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Abstract: Recently, extensive works have been devoted to the morphology control of mesoporous materials with respect to their use in various applications. In this paper, we used two kinds of mesoporous silica, SBA-15 rods and spheres as hard templates to synthesize morphology-controllable mesoporous metal oxides. By carefully controlling the loading of metal precursors in the mesopores of the hard template, mesoporous Co3O4 and CeO2 with different morphologies, such as micrometer-sized rod, hollow sphere, saucer-like sphere, and solid sphere were conveniently obtained. The structural properties of these materials were characterized by XRD, BET, SEM and TEM. In addition, it is found that the differences observed in the textural properties of the two mesoporous metal oxides nanocasted from the same template can be attributed to the properties of metal precursors and the interaction between metal oxide and SiO2. Thus-obtained mesoporous metal oxides with such special morphologies may have a potential application in the field of environmental catalytic oxidation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highly ordered mesoporous NiFe2O4with excellent microwave absorption properties has been synthesized by using mesoporous silica (KIT-6) as a hard template. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mesoporous luminescent materials with streamline shape (as ellipsoids) as biological probes can be importantly and potentially used in biology and medicine fields. The ellipsoidal mesoporous SBA-15 silica with a tunable aspect ratio were synthesized by changing the ethanol amount in the synthesis solution. Hexagonal ordered mesoporous Eu 3+ -doped yttrium vanadate (YVO 4 :Eu 3+ ) ellipsoids were successfully synthesized through the nanocasting route with a Y(NO 3 ) 3 /Eu(NO 3 ) 3 /NH 4 VO 3 /HNO 3 /ethanol solution as a guest unit and mesoporous SBA-15 silica ellipsoids as the hard template host, and characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, low-temperature N 2 adsorption and photo-luminescence (PL) spectra. The prepared mesoporous YVO 4 :Eu 3+ ellipsoids possess larger surface area and pore volume, uniform pore size, and exhibits strong red emission at 618 nm excited by UV light. When the concentration of Eu 3+ dopant is 5 mol.% (Y/Eu = 95/5), the highest PL intensity can be reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: La or Pr-doped flower-like mesoporous ceria microspheres were prepared by a unique calcination of La or Pr-doped Ce(OH)CO3 microspheres hydrothermally synthesized with the aid of glucose and acrylic acid. Prepared flower-like ceria-based materials have a novel hierarchical architecture with mesoporous structure and high surface area, which can obviously facilitate the catalytic combustion of methane, compared with general La or Pr-doped ceria. The presence of La or Pr can promote the production of oxygen vacancies and improve oxygen mobility, which result in enhancing the oxygen-storage capacity of the flower-like ceria and its catalytic performance for the methane combustion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Monodispersed SBA-15 rods with different lengths (from hexagonal platelets to short rods, and to longer rods) have been synthesized by using triblock copolymer P123 as a structure-directing agent and glycerol as a cosolvent. Our studies showed that glycerol is indispensable for tuning the length of SBA-15 rods. And, in the presence of glycerol, the length of these SBA-15 rods was reversely proportional to the concentration of the acid (HCl) in the synthetic mixture. Based on our characterizations (XRD, SEM, TEM, N2-sorption, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses) and the literature results, a possible glycerol-induced growth mechanism was proposed for the formation of these SBA-15 rods. Furthermore, an adsorption of lysozyme on these SBA-15 materials was investigated and the results showed that they all exhibited rapid lysozyme immobilization and high adsorption capacity (the highest up to 907mgg−1 for capsulelike SBA-15 synthesized at M HCl =2.0M). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Enantiopure sulfoxides prepared via biooxidation with engineered yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and E. coli overexpressing enzyme cyclohexanone monooxygenase (CHMO) were used as chiral liners for mesoporous silica SBA-15. The protocols for attachment of these chiral groups to the cavities of the silicates are described. The SBA-15 with grafted chiral sulfoxide was evaluated as a solid catalyst for asymmetric allylation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hierarchical Sn-Beta zeolite has been post-synthesized by the solid-gas reaction with SnCl 4 vapor, and it can be acted as bifunctional solid acid catalyst for the conversion of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). [Display