Unraveling the synergy between gold nanoparticles and chromium-hydrotalcites in aerobic oxidation of alcohols

Efficient removal of Cr (VI) from coal gangue by indigenous bacteria-YZ1 bacteria: Adsorption mechanism and reduction characteristics of extracellular polymer

The existence of heavy metals (especially Cr (VI)) in coal gangue has brought great safety risks to the environment. The indigenous bacteria (YZ1 bacteria) were separated and applied for removing Cr (VI) from the coal gangue, in which its tolerance to Cr (VI) was explored. The removal mechanism of Cr (VI) was investigated with pyrite in coal gangue, metabolite organic acids and extracellular polymer of YZ1 bacteria. The concentration of Cr (VI) could be stabilized around 0.012 mg/L by the treatment with YZ1 bacteria. The Cr (VI) tolerance of YZ1 bacteria reached 60 mg/L, and the removal efficiency of Cr (VI) was more than 95% by using YZ1 bacteria combined with pyrite. The organic acids had a certain reducing ability to Cr (VI) (removal efficiency of less than 10%). The extracellular polymers (EPS) were protective for the YZ1 bacteria resisting to Cr (VI). The polysaccharides and Humic-like substances in the soluble extracellular polymers (S-EPS) had strong adsorption and reduction effect on Cr (VI), in which the tryptophan and tyrosine proteins in the bound extracellular polymers (LB-EPS and TB-EPS) could effectively promote the reduction of Cr (VI). YZ1 bacteria could obviously reduce the damage of Cr (VI) from coal gangue to the environment.

Additive-free selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols with molecular oxygen catalyzed by a mixed-valence polyoxovanadate-based metal-organic framework

Selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes is an industrially significant chemical transformation. Herein, we report a mixed-valence polyoxovanadate-based metal-organic framework (MOF), (H₂bix)₅{[Cd(bix)₂][VIV8VV7O₃₆Cl]₂}·3H₂O (V-Cd-MOF), for catalyzing the additive-free oxidation of a series of aromatic alcohols with high selectivity and in nearly quantitative yield to the corresponding aldehydes with O₂ as the oxidant. Experimental results, corroborated with density functional theory calculations, indicate that it is the synergistic operation of the dual active sites of the V^IV-O-V^V building units in the polyoxovanadate cluster that is responsible for the excellent catalytic performance observed: on the one hand, the exposed and readily accessible reduced V^IV site is believed to activate O₂, resulting in a reactive oxygen species for the subsequent activation and breaking of the substrate's C_α-H bond. On the other hand, the V^V site coordinates with the alcoholic O atom to facilitate the cleavage of the O-H bond. The catalyst can be recycled by centrifugation and re-used at least five times with uncompromised performance. To our knowledge, V-Cd-MOF represents the first example of a polyoxometalate-based MOF catalyst for additive-free selective oxidation of alcohol to aldehyde with O₂ as an oxidant.

Process coupling of CO2 reduction and 5-HMF oxidation mediated by defect-enriched layered double hydroxides

Aiming at the comprehensive utilization of waste carbon resources and renewable carbon resources, we put forward the photocatalytic coupling process of CO₂ reduction and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) oxidation mediated by the anionic compound of layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Specifically, a ZnNiFe-LDH was synthesized by co-precipitation method, during which CO₂ was stored between LDH layers in the form of carbonate. Then, a certain amount of metal vacancies were introduced into LDH nanosheets by selectively etching Zn²⁺ ions. ICP-AES, EPR and XPS showed that the concentration of Zn vacancies gradually increased with the etching time prolonging, which thus optimized the electronic structure of LDH layers. Under the catalysis of the electron-rich metal cations and hydroxyl groups on the layers, the interlayer carbonate was in situ reduced into CO coupled accompanied with the 5-HMF oxidation to 2.5-furandiformaldehyde (DFF). Compared with the unetched ZnNiFe-LDHs, the CO and DFF yields over the LDHs etched for 3 h were increased by 2.84 and 2.82 times under UV-vis irradiation with a density of 500 mW cm^-2. Finally, combined with isotope-labeled ¹³CO₂ experiments and in situ FTIR characterization, we revealed the possible coupling mechanism and defect-induced performance enhancement mechanism.

