significant effects on catalysis, both in terms of reaction mechanism and recovery of catalytic species, and our aim was to study the effect of added halides on catalytic efficiency and catalyst recovery. Using kinetic studies, we have shown that added halides (added as NaCl and NaBr) can increase the catalytic activity of the palladium nanoparticles more than 10-fold, allowing reactions to be completed in less than half a day at 30 °C. However, this increased activity comes at the expense of catalyst recovery. The results are in agreement with a reaction mechanism in which, under conditions involving high concentrations of chloride or bromide, palladium leaching plays an important role. Considering the evidence for analogous reactions occurring on the surface of palladium nanoparticles under different reaction conditions, we conclude that additives can exert a significant effect on the mechanism of reactions catalyzed by nanoparticles, including switching from a surface reaction to a solution reaction. The possibility of this switch in mechanism may also be the cause for the disagreement on this topic in the literature. Full article

The methanation of CO₂ within the power-to-gas concept was investigated under fluctuating reaction conditions to gather detailed insight into the structural dynamics of the catalyst. A 10 wt % Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst with uniform 3.7 nm metal particles and a dispersion of 21% suitable to investigate structural changes also in a surface-sensitive way was prepared and characterized in detail. Operando quick-scanning X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS/QEXAFS) studies were performed to analyze the influence of 30 s and 300 s H₂ interruptions during the methanation of CO₂ in the presence of O₂ impurities (technical CO₂). These conditions represent the fluctuating supply of H₂ from renewable energies for the decentralized methanation. Short-term H₂ interruptions led to oxidation of the most reactive low-coordinated metallic Ni sites, which could not be re-reduced fully during the subsequent methanation cycle and accordingly caused deactivation. Detailed evaluation of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra showed surface oxidation/reduction processes, whereas the core of the Ni particles remained reduced. The 300-s H₂ interruptions resulted in bulk oxidation already after the first cycle and a more pronounced deactivation. These results clearly show the importance and opportunities of investigating the structural dynamics of catalysts to identify their mechanism, especially in power-to-chemicals processes using renewable H₂. Full article

In the current work, heteroatom-doped graphene materials containing different atomic ratios of nitrogen and sulphur were employed as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic and alkaline media. To this end, the hydrothermal route and different chemical reducing agents were employed to synthesize the catalytic materials. The physicochemical characterization of the catalysts was performed by several techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and elemental analysis; meanwhile, the electrochemical performance of the materials toward the ORR was analyzed by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), rotating disk electrode (RDE) and rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) techniques. The main results indicate that the ORR using heteroatom-doped graphene is a direct four-electron pathway, for which the catalytic activity is higher in alkaline than in acidic media. Indeed, a change of the reaction mechanism was observed with the insertion of N into the graphenic network, by the rate determining step changes from the first electrochemical step (formation of adsorbed OOH) on glassy carbon to the removal of adsorbed O (O_ad) from the N-graphene surface. Moreover, the addition of sulphur atoms into the N-graphene structure increases the catalytic activity toward the ORR, as the desorption of O_ad is accelerated. Full article

Catalase is an effective biocatalyst to degrade hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen that can serve in textile effluent treatment to remove residual H₂O₂. Thermostable catalases are needed to withstand both the high temperature and pH of textile wastewater. We have cloned the Mn-containing catalase gene ACS24898.1 from Geobacillus sp. WCH70, which originated from thermophilic organisms, and expressed it in Escherichia coli in activated form. The recombinant protein has been purified to homogeneity and identified to be a new homo-hexamer Mn-containing catalase. The native molecular mass of the catalase has been measured to be 138 kDa by size-exclusion chromatography. The new enzyme has optimum catalyzed activity at pH 9.0 and a temperature of 75 °C. It is thermostable up to 70 °C for 8 h incubation and maintains 80% and 50% activity, respectively, at 80 °C after 5 h and 90 °C after 1 h. At 75 °C and pH 9.0, the K_m is 67.26 mM for substrate H₂O₂ and the rate of reaction at H₂O₂ saturation, V_max, is 75,300 U/mg. The thermophilic and alkaline preferred properties of this new Mn-catalase are valuable features in textile wastewater treatment. Full article

