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The issue of excess slag waste generated in the iron and steel making industries has prompted investigations on the use of the slag waste. The objective of this study is to develop an adsorbent capable of capturing carbon dioxide (CO 2) by using waste slag. A mesoporous CaO-Fe 2 O 3 -SiO 2 (CFS) composite was synthesized from a dephosphorization steel slag, using Pluronic 123 as a template and various acids, including formic acid (FA), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and nitric acid (HNO 3). The morphological and physicochemical features of the prepared samples were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and N 2 adsorption-desorption measurements. The capability of the adsorbent to capture CO 2 was investigated in repeated CO 2 adsorption cycles. In comparison to other samples, the slag-derived adsorbent synthesized using formic acid (deP-CSF(FA)) exhibited the highest CO 2 adsorption capacity (17.0 wt% per mass of adsorbent) and better regenerative ability. A regenerative CaO-based adsorbent synthesized from a dephosphorization slag that is environmentally friendly and economical, as well as having a high capacity for CO 2 adsorption and reuse, is advantageous for reducing CO 2 emissions from the iron and steel making industry and will undoubtedly contribute to the industry's long-term sustainability. A CaO-Fe 2 O 3 -SiO 2 composite was synthesized from dephosphorization slag and applied for CO 2 adsorption [Display omitted] • A CaO-based adsorbent is produced from dephosphorization slag through a facile chemical process. • The adsorbent prepared with formic acid and P123 exhibits the highest CO 2 adsorption capacity. • The slag-derived adsorbent also shows a faster adsorption rate and better cycling stability. • This works provides a simple and low-cost method to prepare CaO-based adsorbent from waste steel-making slag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of noble metals has been investigated for decades for applications in various catalysis reactions and optical research studies, but its development has been hampered by inefficient light absorption and high costs. In comparison, the creation of less expensive semiconductors (metal oxides) with strong plasmonic absorption is an appealing option, particularly defective molybdenum oxide (HxMoO3−y) has received considerable attention and investigation as a promising plasmonic material for a variety of catalytic reactions (photocatalysis, thermocatalysis, photothermal catalysis, etc.).The LSPR effect of HxMoO3−y can be tuned throughout a broad spectrum range from visible to near-infrared (NIR) by altering the doping amount by electrochemical control, chemical reduction, or photochemical control. Notably, defects (oxygen vacancies) in HxMoO3−y arise in conjunction with the LSPR effect, resulting in the formation of unique and useful active sites in a range of catalytic processes. In this review, we explore the formation mechanism of HxMoO3−y with plasmonic features and discuss its applications in photocatalysis, thermocatalysis, and photothermal catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hollow carbon sphere catalysts featuring Co-N x sites were developed for efficient syngas electrosynthesis from CO 2 reduction, and the variation of the Co-N coordination number can finely tune the syngas ratio. [Display omitted] • A hollow carbon sphere catalyst featuring highly dispersed Co-N x sites is developed. • The catalyst can be used for efficient syngas electrosynthesis from CO 2. • Controllable syngas production with a CO/H 2 ratio of around 0.5 can be achieved. • Effects of the Co-N x coordination environment on syngas ratios are disclosed. Electrochemical reduction of CO 2 and H 2 O powered by green electricity provides a sustainable way to produce syngas. However, this reaction still suffers from insufficient syngas selectivity, slow charge kinetic process, and poor controllability of the CO/H 2 ratio. In this work, we report a hollow carbon sphere electrocatalyst featuring highly dispersed Co-N x sites (Co-NHCS- x) for efficient and controllable syngas electrosynthesis. The Co-NHCS-400 sample exhibits a high syngas production rate with a steady CO/H 2 ratio (≈1:2) over a wide range of operating potential from −0.6 V to −1.1 V vs. RHE. The variation in synthesis temperature can finely tune the coordination environment of Co-N x in the catalyst. Consequently, the adsorption behaviors of the CO and hydrogen atoms can be manipulated, allowing for the precise adjustment of CO and H 2 proportions in the product gas. The findings are potentially applicable to the exploitation of promising carbon-based electrocatalysts for electrochemical CO 2 conversion into syngas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising approach to convert inexhaustible solar energy to hydrogen energy. In this system, the semiconductor is a crucial part as photoelectrode to harvest the solar light and achieve water splitting on the surface. For the surface modification of semiconductor, cocatalyst loading is an effective method to improve the sluggish reaction kinetics. Due to the specific structure of their organic ligands, the metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) or molecular catalysts as cocatalysts can provide more reaction sites and overcome the interface recombination between semiconductors and cocatalyst layers. The inorganic metal species derived from the MOFs or molecular catalysts also possess porous structures. This review summarizes the recent developments of MOFs and molecular catalysts as well as their derivatives modifying several representative semiconductors for PEC water oxidation reaction. The synthesis methods and performance enhancements are discussed. Finally, this review addresses remarks on current existing changes and perspectives for the further development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pd NPs deposited on rGO layer-coated Au nanorod catalysts were synthesized. • The rGO contributes to the control of Pd NP sizes in the catalyst synthesis. • H 2 O 2 production from H 2 and O 2 is highly promoted under visible light irradiation. • SPR of Au nanorod accelerated H 2 activation, and thus enhanced H 2 O 2 production. A promotional effect of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) on direct hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) formation from H 2 and O 2 over a structure-controlled Pd-Au catalytic system is reported herein. Pd NPs supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layer-coated Au nanorod (NR) nanocomposite catalysts were synthesized, and the structure was confirmed by multiple characterization techniques. H 2 O 2 production is highly enhanced under visible light irradiation in the direct H 2 O 2 formation from H 2 and O 2. The H 2 O 2 decomposition test and the H 2 -D 2 exchange reaction reveal that the SPR of Au NRs facilitates H 2 activation on the Pd NP surface, leading to efficient H 2 O 2 production. Furthermore, the rGO layer not only functions as an electron mediator in the catalytic reaction, but also contributes to the control of Pd NP sizes in the catalyst synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A series of Ag-based catalysts on metal oxide support materials were prepared. • Chemoselective reduction of p -NS is studied under visible light irradiation. • Ag/TiO 2 was found to be most active amongst all under visible light irradiation. • Plausible mechanism is proposed for the enhanced selective performance. