Pt-Embedded CuO x-CeO2 Multicore-Shell Composites: Interfacial Redox Reaction-Directed Synthesis and Composition-Dependent Performance for CO Oxidation

MnOx In Situ Growth-Induced Luminescence and Oxidase-Like Feature Bimodulation of CePO4:Tb Nanorods: Toward Ascorbic Acid-Related Bioanalysis in a "One-Stone-Two-Birds" Manner

Nanozyme-based multimode detection is a useful means to improve the accuracy and stability of analytical methods. However, both multifunctional nanozymes and related multimodal sensing strategies are still very scarce. Besides, they require complex processes to fabricate and operate. To fill this gap, here we propose a spontaneous interfacial in situ growth strategy to prepare a new bifunctional material (CePO4:Tb@MnOx) featuring good oxidase-like activity and green photoluminescence for the dual-mode colorimetric/luminescence determination of ascorbic acid (AA)-related biomarkers specifically. CePO4:Tb@MnOx was gained through the controllable redox reaction between KMnO4 and CePO4:Tb nanorods. It was interestingly found that MnOx in situ growth not only significantly enhanced the enzyme-like activity but also could reversibly regulate the luminescence of CePO4:Tb via a dual quenching mechanism. More interestingly, CePO4:Tb@MnOx exhibited a distinctive response toward AA against other reducing species. A double-coordination regulation mechanism was further verified to clarify the catalytic activity and luminescence switching behaviors in CePO4:Tb@MnOx. Based on these findings, a dual-mode colorimetric/luminescence approach was established for AA sensing in a "one-stone-two-birds" manner, providing excellent selectivity, sensitivity, and practicability. Furthermore, the determination of AA-related biomarkers, including acid phosphatase activity and organophosphorus residue, was also validated by the sensing principle. Our work not only deepens the understanding of the coordinated regulation of the luminescence and enzyme-like features in lanthanide-based materials but also offers a novel way to design and develop multifunctional nanozymes for advanced bioanalytical applications.

Ce-Mn coordination polymer derived hierarchical/porous structured CeO2-MnOx for enhanced catalytic properties

Catalytic performance is largely dependent on how the structures/compositions of materials are designed. Herein, CeO2-MnOx binary oxide catalysts with a hierarchical/porous structure are prepared by a facile and efficient method, which involves the preparation of the hierarchical Ce-Mn coordination polymer (CPs) precursor, followed by a thermal treatment step. The obtained CeO2-MnOx catalysts not only well inherit the hierarchical structure of Ce-Mn CPs, but also possess porous and hollow features due to the removal of organic ligands and heterogeneous contraction during the calcination process. In addition, the effect of the Mn/Ce ratio is also studied to optimize catalytic performance. Specifically, the as-prepared CeO2-MnOx (5 : 5) catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic performance toward CO oxidation and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3 at low temperatures. Based on the characterization results, we propose that the special hierarchical structure, high surface area, strong synergistic interaction between CeO2 and MnOx, and high content of active Ce3+, Mn4+ and Osurf are collectively responsible for its remarkable catalytic performance.

Elucidating the Nature of the Cu(I) Active Site in CuO/TiO2 for Excellent Low-Temperature CO Oxidation

Stabilized Cu⁺ species have been widely considered as catalytic active sites in composite copper catalysts for catalytic reactions with industrial importance. However, few examples comprehensively explicated the origin of stabilized Cu⁺ in a low-cost and widely investigated CuO/TiO₂ system. In this study, mass producible CuO/TiO₂ catalysts with interface-stabilized Cu⁺ were prepared, which showed excellent low-temperature CO oxidation activity. A thorough characterization and theoretical calculations proved that the strong charge-transfer effect and Ti-O-Cu hybridization in Ti-doped CuO(111) at the CuO/TiO₂ interface contributed to the formation and stabilization of Cu⁺ species. The CO molecule adsorbed on Cu⁺ and reacted directly with Ti doping-promoted active lattice oxygen via a Mars-van Krevelen mechanism, leading to the enhanced low-temperature activity.