omitted] • PDADMA, as intra-crystalline mesoporous porogens, has little impact on the structure of Beta zeolite. • Hierarchical Sn-Beta zeolite has been post-synthesized by the solid-gas reaction with SnCl 4 vapor. • Hier-Sn-Beta zeolite shows higher catalytic activity than Con-Sn-Beta. Hierarchical Beta zeolites are successfully synthesized with hydrothermal method in the presence of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDADMA). Followed a dealumination process, hierarchical Sn-Beta are post-synthesized by the solid-gas reaction of dealuminated Beta zeolite with SnCl 4 vapor. All samples are charcterized with XRD, N 2 sorption, SEM and TEM. SEM images show that both Beta zeolite and Sn-Beta zeolite exhibit rough spherical-like morphology of about 500−900 nm in diameters, N 2 sorptions show the pore size distributions in micropore and mesopore ranges, indicating the formation of mesoporous Beta zeolites. It is proofed that Sn species are doped into the framework in a tetrahedral environment during solid-gas reaction and the introduction of Sn species has negligible impact on the structure of Beta zeolites. Furthermore, the dehydration of glucose into HMF which needs both Brönsted and Lewis acid is selected to evaluate the catalytic performance of hierarchical Sn-Beta. It displays good catalytic activity, the conversion of glucose (99 %) and selectivity to HMF (42 %) are higher than those of the conventional Beta (96 % and 32 %, respectively). This is attributed to the intra-crystalline mesoporous structure and efficient diffusion of reactant/product molecules. Moreover, the catalyst exhibits steady catalytic performance after the fifth repeated run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A direct synthetic route for hierarchical Beta zeolite has been developed via steam-assisted crystallization (SAC) of carbon–silica composite monolith. SEM and TEM observations show that Hier-Beta zeolites are rough spheres (diameter: 500–600 nm), composed of connected nanoparticles and have single crystallinity. Deep investigation shows that the growth of the zeolite spheres undergo a reverse crystal-growth route – surface-to-core crystallization. Such materials demonstrate the greatly enhanced catalytic activity in the dehydration of fructose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), because of the intra-crystalline mesoporous structure and efficient diffusion of reactant/product molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] High yield of isosorbide was produced from cellulose via a sequential process. [•] Ru/NbOPO4-pH2 played a role in the hydration and hydrogenation of cellulose. [•] The acid amount was crucial for the dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide. [•] The combination of two catalysts avoided the use of liquid acid and purification process. [•] The overall catalytic system showed excellent cycling stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel composite materials (ZP-P[SIH]) were synthesized through hybridization concept and demonstrated multi-purpose functionalities and excellent properties, affording its excellent catalytic performance for one-pot highly efficient conversion of crude Euphorbia lathyris L. (EL) oil into biodiesel. [Display omitted] • A novel multifunctional catalyst was fabricated using hybridization concept. • The ZP-P[SIH]-2 exhibited multi-purpose functionalities and excellent properties. • The ZP-P[SIH]-2 was effective for one-pot biodiesel production from non-edible oil. • The ZP-P[SIH]-2 exhibited superior activities than various catalysts. • The fuel properties of prepared biodiesel fulfilled the international standards. Efficient transformation of cheap non edible oil into biodiesel via heterogeneous catalysis is attractive to boost commercialization of biodiesel in one pot. Herein, a novel composite material (ZP-P[SIH]-2) was developed by hybridizing the sulfonic acid functionalized poly(ionic liquid) (P[SIH]) and zirconium phosphonate (ZP) for directly transforming crude Euphorbia lathyris L. oil. into biodiesel. The ZP-P[SIH]-2 was systematically characterized and exhibited multi-purpose functionalities and excellent properties, including acid-base bifunction, uniform dispersion of acid and base sites, rich mesoporous with 167 m2/g, and excellent hydrophobicity and wettability for the reaction substrates. These merits of the ZP-P[SIH]-2 afforded its high catalytic activity with 93% biodiesel yield under condition of 8 wt% ZP-P[SIH]-2 amount, 40:1 M ratio of MeOH to oil at 150 °C for 8 h, outperforming those of single P[SIH] and ZP, commercial acid resins, and even homogeneous acids (H 3 PW 12 O 40 and H 2 SO 4) and base (CaO). The catalytic reaction exhibiting low activation energy (29.82 KJ mol−1) obeyed pseudo-first order model and was endothermic. The ZP-P[SIH]-2 is heterogeneous and had no obvious reduction in catalytic