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) mediated enhanced chemical activity can be entitled as a promising strategy for efficient solar to chemical energy conversion. To tune the selectivity of a desired product in a chemical reaction is of paramount importance yet a great challenge. In this paper, a new strategy to effectively enhance the selectivity of the product formation under visible light irradiation is reported. A series of Ag catalysts deposited on metal oxide support materials (TiO 2 , ZrO 2 , Al 2 O 3 and CeO 2) along with their preparative techniques, optimum metal content ratio and effect of different wavelength of light is explored for the chemoselective reduction of p -nitrostyrene to p -aminostyrene under visible light irradiation. The prepared catalysts were characterized by a range of physicochemical techniques including UV–vis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The reduction reaction was carried out in ethanolic suspension at room temperature and pressure utilizing ammonia borane (AB) as an in-situ source of H 2. The reaction results displayed 100% conversion with a maximum chemoselectivity of 81% shown by Ag/TiO 2 under light irradiation conditions. The high chemoselectivity could be attributed to the preferential alignment of polar nitro group on the surface of plasmonic silver under light irradiation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic diesel soot combustion was examined using a series of Mn2O3 catalysts with different morphologies, including plate, prism, hollow spheres and powders. The plate‐shaped Mn2O3 (Mn2O3‐plate) exhibited superior carbon soot combustion activity compared to the prism‐shaped, hollow‐structured and powdery Mn2O3 under both tight and loose contact modes at soot combustion temperatures (T50) of 327 °C and 457 °C, respectively. Comprehensive characterization studies using scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, temperature‐programmed reduction and oxygen release measurements, revealed that the improved activity of Mn2O3‐plate was mainly attributed to the high oxygen release rate of surface‐adsorbed active oxygen species, which originated from oxygen vacancy sites introduced during the catalyst preparation, rather than specific surface‐exposed planes. The study provides new insights for the design and synthesis of efficient oxidation catalysts for carbon soot combustion as well as for other oxidation reactions of harmful hydrocarbon compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the iron manufacturing industry, it is unavoidable to produce large volumes of blast furnace slag (BFS) as a mineral residue from the preparation of pig iron in blast furnaces as well as to discharge a high volume of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas as a result of the consumption of coke. These byproducts potentially lead to environmental problems such as ground pollution and global warming unless they are treated. BFS is a complex oxide mainly composed of CaO, MgO, SiO2 and Al2O3. The former two have the ability to react with CO2, and SiO2 is a major component of mesoporous silica (MS). Herein, we report a direct route to convert BFS into a mesoporous silica-calcium oxide composite (slagCaO-MS) possessing high CO2 adsorption performance. A composite composed of SBA-15-like mesoporous silica with a pore diameter of 12.3 nm and crystalline CaO particles (mean surface area = 128 m2 g−1) was synthesized from BFS via a facile dissolution-hydrothermal process using formic acid as a dissolving agent, while the use of mineral acids (HNO3 and HCl) resulted in the formation of ill-defined low-surface-area materials with less CO2 adsorption capacities. The composite synthesized under optimum conditions was found to have a CO2 uptake value of 18.8 wt% per mass of adsorbent, and could be regenerated for at least 10 cycles. The green and low-cost adsorbent originating from BFS with high CO2 adsorption ability and reusability is advantageous for mitigating CO2 emissions discharged from the iron manufacturing industry, and will surely contribute to the sustainable development of the iron manufacturing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

p‐Nitrophenol (PNP) has aroused much concern due to its high toxicity in industrial wastewater and drinking water. Herein, we designed a new plasmonic RuPd/HxMoO3–y catalyst synthesized by a simple impregnation method, followed by H2 atmosphere reduction. The synthesized RuPd/HxMoO3–y hybrid, having RuPd alloy nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on HxMoO3–y, namely hydrogen‐doped molybdenum oxide support, shows a strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption peak at around 639 nm. Photocatalytic activity of Ru/HxMoO3–y hybrid for the reduction of PNP to p‐aminophenol (PAP) under visible light irradiation can be dramatically improved by alloying with Pd atoms. More importantly, a reasonable mechanism for PNP reduction is proposed. We find that synergetic effect between HxMoO3–y and RuPd alloy NPs of RuPd/HxMoO3–y plays a vital role in photocatalytic reduction, in which RuPd alloy NPs act as the active species and plasmonic HxMoO3–y acts as electron‐donation centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Ag plasmonic catalyst supported on ceria modified mesoporous silica was designed. • Excellent catalytic performances in the p-nitrostyrene reduction were observed. • Significant enhancements were observed under light irradiation conditions. • The enhanced catalytic activities were attributed to the Ag-LSPR effect. Abstract Plasmonic photocatalysis caused by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) has emerged out as an impressive way for efficient light absorption and solar light conversion. A series of catalysts consisting of plasmonic Ag nanoparticles (NPs) deposited on CeO 2 coated mesoporous silica, SBA-15, prepared by MW-assisted alcohol reduction method were tested for the chemoselective hydrogenation of p -nitrostyrene. A remarkable increase in the reaction rate occurred when the catalyst support contained specific composition (2 wt %) of CeO 2 on silica. The structure and properties of the prepared catalysts were studied by using a range of physicochemical characterization tools; UV–vis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N 2 -physisorption measurement studies. The challenging reduction of p -nitrostyrene containing an easily reducible group was examined in an ethanol suspension under mild reaction conditions using ammonia borane (AB) as an in-situ source of hydrogen. The highest conversion (100%) and 90% product yield in the hydrogenation of p -nitrostyrene to p -aminostyrene was achieved on the catalyst with 1.0 wt % loading of Ag NPs and 2 wt % of CeO 2 supported on silica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has been regarded as a favorable photocatalytic co‐catalyst and efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst alternative to expensive noble‐metals catalysts, owing to earth‐abundance, proper band gap, high surface area, and fast electron transfer ability. In order to achieve a higher catalytic efficiency, defects strategies such as phase engineering and vacancy introduction are considered as promising methods for natural 2H‐MoS2 to increase its active sites and promote electron transfer rate. In this study, we report a new two‐step defect engineering process to