Engineering Heterostructures of Layered Double Hydroxides and Metal Nanoparticles for Plasmon-Enhanced Catalysis

Artificially designed heterostructures formed by close conjunctions of plasmonic metal nanoparticles (PNPs) and non-plasmonic (2D) lamellar nanostructures are receiving extensive interest. The synergistic interactions of the nanounits induce the manifestation of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in plasmonic metals in the specific environment of the 2D-light absorbing matrix, impacting their potential in plasmon enhanced catalysis. Specifically, layered double hydroxides (LDH) with the advantages of their unique 2D-layered structure, tuned optical absorption, ease of preparation, composition diversity, and high surface area, have emerged as very promising candidates for obtaining versatile and robust catalysts. In this review, we cover the available PNPs/LDH heterostructures, from the most used noble-metals plasmonic of Au and Ag to the novel non-noble-metals plasmonic of Cu and Ni, mainly focusing on their synthesis strategies toward establishing a synergistic response in the coupled nanounits and relevant applications in plasmonic catalysis. First, the structure–properties relationship in LDH, establishing the desirable features of the 2D-layered matrix facilitating photocatalysis, is shortly described. Then, we address the recent research interests toward fabrication strategies for PNPs/support heterostructures as plasmonic catalysts. Next, we highlight the synthesis strategies for available PNPs/LDH heterostructures, how these are entangled with characteristics that enable the manifestation of the plasmon-induced charge separation effect (PICS), co-catalytic effect, or nanoantenna effect in plasmonic catalysis with applications in energy related and environmental photocatalysis. Finally, some perspectives on the challenges and future directions of PNPs/LDHs heterostructures to improve their performance as plasmonic catalysts are discussed.

Emerging Two-Dimensional-Based Nanostructured Catalysts: Applications in Sustainable Organic Transformations

The extension of green and sustainable materials in the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts for organic transformations has increased over the past few decades. Because of their unique and intriguing physical and chemical properties, two-dimensional (2D) nanostructured materials have attracted widespread attention and have been used in a variety of applications, such as catalysis, electronics, and energy storage. A promising pathway to enhance the performance of 2D nanomaterials is their coupling with other functional materials to form heterogeneous or hybrid structures. Herein, we discuss the use of 2D-based nanostructured catalysts for enhancing organic transformations and highlight selected examples to demonstrate the synthesis, advantages, challenges, efficiency, and reusability of the introduced heterogeneous catalysts for cross-coupling and reduction reactions.

Synthesis of active, robust and cationic Au25 cluster catalysts on double metal hydroxide by long-term oxidative aging of Au25(SR)18

Synthesis of an atomically precise Au₂₅ cluster catalyst was attempted by long-term, low-temperature aging of Au₂₅(BaET)₁₈ (BaET-H = 2-(Boc-amino)ethanethiol) on various double metal hydroxide (DMH) supports. X-ray absorption fine structure analysis revealed that bare Au₂₅ clusters with high loading (1 wt%) were successfully generated on the DMH containing Co and Ce (Co₃Ce) by oxidative aging in air at 150 °C for >12 h. X-ray absorption near-edge structure and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies showed that the Au₂₅ clusters on Co₃Ce were positively charged. The Au₂₅/Co₃Ce catalyst thus synthesized exhibited superior catalytic performance in the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol under ambient conditions (TOF = 1097 h^-1 with >97% selectivity to benzoic acid) and high durability owing to a strong anchoring effect. Based on kinetic experiments, we propose that abstraction of hydride from α-carbon of benzyl alkoxide by Au₂₅ is the rate-determining step of benzyl alcohol oxidation by Au₂₅/Co₃Ce.

Study on Simultaneous Removal of Dye and Heavy Metal Ions by NiAl-Layered Double Hydroxide Films

Herein, nickel-aluminum-layered double hydroxide (NiAl-LDH) films were prepared by the hydrothermal method. Based on the photoinduced reduction ability and degradation of LDHs on heavy metal ions and organic compounds, NiAl-LDH films displayed favorable simultaneous removal performance. Benefiting from the electron traps of heavy metals reduced from solution, the coexisting metal ions improved the photocatalytic activity of NiAl-LDH films on methyl orange. The higher the Fermi level of coexisting metal ion was, the higher the photocatalytic degradation rate of methyl orange obtained. Meanwhile, the removal rates of heavy metal ions (Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cu²⁺) from wastewater were both enhanced and could reach 95%. NiAl-LDH films showed affinity toward Ag⁺. Furthermore, NiAl-LDH films are tightly coupled with the substrate, providing active sites and a simple method for the catalyst recovery. This study provides new insights into the simultaneous removal of heavy metal ions and organic pollutants using LDH films.