activity after four cycles owing to being constructed by strong chemical bonds. Additionally, the fuel properties of prepared biodiesel fulfilled the international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Dual-functionalized catalyst with porous niobium phosphate and Ru NP was prepared. [•] The catalyst showed high yield for the conversion of cellulose into sorbitol. [•] The catalytic activity was related to the total acid amount of the catalyst. [•] The catalyst showed excellent stability after repeated uses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The rod-shaped SBA–15–C18 mesoporous nanoparticles were incorporated into hybrid organic–inorganic monolithic column with aminopropyl moiety to develop novel stationary phases with mixing mechanism of reverse phase and ion exchange. Experimental conditions including dispersion pattern, nanoparticles percentage were optimized for simple and stable column preparation. The monolithic columns were evaluated with mixture of organic acids in capillary electrochromatography (CEC) mode and the column efficiency reaches 280, 000plates/m. The results indicate that the column containing nanoparticles enhances both selectivity and column efficiency due to high specific surface area of nanoparticles and mixing separation mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mesoporous carbon materials with partially graphitized structure were synthesized by a one-pot, co-assembly of tri-block copolymer with phenolic resin under the assistance of ammonium ferric citrate. The structure was characterized by XRD, TEM, N2 sorption and TG/DTA. The mesoporous structure of the polymer conserved after the addition of ammonium ferric citrate. The graphitization of carbon material was achieved at lower temperature (700°C), which was attributed to the catalytic property of iron, as well as the formation of carbon-polymer structure pre-carbonized at 350°C. The final graphitic porous carbon materials had high surface area and performed well in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. The selectivity to benzaldehyde reached 96.2%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ti-SBA-15C catalysts were prepared by supporting Ti on SBA-15 with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using TiCl4 as titanium source, and were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption, FT-IR and ICP. The results show that SBA-15E prepared by ethanol solution extracting template has higher concentration of surface Si–OH groups than SBA-15 calcined at 550°C, resulting in high Ti content on Ti-SBA-15EC prepared by CVD. The temperature and time of TiCl4 deposition affect the Ti content and catalytic activity of Ti-SBA-15EC for the epoxidation of propylene with cumene hydroperoxide (CHP). Ti-SBA-15EC prepared by CVD at 700°C for 1.5h exhibits more excellent performance than Ti-SBA-15C, Ti-SBA-15 prepared hydrothermally and Ti/SBA-15 (impregnation method), and the 87.3% conversion of CHP and 96.4% selectivity to propylene oxide can be obtained at 80°C for 4h. The performance of Ti-SBA-15EC is decreased hardly for the epoxidation of propylene after used repeatedly 6 times. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mesoporous zeolite (silicalite-1, ZSM-5, TS-1) single crystals have been successfully synthesized by adding soluble starch or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to a conventional zeolite synthesis system. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen sorption analysis, 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (27Al MAS NMR), temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3-TPD) and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis). The SEM images clearly show that all zeolite crystals possess the similar morphology with particle size of about 300nm, the TEM images reveal that irregular intracrystal pores are randomly distributed in the whole crystal. 27Al MAS NMR spectra indicate that nearly all of the Al atoms are in tetrahedral co-ordination in ZSM-5, UV–vis spectra confirm that nearly all of titanium atoms are incorporated into the framework of TS-1. The catalytic activity of meso-ZSM-5 in acetalization of cyclohexanone and meso-TS-1 in hydroxylation of phenol was also studied. The synthesis method reported in this paper is cost-effective and environmental friendly, can be easily expended to prepare other hierarchical structured zeolites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, extremely hydrothermal stable mesoporous Al-SBA-15 with controllable Al content has been synthesized by using triblock copolymer (P123) as template under an assistance of NaF at 160°C. This kind of material was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 sorption isotherms, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), 27Al MAS NMR, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and ammonia-temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD). It