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We have demonstrated a facile, scalable, and green synthetic route to produce a novel class of semiconductive 2D-c-MOFs (SA-MOFs). This novel MOF chemistry opens rich opportunities for the exploration of functionally diverse open frameworks.

CO elimination through oxidation over highly active and cost-effective catalysts is a way forward for many processes of industrial and environmental importance. In this study, doped CeO2 with transition metals (TM = Cu, Co, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zr, and Zn) at a level of 20 at. % was tested for CO oxidation. The oxides were prepared using microwave-assisted sol-gel synthesis to improve catalyst's performance for the reaction of interest. The effect of heteroatoms on the physicochemical properties (structure, morphology, porosity, and reducibility) of the binary oxides M-Ce-O was meticulously investigated and correlated to their CO oxidation activity. It was found that the catalytic activity (per gram basis or TOF, s-1) follows the order Cu-Ce-O > Ce-Co-O > Ni-Ce-O > Mn-Ce-O > Fe-Ce-O > Ce-Zn-O > CeO2. Participation of mobile lattice oxygen species in the CO/O2 reaction does occur, the extent of which is heteroatom-dependent. For that, state-of-the-art transient isotopic 18O-labeled experiments involving 16O/18O exchange followed by step-gas CO/Ar or CO/O2/Ar switches were used to quantify the contribution of lattice oxygen to the reaction. SSITKA-DRIFTS studies probed the formation of carbonates while validating the Mars-van Krevelen (MvK) mechanism. Scanning transmission electron microscopy-high-angle annular dark field imaging coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy proved that the elemental composition of dopants in the individual nanoparticle of ceria is less than their composition at a larger scale, allowing the assessment of the doping efficacy. Despite the similar structural features of the catalysts, a clear difference in the Olattice mobility was also found as well as its participation (as expressed with the α descriptor) in the reaction, following the order αCu > αCo> αMn > αZn. Kinetic studies showed that it is rather the pre-exponential (entropic) factor and not the lowering of activation energy that justifies the order of activity of the solids. DFT calculations showed that the adsorption of CO on the Cu-doped CeO2 surface is more favorable (-16.63 eV), followed by Co, Mn, Zn (-14.46, -4.90, and -4.24 eV, respectively), and pure CeO2 (-0.63 eV). Also, copper compensates almost three times more charge (0.37e-) compared to Co and Mn, ca. 0.13e- and 0.10e-, respectively, corroborating for its tendency to be reduced. Surface analysis (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), apart from the oxidation state of the elements, revealed a heteroatom-ceria surface interaction (Oa species) of different extents and of different populations of Oa species.

The present study provides, for the first time in the literature, a comparative assessment of the catalytic performance of Ni catalysts supported on γ-Al2O3 and γ-Al2O3 modified with La2O3, in a continuous flow trickle bed reactor, for the selective deoxygenation of palm oil. The catalysts were prepared via the wet impregnation method and were characterized, after calcination and/or reduction, by N2 adsorption/desorption, XRD, NH3-TPD, CO2-TPD, H2-TPR, H2-TPD, XPS and TEM, and after the time-on-stream tests, by TGA, TPO, Raman and TEM. Catalytic experiments were performed between 300–400 °C, at a constant pressure (30 bar) and different LHSV (1.2–3.6 h−1). The results show that the incorporation of La2O3 in the Al2O3 support increased the Ni surface atomic concentration (XPS), affected the nature and abundance of surface basicity (CO2-TPD), and despite leading to a drop in surface acidity (NH3-TPD), the Ni/LaAl catalyst presented a larger population of medium-strength acid sites. These characteristics helped promote the SDO process and prevented extended cracking and the formation of coke. Thus, higher triglyceride conversions and n-C15 to n-C18 hydrocarbon yields were achieved with the Ni/LaAl at lower reaction temperatures. Moreover, the Ni/LaAl catalyst was considerably more stable during 20 h of time-on-stream. Examination of the spent catalysts revealed that both carbon deposition and degree of graphitization of the surface coke, as well as, the extent of sintering were lower on the Ni/LaAl catalyst, explaining its excellent performance during time-on-stream., MAG, NDC and KNP gratefully acknowledge that this researched was co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Social Fund-ESF) through the Operational Programme “Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning” (MIS-5050170). SD is thankful for financial assistance provided by the Research Committee of the University of Western Macedonia (grant number 70277). KP acknowledges the financial support from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) under the AARE 2019-233 grant and the support from Khalifa University under the RCII-2018-024.