generate vacancies‐rich hybrid‐phase MoS2 and to introduce Ru particles at the same time, which includes hydrothermal reaction and a subsequent hydrogen reduction. Compositional and structural properties of the synthesized defects‐rich MoS2 are investigated by XRD, XPS, XAFS and Raman measurements, and the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction performance, as well as photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance in the ammonia borane dehydrogenation are evaluated. Both catalytic activities are boosted with the increase of defects concentrations in MoS2, which ascertains that the defects engineering is a promising route to promote catalytic performance of MoS2. Having major defects: Defect engineering of MoS2 to improve electrocatalytic/photocatalytic performances for hydrogen production was examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical CO 2 reduction (CO 2 RR) to produce syngas (CO and H 2) is a highly attractive way for achieving carbon neutrality. However, it remains a challenge due to the lack of high-efficiency electrocatalysts that enables controllable CO/H 2 ratio syngas production. Herein, aminopolymer functionalized hollow carbon spheres incorporating Ag NPs (Ag-P@HCS) are developed, which function as active catalysts for syngas electrosynthesis. The introduction of aminopolymers results in finely improved dispersion of Ag NPs and increased CO 2 adsorption of Ag-P@HCS, thereby altering its CO 2 RR performance. As a result, Ag-P@HCS achieves a 4.6-fold increase in the Faradaic efficiency of CO when compared to the amiopolymer-free analog (Ag-HCS) at − 0.8 V vs. RHE. More importantly, the controllable CO/H 2 ratios (1.09 – 2.54) can be obtained for Ag-P@HCS over a wide potential window, which is capable of meeting the specific requirements for industrial production. This work demonstrates the potential of aminopolymer functionalization for designing high-performance CO 2 RR electrocatalysts. [Display omitted] • Aminopolymer modified hollow carbon spheres incorporating Ag nanoparticles were reported. • The catalyst was used for efficient syngas (CO and H 2) production by electrochemical CO 2 reduction. • The roles of aminopolymer for the enhancement of CO 2 electroreduction performance were revealed. • Controllable CO/H 2 ratio (1.09 – 2.54) production was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid-phase oxidation of alkylaromatics with molecular O2 was examined using a microporous Mn-based metal–organic framework (Mn-MOF-74). Mn-MOF-74 consisting of trimeric Mn clusters and 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalate (dhtp) linkers exhibits superior catalytic activity with good ketone selectivity compared to conventional oxide-supported Mn catalysts without showing any lengthy induction period. Combined analyses by means of XRD, FE-SEM, N2 physisorption and Mn K-edge XAFS reveal that the superior catalytic performance is attributed to the inherently-formed Mn(iii)2(dhtp) moieties embedded in the Mn-MOF-74 framework rather than structural factors associated with the MOF. The catalyst is reusable over multiple catalytic runs along with retaining its original catalytic activity due to the ability of the dhtp ligand to stabilize active Mn(iii) atoms. Owing to high activity, reusability and nontoxicity, Mn-MOF-74 can offer a simple, inexpensive and efficient protocol for the oxidation of some important alkylaromatics, such as ethylbenzene and diphenylmethane to produce the corresponding aromatic ketones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of formic acid (FA) by hydrogenation of CO2 using a ternary hybrid catalyst, poly(ethyleneimine)-tethered Ir-iminophosphine complex (Ir-PN-PEI) immobilized in titanate nanotubes (TNTs), is reported. On the basis of comprehensive structural analyses, we show that Ir-PN-PEI is tightly immobilized within the cavity space of TNT without affecting the electronic/coordination states of Ir atoms. Liquid-phase CO2 hydrogenation under pressurized CO2 and H2 demonstrates that the Ir-PN-PEI catalyst immobilized in Na+-type TNT exhibits the highest FA yields (TON>1000 for 20 h under mild reaction conditions (2.0 MPa, 140 °C)) and improved reusability, which far outperform those of unimmobilized prototype Ir-PN-PEI. The improved catalytic performance is attributed to the ability of TNT to efficiently capture CO2 and to stabilize PEI, with Na+-type TNT with higher basic property providing a more productive effect. The catalyst is reusable over multiple cycles with activity comparable to those of heterogeneous catalysts previously reported, rendering this material suitable for efficient transformation of CO2 into FA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ag nanoparticles (NPs) have gained great attention owing to their interesting plasmonic properties and efficient catalysis under visible-light irradiation. In this study, an Ag-based plasmonic catalyst supported on mesoporous silica with isolated and tetrahedrally coordinated single-site Ti-oxide moieties, namely, Ag/Ti-SBA-15, was designed with the purpose of utilizing the broad spectral range of solar energy. The Ti-SBA-15 support allows the deposition of small Ag NPs with a narrow size distribution. The chemical structure, morphology, and optical properties of the prepared catalyst were characterized by techniques such as UV/Vis, FT extended X-ray absorption fine structure, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field-emission SEM, TEM, and N2 physisorption studies. The catalytic activity of Ag/Ti-SBA-15 in hydrogen production from ammonia borane by hydrolysis was significantly enhanced in comparison with Ag/SBA-15 without Ti-oxide moieties and Ag/TiO2/SBA-15 involving agglomerated TiO2, both in the dark and under light irradiation. Improved electron transfer under light irradiation caused by the creation of heterojunctions between Ag NPs and Ti-oxide moieties explains the results obtained in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of ZrO 2 catalysts supported on mesoporous SBA-15 silica were synthesized and examined as catalysts in the production of γ-valerolactone (GVL) from biomass-derived levulinic acid and its esters via a catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) using several alcohols as hydrogen donors. Among the catalysts examined, ZrO 2 supported on high-surface-area SBA-15 silica bearing highly-dispersed zirconium species exhibited the highest catalytic activity, of which reaction rate was 1.7 times higher than that of the conventional bulk ZrO 2 catalyst. Zr K-edge XAFS analysis revealed that Zr 4+ -oxide species with a low-coordination state anchored on silica surface is the dominant active species. Such a Zr species efficiently converted levulinic acid and its esters to GVL (∼95% yields) under mild reaction conditions (150 °C, 1.0 MPa Ar), and was reusable over multiple catalytic cycles without significant loss of catalytic performances. Comparative experiments, combined with detailed characterizations using NH 3 /CO 2 -TPD and in-situ FTIR, proposed a plausible reaction mechanism where basic Zr OH site triggers the CTH reaction involving a six-member ring transition state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a composite photocatalyst of TiO 2 supported on the slag-made calcium silicate (TiO 2 /SCS) was synthesized by employing a facile mixing process and using blast furnace slag as a low-cost and abundant precursor of SCS. The characterization results