was found that nearly all Al added into the initial reaction mixture can be introduced into the product and thus-synthesized Al-SBA-15 maintained the well-ordered mesostructure and high surface area, large pore size, thick pore wall and high pore volume even after being hydrothermally treated at 100°C for 300h or steamed at 600°C for 6h. This kind of Al-SBA-15 is an efficient catalyst for the protection of carbonyl compound reactions under mild conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel mesoporous Co–Al spinel catalyst with high surface area and suitable basicity was prepared by the thermal decomposition of Co–Al hydrotalcite-like compound. The properties of the solid base catalyst were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TEM, nitrogen sorption and CO2-TPD. The formation mechanism of the mesopores and the Co–Al spinel structure was also investigated by TG/DTA and mass-spectrometer, respectively. This is due to the partial oxidation of Co2+ ions and the dehydration of the interface OH groups in precursor. The formed Co3+ ions collapsed into the interlayer space, coordinated with the adjacent oxygen atoms (tetrahedral or octahedral), worked as pillars between layers and made the interlayer space to be almost opened (mesopores formed). The partial oxidation of Co2+ ions plays a critical role in the phase transformation and the formation of mesopores. The as-obtained mesoporous Co–Al spinel-type solid base catalyst was first used in the aldol condensation of furfural with acetone and the self-condensation of acetone and found that it had good activity and excellent selectivity in both reactions. The stability studies showed that the catalyst can be completely regenerated easily by calcination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The carbonaceous monoliths rich in surface sulfonic acid groups were synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal carbonization of the mixture of p-toluenesulfonic acid/glucose/resorcinol at 180°C. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations confirmed the presence of surface sulfonic groups on these monoliths. The catalytic performance of this kind of carbonaceous material as a solid-acid catalyst was studied in the reaction of acetalization of benzaldehyde and the results showed that it has high activity and reusability. Then, these monoliths were further carbonized and activated to form monolithic carbons with high surface area and large pore volume. The surface area and pore volume per mass increased with prolonging the activation time (0–6h) and the best results on 6-h activated samples were 2337m2/g and 2.12cm3/g. Due to the decrease in bulk density the volumetric surface area increased initially until maximum and then slightly dropped down during the activation. These carbonized and activated samples showed better oxidation resistance than one commercial activated carbon under air. Moreover, the adsorption capacity for dye molecules with different size on these activated samples was significant higher than that on commercial activated carbons and a synthetic ordered mesoporous carbon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Flower-like mesoporous Mn-doped CeO2 microspheres with three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical structures were successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method with the aid of glucose and acrylic acid and subsequent particular thermal treatment, and characterized by SEM, XRD, N2 adsorption/desorption, H2-TPR, XPS, Raman spectra and so on. The results show that the atomic ratios of Mn/(Ce+Mn) in the Ce–Mn–O samples as well as their morphologies affect obviously their catalytic performances for low-temperature catalytic combustion of trichloroethylene (TCE). These flower-like Ce–Mn–O microspheres have not only very excellent activity but also high stability, compared with pure flower-like CeO2 microspheres or bulk Ce–Mn–O samples. The flower-like sample with atomic ratio of Mn/(Ce+Mn) of 0.21 exhibits the best activity, for instance, T 50 (the temperature for 50% conversion of TCE) is as low as 87°C, showing much higher catalytic activity than the sample prepared by a co-precipitation or sol–gel method. High surface area, high oxygen mobility and rich surface active oxygen species are responsible for the high catalytic performance of flower-like Mn-doped CeO2 microspheres, compared with general Ce–Mn–O mixed oxides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Spherical-like Pt–MCM-41 meso-materials, including Pt–MCM-41, Pt–Al–MCM-41, and Pt–La–MCM-41, as well as MCM-41, were synthesized by a “one-step” approach with orthosilicate (TEOS) as silica source and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a template in the presence of suitable H2SO4 (or HCl) at 0°C. The samples were characterized by XRD, N2 sorption, FTIR, SEM, TEM, ICP-AES, and