Cerium oxide-modified surfaces of several carbons as supports for a platinum-based anode electrode for methanol electro-oxidation

Catalyst composites based on Pt and CeO₂ on carbon for methanol oxidation were successively prepared for application in direct-methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). In this work, the catalyst was modified by decoration of CeO₂ onto several carbons, including carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and mixed carbons, followed by the electrochemical deposition of Pt. The dispersal of CeO₂ and Pt nanoparticles onto the carbon surfaces was confirmed with a face-centred cubic structure. The use of single and mixed carbons takes admirable advantage of the coexisting CeO₂ and Pt nanoparticles, confirming the positive effect of various carbon structures for electrocatalytic enhancement towards methanol oxidation. The CeO₂ also improves the ability for CO oxidation, resulting in a reduction of CO poisoning. The outcomes show an enhancement of the activity and stability so that such alternative as-prepared materials can be introduced to improve the anodic oxidation in DMFCs.     

Polydopamine modified Au/FAU catalytic membrane for CO preferential oxidation

A hollow-fiber-supported stable Au/FAU catalytic membrane was successfully synthesized through a polydopamine coating modification-removal strategy and used as a flow-through catalytic membrane reactor for preferential oxidation of CO. Small Au nanoparticles can be efficiently isolated by dopamine and the dopamine-derived carbon shells. The interactions between Au nanoparticles and zeolite layer support are enhanced during annealing at high temperature under an inert atmosphere. A zeolite membrane supported Au nanoparticle catalyst was obtained after the removal of carbon shells, which showed high catalytic activity and stability for the removal of CO from hydrogen.     

H2-rich syngas from glycerol dry reforming over Ni-based catalysts supported on alumina from aluminum dross

The performance of Ni-based catalyst supported on γ-Al₂O₃ for glycerol dry reforming (GDR) reaction was investigated in the current study. γ-Al₂O₃ was prepared from aluminum dross (AD) before use as catalyst support. Al₂O₃ was extracted using three different techniques assisted with ultrasonication: acid leaching with ammonia precipitation, acid leaching with re-precipitation of HCl, and alkaline leaching with ammonium hydrogen carbonate. The results show that extracted γ-Al₂O₃ 3 (EGA3) with the highest purity and the surface area of 267.5 m² g⁻¹ was produced from acid leaching with ammonia precipitation technique at a calcination temperature of 800 °C. A series of Ni/EGA3 (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) catalysts were tested and it was found that the catalytic activity was increased in the order of 5%Ni/EGA3 < 10%Ni/EGA3 < 20%Ni/EGA3 < 15%Ni/EGA3. 15%Ni/EGA3 catalyst has the highest catalytic activity due to the excellent distribution of Ni on the EGA support, high specific surface area of the support and high catalyst's basicity. In addition, the strong Ni-EGA3 interaction of the 15%Ni/EGA3 catalyst suppressed the carbon formation with the catalyst having the lowest carbon deposition value of 25.51% during the GDR reaction carried out for 8 h. Studies on the GDR reaction catalytic activities revealed that 15%Ni/EGA3 achieved the maximum catalytic activity with 56.7% glycerol conversion, 44.7% H₂ yield, and 40.6% CO yield at 800 °C and CGR of 1:1. The H₂:CO ratio obtained in this study was approximately 1.2–1.5 throughout the reaction, depicting a relatively rich H₂ syngas product. Overall, the strong interaction between Ni and EGA3 ensured stable Ni particles that can mitigate carbon deposits, thereby enhancing the catalytic activity.     

Reactivity,Selectivity, and Stability of Zeolite-Based Catalysts for Methane Dehydroaromatization

Non-oxidative dehydroaromatization is arguably the most promising process for the direct upgrading of cheap and abundant methane to liquid hydrocarbons. This reaction has not been commercialized yet because of the suboptimal activity and swift deactivation of benchmark Mo-zeolite catalysts. This progress report represents an elaboration on the recent developments in understanding of zeolite-based catalytic materials for high-temperature non-oxidative dehydroaromatization of methane. It is specifically focused on recent studies, relevant to the materials chemistry and elucidating i) the structure of active species in working catalysts; ii) the complex molecular pathways underlying the mechanism of selective conversion of methane to benzene; iii) structure, evolution and role of coke species; and iv) process intensification strategies to improve the deactivation resistance and overall performance of the catalysts. Finally, unsolved challenges in this field of research are outlined and an outlook is provided on promising directions toward improving the activity, stability, and selectivity of methane dehydroaromatization catalysts.     

Pd-Decorated Tungsten as Pt-Free Bimetallic Catalysts for Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction in Alkaline Electrolyte

Developing Pt-free catalysts for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in alkaline solution is becoming a key challenge in the development of anion exchange membrane fuel cells and electrochemical reactors. Herein, we present the preparation, HOR activity, and stability of Pd-decorated tungsten (Pd-d-W) catalysts. The Pd-d-W catalysts were prepared by the chemically activated surface of tungsten nanoparticles by Pd ions. The resultant bimetallic catalysts consisted of crystalline phases of both Pd and W nanoparticles. The CO stripping voltammograms and H-desorption (H_des) peak potential of hydrogen desorption in Pd suggests that the enhancement of HOR catalytic activity observed in Pd-d-W catalyst can be ascribed to the modification of electronic property of Pd and availability of OH_ad near-surface Pd atoms.     

软模板法制备多级孔ZSM-5分子筛的研究进展

相比传统ZSM-5分子筛,多级孔ZSM-5分子筛具有空间位阻小、传质效率高、焦炭少等特点,近年来在分子筛领域应用广泛。多级孔分子筛通常可用后处理法和模板剂法制备,相比后处理法,模板剂法能更好地控制介孔的结构和孔道尺寸。概述了采用传统表面活性剂、两亲性的有机硅烷、双功能多季铵盐表面活性剂及高分子聚合物等软模板法合成多级孔ZSM-5分子筛的研究进展。分析不同软模板剂的特点和作用机理,阐述了合成后分子筛的结构特点及催化性能等。指出在今后的研究中,可以设计价格较低的新型功能化模板剂,优化合成过程,致力于在理解合成机理的前提下,寻找操作简单、绿色环保的合成路线,并将其推行到实际工业生产中。     

Effect of Ni ratio on mesoporous Ni/MgO nanocatalyst synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method for thermal catalytic decomposition of CH4 to H2

The Ni/MgO catalysts were synthesized by hydrothermal method and the effect of changes in nickel ratio on the physicochemical properties and catalytic performance were investigated for TCD of CH₄ to H₂. In all catalysts, the only NiO–MgO phase as solid solution was formed, and crystals size were in the nanoparticles range. The results confirmed that the catalysts with mesoporous structure and high porosity were successfully synthesized by one step in the absence of surfactants. The increasing nickel ratio from 10 to 40 wt% increases the methane conversion from 28.3 to 48.6% and hydrogen yield from 33.2 to 53.2%, respectively. Also, the stability of catalysts depends on the amount and size of nickel particles in the structure of the catalysts. Among the catalysts, 40 and 30 wt% showed the highest initial activity (48.6% methane conversion) and the highest stability (above 45% hydrogen yield for 180 min), respectively.