revealed that the open framework structure of SCS was covered by well-dispersed TiO 2 nanoparticle aggregates, indicating the close combination of titania and calcium silicate in the TiO 2 /SCS photocatalyst. Higher specific surface areas could be obtained for TiO 2 /PCS (PCS: pure calcium silicate) and TiO 2 /SCS composites, indicating their better adsorption capabilities than that of bare TiO 2 . The degradation of methylene blue (MB) by TiO 2 , TiO 2 /PCS and TiO 2 /SCS composites with different weight percentages of titania was carried out under UV-light irradiation to systematically investigate their photocatalytic activities, and the TiO 2 content of 60 wt% (TiO 2 -60/SCS) was found to be the best one to achieve the maximum rate of MB degradation, which may be due to the high specific surface area and good adsorption capacity of the composite photocatalysts. The degradation of methyl violet (MV) and methyl orange (MO) dyes indicated that the obtained photocatalysts can effectively adsorb cationic molecules (MB and MV) but have little absorption toward negatively charged molecules (MO), which play a key role in the subsequent photocatalytic degradation of dye pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-pot reaction involving Pd-catalyzed H2O2 production from H2 and O2 and Ti-catalyzed successive oxidation with H2O2 in a single reaction vessel is an alluring strategy for the synthesis of targeted chemicals in terms of sustainability and economic competitiveness. In this study, a yolk-shell nanostructured catalyst, consisting of Pd nanoparticles (NPs) with core diameter ca. 4.0 nm and a porous titanosilicate shell of ca. 15 nm thickness, was fabricated by using an oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsion-based interfacial self-assembly approach. Compared with prototype titanosilicate-supported Pd NP catalysts and core-shell structured analogues, the yolk-shell nanostructured catalyst exhibited superior catalytic efficiency in the one-pot oxidation reaction of sulfides with 83 % H2O2 utilization efficiency, because of the productive effect of the titanosilicate shell in limiting the diffusion of H2O2 generated in situ over the encapsulated Pd NPs and the efficient access of the H2O2 to the neighboring active Ti sites. This study provides promising avenues for the development of multifunctional nanostructured catalysts that are useful for one-pot reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, monometallic gold and palladium, and bimetallic gold/palladium were respectively deposited on chromium based amine-functionalized metal-organic framework (NH-MIL-101) by using the impregnation method, with the aim to enhance the activity of Pd-catalyzed chemical reaction under the assistance of visible light at ambient temperatures. The oxidation state, size and location of metal nanoparticles were determined by XAFS and TEM. The physical properties of as-synthesized catalysts were also well characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, BET and XRD. The catalytic activities of those metal nanoparticles deposited MOFs were studies for hydrolysis of ammonia borane and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction. Compared with monometallic counterpart, the bimetallic gold/palladium showed much higher catalytic activity for hydrolysis of ammonia borane and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction under visible light irradiation. The enhancement of the catalytic activity might be attributed to the synergistic effect between plasmonic bimetallic nanoparticles and metal organic framework in effective conversion of solar energy for generating electron rich palladium species to activate the electrophilic compounds as well as nucleophilic partner compounds. This investigation offers a new opportunity to explore the high-performance metal nanoparticle loaded MOFs photocatalysts for efficient utilization of sunlight in a wide range of chemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of catalysts to facilitate photothermal catalysis of CO 2 to CH 4 is an attractive strategy for mitigating CO 2 emissions. Herein, we demonstrate that Ru/H x MoO 3- y synthesized via H-spillover exhibits plasmonic absorption in the visible-near-infrared (Vis-NIR) region, achieving a CH 4 yield of 20.8 mmol/g cat /h (520 mmol/g Ru /h) with 100 % selectivity in the CO 2 methanation under Vis-NIR light irradiation at 140 °C. Irradiation with Vis-NIR light substantialy increases the CH 4 yield (~ 4.7 fold) compared with that under dark conditions. The abundant surface oxygen vacancies provide active sites for CO 2 adsorption and activation. In situ infrared spectroscopic analysis reveals that photothermal catalytic CO 2 methanation follows *CO pathway. This work represents a simple strategy for developing a plasmonic catalyst for efficient photothermal catalytic CO 2 methanation. Ru/H x MoO 3−y with strong plasmonic absorption and abundant oxygen-defective achieves high activity in photothermal catalytic CO 2 methanation at low temperature. [Display omitted] • Ru/H x MoO 3- y synthesized via H-spillover exhibits plasmonic absorption in Vis-NIR region. • Ru/H x MoO 3- y achieves an excellent CH 4 yield under Vis-NIR light irradiation at 140 °C. • A photothermal catalytic CO 2 methanation mechanism is revealed. • Oxygen vacancies and a redox ability of Mo atoms play important roles in CO 2 methanation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and facile method to fabricate yolk-shell nanostructured photocatalysts consisting of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) as the core and spherical hollow silica as the shell was developed. In the fabrication, commercial TiO2 NPs were directly incorporated into hollow silica spheres by utilizing oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsions as a template, followed by heat treatment to create a void space between the TiO2 core and the silica shell region. The synthesized yolk-shell nanostructured TiO2@SiO2 acts as an efficient photocatalyst with both improved adsorption properties and photocatalytic efficiency, which far outperformed those of naked TiO2 owing to the ability of the porous silica shell to adsorb/enrich small organic reactants (acetaldehyde and 2-propanol) inside the void space and efficient transportation to the adjacent active TiO2 core. Comparative photocatalytic tests using a large organic molecule (conalbumin) revealed that the porous silica shell with an average pore diameter of 2.0 nm endowed this material with a molecular-sieving property, demonstrating its potential application in combination with organic support materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A straightforward aqueous synthesis of MoO3− x nanoparticles at room temperature was developed by using (NH4)6Mo7O24⋅4 H2O and MoCl5 as precursors in the absence of reductants, inert gas, and organic solvents. SEM and TEM images indicate the as-prepared products are nanoparticles with diameters of 90-180 nm. The diffuse reflectance UV-visible-near-IR spectra of the samples indicate localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties generated by the introduction of oxygen vacancies. Owing to its strong plasmonic absorption in the visible-light and near-infrared region, such nanostructures exhibit an enhancement of activity toward visible-light catalytic hydrogen generation. MoO3− x nanoparticles synthesized with a molar ratio of MoVI/MoV 1:1 show the highest yield of H2 evolution. The