XPS techniques. The results show that the metallic cations (such as Al3+ and La3+) were hard to be incorporated into the synthesized samples under strong acidic conditions. However, H2PtCl6 can be introduced almost 100% in the as-synthesized Pt-containing meso-materials, and H2PtCl6 in the samples can be decomposed mostly into metallic Pt accompanied by part Pt2Si and few Pt oxides during the calcination at 550°C to remove the template. In the catalytic hydrogenation of nitrobenzene, the calcined Pt–MCM-41 meso-materials, like the corresponding reduced samples, exhibit high catalytic activities with an excellent selectivity to aniline, which are much better than those of the reduced Pt/MCM-41 prepared by the incipient wetness method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel mesoporous Pd/cobalt aluminate bifunctional catalyst has been synthesized by a facile co-precipitation process and used in aldol condensation of furfural with acetone and the following hydrogenation of condensation products. This kind of bifunctional catalyst has good activity and can be recycled and regenerated easily. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Mo-containing MCF (Mo-MCF) material was synthesized hydrothermally and used to catalyze the epoxidation of propylene with cumene hydroperoxide (CHP). The structure properties of the catalyst and the structure of surface molybdenum species were characterized by BET, TEM, XRD, Raman and UV–vis spectroscopies. It has been shown that, the Mo-MCF material has the meso-structure of silica MCF after introduction of molybdenum, and there are three molybdenum species of the isolated molybdenum species, polymolybdate species and little crystalline MoO3 of <5nm existed in the MCF support, among which isolated and poly-molybdenum species are responsible for an increase of the epoxidation selectivity. The distribution of the molybdenum species is obviously affected by the preparation process. On the MoO3/MCF catalyst prepared by an impregnation, more polymolybdate species would congregate into dense MoO3, resulting in a decrease of the epoxidation selectivity. Comparatively, HMS, SBA-15 and SiO2 support were used to study the effect of the textural properties on the catalytic performance of Mo-containing catalyst. The results show that the structure character of support is another important factor to influence the catalytic performance of the catalyst, and the Mo-MCF material having the structure that is favorable for CHP molecules to access the active Mo sites, would restrain the decomposition of CHP and help to increase the epoxidation selectivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mesoporous Al2O3 was prepared using chitosan (CS) as a template and was used as the support of Pt catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of acetophenone (AP) to produce phenyl ethanol (PhE). The results show that the shape, surface morphology, surface area, and pore volume of mesoporous Al2O3 are affected obviously by the amount of CS template. The mesoporous Pt/Al2O3 catalysts exhibit high catalytic performances, which are affected by the surface morphologies and pore structures of the supports, and the calcination temperatures of the catalysts. The Pt/Al2O3 catalyst has higher catalytic performance than Pt–Al2O3 synthesized by a “one-step” method and Pt/γ-Al2O3 prepared with commercial γ-Al2O3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: On the basis of a sol–gel process, a facile, low cost, and one-step approach for preparing ordered magnetic mesoporous γ-Fe2O3/SiO2 nanocomposites by an evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) approach is presented. Various mesostructured silica materials (P6mm or Im3m) incorporated with different amounts of iron oxide (, 8/2, 7/3, respectively) were synthesized and characterized by XRD, TEM, N2-sorption analyses, and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. The HCl-leaching experiments together with TEM micrographs and nitrogen sorption analysis suggested that most of the γ-Fe2O3 domains of several nanometers were embedded in the silica walls, rather than dispersed in the mesopores, which could cause the significant pore clogging reported in some studies. The release behaviors of lysozyme from these magnetic porous nanocomposites were investigated for the possible application of drug targeting and control release. The influence of iron precursors was also studied and a possible mechanism was proposed. The hydrolysis of Fe3+ ions under weakly acidic conditions and the induced formation of Sih name="sbnd" />Fe bonds may account for the synthesis of this kind of nanocomposite. These multifunctional nanostructured materials would have a wide range of applications in toxin removal, catalysis, waste remediation, and biological separation as well as novel drug-carrier technologies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]