A series of Ce–Sm–xCu (x = 5, 7, and 10 at%) catalysts were prepared through coupling of microwave irradiation with a sol–gel method and were evaluated for the glycerol steam reforming reaction in the 400–750 °C temperature range. Some critical comparison with co-precipitation catalysts is also discussed. The catalysts were characterized using BET, Raman, XRD, NH3-TPD, CO2-TPD, H2-TPR, SEM, HAADF-STEM and XPS analyses, while the bonding environment and thermal stability of the catalyst precursor compounds were studied using FTIR and TGA/DSC. For all catalysts it was found that the Ce, Sm, and Cu cations are all homogeneously distributed in the cubic fluorite cell with interplanar spacings of 0.355 nm, 0.370 nm and 0.373 nm for the Ce–Sm–5Cu, Ce–Sm–7Cu and Ce–Sm–10Cu catalysts, respectively. The surface of the catalysts was found to be Ce- and Cu-poor and Sm-rich, with Ce4+, Ce3+, Sm3+, Cu2+ and Cu+ oxidation states identified. In the bulk, the oxygen vacancies were found to be dependent on the catalyst composition (Cu content). Among the catalysts studied, the Ce–Sm–5Cu one exhibits the highest selectivity for hydrogen (H2) with its SH2 ranging from 40% (400 °C) to 75% (750 °C). The Ce–Sm–5Cu catalyst also produces the highest amount of CO (97–71%) and the lowest amount of CO2 (3–28%) among all samples for the low reaction temperature range (400 °C 650 °C and reaches values of 7, 10 and 12 for the samples Ce–Sm–5Cu, Ce–Sm–7Cu, and Ce–Sm–10Cu, respectively. All the catalysts showed a glycerol conversion of 80% after 6 h time on stream, although a variety of coke species was found on their surfaces. A potential correlation between Cu content and coke deposition was attempted.

In the study presented herein, nickel catalysts supported on CeO2 and, for the first time in the literature, on La2O3-Sm2O3-CeO2, La2O3-Pr2O3-CeO2 and La2O3-MgO-CeO2 were prepared and evaluated for the reaction of CO2 methanation. The carriers were prepared through a sol-gel microwave assisted method and the catalysts were obtained following wet impregnation. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts prior to reaction were determined through H2-TPR, H2-TPD, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, CO2-TPD, N2 physisorption-desorption, XPS and TEM. The spent catalysts, after the time-on-stream experiments were further characterised using TEM and TGA. It was shown that the simultaneous incorporation of La3+, Pr3+ and La3+, Sm3+ into the crystal structure of cerium oxide created higher population of oxygen vacant sites. Moreover, the co-presence of La3+, Mg2+ and La3+, Pr3+ into the CeO2 increased the plethos of moderate basic sites. These physicochemical properties increased the rate of CO2 methanation reaction at relatively low temperatures. Furthermore, it is argued that the addition of La3+ stabilized the Ni active sites via the probable formation of a new compound (La-O-Ni) on the catalyst surface or synergetic catalytic centers at the interfacial area improving the catalytic properties (activity and stability). Finally, the catalytic performance tests revealed that the addition of La3+ mainly improved the conversion of CO2 and yield of CH4 for the Ni/La-Mg-Ce and Ni/La-Sm-Ce samples. The rCO2 and XCO2 values at 300 °C followed the order Ni/La-Sm-Ce >> Ni/La-Mg-Ce > Ni/La-Pr-Ce > Ni/Ce., GIS is grateful for financial support by Greece and ESF through the Operational Programme «Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning» in the context of the project “Strengthening Human Resources Research Potential via Doctorate Research” (MIS-5000432), implemented by the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY). MAG is grateful to the Regional Excellence program (MIS 5047197), which is implemented under the Action “Reinforcement of the Research and Innovation Infrastructure”, funded by the Operational Programme "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation" (NSRF 2014-2020) and co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund). IVY and NDC are grateful for financial support from the European Union and Greek national funds through the operational program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call Research-Create-Innovate (Project code: T1EDK-00782). SAK and KP acknowledge the financial support from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) under the AARE 2019-233 grant and support by the Khalifa University of Science and Technology under Award No. RC2-2018-024.