cycling catalytic performance has been investigated to indicate the structural and chemical stability of the as-prepared plasmonic MoO3− x nanoparticles, which reveals its potential application in visible-light catalytic hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogenation of levulinic acid and its esters to produce γ-valerolactone (GVL) was demonstrated over ruthenium nanoparticle (NP) catalyst supported on Zr-containing spherical mesoporous silicas as a bifunctional catalyst. The Ru NPs were found to be uniformly dispersed within the periodically ordered short mesopore channels with an average size of less than 1.5 nm without any agglomeration. They exhibited superior activity for the hydrogenation of both levulinic acid and its esters under mild reaction conditions (70 °C, 0.5 MPa H 2 ) compared to those supported on the conventional silica owing to their ultrasmall particle size and the acidity of Zr sites. In the hydrogenation of levulinate ester, addition of heterogeneous acids could afford a faster reaction rate in GVL production by accelerating the following intramolecular dealcoholation step. The catalyst was reusable over repeated catalytic cycles without a significant loss of catalytic performance, demonstrating its potential as a heterogeneous catalyst for GVL production under ambient reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-support interactions (MSIs) and particle size play important roles in catalytic reactions. For the first time, silver nanoparticles supported on CeO2-SBA-15 supports are reported that possess tunable particle size and MSIs, as prepared by microwave (MW) irradiation, owing to strong charge polarization of CeO2 clusters (i.e., MW absorption). Characterizations, including TEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure, were carried out to disclose the influence of CeO2 contents on the Ag particle size, MSI effect between Ag nanoparticles and CeO2-SBA-15 supports, and the strong MW absorption of CeO2 clusters that contribute to the MSIs during Ag deposition. The Ag particle sizes were controllably tuned from 1.9 to 3.9 nm by changing the loading amounts of CeO2 from 0.5 to 2.0 wt %. The Ag nanoparticle size was predominantly responsible for the high turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.41 min−1 in ammonia borane dehydrogenation, whereas both particle size and MSIs contributed to the high TOF of 555 min−1 in 4-nitrophenol reduction for Ag/0.5CeO2-SBA-15, which were twice as large as those of Ag/SBA-15 without CeO2 and Ag/CeO2-SBA-15 prepared by conventional oil-bath heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levulinic acid is considered one of the most important biomass-derived chemicals owing to its potential as a versatile building block to synthesize valuable fuels and chemicals. Levulinate esters, such as methyl levulinate and ethyl levulinate obtained via esterification of levulinic acid with alcohols, can in particular be used as fuel additives and plasticizers, and thus have a potential to replace a significant amount of petroleum-derived chemical feedstocks. In this article, sulfated zirconosilicates having P6mm hexagonal mesoporous structure were applied as solid acid catalysts to the esterification of levulinic acid with ethanol to produce ethyl levulinate, and the influences of preparation conditions on the structural properties and catalytic performances were investigated. A distinct correlation was observed between the catalytic activity and the density of acid sites, showing that dispersibility of the acid sites and the associated accessibility of the organic reactants play an important role in determining the overall activity. Among the catalysts tested, sulfated Zr–SBA-15 with optimum Zr content (Si/Zr ratio of 10.7) was found to be the best catalyst, the activity of which was far superior to that of conventional sulfated ZrO 2 . In addition, direct conversion of cellulosic sugars (glucose and fructose) into levulinate esters was also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A series of sulfated Si-doped ZrO2 were synthesized and characterized in detail. [•] Ethyl levulinate was produced from levulinic acid and ethanol with high yields. [•] The catalytic activity far outperformed that of the conventional sulfated zirconia. [•] A distinct correlation was observed between the activity and textural properties. [•] The catalyst could afford levulinate ester directly from cellulosic sugars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Zinc, released from bioactive materials, was incorporated into dentin with in approximately 50 µm. • Zinc-doped dentin demonstrated 30% less acid solubility, helping to improve its anti-carcinogenicity. • Zinc was incorporated into dentin in a four-fold coordination , indicating a newly generated covalent bond. • Quantum beam and synchrotron radiation technologies help in analyzing the bonding states of dentinal elements. Dental caries, the world's most prevalent infectious disease, is caused by the diffusion of hydroxyl ions into tooth structures. To prevent dental caries, the application of fluoride (F) and zinc (Zn) ions to teeth surfaces are potential effective measures. In this study, The ionic influence, especially the chemical bond of F and Zn, on the acid resistance of dentin were investigated by particle induced X-ray / gamma-ray emission, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The results showed Zn was distributed in the limited surface layer of dentin without altering its crystal structure. From the Zn K edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure, Zn incorporated into dentin was surrounded by oxygen and demonstrated four-fold coordination. The bond length and chemical state of Zn–O in Zn doped dentin suggested newly generated Zn–O covalent bond, which may improve acid resistance of dentin. This study showed that the atomic and molecular structures, such as the molecular distances and chemical state, influenced acid resistance of teeth, emphasizing the validity of chemical state analysis for understanding properties in biomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida antarctica lipase A was immobilized on spherical silica nanoparticles with oil-filled core and oil-induced mesoporous silica shell with different silica shell structures. The immobilization of enzymes was achieved by directly adding enzymes to the oil-in-water emulsion system under ambient synthesis conditions, and the silica shell structure was controlled by the addition of the cosolvent ethanol to the initial synthesis medium. Detailed structural analysis revealed the formation of oil-filled spherical silica nanoparticles with 3.4-4.2 nm mesopores randomly arranged in the silica shell; the thickness and pore characteristics of these pores markedly changed with the addition of ethanol. The retention of the enzyme activity during biocatalysis was significantly affected by the structural properties of the silica shells, and it was found that a thick and dense silica shell is essential to afford an active, recyclable, and stable biocatalyst. Furthermore, the oil encapsulated within the core cavity was found to play an important role in achieving a high catalytic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica supported amine materials are promising compositions that can be used to effectively remove CO2 from large stationary sources, such as flue gas generated from coal-fired power plants (ca. 10 % CO2) and potentially from ambient