Low temperature catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide by the application of novel perovskite catalysts

Assessment of photocatalytic activity of novel PrBiFeO3 perovskite composites in visible-light photocatalytic decomposition reaction

In this study, the visible-light photocatalytic reaction properties of perovskite catalysts was investigated with excellent visible-light sensitivity. Titanate-based and ferrite-based perovskites were introduced as light-responsive catalysts. A novel ferrite-based perovskite composite, PrBiFeO3, was synthesized, which demonstrated significantly enhanced light absorption under both visible light and UV illumination. The composite was prepared according to a combined sol-gel and solvothermal method. The newly synthesized PrBiFeO3 exhibited excellent absorption capabilities for both UV and visible light, with a band gap energy of about 2.0 eV. These perovskites showed photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of methylene blue and formaldehyde under visible light LED lamp illumination. Notably, the ferrite-based perovskites, including PrFeO3, displayed better photocatalytic activity under visible light compared to the titanate-based perovskites. The novel PrBiFeO3 composite also produced hydrogen and oxygen through water splitting under artificial sunlight and liquid plasma discharging. The amount of hydrogen produced by photocatalytic water splitting in PrBiFeO3 under liquid plasma irradiation was approximately 50 times higher than that produced under artificial sunlight irradiation.

Simultaneous production of high-purity hydrogen and carbon from waste organic solvents by liquid-phase plasma cracking over perovskite composite catalysts

In this study, a method for purifying waste volatile organic compound solvents through a simple distillation process, followed by the generation of hydrogen and carbon via liquid-plasma cracking is proposed. In addition, a novel PrBiFeO3 perovskite composite with excellent visible light sensitivity is introduced to enhance the efficiency of this reaction. The waste organic solvents are converted into refined organic solvents through distillation. During this process, hydrogen gas and carbon particles are generated. To improve the activity of the plasma decomposition, titanate-based perovskites (CaTiO3, SrTiO3, NiTiO3) and ferrite-based perovskites (PrFeO3, PrBiFeO3) were synthesized and employed as catalysts. To achieve a catalyst with better optical absorption and a lower band gap energy for visible light, a newly prepared PrBiFeO3 perovskite was utilized. The investigation into the optical properties of these perovskites revealed a high sensitivity to visible light. When these catalysts were applied to the liquid-phase plasma cracking of organic solvents, the ferrite-based perovskite catalysts demonstrated higher reaction activity. The highest rate of hydrogen evolution and carbon yield were obtained with the PrBiFeO3 catalyst, achieving approximately 150 L/(g∙h) and 17.7 %, respectively. In this reaction system, sensitivity of the catalyst to visible light was correlated with increased reaction activity. The hydrogen exhibited high purity, while the carbon was also of high purity, characterized by small particle size and a large specific surface area.

Synthesis and Catalytic Performance of High-Entropy Rare-Earth Perovskite Nanofibers: (Y0.2La0.2Nd0.2Gd0.2Sm0.2)CoO3 in Low-Temperature Carbon Monoxide Oxidation

This study investigated the catalytic properties of low-temperature oxidation of carbon monoxide, focusing on (Y0.2La0.2Nd0.2Gd0.2Sm0.2)CoO3 synthesized via a glycothermal method using 1,4-butanediol and diethylene glycol at 250 °C. This synthesis route bypasses the energy-intensive sintering process at 1200 °C while maintaining a high-entropy single-phase structure. The synthesized material was characterized structurally and chemically by X-ray diffraction and SEM/EDX analyses. The material was shown to form nanofibers of (Y0.2La0.2Nd0.2Gd0.2Sm0.2)CoO3, thereby increasing the active surface area for catalytic reactions, and crystallize in the model Pbnm space group of distorted perovskite cell. Using a custom setup to investigate catalytic properties of (Y0.2La0.2Nd0.2Gd0.2Sm0.2)CoO3, the CO oxidation behavior of those high-entropy perovskite oxide was investigated, showing an overall conversion of 78% at 50 °C and 97% at 100 °C. These findings highlight the effective catalytic activity of nanofibers of (Y0.2La0.2Nd0.2Gd0.2Sm0.2)CoO3 under mild conditions and their versatility in various catalytic processes of robust CO neutralization. The incorporation of rare-earth elements into a high-entropy structure could impart unique catalytic properties, promoting a synergistic effect that enhances performance.

Power of One Health: the first year of Science in One Health

The international journal Science in One Health (SOH), launched a year ago, is a platform to disseminate research achievements and practical lessons in the field of One Health globally and to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by systematic thinking with multi-disciplinary approach to solve complex health problems. This paper reviews the efforts that SOH editorial board made in the first year to promote a multi-disciplinary teamwork, create a platform for exchanges of ideas, and initiate a community for One Health. SOH has received manuscripts from six continents and published 24 articles (5 in press) in the first year. SOH is devoted to providing more and more high-quality articles in One Health disciplines including One Health database, antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic diseases, food security, One Health governance and climate changes with their impacts. This editorial illustrated the power of Science in One Health.