Role of the Support in Gold-Containing Nanoparticles as Heterogeneous Catalysts

In this review, we discuss selected examples from recent literature on the role of the support on directing the nanostructures of Au-based monometallic and bimetallic nanoparticles. The role of support is then discussed in relation to the catalytic properties of Au-based monometallic and bimetallic nanoparticles using different gas phase and liquid phase reactions. The reactions discussed include CO oxidation, aerobic oxidation of monohydric and polyhydric alcohols, selective hydrogenation of alkynes, hydrogenation of nitroaromatics, CO₂ hydrogenation, C–C coupling, and methane oxidation. Only studies where the role of support has been explicitly studied in detail have been selected for discussion. However, the role of support is also examined using examples of reactions involving unsupported metal nanoparticles (i.e., colloidal nanoparticles). It is clear that the support functionality can play a crucial role in tuning the catalytic activity that is observed and that advanced theory and characterization add greatly to our understanding of these fascinating catalysts.

Synergistic effect between gold nanoparticles and Fe-doped γ-MnO2 toward enhanced aerobic selective oxidation of ethanol

Gold nanoparticles supported on Fe-doped γ-MnO₂ were found to show a strong synergistic effect in the aerobic selective oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde.

Covalent structured catalytic materials containing single-atom metal sites with controllable spatial and chemical properties: concept and application

Keep your distance! A simple and effective protocol for connecting macrocycle polymers creates a new and versatile class of highly stable single-site catalytic materials.

Controlled Growth of LDH Films with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity in a Mixed Wastewater Treatment

Due to multiple charge transport pathways, adjustable layer spacing, compositional flexibility, low manufacturing cost, and absorption of visible light, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a promising material for wastewater treatment. In this study, LDH films and Fe-doped LDH films with different metal ions (Ni, Al, Fe) on the surface of conductive cloth were successfully prepared and applied for the photocatalytic degradation of wastewater containing methyl orange and Ag ions under visible-light irradiation. The chemical state of Fe ions and the composition of LDHs on methyl orange photodegradation were investigated. The experimental results showed that LDH films exhibited high photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic activity of LDH films on methyl orange improved in the mixed wastewater, and the Fe-doped NiAl-LDH films exhibited best visible-light photocatalytic performance. The analysis showed that Ag ions in the mixed wastewater were reduced by the LDH films and subsequently deposited on the surface of the LDH films. The Ag nanoparticles acted as electron traps and promoted the photocatalytic activity of the LDH films on methyl orange. Thus, we have demonstrated that prepared LDH films can be used in the treatment of mixed wastewater and have broad application prospects in environmental remediation and purification processes.

Dispersing Metallic Platinum on Green Rust Enables Effective and Selective Hydrogenation of Carbonyl Group in Cinnamaldehyde

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), a category of two-dimensional nanostructured layered materials, can be employed widely as supports, catalyst precursors, and actual catalysts in a variety of heterogeneous catalytic reactions. In this work, we reported a series of Fe-containing LDHs-supported Pt-based catalysts for base-free selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde into cinnamyl alcohol. It was revealed that their catalytic performances were closely correlated to the compositions of LDH supports. Especially, highly selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde could be achieved over the Fe(II)-Fe(III)-LDH (green rust, FeFe-LDH) supported Pt catalyst, with a high cinnamyl alcohol selectivity of about 92% at a conversion of 90% after a reaction of 2 h, superior to other Fe(III)-containing LDHs (e.g., NiFe-LDH, CoFe-LDH, and ZnFe-LDH) supported Pt ones. It was demonstrated that the high catalytic efficiency of Pt/FeFe-LDH mainly originated from highly electron-rich character of metallic Pt species and the presence of surface reductive Fe²⁺ species, thereby being helpful for the chemisorption and activation of carbonyl group in cinnamaldehyde. Moreover, strong interactions between green rust matrix and metallic Pt species could stabilize the surface Pt nanoparticles, thereby inhibiting the metal leaching during the above reaction. The present study illustrates the validity of support control in supported Pt catalysts via tuning the compositions of LDHs, and thus the electronic structure of active metal sites and catalytic performance in the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde.