air (ca. 400 ppm CO2). The CO2 adsorption characteristics of prototypical poly(ethyleneimine)-silica composite adsorbents can be significantly enhanced by altering the acid/base properties of the silica support by heteroatom incorporation into the silica matrix. In this study, an array of poly(ethyleneimine)-impregnated mesoporous silica SBA-15 materials containing heteroatoms (Al, Ti, Zr, and Ce) in their silica matrices are prepared and examined in adsorption experiments under conditions simulating flue gas (10 % CO2 in Ar) and ambient air (400 ppm CO2 in Ar) to assess the effects of heteroatom incorporation on the CO2 adsorption properties. The structure of the composite adsorbents, including local information concerning the state of the incorporated heteroatoms and the overall surface properties of the silicate supports, are investigated in detail to draw a relationship between the adsorbent structure and CO2 adsorption/desorption performance. The CO2 adsorption/desorption kinetics are assessed by thermogravimetric analysis and in situ FT-IR measurements. These combined results, coupled with data on adsorbent regenerability, demonstrate a stabilizing effect of the heteroatoms on the poly(ethyleneimine), enhancing adsorbent capacity, adsorption kinetics, regenerability, and stability of the supported aminopolymers over continued cycling. It is suggested that the CO2 adsorption performance of silica-aminopolymer composites may be further enhanced in the future by more precisely tuning the acid/base properties of the support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmonic catalysis has revealed improved product yield and selectivity in various chemical transformation reactions over the past decade. In this report, the effect of tertiary amine (‐NR3) functionalization on the surface of hierarchically‐porous zeotype (HP‐AlPO‐5) materials to enhance the plasmon‐mediated catalysis, utilizing a combination of the plasmonic antenna (Au) and catalytic reactor (Pd) nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated. The catalysts have been characterized using enhanced techniques such as HAADF‐STEM, FT‐EXAFS, and probe‐based FT‐IR to reveal the proximity and interaction between bimetallic NPs, and thermal stability of amines in the presence of Au or PdAu NPs. Interestingly, a four‐fold enhancement in the Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling reaction product yield was obtained over PdAu/HP‐AlPO‐5‐NR3 when compared with the analogous plasmonic catalyst with no amine functionalization under visible light irradiation. A range of amines were functionalized and their influence in the nucleation, uniform growth and stabilization of catalytic active site (Pd) and formation of electron‐rich species under visible light irradiation has also been investigated. The presence of tertiary amine in the nanostructured catalyst enhanced the turnover number (TON) significantly under light irradiation conditions in comparison to dark conditions. This study provides an enriched understanding of plasmon‐driven chemistry, where the maximized reaction rate enhancement requires the existence of active metal species and the formation of electron‐enriched species under light irradiation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CO2 adsorption characteristics of prototypical poly(ethyleneimine)/silica composite adsorbents can be drastically enhanced by altering the acid/base properties of the oxide support via incorporation of Zr into the silica support. Introduction of an optimal amount of Zr resulted in a significant improvement in the CO2 capacity and amine efficiency under dilute (simulated flue gas) and ultradilute (simulated ambient air) conditions. Adsorption experiments combined with detailed characterization by thermogravimetric analysis, temperature-programmed desorption, and in situ FT-IR spectroscopy clearly demonstrate a stabilizing effect of amphoteric Zr sites that enhances the adsorbent capacity, regenerability, and stability over continued recycling. It is suggested that the important role of the surface properties of the oxide support in these polymer/oxide composite adsorbents has been largely overlooked and that the properties may be even further enhanced in the future by tuning the acid/ base properties of the support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Preparation of highly hydrophobic FAU zeolite has been achieved by a two-step preparation method that comprises predealumination treatment using concentrated mineral acids and subsequent calcination treatment. The hydrophilic/hydrophobic character of the zeolites was estimated by detailed adsorption measurements using water and toluene molecules as adsorbates, which showed the strict hydrophobic nature of the prepared FAU zeolites. By means of TG, FT-IR, and 29Si MAS NMR analyses, it was concluded that the enhancement in hydrophobicity originates from the healing of silanol defect sites and the formation of a refined silica surface with fewer adsorption sites. Thus-prepared FAU zeolite, with high crystallinity, structural and thermal stability, and hydrophobicity, significantly improved the photocatalytic degradation rates of 2-propanol in water and acetaldehyde in air on TiO2 when it was used as a catalyst support. A distinct correlation was found between the hydrophobicity of zeolites and photocatalytic activity of the supported TiO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new class of heterogeneous catalytic systems utilizing cation-guest interactions was designed based on microporous titanosilicate molecular sieves. Introducing heavier alkali metal cations on ion-exchange sites of the framework resulted in a significant enhancement of the catalytic activity for oxidation of cyclohexene and styrene, whereas such an enhancement was not observed in oxidation of cyclohexane without π systems. Distinct relationships between the catalytic activities and intermolecular interaction energies which were determined by IR spectroscopic and computational approaches clearly evidenced the predominance of the cation-π interaction in this catalytic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrophobically modified zeolites were prepared using alkoxide reagent containing fluorine, triethoxyfluorosilane (TEFS). These zeolites have still maintained mesoporous structure and large surface area and showed more hydrophobic property compared with unmodified zeolite. Moreover surface modified zeolite prepared thus was applied as a support of TiO2 photocatalyst for efficient adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of acetaldehyde diluted in air. With an increase in the grafted amount of TEFS reagent, the TiO2 photocatalyst deposited on the modified zeolite showed greater photocatalytic activities for the degradation of acetaldehyde compared with that on unmodified zeolite due to its hydrophobic property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the simple process using alkoxide reagent containing fluorine, triethoxyfluorosilane (TEFS), hydrophobic mesoporous silica material (HMS) was prepared. The surface modified HMS have still maintained its mesoporous structure and large surface area and showed considerable hydrophobic property compared with non-modified HMS. Moreover the surface modified HMS was applied as a support of TiO2 photocatalyst with the aim of the efficient degradation of organic pollutant in water. Due to the hydrophobic property, the fine TiO2 photocatalyst particles