Ag₃PO₄/Ag/Bi₂O₂CO₃ composites were prepared by a hydrothermal and precipitation method. The morphology, structure, and valence state of the photo-catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface areas, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS). They were applied as heterogeneous catalysts in the synthesis of esters from aldehydes (or alcohols) and alcohols and the synthesis of imines from alcohols and amines under visible light irradiation. The photo-catalytic activities of the esterification reactions of aldehydes and alcohols were heavily dependent on the loading of Ag₃PO₄/Ag/Bi₂O₂CO₃ as well as the intensity and wavelength of the visible light. Furthermore, their conversion under visible light irradiation was superior to that in the dark. Herein a reaction mechanism from aldehydes and alcohols to esters was proposed, and the Ag₃PO₄/Ag/Bi₂O₂CO₃ catalysts could be used six times without a significant decrease in activity. Using these catalysts under visible light could motivate future studies to develop efficient recyclable photo-catalysts and facilitate many synthetic organic reactions. Full article

Indigo carmine is a typical recalcitrant dye which is widely used in textile dyeing processes. Laccases are versatile oxidases showing strong ability to eliminate hazardous dyes from wastewater. However, most laccases require the participation of mediators for efficient decolorization of indigo carmine. Here we describe the improvement of the decolorization ability of a bacterial laccase through site-directed mutagenesis. A D501G variant of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens laccase was constructed and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The laccase activity in the culture supernatant achieved 3374 U·L⁻¹ for the mutant. Compared with the wild-type enzyme, the D501G exhibited better stability and catalytic efficiency. It could decolorize more than 92% of indigo carmine without additional mediators in 5 h at pH 9.0, which was 3.5 times higher than the wild-type laccase. Isatin sulfonic acid was confirmed to be the main product of indigo carmine degradation by UV-vis and LC-MS analyses. Full article

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the largest contributor to the greenhouse effect, and fixing and using this greenhouse gas in a facile manner is crucial. This work investigates the electrocarboxylation of dichlorobenzenes with the atmospheric pressure of CO₂ in an undivided cell with an Ag cathode and an Mg sacrificial anode. The corresponding carboxylic acids and their derivatives, which are important industrial and fine chemicals, are obtained. To deeply understand this reaction, we investigate the influence of various reaction conditions, such as supporting electrolyte, current density, electric charge, and reaction temperature, on the electrocarboxylation yield by using 1,4-dichlorobenzene as the model compound. The electrochemical behavior of dichlorobenzenes is studied through cyclic voltammetry. The relation among the distinct electronic effects of dichlorobenzenes, the electrochemical characteristics of their reduction, and the distribution law of target products is also established. Full article

The isomerization of limonene over the Ti-SBA-15 catalyst, which was prepared by the hydrothermal method, was studied. The main products of limonene isomerization were terpinolene, α-terpinene, γ-terpinene, and p-cymene—products with numerous applications. The amount of these products depended on reaction time, temperature, and catalyst content. These parameters changed in the following range: reaction time 30–1380 min, temperature 140–160 °C, and catalyst content 5–15 wt %. Finally, the most favorable conditions for the limonene isomerization process were established: a reaction time of 180 min, temperature of 160 °C, and amount of the catalyst 15 wt %. In order to obtain p-cymene (dehydroaromatization product), the most favorable conditions are similar but the reaction time should be 1380 min. The application of such conditions allowed us to obtain the highest amounts of the desired products in the shortest time. Full article

The proper selection of transition metals and support is pivotal to the design of active and selective catalysts for maleic anhydride hydrogenation (MAH). Herein, the M/CeO_2−δ (M = Co, Ni, Cu, respectively) catalysts with pre-optimised metal loading of 10 wt % were prepared via a wet impregnation method and well characterized to corroborate their MAH performance with the properties of metal, support and the M/CeO_2−δ catalysts. The results revealed that the metal dispersion on the catalyst declines in the order of Ni/CeO_2−δ > Co/CeO_2−δ > Cu/CeO_2−δ, similar to the apparent activity for maleic anhydride (MA) transformation to succinic anhydride (SA). The hydrogenolysis of SA to γ-butyrolactone (GBL) occurs on Ni/CeO_2−δ and Co/CeO_2−δ only when the MA → SA transformation completing. The Ni/CeO_2−δ displays superior activity and selectivity to Co/CeO_2−δ in both MA → SA and SA → GBL reactions, while the Cu/CeO_2−δ and CeO_2−δ are both inert for SA → GBL hydrogenolysis. The MA hydrogenation to SA follows the first order kinetic law on the Ni/CeO_2−δ and Co/CeO_2−δ catalysts yet a more complex kinetic characteristics observed on the Cu/CeO_2−δ. The distinct catalytic hydrogenation behaviours of the M/CeO_2−δ catalysts are assigned to the synergism of dispersion and electronic configuration of the transition metals and oxygen vacancies. Full article