(Ce-La-xCu)O2 catalysts with low (3 at.%) and high (10 at.%) Cu content were prepared by conventional microwave (MW) and enhanced microwave methods where air cooling (AC), while heating, was applied. The catalysts were tested for the CO oxidation reaction in the 25–500 °C range using 4%CO/20%O2/He feed gas. Varying spectroscopic, microscopic and catalytic studies were used to probe the effect of synthesis on the nanostructure and the CO oxidation performance. It was found that the synthesis method adopted impacts on the extent of the Cu doping into the (Ce-La)O2 fluorite lattice, hence leading to one and two phases system in the case of catalyst prepared through enhanced (AC) and conventional (MW) microwave methods, respectively. Furthermore, only Ce4+ species were found on the surface of the (Ce-La-10Cu)O2 catalysts synthesized using MW and AC (XPS studies), whereas oxygen vacant sites which are associated with Ce3+ ions were indicated in the sub-surface/bulk (Raman studies). Ultimately, the catalysts with the low and high Cu loading, prepared under the AC-promoted microwave method, presented a superior performance against CO oxidation, exhibiting an overall improvement of the catalytic activity by 16% and 32%, respectively. KP wouldlike to acknowledge the financial support from Abu Dhabi Educational Council (ADEC) through the ADEC 2015 Award for Research Excellence (ADEC B3111 ). KP thanks Khalifa University Core Nanocharacterization Facilities and acknowledges KU and CNCF staff support. AFZ and ASA acknowledges the support of the grant number NPRP 8-1912-1-354 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The microscopy works have been conducted in the �Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas� at �Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragon - Universidad de Zaragoza�. VS acknowledges the LMA-INA for offering access to their instruments and expertise. CIBER-BBN is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&i Plan 2008-2011 financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund . Scopus

In the present study, Ni/Ce-Sm-xCu (x = 5, 7, 10 at.%) catalysts were prepared using microwave radiation coupled with sol-gel and followed by wetness impregnation method for the Ni incorporation. Highly dispersed nanocrystallites of CuO and NiO on the Ce-Sm-Cu support were found. Increase of Cu content seems to facilitate the reducibility of the catalyst according to the H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR). All the catalysts had a variety of weak, medium and strong acid/basic sites that regulate the reaction products. All the catalysts had very high XC3H8O3 for the entire temperature (400–750 °C) range, from ≈84% at 400 °C to ≈94% at 750 °C. Ni/Ce-Sm-10Cu catalyst showed the lowest XC3H8O3-gas implying the Cu content has a detrimental effect on performance, especially between 450–650 °C. In terms of H2 selectivity (SH2) and H2 yield (YH2), both appeared to vary in the following order: Ni/Ce-Sm-10Cu &gt, Ni/Ce-Sm-7Cu &gt, Ni/Ce-Sm-5Cu, demonstrating the high impact of Cu content. Following stability tests, all the catalysts accumulated high amounts of carbon, following the order Ni/Ce-Sm-5Cu &lt, Ni/Ce-Sm-7Cu &lt, Ni/Ce-Sm-10Cu (52, 65 and 79 wt.%, respectively) based on the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies. Raman studies showed that the incorporation of Cu in the support matrix controls the extent of carbon graphitization deposited during the reaction at hand.