The influence of ceria on Cu/TiO2 catalysts to produce abundant oxygen vacancies and induce highly efficient CO oxidation

Ce and Cu species deposited on TiO₂ can apparently provide a higher turnover frequency rate and lower activation energy than the Cu/TiO₂ catalyst and the Ce and Cu species on SiO₂ catalysts.

A redox interaction-engaged strategy for multicomponent nanomaterials

The review article focuses on the redox interaction-engaged strategy that offers a powerful way to construct multicomponent nanomaterials with precisely-controlled size, shape, composition and hybridization of nanostructures.

The Preparation and Catalytic Properties of Nanoporous Pt/CeO2 Composites with Nanorod Framework Structures

Pt/CeO₂ catalysts with nanoporous structures were prepared by the facile dealloying of melt-spun Al_92-XCe₈Pt_X (X = 0.1; 0.3 and 0.5) ribbons followed by calcination. The phase compositions and structural parameters of the catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The specific surface area and pore size distribution were characterized by N₂ adsorption-desorption tests. The catalytic properties were evaluated by a three-way catalyst (TWC) measurement system. The results revealed that the dealloyed samples exhibited a nanorod framework structure. The Pt nanoparticles that formed in situ were supported and highly dispersed on the CeO₂ nanorod surface and had sizes in the range of 2-5 nm. For the catalyst prepared from the melt-spun Al_91.7Ce₈Pt_0.3 ribbons, the 50% CO conversion temperature (T₅₀) was 91 °C, and total CO could be converted when the temperature was increased to 113 °C. An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) test showed that the Pt_0.3/CeO₂ sample had a slightly richer oxygen vacancy; and a H₂ temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) test demonstrated its superior adsorption ability for reduction gas and high content of active oxygen species. The experiments indicated that the catalytic performance could be retained without any attenuation after 130 h when water and CO₂ were present in the reaction gas. The favorable catalytic activities were attributed to the high specific areas and small pore and Pt particle sizes as well as the strong interactions between the CeO₂ and Pt nanoparticles. The Pt nanoparticles were embedded in the surface of the CeO₂ nanorods, inhibiting growth. Therefore, the catalytic stability and water resistance were excellent.

Co3O4-CuCoO2 Nanomesh: An Interface-Enhanced Substrate that Simultaneously Promotes CO Adsorption and O2 Activation in H2 Purification

Nanomaterials are widely used as redox-type reaction catalysts, while reactant adsorption and O₂ activation are hardly to be promoted simultaneously, restricting their applications in many important catalytic fields such as preferential CO oxidation (CO-PROX) in H₂-rich stream. In this work, an interface-enhanced Co₃O₄-CuCoO₂ nanomesh was initially synthesized by a hydrothermal process using aluminum powder as a sacrificial agent. This nanomesh is systematically characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy, hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction, and oxygen temperature-programmed desorption. It is demonstrated that the nanomesh possesses high-density nanopores, enabling a large number of CO adsorption sites exposed to the surface. Meanwhile, electron transfer from O^2- to Co³⁺/Co²⁺ and the weakened bonding strength of Co-O bond at surfaces promoted the oxygen activation and redox ability of Co₃O₄. When tested as a catalyst for CO-PROX, this nanomesh with an optimized pore structure and a surface electronic structure, exhibits a strikingly high catalytic oxidation activity at low temperatures as well as a broader operation temperature window (i.e., CO conversion >99.0%, 100-200 °C) in the CO selective oxidation reaction. The present finding should be highly useful in promoting the quest for better CO-PROX catalysts, a hot topic for proton exchange membrane fuel cells and automotive vehicles.

In situ DRIFT spectroscopy insights into the reaction mechanism of CO and toluene co-oxidation over Pt-based catalysts

The Pt–CeO₂ catalyst with adsorption sites and oxygen-rich vacancies exhibited outstanding activity towards CO and toluene co-oxidation.

MOF-derived CeO2/Au@SiO2 hollow nanotubes and their catalytic activity toward 4-nitrophenol reduction

A hollow CeO₂/Au@SiO₂ sandwiched nanocatalyst with enhanced catalytic activity was prepared by using Ce-MOF as a sacrificial template.