were generated on the modified HMS and both the adsorption properties and photocatalytic activities for the degradation of 2-propanol diluted in water were dramatically increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel slag, commercial waste material containing silica and alumina which are the chemical components elements of zeolite, was used as a source for synthesis of FAU zeolite (Y-zeolite, X-zeolite). Through acid-treatment to remove CaO species from steel slag and hydrothermal treatment, well-crystallized Na type FAU zeolite was obtained. Furthermore the synthesized FAU zeolite was applied as a support of photocatalyst. It was found that hydrophobic surface property of zeolite enhances photocatalytic activity for decomposition of organic pollutants and the zeolite synthesized from steel slag would be applicable as promising support of TiO2 photocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Al-MIL-101-NH2, which was previously regarded as being inactive as a photocatalyst, produces hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via O2 reduction under visible-light irradiation, accompanied by efficient suppression of undesired H2O2 decomposition. The low-coordination Lewis acid sites in trimetric Al-oxo clusters are crucial for the electron transfer to O2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) has attracted considerable interest due to its status as an eco-friendly oxidant and a sustainable energy carrier. This review summarizes current advancements in various photocatalysts, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent-organic frameworks (COFs), titanium dioxide (TiO 2), ionic carbon nitride, quantum dots (QDs), coordination polymer (CP), and heterojunction materials, applied for H 2 O 2 production in several types of two-phase systems, composed of benzyl alcohol (BA), toluene or octanol organic phase and water phase. Such two-phase media enables spontaneous separation of the produced reduction product (H 2 O 2) from oxidation product, benzaldehyde (BAL) or octanal and photocatalysts suppressing H 2 O 2 decomposition. The goal of the present review is to provide more fresh perspective on the future developments in the field of sustainable H 2 O 2 production in two-phase system. [Display omitted] • Two-phase systems with organic and water phases were used in H 2 O 2 photo-synthesis. • The biphasic system inhibits H 2 O 2 decomposition via separating H 2 O 2 from catalysts. • Different methods of hydrophobic modification on diverse materials were summarized. • Autocatalysis of benzyl alcohol/benzaldehyde shows little impact on this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PdAg nanoparticles are dispersed uniformly within N-doped microporous hollow carbon spheres. • PdAg@NMHCS-0.6-500 exhibits extraordinary activity for CO 2 hydrogenation to formate showing high TON of 2750 after 24 h. • Different carbonization temperatures cause changes in PdAg NPs dispersion and the formation of Pd N bonds. • N-doped MHCS reduces the activation energy for CO 2 hydrogenation to formate. Here, we report a general synthesis approach to produce PdAg nanoparticles (NPs) that are dispersed uniformly within N-doped microporous hollow carbon spheres (NMHCS) for hydrogenation of CO 2 to formate. The optimized PdAg@NMHCS catalyst, which was obtained by using an optimized amount of ethylenediamine as the nitrogen source and pyrolyzed at 500 °C, exhibits extraordinary activity for CO 2 hydrogenation to formate, showing a high turnover number (TON) of 640 and 2750 at 100 °C after 2 and 24 h, respectively. Experiments reveal that different carbonization temperatures cause changes in the surface area, the nitrogen content of NMHCS, PdAg NPs dispersion, and the formation of Pd-N bonds. Upon consideration of kinetic analyses, N-doped MHCS are not only effective for the adsorption of CO 2 due to the doping of nitrogen but also would reduce the activation energy barrier for CO 2 hydrogenation to formate by facilitating including CO 2 adsorption/insertion step and H 2 dissociation step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Titanosilicates with different characteristic properties were synthesized. • Titanosilicates were tested in cyclooctene epoxidation with H 2 O 2 and aerobic photooxidation. • Reactants diffusion was improved by interlayer space or mesoporous structure. • Relationship between catalytic activity and structural properties was discussed. Bulky epoxides are industrially produced by organic synthesis in multistep procedures, generating significant amounts of waste products in the process. Efficient catalyst in combination with a simple oxidant (H 2 O 2 or O 2) would significantly reduce the waste production. Four types of microporous titanosilicates with extra-large pores (Ti-UTL), and shortened diffusion pathways (L-TS, Ti-MCM-22, and Ti-SPP) were prepared and investigated in the epoxidation of cyclooctene with H 2 O 2 and photocatalytic oxidation using O 2. Ti-UTL is a zeolite possessing 14−12-ring channel system. l -TS-1 and Ti-MCM-22 are composed of aggregates of titanosilicate nanosheets with the thickness of ca. 2 nm and hexagonal thin platelets, respectively. Ti-SPP is composed of olive-like aggregates with approximately length of 0.88–1.12 μm and width of 0.44−0.68 μm consisting of intergrown (self-pillared) nanosheets having 13−70 nm in size. In the epoxidation with H 2 O 2 as an oxidant, Ti-MCM-22 showed the highest catalytic activity due to the wide interlayer space, which enhanced the accessibility of cyclooctene to active titanium site. While, in the photocatalytic epoxidation in the presence of O 2 instead of H 2 O 2 , Ti-UTL showed the highest activity. The incorporated germanium atoms, which is indispensable component for the construction of extra-large pores, may affect the electronic properties of active titanium species, leading to high photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous materials have attracted considerable attention in materials science, chemistry and multidisciplinary areas of research due to their diverse structures, tailorable functionalities, large surface areas, remarkable optical transparency, confinement and shape selectivity effects. The precise architecture of porous photocatalytic materials has been extensively reported by the hybridization of semiconducting nanoparticles (NPs), light-responsive metal complexes and plasmonic metal NPs with silica-based micro-, meso- and macro-porous nanostructures. This review targets to cover state-of-the-art accomplishments in the surface engineering chemistry of zeolites, mesoporous silica, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as excellent host materials for solar to chemical energy conversion and environmental remediation. The specific advantages and disadvantages of representative porous materials in photocatalysis have also been elaborated and summarized. Finally, key advances and prospects are presented to overcome the current challenges in photocatalysis and to inspire further studies in this rapidly evolving research field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) coupled with benzyl alcohol (BA) oxidation reaction is preferred based on the economic consideration. Herein, we developed a hydrophobic TiO 2 material (DNOPA-TiO 2), co-modified with 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene (2,3-DN) and octadecylphosphonic acid (OPA), which enables H 2 O 2 synthesis under visible-light-irradiation in a two-phase