Advances in Graphene/Nanocomposites for Catalytic Applications

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanostructured Catalysts".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 May 2023) | Viewed by 9419

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Interests: graphene; nanocomposite; mixed metal oxide; renewable energy; nanomaterials

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Interests: catalysis; nanomaterials; material chemistry; graphene based nanocatalysts; mixed metal oxide; renewable energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanocomposites based on graphene leads to materials with high catalytic activity for a variety of chemical transformations. The physical and chemical properties of graphene such as high specific surface area, their extended π-system, and variable functionalities for effective chemical interactions help to convert graphene into advanced nanocomposite materials by incorporating other foreign particles. Graphene and its derivatives such as graphene oxide, highly reduced graphene oxide, or doped graphene are excellent support materials which can fine-tune the surface composition for desired functionalities to enhance the versatility of graphene-based nanocomposites in catalysis.

Many graphene-based materials viz. graphene/inorganic nanoparticles, polymer-based nanocomposites, graphene-encapsulated materials, or core-shell metal chalcogenides/graphene have appealing properties for versatile applications. Additionally, the conductive nature of the graphene contributes in the effective charge transport within the nanocomposites. Overall, the graphene-based nanocomposites become multifunctional materials with enhanced efficiencies.

Although graphene has been explored extensively, the synthesis of graphene-based nanocomposite received less coverage. There is much room to improve synthetic protocols for graphene-based nanocomposites. It is still challenging to prepare these fine-tuned materials at low-cost and large scale. Therefore, research studies advdressing the shape and size controlled synthesis, enhanced surface properties and green chemistry are the major concern. 

Therefore, this special Issue of “Catalysts” is devoted to original research and review articles covering latest innovations in the field of graphene nanocomposites, particularly towards the development of sustainable approaches for the preparation and characterization of nanomaterials and their composites. Apart from this, research and/or review articles related to the diverse application of graphene based nanocomposite in various fields including catalysis, biological and environmental applications are also welcome in this special issue.

Dr. Mufsir Kuniyil
Dr. Mohammed Rafi Shaik
Dr. Syed Farooq Adil
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • graphene
  • nanocomposites
  • nanomaterials
  • catalysis
  • electrochemistry, biological, environmental

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 4188 KiB  
Article
Polyoxometalates Encapsulated into Hollow Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica as Nanoreactors for Extraction Oxidation Desulfurization
by Yan Gao, Yu Chen, Cuiying Wang, Aiping Yin, Hailong Li and Jianshe Zhao
Catalysts 2023, 13(4), 747; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13040747 - 14 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1009
Abstract
In this work, the highly active polyoxometalate (PW2Mo2) with Venturello structure and its corresponding catalyst were applied in catalytic desulfurization for the first time. PW2Mo2 as an active component was effectively encapsulated in hollow periodic mesoporous [...] Read more.
In this work, the highly active polyoxometalate (PW2Mo2) with Venturello structure and its corresponding catalyst were applied in catalytic desulfurization for the first time. PW2Mo2 as an active component was effectively encapsulated in hollow periodic mesoporous organosilica (HPMOS) to form the nanoreactor PW2Mo2@HPMOS, where the central cavity and mesoporous shell facilitate mass transfer and both provide a stable place to react with organic sulfides. Desulfurization test results show that the hollow nanoreactor PW2Mo2@HPMOS can almost remove four sulfides simultaneously from diesel in 2 h under mild conditions. Besides, the nanocatalyst PW2Mo2@HPMOS can be reused and recycled for at least seven consecutive tests without any noticeable loss in performance. With the rapid development of the economy, the massive use of sulfur-containing fuel has a huge impact on the global climate. After combustion of sulfur-containing fuel, the realized SOX is an important inducement of the formation of acid rain, and the realized sulfur particle is also a major source of haze. Therefore, removing sulfur compounds from fuel is an important issue that needs to be solved immediately. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Graphene/Nanocomposites for Catalytic Applications)
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12 pages, 2701 KiB  
Article
Surface Reconstruction of Cobalt-Based Polyoxometalate and CNT Fiber Composite for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction
by Irsa Tariq, Muhammad Adeel Asghar, Abid Ali, Amin Badshah, Syed Mustansar Abbas, Waheed Iqbal, Muhammad Zubair, Ali Haider and Shahid Zaman
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1242; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12101242 - 15 Oct 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1877
Abstract
Polyoxometalates (POMs), as carbon-free metal-oxo-clusters with unique structural properties, are emerging water-splitting electrocatalysts. Herein, we explore the development of cobalt-containing polyoxometalate immobilized over the carbon nanotube fiber (CNTF) (Co4POM@CNTF) towards efficient electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER). CNTF serves as an excellent [...] Read more.
Polyoxometalates (POMs), as carbon-free metal-oxo-clusters with unique structural properties, are emerging water-splitting electrocatalysts. Herein, we explore the development of cobalt-containing polyoxometalate immobilized over the carbon nanotube fiber (CNTF) (Co4POM@CNTF) towards efficient electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER). CNTF serves as an excellent electron mediator and highly conductive support, while the self-activation of the part of Co4POM through restructuring in basic media generates cobalt oxides and/or hydroxides that serve as catalytic sites for OER. A modified electrode fabricated through the drop-casting method followed by thermal treatment showed higher OER activity and enhanced stability in alkaline media. Furthermore, advanced physical characterization and electrochemical results demonstrate efficient charge transfer kinetics and high OER performance in terms of low overpotential, small Tafel slope, and good stability over an extended reaction time. The significantly high activity and stability achieved can be ascribed to the efficient electron transfer and highly electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) of the self-activated electrocatalyst immobilized over the highly conductive CNTF. This research is expected to pave the way for developing POM-based electrocatalysts for oxygen electrocatalysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Graphene/Nanocomposites for Catalytic Applications)
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17 pages, 5060 KiB  
Article
Effect of Platinum Precursor on the Properties of Pt/N-Graphene Catalysts in Formic Acid Decomposition
by Vladimir V. Chesnokov, Vladimir V. Kriventsov, Igor P. Prosvirin and Evgeny Yu. Gerasimov
Catalysts 2022, 12(9), 1022; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12091022 - 08 Sep 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1591
Abstract
Properties of a novel catalytic material, Pt/N-graphene, in gas-phase decomposition of formic acid to obtain pure hydrogen were studied. The graphene powder doped with nitrogen atoms was used as the carbon support. The following methods were used to characterize the synthesized catalysts: X-ray [...] Read more.
Properties of a novel catalytic material, Pt/N-graphene, in gas-phase decomposition of formic acid to obtain pure hydrogen were studied. The graphene powder doped with nitrogen atoms was used as the carbon support. The following methods were used to characterize the synthesized catalysts: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), EXAFS and CO chemisorption. It was determined that the platinum precursor substantially affects the state of the metal in the Pt/N-graphene catalysts. When Pt(NO3)4 was used as the precursor, platinum on the catalyst surface was in the form of nanocrystals. Meanwhile, the use of H2PtCl6 led to the formation of atomically dispersed platinum stabilized on the surface of N-graphene. Carbon structures containing defects in the graphene layer surrounded by four nitrogen atoms had strong interactions with platinum atoms and acted as the sites where atomic platinum was stabilized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Graphene/Nanocomposites for Catalytic Applications)
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9 pages, 3255 KiB  
Article
Quantum-Chemical Modeling of the Catalytic Activity of Graphene Doped with Metal Phthalocyanines in ORR
by Kirill Y. Vinogradov, Anzhela V. Bulanova, Roman V. Shafigulin, Elena O. Tokranova and Hong Zhu
Catalysts 2022, 12(7), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12070786 - 18 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1602
Abstract
The active centers of carbon catalysts doped with cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, zinc, and chromium were modeled by density functional theory methods. Likewise, the thermodynamics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on model catalysts were determined. The features of the chemical properties of [...] Read more.
The active centers of carbon catalysts doped with cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, zinc, and chromium were modeled by density functional theory methods. Likewise, the thermodynamics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on model catalysts were determined. The features of the chemical properties of chromium-containing material, namely its spontaneous oxidation into the hydroxo form, were revealed. In addition, it was established that among the studied catalysts, graphene doped with cobalt showed the best properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Graphene/Nanocomposites for Catalytic Applications)
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10 pages, 2605 KiB  
Article
Photo-Induced Preparation of Ag@MOF-801 Composite Based Heterogeneous Nanocatalyst for the Production of Biodiesel
by Osamah M. Alduhaish, Mohammed Rafi Shaik and Syed Farooq Adil
Catalysts 2022, 12(5), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12050533 - 11 May 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2808
Abstract
Hybrid materials based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and nanoparticles (NPs) have gained considerable popularity in a variety of applications. Particularly, these types of materials have demonstrated excellent efficiency in heterogeneous catalysis due to the synergistic effect between the components. Herein, we report a [...] Read more.
Hybrid materials based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and nanoparticles (NPs) have gained considerable popularity in a variety of applications. Particularly, these types of materials have demonstrated excellent efficiency in heterogeneous catalysis due to the synergistic effect between the components. Herein, we report a simple, eco-friendly, photocatalytic method for the fabrication of Zr containing MOF-801 and a silver (Ag) NPs-based hybrid (Ag@MOF-801). In this method, the photocatalytic property of the central metal ion (Zr) of MOF was exploited to promote the formation and deposition of Ag NPs on the surface of the MOF-801 under the irradiation of visible light. The successful incorporation of Ag NPs was ascertained by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-Vis analysis, while the morphology and surface area of the sample was determined by N2 adsorption–desorption and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The resulting Ag@MOF-801 hybrid served as a highly efficient catalyst for the transesterification of used vegetable oil (UVO) for the production of biodiesel. The Ag@MOF-801 catalyst exhibited superior catalytic activity compared to its pristine MOF-801 counterpart due to the enhanced surface area of the material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Graphene/Nanocomposites for Catalytic Applications)
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