Ultrahigh Metal Content Carbon-Based Catalyst for Efficient Hydrogenation of Furfural: The Regulatory Effect of Glycerol

Design and Application of Mesoporous Catalysts for Liquid-Phase Furfural Hydrogenation

Furfural (FAL), a platform molecule derived from biomass through acid-catalyzed processes, holds significant potential for producing various value-added chemicals. Its unique chemical structure, comprising a furan ring and an aldehyde functional group, enables diverse transformation pathways to yield products such as furfuryl alcohol, furan, tetrahydrofuran, and other industrially relevant compounds. Consequently, optimizing catalytic processes for FAL conversion has garnered substantial attention, particularly in selectivity and efficiency. The liquid-phase hydrogenation of FAL has demonstrated advantages, including enhanced catalyst stability and higher product yields. Among the catalysts investigated, mesoporous materials have emerged as promising candidates because of their high surface area, tunable pore structure, and ability to support highly dispersed active sites. These attributes are critical for maximizing the catalytic performance across various reactions, including FAL hydrogenation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in mesoporous catalyst design for FAL hydrogenation, focusing on synthesis strategies, metal dispersion control, and structural optimization to enhance catalytic performance. It explores noble metal-based catalysts, particularly highly dispersed Pd systems, as well as transition-metal-based alternatives such as Co-, Cu-, and Ni-based mesoporous catalysts, highlighting their electronic structure, bimetallic interactions, and active site properties. Additionally, metal-organic frameworks are introduced as both catalysts and precursors for thermally derived materials. Finally, key challenges that require further investigation are discussed, including catalyst stability, deactivation mechanisms, strategies to reduce reliance on external hydrogen sources, and the impact of solvent effects on product selectivity. By integrating these insights, this review provides a comprehensive perspective on the development of efficient and sustainable catalytic systems for biomass valorization.

Copper nanodot-embedded nitrogen and fluorine co-doped porous carbon nanofibers as advanced electrocatalysts for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

Porous carbon-based electrocatalysts for cathodes in zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are limited by their low catalytic activity and poor electronic conductivity, making it difficult for them to be quickly commercialized. To solve these problems of ZABs, copper nanodot-embedded N, F co-doped porous carbon nanofibers (CuNDs@NFPCNFs) are prepared to enhance the electronic conductivity and catalytic activity in this study. The CuNDs@NFPCNFs exhibit excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance based on experimental and density functional theory (DFT) simulation results. The copper nanodots (CuNDs) and N, F co-doped carbon nanofibers (NFPCNFs) synergistically enhance the electrocatalytic activity. The CuNDs in the NFPCNFs also enhance the electronic conductivity to facilitate electron transfer during the ORR. The open porous structure of the NFPCNFs promotes the fast diffusion of dissolved oxygen and the formation of abundant gas-liquid-solid interfaces, leading to enhanced ORR activity. Finally, the CuNDs@NFPCNFs show excellent ORR performance, maintaining 92.5% of the catalytic activity after a long-term ORR test of 20000 s. The CuNDs@NFPCNFs also demonstrate super stable charge-discharge cycling for over 400 h, a high specific capacity of 771.3 mAh g^-1 and an excellent power density of 204.9 mW cm^-2 as a cathode electrode in ZABs. This work is expected to provide reference and guidance for research on the mechanism of action of metal nanodot-enhanced carbon materials for ORR electrocatalyst design.

Collaboration of two-star nanomaterials: The applications of nanocellulose-based metal organic frameworks composites

Nanocellulose, as the star nanomaterial in carbohydrate polymers, has excellent mechanical properties, biodegradability, and easy chemical modification. However, further practical applications of nanocellulose are limited by their inadequate functionalization. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), as the star nanomaterial in functional polymers, have a large surface area, high porosity, and adjustable structure. The collaboration of nanocellulose and MOFs is a desirable strategy to make composites especially interesting for multifunctional and multi-field applications. What sparks will be produced by the collaboration of two-star nanomaterials? In this review article, we highlight an up-to-date overview of nanocellulose-based MOFs composites. The sewage treatment, gas separation, energy storage, and biomedical applications are mainly summarized. Finally, the challenges and research trends of nanocellulose-based MOFs composites are prospected. We hope this review may provide a valuable reference for the development and applications of carbohydrate polymer composites soon.