Catalytic characteristics of hexahistidine-containing organophosphorus hydrolase (His₆-OPH) and its enzyme-polyelectrolyte complexes with poly-l-glutamic acid or poly-l-aspartic acid (His₆-OPH/PLD₅₀), hydrolyzing organophosphorous compounds, and N-acyl homoserine lactones were studied in the presence of various antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin, kanamycin, and rifampicin). The antibiotics at concentrations below 1 g·L⁻¹ had a negligible inhibiting effect on the His₆-OPH activity. Mixed inhibition of His₆-OPH was established for higher antibiotic concentrations, and rifampicin was the most potent inhibitor. Stabilization of the His₆-OPH activity was observed in the presence of antibiotics at a concentration of 0.2 g·L⁻¹ during exposure at 25–41 °C. Molecular docking of antibiotics to the surface of His₆-OPH dimer revealed the antibiotics binding both to the area near active centers of the enzyme subunits and to the region of contact between subunits of the dimer. Such interactions between antibiotics and His₆-OPH were verified with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Considering all the results of the study, the combination of His₆-OPH/PLD₅₀ with β-lactam antibiotic ampicillin was established as the optimal one in terms of exhibition and persistence of maximal lactonase activity of the enzyme. Full article

In this study, the application of a calcium-based bifunctional catalyst/sorbent is investigated in modified chemical looping steam methane reforming (CLSMR) process for in situ CO₂ sorption and H₂ production. The yttrium promoted Ca-Co samples were synthesized and applied as bifunctional catalysts/sorbent. The influence of reduction temperature (500–750 °C), Ca/Co and Ca/Y ratios (1.5–∞ and 3–18, respectively) and catalyst life time are determined in CLSMR process. The physicochemical transformation of fresh, used and regenerated samples after 16 redox cycles are determined using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The effect of yttrium promoter on the structure of catalyst and regeneration step on the reversibility of bifunctional catalyst/sorbent was two important factors. The characterization results revealed that the presence of yttrium in the structure of Ca-9Co sample could improve the morphology and textural properties of catalyst/sorbents. The suitable reversibility of bifunctional catalyst/sorbents during the repeated cycles is confirmed by characterization of calcined samples. The Ca-9Co-4.5Y as optimal catalyst illustrated superior performance and stability. It showed about 95.8% methane conversion and 82.9% hydrogen yield at 700 °C and stable activity during 16 redox cycles. Full article

It is of great significance to develop sustainable processes of catalytic reaction. We report a selective procedure for the synthesis of acetylated bioactive compounds in water. The use of 1-acetylimidazole combined with Er(OTf)₃ as a Lewis acid catalyst gives high regioselectivity and good yields for the acetylation of primary hydroxyl groups, as well as amino groups. The protection is achieved in short reaction times under microwave irradiation, and is successful even in the case of base-sensitive substrates. Full article

For Ni/CeZrO catalyst prepared in supercritical isopropanol main features of methane dry reforming reaction mechanism were studied by the pulse microcalorimetric technique. The reaction scheme is described by a step-wise redox mechanism with independent stages of CH₄ transformation on Ni/support interface producing syngas with participation of support oxygen bridging species (the rate-limiting stage) and fast reoxidation of support sites by CO₂ yielding CO regenerating reactive oxygen species. Full article