system consisting of BA and water. This system allows the separation of generated H 2 O 2 in the aqueous phase from benzaldehyde (BAL), the product of BA oxidation, present in the organic phase. The hydrophobic DN2OPA2-TiO 2 exhibited higher and more stable H 2 O 2 production (3522 μmol L−1) over an 8-hour reaction under visible light (λ > 450 nm). The addition of 2,3-DN facilitates visible light harvesting and donates electrons to TiO 2 through the formation of charge-transfer complexes, which promotes the O 2 reduction reaction (ORR) and improves H 2 O 2 production. Moreover, the remarkable stability of DN2OPA2-TiO 2 is originated from the hydrophobic nature of the catalysts thanks to OPA modification. This modification allows TiO 2 to exist in the organic phase with better dispersion, inhibiting the decomposition of H 2 O 2 resulting from direct contact between produced H 2 O 2 and TiO 2. [Display omitted] • DN/OPA-TiO 2 is used for photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production in a two-phase system. • 2,3-DN enhances visible light absorption by forming charge-transfer complexes. • OPA imparts TiO 2 hydrophobic and inhibits the decomposition of produced H 2 O 2. • DN2OPA2-TiO 2 exhibits higher visible-light activity (3522 μmol L−1, λ > 450 nm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nano-sized plasmonic gold particles were synthesized on TiO 2 support material. • The morphology of TiO 2 was tuned to be nanotube, nanorod and microporous particles. • Au/TiO 2 catalysts were tested in the controlled oxidation reaction of benzyl alcohol. • Plausible mechanism was proposed for the enhanced activity under visible light. In the present research study, we report the synthesis of nano-sized gold (Au) particles immobilized on TiO 2 support material. The morphologies of TiO 2 support material was tailored and tuned to be rod, tube and microporous materials. The effect of plasmonic gold nanoparticles (NPs) deposited on different morphologies of TiO 2 was studied. The prepared catalysts were characterized by various characterization techniques in order to have a detailed insight on the textural properties, morphology and electronic state of the material via UV–vis spectroscopy, N 2 physisorption analysis, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We tested the controlled oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde using molecular oxygen at 373 K under atmospheric pressure. The results obtained from the thermal reaction conditions were compared with those performed under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm) at 373 K. Among all, Au/TiO 2 nanorod catalyst displayed the superior performance of 33% yield in the absence of light and 55% yield of benzaldehyde with an external quantum efficiency of 3.4% under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm) at 373 K for 4 h. The enhanced catalytic performances were attributed to the Au-LSPR phenomenon and a plausible reaction pathway has been discussed involving the generation of hot electrons during the course of reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoporous silica solids can offer opportunities for hosting photocatalytic components such as various tetra‐coordinated transition metal ions to form systems referred to as "single‐site photocatalysts". Under UV/visible‐light irradiation, they form charge transfer excited states, which exhibit a localized charge separation and thus behave differently from those of bulk semiconductor photocatalysts exemplified by TiO2. This account presents an overview of the design of advanced functional materials based on the unique photo‐excited mechanisms of single‐site photocatalysts. Firstly, the incorporation of single‐site photocatalysts within transparent porous silica films will be introduced, which exhibit not only unique photocatalytic properties, but also high surface hydrophilicity with self‐cleaning and antifogging applications. Secondary, photo‐assisted deposition (PAD) of metal precursors on single‐site photocatalysts opens up a new route to prepare nanoparticles. Thirdly, visible light sensitive photocatalysts with single and/or binary oxides moieties can be prepared so as to use solar light, the ideal energy source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lanthanum Strontium Cobalt (LSC) perovskites were prepared by sol-gel method. • Doped-LSC perovskites were assessed in ammonia borane decomposition. • The closer interaction Cu-Co might be favoring the catalytic activity. • Cu doping was found to be a good option to boost the catalytic activity. Lanthanum Strontium Cobalt (LSC) perovskite-based catalysts were prepared and evaluated in the ammonia borane dehydrogenation reaction. Doping with additional non-noble metals, such as Ni or Cu greatly enhanced the catalytic performance, especially in the case of Cu. In order to evaluate the effect of the Cu loading, catalysts with various Cu contents ranging from 0.82 to 5.42 wt.% were synthesized. It was found that the Cu-doped sample with a nominal formula of La 0.7 Sr 0.3 Co 0.90 Cu 0.10 O 3 containing 2.72 wt.% of Cu displayed the highest catalytic activity among investigated, which outperformed the counterpart Cu-supported catalyst (Cu/La 0.7 Sr 0.3 CoO 3). La 0.7 Sr 0.3 Co 0.90 Cu 0.10 O 3 showed good durability during five consecutive reaction runs, confirming the suitability of perovskite-type catalysts in stabilizing the catalytic active phase. The present catalytic system provides a cost-effective alternative to the noble-metal-based catalysts commonly used to catalyze the ammonia borane dehydrogenation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The front cover artwork for Issue 11/2017 is provided by the Yamashita research group of the Division of Materials and Manufacturing Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University (Japan). The image shows the production of formic acid from CO2 and H2 by a ternary hybrid catalyst composed of Ir complex, poly(ethyleneimine) and titanate nanotubes (TNTs). See the Full Paper itself at . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Front Cover shows the production of formic acid from CO2 and H2 by a ternary hybrid catalyst composed of an Ir complex, poly(ethyleneimine) and titanate nanotubes (TNTs).In their Full Paper, Y. Kuwahara et al. demonstrate that immobilization of a poly(ethyleneimine)‐tethered Ir complex catalyst inside the cavity space of TNTs can afford efficient catalysts with both improved activity and reusability, owing to the CO2 adsorption capacity of poly(ethyleneimine) and stabilizing effect of TNTs. This study can potentially offer a generalized method to capture and convert CO2, which is particularly desirable for sustainable formic acid production. More information can be found in the Full Paper by Y. Kuwahara et al. on page 1906 in Issue 11, 2017 (DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201700508). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inside back cover of the journal "Chemistry: A European Journal" is presented.

A hydrophobic MOF, OPA/MIL-125-NH2, whose Ti cluster was alkylated with octadecylphosphonic acid (OPA), was found to enhance photocatalytic H2O2 production in a two-phase system. Its activity exceeded that of linker-alkylated MIL-125-NH2. OPA/MIL-125-NH2 was modified on its outermost surface, which resulted in the activity enhancement while preserving the inner pores of the inherent MOF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]