CeO2 and CexSm1-xO2 nanoparticle mixed oxides have been synthesized by microwave assisted sol-gel (MW sol-gel) and conventional sol-gel synthesis carried out at 60°C (typical sol-gel) and 100°C (approaching the MW temperature). Different characterization techniques, namely, XRD, BET, Raman, SEM, FTIR, TEM, XPS, H2-TPR, CO2-TPD, and XPS have been employed to understand the process-structure-properties relationship of the catalysts. The CO oxidation performance has been determined both in the absence and in the presence of H2 in the feed gas stream. Microwave heating yields a more thermally stable precursor material, which preserves 75% of its mass up to 600°C, attributable to the different chemical nature of the precursor, compared to the typical sol-gel material with the same composition. Varying the synthesis method has no profound effect on the surface area of the materials, which is in the range 4–35m2/g. Conventional sol-gel synthesis performed at 60 and 100°C yields CeO2 particles with a crystallite size of 29nm and 24nm compared to 21–27nm for MW sol-gel synthesis (at different power values). The MW sol-gel CexSm1-xO2 catalysts exhibit a smaller crystallite size (12–18nm). The pure ceria nanoparticles were shown to have a stoichiometry of approximately CeO1.95. The presence of Ce3+ and Sm3+ in the mixed oxide particles facilitates the presence of oxygen vacant sites, confirmed by Raman. Oxygen mobile species have been traced using H2-TPR studies and a compressive lattice strain in the 0.45–1.9% range of the cubic CexSm1-xO2 lattice were found to be strongly correlated with the CO oxidation performance in the presence and absence of H2 in the oxidation feed stream. MW sol-gel synthesis led to more active CeO2 and Ce0.5Sm0.5O2 catalysts, demonstrated by T50 (temperature where 50% CO conversion is achieved), being reduced by 131°C and 47°C, respectively, compared to typical sol-gel catalysts. Conventional synthesis performed at 100°C leads to a CeO2 catalyst of initially higher activity at a certain temperature window (220–420°C), though with a slower increase of XCO as a function of temperature compared to the MW synthesized catalyst. MW sol-gel synthesized Ce0.8Sm0.2O2 exhibited a high performance (∼90%) for CO oxidation over a period of more than 20h in stream. In addition the effect of reaction temperature and contact time (W/F) on the activity of the CeO2-based materials for CO oxidation kinetics were investigated. The activation energy of the reaction was found to be in the range 36–43kJ/mole depending on the catalyst composition. Abu Dhabi Educational Council (ADEC B3111) and Khalifa University Internal Research Fund (L1 KUIRF-210103) for supporting this research. Work by AFZ and SYA was made possible by the grant number NPRP 6-351-1-072 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation).

The present work reports on the investigation of the catalytic performance for the methanation of CO2 over Ni catalysts based on CeO2, and for the first time, of Ni catalysts supported on binary CeO2-based oxides, namely, Sm2O3-CeO2, Pr2O3-CeO2 and MgO-CeO2. The supports were obtained using the microwave assisted sol-gel method under reflux, while the catalysts were prepared by the wet impregnation method. For the investigation of the morphological, textural, structural and other intrinsic properties of the catalytic materials a variety of characterization techniques were used, i.e., Raman spectroscopy, XRD, N2 physisorption-desorption, CO2-TPD, H2-TPR, H2-TPD, XPS and TEM. Carbon deposition and sintering were investigated using TEM. It was shown that the addition of Sm3+ or Pr3+, incorporated into the lattice of CeO2, generated oxygen vacancies, but the Ni/Pr-Ce catalyst was found to possess more surface oxygen vacancies (e.g. Ce4+-Ov-Pr3+ entities). Moreover, modification of CeO2 using Sm3+ or Pr3+ restricted the agglomeration of nickel active sites and led to the genesis of Lewis basic positions. These characteristics improved the hydrogenation reaction at lower temperature. On the other hand, the addition of Mg2+ resulted at strong metal support interactions reinforcing the resistance of the Ni/Mg-Ce catalyst against sintering. Furthermore, the addition of Sm3+, Pr3+ and Mg2+ cations increased the overall basicity and the moderate adsorption sites and led to the formation of smaller Ni nano particles; these physico-chemical properties enhanced the CO2 methanation reaction. Finally, the activity experiments (WGHSV = 25,000 mL g−1 h−1, H2/CO2 = 4:1, T =350 °C) showed that at lower reaction temperature the Ni/Pr-Ce had the highest catalytic performance in terms of CO2 conversion (54.5%) and CH4 yield (54.5%) and selectivity (100%). The TOF values were found to follow the order Ni/Pr-Ce >> Ni/Mg-Ce > Ni/Sm-Ce > Ni/Ce., GIS is grateful for financial support by Greece and ESF through the Operational Programme «Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning» in the context of the project “Strengthening Human Resources Research Potential via Doctorate Research” (MIS-5000432), implemented by the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY). NDC is grateful to the Research Committee of UOWM for financial support through grant no. 80304. IVY and MAG are grateful for financial support from the European Union and Greek national funds through the operational program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call Research-Create-Innovate (Project code: T1EDK-00782). SAK, AAK and KP acknowledge the financial support from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) under the AARE 2019-233 grant and support by the Khalifa University of Science and Technology under Award No. RC2-2018-024.