The Heck reaction is one of the most studied coupling reactions and is recognized with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Thousands of articles, hundreds of reviews and a number of books have been published on this topic. All reviews are written exhaustively describing the various aspects of Heck reaction and refer to the work done hitherto. Looking at the quantum of the monographs published, and the reviews based on them, we found a necessity to summarize all reviews on Heck reaction about catalysts, ligands, suggested mechanisms, conditions, methodologies and the compounds formed via Heck reaction in one review and generate a resource of information. One can find almost all the catalysts used so far for Heck reaction in this review. Full article

The flower-like Bi₂WO₆ microsphere was synthesized through a simple hydrothermal route, and three catalysts, Au/Bi₂WO₆, CuO/Bi₂WO₆, and Au–CuO/Bi₂WO₆, were prepared by a deposition–precipitation method. The morphology and structure of the catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, surface area analyzer, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, UV/Vis spectrometer, as well as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Their catalytic performances in catalytic CO oxidation were evaluated. For Au/Bi₂WO₆ and CuO/Bi₂WO₆, Au and CuO nanoparticles highly dispersed on Bi₂WO₆ are 3 and 10 nm, respectively, in average size. For Au–CuO/Bi₂WO₆, a part of the Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) strongly adheres to the CuO, due to the strong interaction between Au NPs and CuO, which has a positive effect on catalytic activity of Au–CuO/Bi₂WO₆. Au–CuO/Bi₂WO₆ can convert CO into CO₂ completely at 40 °C, as the contents of Au and Cu are 0.438 wt % and 4.85 wt %, respectively. Full article

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of bio-oils, lignin and their model compounds is summarized in this review. The main emphasis is put on elucidating the reaction network, catalyst stability and time-on-stream behavior, in order to better understand the prerequisite for industrial utilization of biomass in HDO to produce fuels and chemicals. The results have shown that more oxygenated feedstock, selection of temperature and pressure as well as presence of certain catalyst poisons or co-feed have a prominent role in the HDO of real biomass. Theoretical considerations, such as density function theory (DFT) calculations, were also considered, giving scientific background for the further development of HDO of real biomass. Full article

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to investigate the 2° alcohol oxidation to acetophenone catalyzed by the Cu^I/L-Proline-2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidinyloxy (TEMPO) catalyst system. Seven possible pathways (paths A→F) are presented. Our calculations show that two pathways (path A and path B) are the potential mechanisms. Furthermore, by comparing with experimental observation, it is found that path A—in which substrate alcohol provides the proton to ⁻O^tBu to produce HO^tBu followed by the oxidation of substrate directly to product acetophenone by O₂—is favored in the absence of TEMPO. Correspondingly, path B is likely to be favored when TEMPO is involved. In path B, the O–O bond cleavage of Cu^I–OOH to Cu^II–OH species occurs, followed by acetophenone formation assisted by ligand (L)²ˉ. It is also found that the cooperation of ligand (L)²ˉ and TEMPO plays an important role in assisting the formation of the product acetophenone in path B. Full article

The interest in sugar esters as emulsifiers has been increasing in recent years because they have tunable surfactant properties that depend on the chain length of the fatty acid and the type of the sugar, covering a wide range of hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB). In this work, ten biocatalysts were used for the transesterification reaction screening of lactulose, a prebiotic sugar, with vinyl laurate. The reactions were followed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis, identifying two major monoesters mixtures defined as monoester fraction 1 and monoester fraction 2. Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435) produces “monoester fraction 1”, while Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (Lipozyme^® TL IM) and Mucor miehei lipase (Lipozyme^®) seem to produce the same “monoester fraction 2”. These three enzymes were selected as model biocatalysts for a kinetic study, and monoester fractions 1 and 2 from Novozym 435 and Lipozyme^® TL IM, respectively, were used for product characterization. Monoester fraction 1 contained 86.9% of the major monoester in position 1-O-, and monoester fraction 2 contained 91.4% of 6′-O-. Although these lipases acylated three positions of lactulose, they mainly synthesize a monoester presenting regioselectivity. These results contribute to the study of the chemical structure diversity of biosurfactants to enhance their applications in foods, pharmaceutical products, and cosmetics. Full article

