Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.1
2.8
Journals
Processes
Special Issues
From Small Molecules to High-Value Chemicals: Theory and Practice
share announcement

From Small Molecules to High-Value Chemicals: Theory and Practice

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical Processes and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2022) | Viewed by 12663

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yanbo Pan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Brewer Science Inc., Rolla, MO 65401, USA
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; CO2 utilization; C1 chemistry; process integration; water desalination; process modeling; density functional theory; electrochemical CO2 reduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Zhenmeng Peng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44320, USA
Interests: electrocatalysis and catalysis; chemical and electrochemical reaction engineering; sustainable and renewable energy; C1 chemical conversion; advanced materials synthesis and applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Chunhai Yi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
Interests: membrane separation technology; water treatment technology; chemical reaction engineering; polymer chemistry; polymeric membrane
Dr. Xiaochen Shen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Interests: heterogenous catalysis; electrocatalysis; material discovery; fuel/flow cells

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Converting small molecules, including CO, CO2, CH4, N2, NOx, etc., into high-value chemicals and energy carriers has been one long-lasting research topic for its significant practical meanings to human society. In recent years, owing to emerging global concerns such as global warming, the environmental pollution, and the energy crisis, the demand to realize a “green economy” is increasing rapidly. Thus, migrating such a conventional industry toward a more efficient and environmentally benign industry is urgent. Promising progress has been made over the past few years in reaching this target, such as developing electrochemical-based reaction systems, discovering novel structured high-performance catalysts, and establishing smart process integration and scaleup systems.

However, many challenges still exist in finding the efficient green-energy-driven reaction system and converting lab progress to a practical integrated industrial system. Herein, this Special Issue aims to cover recent progress and research efforts in the related field of converting small molecules into high-value chemicals, including innovative process development and integration, novel materials discovery and evaluation, as well as reaction mass/heat transfer studies. Topics include but are not limited to:

  • CO2 hydrogenation to hydrocarbons;
  • Electrochemical CO2 reduction to liquid fuels;
  • Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx;
  • (Electro)chemical ammonia synthesis from N2;
  • CH4 partial oxidation to value-added chemicals;
  • CO preferential oxidation in H2-rich atmosphere (CO PROX);
  • Modeling and simulation of the abovementioned processes.

All experimental and theoretical works falling into the scope of this Special Issue, including original research papers, short communications, review articles, and perspective articles, are invited for submission.

Dr. Yanbo Pan
Prof. Dr. Zhenmeng Peng
Prof. Dr. Chunhai Yi
Dr. Xiaochen Shen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • CO2 hydrogenation
  • electrochemical CO2 reduction
  • ammonia synthesis
  • NOx transformation
  • electrochemical N2 reduction
  • CH4 conversion
  • C1 chemistry
  • nitrogen economy

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

12 pages, 2373 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Phycobiliprotein Solubilization from a Thermotolerant Oscillatoria sp.
by Andrés F. Barajas-Solano
Processes 2022, 10(5), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10050836 - 24 Apr 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1864
Abstract
The present study evaluated the effect of multiple variables (drying time, drying temperature, biomass/solvent ratio, glass beads/biomass ratio, extraction time, and extraction speed) in the solubilization of three different phycobiliproteins (C-PC, APC, and PE) from a thermotolerant Oscillatoria sp. The strain was grown [...] Read more.
The present study evaluated the effect of multiple variables (drying time, drying temperature, biomass/solvent ratio, glass beads/biomass ratio, extraction time, and extraction speed) in the solubilization of three different phycobiliproteins (C-PC, APC, and PE) from a thermotolerant Oscillatoria sp. The strain was grown in BG11 media (28 °C, light: dark cycle of 12:12 h at 100 µmol·m−2·s−1, 20 days) and the experiments were conducted according to a two-level randomized factorial design with six center points (38 runs). Results show that biomass/solvent ratio, glass beads/biomass ratio, and extraction time, are the most significant variables in the extraction of all three proteins, whereas the glass beads/biomass ratio and extraction time significantly affect their purity. The optimized conditions allow a statistical increase in the concentration of C-PC, APC, and PE extracted from the biomass; however, the purity was lower in comparison with the expected value. The latter occurs due to a larger biomass/solvent ratio and longer extraction times, which enhanced the solubility of other hydrophilic metabolites (proteins and carbohydrates, etc.). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Small Molecules to High-Value Chemicals: Theory and Practice)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 5237 KiB  
Article
Catalytic Properties of Free-Base Porphyrin Modified Graphite Electrodes for Electrochemical Water Splitting in Alkaline Medium
by Bogdan-Ovidiu Taranu and Eugenia Fagadar-Cosma
Processes 2022, 10(3), 611; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10030611 - 21 Mar 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3100
Abstract
Hydrogen generation via electrochemical water splitting is considered an eco-friendly pathway for obtaining this desired alternative energy source, and it has triggered an intensive search for low cost and efficient catalysts. Within this context, four free-base porphyrins were studied as heterogeneous catalysts for [...] Read more.
Hydrogen generation via electrochemical water splitting is considered an eco-friendly pathway for obtaining this desired alternative energy source, and it has triggered an intensive search for low cost and efficient catalysts. Within this context, four free-base porphyrins were studied as heterogeneous catalysts for the oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions (OER and HER) in alkaline aqueous solutions. TEM and STEM analyses of samples obtained by drop-casting the porphyrins from different organic solvents on TEM grids revealed a rich variety of aggregates due to the self-assembling property of the porphyrin molecules. Modified electrodes were manufactured by applying the four tetrapyrrolic macrocycles from various solvents on the surface of graphite supports, in one or more layers. Experiments performed in 0.1 M and 1 M KOH electrolyte solutions allowed the identification of the most electrocatalytically active electrodes for the OER and HER, respectively. In the first case, the electrode was manufactured by applying three layers of 5-(4-pyridyl)-10,15,20-tris(4-phenoxyphenyl)porphyrin on the graphite substrate from N,N-dimethylformamide solution was identified as overall catalytically superior. In the second case, the electrode obtained by applying one layer of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-allyloxyphenyl)-porphyrin from benzonitrile solution displayed an HER overpotential value of 500 mV at i = −10 mA/cm2 and a Tafel slope of 190 mV/dec. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Small Molecules to High-Value Chemicals: Theory and Practice)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