Cooperative Surface-Particle Catalysis: The Role of the "Active Doughnut" in Catalytic Oxidation

We consider the factors that govern the activity of bifunctional catalysts comprised of active particles supported on active surfaces. Such catalysts are interesting because the adsorption and diffusion steps, which are often discounted in "conventional" catalytic scenarios, play a key role here. We present an intuitive model, the so-called "active doughnut" concept, defining an active catalytic region around the supported particles. This simple model explains the role of adsorption and diffusion steps in cascade catalytic cycles for active particles supported on active surfaces. The concept has two important practical implications. First, the reaction rate is no longer proportional to the number of active sites, but rather to the number of "communicative" active sites-those available to the reaction intermediates during their respective lifetimes. Second, it generates an important testable prediction concerning the dependence of the total reaction rate on the particle size. With these tools at hand, we examine six experimental examples of catalytic oxidation from the literature, and show that the active doughnut concept gives valuable insight even when detailed mechanistic information is hard to come by.

Synthesis and characterization of Co3O4 immobilized on dipeptide-functionalized silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles as a catalyst for the selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols

A supermagnetic core–shell nanocatalyst functionalized with a dipeptide ligand as a recyclable catalyst for the selective oxidation of alcohols.

Efficient aerobic oxidation of alcohols catalyzed by NiGa hydrotalcites in the absence of any additives

The surface Brønsted OH basic site on NiGa hydrotalcites was suggested to be the key active site for the oxidation.

Defect-rich Ni–Ti layered double hydroxide as a highly efficient support for Au nanoparticles in base-free and solvent-free selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol

Defect-rich Ni–Ti layered double hydroxide supported Au nanoparticles exhibited greatly enhanced activity in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol.

The role of various oxygen species in Mn-based layered double hydroxide catalysts in selective alcohol oxidation

Precise identification of oxygen species in LDH-based catalysts was investigated for the first time for alcohol oxidation.

Facile synthesis of supported RuO2·xH2O nanoparticles on Co–Al hydrotalcite for the catalytic oxidation of alcohol: effect of temperature pretreatment

RuO₂·xH₂O/CoAl-LDH synthesized by the co-precipitation method was pretreated by different temperature which showed the highest activity at 200 °C.

Selective oxidation of alcohols by supported gold nanoparticles: recent advances

The review presents a commercially important field of alcohol oxidation using gold nanoparticles. It systematically discusses scope and limitation of various supports on the activity and selectivity of catalyst.

Oxidation of Aliphatic Alcohols by Using Precious Metals Supported on Hydrotalcite under Solvent- and Base-Free Conditions

Precious metal nanoparticles supported on magnesium-aluminum hydrotalcite (HT), TiO2 , and MgO were prepared by sol immobilization and assessed for the catalytic oxidation of octanol, which is a relatively unreactive aliphatic alcohol, with molecular oxygen as the oxidant under solvent- and base-free conditions. Compared with the TiO2 - and MgO-supported catalysts, platinum HT gave the highest activity and selectivity towards the aldehyde. The turnover number achieved for the platinum HT catalyst was >3700 after 180 min under mild reaction conditions. Moreover, the results for the oxidation of different substrates indicate that a specific interaction of octanal with the platinum HT catalyst could lead to deactivation of the catalyst.

Supported catalysts based on layered double hydroxides for catalytic oxidation and hydrogenation: general functionality and promising application prospects

Oxidation and hydrogenation catalysis plays a crucial role in the current chemical industry for the production of key chemicals and intermediates. Because of their easy separation and recyclability, supported catalysts are widely used in these two processes. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with the advantages of unique structure, composition diversity, high stability, ease of preparation and low cost have shown great potential in the design and synthesis of novel supported catalysts. This review summarizes the recent progress in supported catalysts by using LDHs as supports/precursors for catalytic oxidation and hydrogenation. Particularly, partial hydrogenation of acetylene, hydrogenation of dimethyl terephthalate, methanation, epoxidation of olefins, elimination of NOx and SOx emissions, and selective oxidation of biomass have been chosen as representative reactions in the petrochemical, fine chemicals, environmental protection and clean energy fields to highlight the potential application and the general functionality of LDH-based catalysts in catalytic oxidation and hydrogenation. Finally, we concisely discuss some of the scientific challenges and opportunities of supported catalysts based on LDH materials.

Flower-like Au/Ni–Al hydrotalcite with hierarchical pore structure as a multifunctional catalyst for catalytic oxidation of alcohol

Flower-like hierarchical Au/NiAl-LDH catalysts were synthesized for selective oxidation of alcohols.

Partial hydrogenation of acetylene over a NiTi-layered double hydroxide supported PdAg catalyst

Supported PdAg/NiTi-LDH with rich defective sites was synthesized and exhibited high activity and selectivity in the partial hydrogenation of acetylene.