Cationic copper(I) complexes [Cu(aIPr^Ph)(IPr)]I (3) and [Cu(aIPr^Ph)₂]I (4) featuring an abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) (aIPr^Ph = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2-phenyl- imidazol-4-ylidene) and/or an NHC (IPr = 1,3-Bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) ligand(s) are reported. Treatment of Cu(aIPr^Ph)I (2) with IPr affords complex 3. Reaction of (IPrPh)I (1) (IPrPh = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2-phenyl-imidazolium) with CuI in the presence of K{N(SiMe₃)₂} leads to the formation of 4. Complexes 3 and 4 represent rare examples of mixed aNHC-NHC and bis-aNHC metal complexes, respectively. They are characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopic, and mass spectrometric studies. The solid-state molecular structures of 3 and 4 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The catalytic activity of 2, 3, and 4 has been investigated in the [3+2] cycloaddition of alkynes and organic azides, affording triazole derivatives in an almost quantitative yield. Notably, complexes 2, 3, and 4 are excellent catalysts for the three-fold cycloaddition of a tris-azide with various alkynes. This catalytic protocol offers a high yield access to tris-triazoles in a shorter reaction time and considerably reduces the experimental work-up compared to the classical synthetic method. Full article

The quest for sustainable processes is becoming more and more important, with catalysis playing a major role in improving atom economy and reducing waste. Organic syntheses with less need of protecting/de-protecting steps are highly desirable. The combination of microwave irradiation, as energy source, with ionic liquids, as both solvents and catalysts, offered interesting solutions in recent years. The literature data of the last 15 years concerning selected reactions are presented, highlighting the importance of microwave (MW) technology coupled with ionic liquids. Full article

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are an important large class of two-dimensional (2D) anionic lamellar materials that possess flexible modular structure, facile exchangeability of inter-lamellar guest anions and uniform distribution of metal cations in the layer. Owing to the modular accessible gallery and unique inter-lamellar chemical environment, polyoxometalates (POMs) intercalated with LDHs has shown a vast array of physical properties with applications in environment, energy, catalysis, etc. Here we describe how polyoxometalate clusters can be used as building components for the construction of systems with important catalytic properties. This review article mainly focuses on the discussion of new synthetic approaches developed recently that allow the incorporation of the element of design in the construction of a fundamentally new class of materials with pre-defined functionalities in catalytic applications. Introducing the element of design and taking control over the finally observed functionality we demonstrate the unique opportunity for engineering materials with modular properties for specific catalytic applications. Full article

Mesoporous HZSM-5 prepared by alkaline treatment (also termed desilication) has drawn significant attention due to its potential in large-scale production and in versatile applications, such as separation and catalysis. Alkali-treated HZSM-5 contains considerable amounts of non-framework (amorphous) Lewis acidic Al species on the external surface, and is deemed to be essential in affecting its catalytic performances. This study intends to clarify the catalytic nature of amorphous Al species of alkali-treated HZSM-5 in methanol aromatization. Physicochemical characterizations, including N₂ adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), and methanol-TPD, were performed. The outcomes showed that non-framework Al promotes the hydride transfer in mesoporous HZSM-5, thereby facilitating the aromatization reaction. Among aromatic products, durene can be promoted by non-framework Al through methylation/transalkylation of other aromatics, particularly xylenes, instead of being promoted by reduced space confinement in mesoporous HZSM-5. Full article

The effect of active solutions suitable for the in situ activation of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts was experimentally investigated using a designed in situ activation modeling device. To gain further insight, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), specific surface area analysis (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analyses were used to investigate the effects of different reaction conditions on the characteristics of the deactivated catalysts. The activation effect of loading V₂O₅, WO₃ and MoO₃ on the surface of the deactivated catalysts was analyzed and the correlation to the denitrification activity was determined. The results demonstrate that the prepared activating solution of 1 wt % vanadium (V), 9 wt % tungsten (W), and 6 wt % molybdenum (Mo) has a beneficial effect on the deactivation of the catalyst. The activated catalyst resulted in a higher NO removal rate when compared to the deactivated catalyst. Furthermore, the NO removal rate of the activated catalyst reached a maximum of 32%. The activity of the SCR catalyst is closely linked to the concentration of the active ingredients. When added in optimum amounts, the active ingredients helped to restore the catalytic activity. In particular, the addition of active ingredients, the availability of labile surface oxygen, and the presence of small pores improved the denitrification efficiency. Based on these results, active solutions can effectively solve the problem of denitrification catalyst deactivation. These findings are a reference for the in-situ activation of the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (SCR-DeNOx) catalyst. Full article

A novel nicotine hydroxylase was isolated from Pseudomonas sp. ZZ-5 (HSPH_ZZ). The sequence encoding the enzyme was 1206 nucleotides long, and encoded a protein of 401 amino acids. Recombinant HSPH_ZZ was functionally overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21-Codon Plus (DE3)-RIL cells and purified to homogeneity after Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses indicated that the enzyme could efficiently catalyze the conversion of 6-hydroxy-3-succinoylpyridine (HSP) into 2,5-dihydroxypyridine (2,5-DHP) and succinic acid in the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). The kinetic constants (K_m, k_cat, and k_cat/K_m) of HSPH_ZZ toward HSP were 0.18 mM, 2.1 s⁻¹, and 11.7 s⁻¹ mM⁻¹, respectively. The optimum temperature, pH, and optimum concentrations of substrate and enzyme for 2,5-DHP production were 30 °C, 8.5, 1.0 mM, and 1.0 μM, respectively. Under optimum conditions, 85.3 mg/L 2,5-DHP was produced in 40 min with a conversion of 74.9%. These results demonstrated that HSPH_ZZ could be used for the enzymatic production of 2,5-DHP in biotechnology applications. Full article

Bamboo-like carbon nanotubes are members of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) family, whose structure is made up of separated hollow compartments and bamboo knots. Due to the peculiar structure of the CNTs species, the growth mechanism and related features have been widely investigated. Bamboo-like carbon nanotubes are widely applied in several fields, such as sensors, adsorbents, catalysts, and lithium-ion battery electrodes materials. Different methods have been applied for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes, among them, catalytic chemical vapor deposition has been singled out as the most used procedure due to low cost with a high quality product. The present review is devoted to increasing the literature dealing with the design, synthesis, and characterization of bamboo-like carbon nanotubes grown over different catalysts. Results on the methane dry reforming reaction, hydrocarbon thermal decomposition, special chemical vapor deposition as well as other methods applied to the preparation of bamboo-like carbon nanotubes are discussed. The differences in the carbon deposits between the dry reforming reaction and other reaction methods are compared and possible formation mechanisms of bamboo-like carbon nanotubes are discussed. Full article

The performance of monolithic silica microreactors activated with sulphonic acid groups and a packed bed reactor with Amberlyst 15 resin were compared in the esterification of acetic acid with n-butanol. The monolithic microreactors were made of single silica rods with complex pore architecture, differing in the size of mesopores, and in particular, flow-through macropores which significantly affected the flow characteristic of the continuous system. The highest ester productivity of 105.2 mol·mol_H⁺⁻¹·h⁻¹ was achieved in microreactor M1 with the largest porosity, characterized by a total pore volume of 4 cm³·g⁻¹, mesopores with 20 nm diameter, and large flow-through macropores 30–50 μm in size. The strong impact of the permeability of the monoliths on a reaction kinetics was shown. Full article

The deactivation of a composite catalyst based on HZSM-5 zeolite (agglomerated in a matrix using boehmite as a binder) has been studied during the transformation of dimethyl ether into light olefins. The location of the trapped/retained species (on the zeolite or on the matrix) has been analyzed by comparing the properties of the fresh and deactivated catalyst after runs at different temperatures, while the nature of those species has been studied using different spectroscopic and thermogravimetric techniques. The reaction occurs on the strongest acid sites of the zeolite micropores through olefins and alkyl-benzenes as intermediates. These species also condensate into bulkier structures (polyaromatics named as coke), particularly at higher temperatures and within the meso- and macropores of the matrix. The critical roles of the matrix and water in the reaction medium have been proved: both attenuating the effect of coke deposition. Full article

The monolithic catalyst, namely the structured catalyst, is one of the important categories of catalysts used in various fields, especially in catalytic exhaust after-treatment. Despite its successful application in conventional wash-coated catalysts in both mobile and stationary catalytic converters, washcoat-based technologies are facing multi-fold challenges, including: (1) high Pt-group metals (PGM) material loading being required, driving the market prices; (2) less-than ideal distribution of washcoats in typically square-shaped channels associated with pressure drop sacrifice; and (3) far from clear correlations between macroscopic washcoat structures and their catalytic performance. To tackle these challenges, the well-defined nanostructure array (nano-array)-integrated structured catalysts which we invented and developed recently have been proven to be a promising class of cost-effective and efficient devices that may complement or substitute wash-coated catalysts. This new type of structured catalysts is composed of honeycomb-structured monoliths, whose channel surfaces are grown in situ with a nano-array forest made of traditional binary transition metal oxide support such as Al₂O₃, CeO₂, Co₃O₄, MnO₂, TiO₂, and ZnO, or newer support materials including perovskite-type ABO₃ structures, for example LaMnO₃, LaCoO₃, LaNiO, and LaFeO₃. The integration strategy parts from the traditional washcoat technique. Instead, an in situ nanomaterial assembly method is utilized, such as a hydro (solva-) thermal synthesis approach, in order to create sound structure robustness, and increase ease and complex-shaped substrate adaptability. Specifically, the critical fabrication procedures for nano-array structured catalysts include deposition of seeding layer, in situ growth of nano-array, and loading of catalytic materials. The generic methodology utilization in both the magnetic stirring batch process and continuous flow reactor synthesis offers the nano-array catalysts with great potential to be scaled up readily and cost-effectively. The tunability of the structure and catalytic performance could be achieved through morphology and geometry adjustment and guest atoms and defect manipulation, as well as composite nano-array catalyst manufacture. Excellent stabilities under various conditions were also present compared to conventional wash-coated catalysts. Full article

Two-dimensional SnS_x (x = 1, 2) nanocrystals are attractive catalysts for photoelectrochemical water splitting as their components are earth abundant and environmentally friendly. We have fabricated SnS thin-film photoelectrodes by spin coating mixed-phase SnS nanocrystals synthesized via a hot-injection technique on glass/Cr/Au substrates. The obtained SnS thin films can be transformed into SnS₂ by introducing structural phase changes via a facile low-vacuum annealing protocol in the presence of sulfur. This sulfurization process enables the insertion of sulfur atoms between layers of SnS and results in the generation of shallow donors that alter the mechanism for water splitting. The SnS₂ thin films are used as stable photocatalysts to drive the oxygen evolution reaction, and the light-current density of 0.195 mA/cm² at 0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl can be achieved due to the high carrier density, lower charge transfer resistance, and a suitable reaction band position. Based on a combination of UV-Vis spectroscopy (ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy), cyclic voltammetry and Mott–Schottky analysis, the band positions and band gaps of SnS and SnS₂ relative to the electrolyte are determined and a detailed mechanism for water splitting is presented. Our results demonstrate the potential of layered tin sulfide compounds as promising photocatalysts for efficient and large-scale water splitting. Full article

Amine dehydrogenase (AmDH) possesses tremendous potential for the synthesis of chiral amines because AmDH catalyzes the asymmetric reductive amination of ketone with high enatioselectivity. Although a reductive application of AmDH is favored in practice, the oxidative route is interesting as well for the preparation of chiral amines. Here, the kinetic resolution of racemic amines using AmDH was first extensively studied, and the AmDH reaction was combined with an NADH oxidase (Nox) to regenerate NAD⁺ and to drive the reaction forward. When the kinetic resolution was carried out with 10 mM rac-2-aminoheptane and 5 mM rac-α-methylbenzylamine (α-MBA) using purified enzymes, the enantiomeric excess (ee) values were less than 26% due to the product inhibition of AmDH by ketone and the inhibition of Nox by the substrate amine. The use of a whole-cell biocatalyst co-expressing AmDH and Nox apparently reduces the substrate and product inhibition, and/or it increases the stability of the enzymes. Fifty millimoles (50 mM) rac-2-aminoheptane and 20 mM rac-α-MBA were successfully resolved into the (S)-form with >99% ee using whole cells. The present study demonstrates the potential of a whole-cell biocatalyst co-expressing AmDH and Nox for the kinetic resolution of racemic amines. Full article