20 pages, 9355 KiB  
Article
A Comparison of Uric Acid Optical Detection Using as Sensitive Materials an Amino-Substituted Porphyrin and Its Nanomaterials with CuNPs, PtNPs and Pt@CuNPs
by Camelia Epuran, Ion Fratilescu, Diana Anghel, Mihaela Birdeanu, Corina Orha and Eugenia Fagadar-Cosma
Processes 2021, 9(11), 2072; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9112072 - 19 Nov 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2466
Abstract
Hybrid nanomaterials consisting in 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-amino-phenyl)-porphyrin (TAmPP) and copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs), or both types (Pt@CuNPs) were obtained and tested for their capacity to optically detect uric acid from solutions. The introduction of diverse metal nanoparticles into the hybrid material proved their [...] Read more.
Hybrid nanomaterials consisting in 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-amino-phenyl)-porphyrin (TAmPP) and copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs), or both types (Pt@CuNPs) were obtained and tested for their capacity to optically detect uric acid from solutions. The introduction of diverse metal nanoparticles into the hybrid material proved their capacity to improve the detection range. The detection was monitored by using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and differences between morphology of the materials were performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The hybrid material formed between porphyrin and PtNPs hasthe best and most stable response for uric acid detection in the range of 6.1958 × 10−6–1.5763 × 10−5 M, even in the presence of very high concentrations of the interference species present in human environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Small Molecules to High-Value Chemicals: Theory and Practice)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 40509 KiB  
Article
Structured Thin Films Based on Synergistic Effects of MnTa2O6 Oxide and bis-Carboxy-phenyl-substituted Porphyrins, Capable to Inhibit Steel Corrosion
by Mihaela Birdeanu, Camelia Epuran, Ion Fratilescu and Eugenia Fagadar-Cosma
Processes 2021, 9(11), 1890; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9111890 - 22 Oct 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1911
Abstract
Covering steel surfaces with suitable materials with the capacity to protect against corrosion represents a challenge for both research and industry, as steel, due to its paramount utility, is the most recycled material. This study presents the realization of new sandwich type materials [...] Read more.
Covering steel surfaces with suitable materials with the capacity to protect against corrosion represents a challenge for both research and industry, as steel, due to its paramount utility, is the most recycled material. This study presents the realization of new sandwich type materials based on 5,10-(4-carboxy-phenyl)-15,20-(4-phenoxy-phenyl)-porphyrin or 5,15-(4-carboxy-phenyl)-10,20-diphenylporphyrin and MnTa2O6 designed to improve corrosion inhibition of steel in aggressive media. The thin films, designed as single- or sandwich-type structures were obtained on carbon steel through the drop-casting technique. Morphological investigations of thin films were carried out by field emission-scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The inhibition of a steel corrosion process was evaluated in an aggressive environment of 0.1 M HCl by performing electrochemical investigations such as open circuit potential (OCP) and the potentiodynamic polarization technique. The influence of variations in the cathodic Tafel slopes βc and anodic Tafel slopes βa over the corrosion rates was discussed. The best corrosion inhibition efficiency of 91.76% was realized by the steel electrode covered with sandwich-type layers of 5,15-(4-carboxy-phenyl)-10,20-diphenylporphyrin on the bottom layer and MnTa2O6 on the top. The effect of location of the COOH groups in the cis or trans position on the tetrapyrrolic ring was also discussed to understand the corrosion inhibition mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Small Molecules to High-Value Chemicals: Theory and Practice)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 2493 KiB  
Communication
Synthesis of a Benzothiadiazole-Based D−A Molecule with Aggregation-Induced Emission and Controlled Assembly Properties
by Songhua Chen, Yongqi Liu, Meiyun He and Jianhua Huang
Processes 2021, 9(7), 1094; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9071094 - 23 Jun 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2144
Abstract
An electron-donating−accepting (D−A) molecule, namely, 4-(1-(4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BT-SCC) containing carbazole as the donor moiety and benzothiadiazole as the acceptor moiety is prepared. Single-crystal X-ray structure analysis elucidated the multiple intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonds, CH…π, and π…π interplays. Interestingly, the aggregation-induced emission phenomenon [...] Read more.
An electron-donating−accepting (D−A) molecule, namely, 4-(1-(4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BT-SCC) containing carbazole as the donor moiety and benzothiadiazole as the acceptor moiety is prepared. Single-crystal X-ray structure analysis elucidated the multiple intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonds, CH…π, and π…π interplays. Interestingly, the aggregation-induced emission phenomenon is observed for BT-SCC featured with enhanced fluorescent quantum yield from diluted solution of CH2Cl2 (Φ = ca. 0.1) to CH2Cl2/hexane mixed solutions or solid states (Φ = ca. 0.8). Finally, aggregates of BT-SCC are obtained through precipitating from hot and saturated solutions or solvent-vapor methods and the aggregating morphologies could be easily controlled through different preparation methods. Fabulous cube-like micro-crystals and nanospherical structures are obtained, which is established by the synergistic effects of the multiple non-covalent interactions, endowing potential utility in the field of optoelectronic devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Small Molecules to High-Value Chemicals: Theory and Practice)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop