Microcalorimetric, reaction kinetics and DFT studies of Pt–Zn/X-zeolite for isobutane dehydrogenation

Microcalorimetric measurements of the adsorption of H₂ and C₂H₄ were carried out at 300 K on a Pt–Zn/X-zeolite catalyst (Pt:Zn atomic ratio equal to 1:1). The initial heats of H₂ and C₂H₄ adsorption were equal to 75 and 122 kJ/mol, respectively, and these values are weaker than the values of 90 and 155 kJ/mol typically observed for supported Pt catalysts. Reaction kinetics measurements for isobutane dehydrogenation over the Pt–Zn/X-zeolite catalyst were carried out at temperatures from 673 to 773 K, at isobutane pressures from 0.01 to 0.04 atm, and at hydrogen pressures from 0.1 to 0.7 atm. The catalyst shows high activity and selectivity for dehydrogenation of isobutane to isobutylene. The reaction kinetics can be described with a Horiuti–Polanyi reaction scheme. DFT calculations were carried out for the adsorption of ethylene on slabs of Pt(111), Pt₃Zn(111) and PtZn(011). Results from these calculations indicate that addition of Zn to Pt weakens the binding energies of -bonded ethylene, di--bonded ethylene, and ethylidyne species on atop, bridged, and three-fold Pt sites, respectively. These effects are most significant for the bonding of ethylidyne species, and they are least significant for -bonded ethylene species. Results from DFT calculations for the adsorption of formaldehyde show that addition of Zn to Pt weakens the di--bonding at Pt–Pt sites; however, this weakening effect of Zn on formaldehyde adsorption is less significant than the effect on ethylene adsorption. Moreover, the preferred location for adsorption of formaldehyde on PtZn(011) is a Pt–Zn site, whereas the preferred location for adsorption of ethylene is a Pt–Pt site. Thus, formaldehyde is adsorbed more strongly by 53 kJ/mol on PtZn(011) compared to the di--adsorption of ethylene, whereas formaldehyde and ethylene adsorb in the di--forms with comparable energies on Pt(111). This preferred adsorption of formaldehyde compared to ethylene on PtZn(011) may be at least partially responsible for the enhanced selectivity of Pt–Zn-based catalysts for hydrogenation of C=O groups compared to C=C bonds in ,-unsaturated aldehydes.     

A Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic study of the adsorbed species from perdeuteroethene on a deuterium-exchanged Pt-on-silica catalyst

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy has been applied to study the adsorption and deuteration of perdeuteroethene (C₂D₄) at 298 K on a deuterium-exchanged Pt/SiO₂ catalyst. The spectra show absorptions associated with- and di--bonded (C₂D₄) and with (CCD₃), and a trace of (CCD₂H), ethylidyne surface species. These were identified by comparison with the closely-corresponding pattern of absorptions from the adsorption of C₂H₄. They are also correlated with previous spectroscopic results from C₂D₄ adsorption on Pt single-crystals and from analogous ligands in organometallic compounds. Deuteration of the initially-adsorbed species gives only gas-phase C₂D₆ and a trace of C₂D₅H.     

Surface photochemistry: 7. Synthesis on Pt(111) of surface ethyl groups and their rearrangement to ethylidyne

The vibrational spectra of photochemically produced adsorbed ethyl fragments and their thermal rearrangement products have been measured on Pt(111). Heating ethyl fragments, in the presence of adsorbed chlorine, leads to ethylidyne, but not directly; di--bonded ethylene is formed as a relatively stable intermediate.     

Photocatalytic Generation of H<Subscript>2</Subscript> Gas from Neat Ethanol over Pt/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanotube Catalysts

TiO₂ nanotubes promoted with Pt metal were prepared and tested to be the photocatalytic dehydrogenation catalyst in neat ethanol for producing H₂ gas (C₂H₅OHC₃CHO +H₂). It was found that the ability to produce H₂, the liquid phase product distribution and the catlyst stability of these promoted nano catalysts all depended on the Pt loading and catalyst preparation procedure. These Pt/TiO₂ catalysts with TiO₂ nanotubes washed with diluted H₂SO₄ solution produced 1, 2-diethoxy ethane (acetal) as the major liquid phase product, while over those washed with diluted HCl solution or H₂O, acetaldehyde was the major liquid phase product.     

Selective vapor phase hydroformylation of ethylene over cluster-derived cobalt catalyst

Vapor phase hydroformylation of ethylene was studied with silica-supported metal catalysts. A cobalt metal catalyst derived from Co₂(CO)₈ gave propanal and its derivatives in as high selectivity of about 36% as Rh/SiO₂ catalyst under the reaction conditions of 1.1 MPa of a gas-mixture of ArCOC₂H₄H₂ = 1333 at 423–503 K. On the other hand, conventional cobalt catalysts derived from cobalt nitrate, chloride, or acetate, and other noble metal catalysts (Pd/SiO₂ and Ir/SiO₂) produced mainly ethane.     

Steam Reforming of Methanol Over Cu/CeO2 Catalysts Studied in Comparison with Cu/ZnO and Cu/Zn(Al)O Catalysts

A series of Ce_1-xCu_xO_2- mixed oxides were synthesized using a co-precipitation method and tested as catalysts for the steam reforming of methanol. XRD patterns of the Ce_1-xCu_xO_2- mixed oxides indicated that Cu²⁺ ions were dissolved in CeO₂ lattices to form a solid solution by calcination at 773K when x < 0.2. A TPR (temperature-programmed reduction) investigation showed that the CeO₂ promotes the reduction of the Cu²⁺ species. Two reduction peaks were observed in the TPR profiles, which suggested that there were two different Cu²⁺ species in the Ce_1-xCu_xO_2- mixed oxides. The TPR peak at low temperature is attributed to the bulk Cu²⁺ species which dissolved into the CeO₂ lattices, and the peak at high temperature is due to the CuO species dispersed on the surface of CeO₂. The Ce_1-xCu_xO_2- mixed oxides were reduced to form Cu/CeO₂ catalysts for steam reforming of methanol, and were compared with Cu/ZnO, Cu/Zn(Al)O and Cu/AL₂O₃ catalysts. All the Cu-containing catalysts tested in this study showed high selectivities to CO₂ (over 97%) and H₂. A 3.8wt% Cu/CeO₂ catalyst showed a conversion of 53.9% for the steam reforming of methanol at 513K (W/F = 4.9 g h mol^-1), which was higher than that over Cu/ZnO (37.9%), Cu/Zn(Al)O (32.3%) and Cu/AL₂O₃ (11.2%) with the same Cu loading under the same reaction conditions. It is likely that the high activity of the Cu/CeO₂ catalysts may be due to the highly dispersed Cu metal particles and the strong metalsupport interaction between the Cu metal and CeO₂ support. Slow deactivations were observed over the 3.8wt% Cu/CeO₂ catalyst at 493 and 513K. The activity of the deactivated catalysts can be regenerated by calcination in air at 773K followed by reduction in H₂ at 673K, which indicated that a carbonaceous deposit on the catalyst surface caused the catalyst deactivation. Using the TPO (temperature-programmed oxidation) method, the amounts of coke on the 3.8wt% Cu/CeO₂ catalyst were 0.8wt% at 493K and 1.7wt% at 513K after 24h on stream.     

Effects of ethylene glycol addition on the properties of Ru/Al2O3 catalyst prepared by sol-gel method

Ru/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by sol-gel method with an organic additive (ethylene glycol). The effect of the addition of ethylene glycol on the properties of Ru/Al₂O₃ was characterized by BET, XRD, EXAFS, and TGA/DTA. Ethylene glycol was effective to promote the phase transition of -Al₂O₃ even at 800°C calcination with high surface area. This finding is ascribed to the modified structure of aluminum alkoxide by ethylene glycol addition in the solution state. Ethylene glycol is also effective to get small particles of ruthenium after the reduction at 500°C. The EXAFS and UV-Vis spectra of Ru complex revealed that the coordination structure of Ru depended on the additive used. The ethylene glycol sol prefers to form octahedral Ru complex. This Ru complex in alumina matrix is stable up to 200°C and forms small Ru oxide particles even at 300°C calcination. This suggests that ethylene glycol coordinates to the Ru complex as well as to aluminum ion in the initial state, which is important to control the final properties of the Ru/Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Electrical conductivities of aqueous ZnSO4−H2SO4 solutions

Conductivities of aqueous ZnSO₄–H₂SO₄ solutions are reported for a wide range of ZnSO₄ and H₂SO₄ concentrations (ZnSO₄ concentrations of 01.2 M and H₂SO₄ concentrations of 02 M) at 25°C, 40°C and 60°C. The results indicate that the solution conductivity at a given ZnSO₄ concentration is controlled by the H₂SO₄ (H⁺) concentration. The variation of the specific conductivity with ZnSO₄ concentration is complex, and depends on the H₂SO₄ concentration. At H₂SO₄ concentrations lower than about 0.25 M, the addition of ZnSO₄ increases the solution conductivity, likely because the added Zn²⁺ and SO ₄ ^2– ions increase the total number of conducting ions. However, at H₂SO₄ concentrations higher than about 0.25 M, the solution conductivity decreases upon the addition of ZnSO₄. This behaviour is attributed to decreases in the amount of free water (through solvation effects) upon the addition of ZnSO₄, which in turn lowers the Grotthus-type conduction of the H⁺ ions. At H₂SO₄ concentrations of about 0.25 M, the addition of ZnSO₄ does not appreciably affect the solution conductivity, possibly because the effects of increasing concentrations of Zn²⁺ and SO ₄ ^2– ions are balanced by decreases in Grotthus conduction.Nomenclature a ion size parameter (m) - a ^* Bjerrum distance of closest approach (m) - C stoichiometric concentration (mol m^–3 or mol L^–1) - I ionic strength (mol L^–1) - k constant in Kohlrausch's law - M molar concentration (mol L^–1) - T absolute temperature (K) - z _i electrochemical valence of speciesi (equiv. mol^–1) - z (z _–|z _–|)^1/2=2 for ZnSO₄ - z ₊ valence of cation in salt (=+2 for Zn²⁺) - z _– valence of anion in salt (=–2 for SO ₄ ^2– ) Greek letters fraction of ZnSO₄ dissociated - specific conductivity (^–1 m^–1) - ^expt measured specific conductivity (^–1 m^–1) - equivalent conductivity (^–1 m² equiv.^–1) - equivalent conductivity at infinite dilution (^–1 m² equiv.^–1) - ⁰ equivalent conductivity calculated using Equation 2 (^–1 m² equiv.^–1) - _cale measured equivalent conductivity (^–1 m² equiv.^–1) - _expt equivalent conductivity of ioni at infinite dilution (^–1 m² equiv.^–1) - reciprocal of radius of ionic cloud (m^–1) - viscosity of solvent (Pa s) - dielectric constant - ± mean molar activity coefficient - density (g cm^–3)     

Synthesis of HFC-134a over CrF3/AlF3 catalysts

The effect of the structure of AlF₃ supports in CrF₃/AlF₃ catalysts and their activity were studied, and a selection of suitable reaction conditions for fluorination of trichloroethylene and HCFC-133a was made. We found that neither AlF₃ (- and -modifications) nor CrF₃/-AlF₃ exhibits significant activity for the reaction of HF with CCl₂=CHC1 or CF₃CH₂Cl. However, CrF₃/-AlF₃ exhibits high activity, which increases with increasing surface area and decreasing crystallite size of the -AlF₃ support, and that dramatically affects the fiuorination of CF₃CH₂Cl. Investigation of a series of CrF₃/-AlF₃ catalysts shows that the turnover rates per unit of the total surface area and of the free CrF₃ surface area significantly increase with increasing content of Cr³⁺ loading. Optimum temperature for the reaction of HF with CCl₂=CHCl is 260°C, while with CF₃CH₂Cl it is 350°C, with flow ratios HFTCE = 61 andHFHCFC-133a = 101.     

Galvanostatic oxidation of formaldehyde-methanol solutions on Ti/Ru0.3Ti0.7O2 electrodes using a filter-press cell

The galvanostatic oxidation of methanol-containing formaldehyde solutions, under conditions of simultaneous oxygen evolution, in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ acid was studied using a Ti/Ru_0.3Ti_0.7O₂ dimensionally stable anode (DSA^®), in a filter-press cell. The reaction products detected were HCOOH, CO₂ and CO₃ ^2–. The CO₃ ^2– species is formed from the oxidation of HCOOH and subsequently decomposes in solution to CO₂. Conversely CO₂ is also formed electrochemically from the electrooxidation of formaldehyde and methanol. A mechanism, which considers the active and non-active nature of the electrode, is suggested. First-order kinetics, with respect to the variation of formaldehyde and methanol, are displayed and two linear regions observed. This is interpreted as being due to the presence of the reaction products of oxidation inhibiting the oxidation of formaldehyde at the electrode surface. Further, a mechanism is proposed considering the species present in solution.     

Zirconium tetra-n-butylate modified with different organic acids: Hydrolysis and polymerization of the products

In this work; (a) complexation reaction of zirconium tetra-n-butylate, Zr(OBu ⁿ )₄, with MAc and different organic acids. (b) the hydrolysis reaction of modified Zr species, and (c) the polymerization reaction of complex products are studied. Zr(OBu ⁿ )₄ was reacted with different mole ratios of methacrylic acid (MAc) at room temperature and the maximum combination ratio was found to be 12 [Zr(OBu ⁿ )₄MAc] by FT IR. The modification of zirconium tetra-n-butylate with the acid mixtures [methacrylic acid-acetic acid (MeCOOH), methacrylic acid-propionic acid (EtCOOH), methacrylic acidbutyric acid (PrCOOH)] was made for a combination ratio of 111 [MAcRCOOHZr(OBu ⁿ )₄RMe. Et, Pr] and the products were characterized by¹H-NMR, FT-IR, and UV-spectroscopies. Following their synthesis, hydrolysis of the complexes with various amounts of water and polymerization with benzoyl peroxide were realized. The hydrolysis and polymerization products of the complexes were studied by Karl-Fischer Coulometric titration and thermal analysis respectively. Methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK) and chloroform were chosen as solvents.     

A chemically regenerative redox fuel cell

A novel chemically regenerative redox fuel cell is described. The electrode reactions are based on the following redox reactions: cathodic reaction: anodic reaction: VO ₂ ⁺ +2H⁺+e VO²⁺+H₂O (E ₀ +1V), SiW₁₂O ₄₀ ^5– SiW₁₂O ₄₀ ^4– +e (E ₀ 0V). Regeneration of the oxidant by direct oxidation with O₂ was achieved by using the soluble heteropoly acid catalysts, H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ or H₅PMo₁₀V₂O₄₀, whereas regeneration of the tungstosilicic acid, H₃SiW₁₂O₄₀, was accomplished by direct reduction with H₂ utilizing small amounts of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru or the soluble Pd-4, 4, 4, 4'-tetrasulphophthalocyanine complex as catalysts. Some aspects of the regeneration kinetics and their influence on the overall performance of the redox fuel cell are discussed.     

Cathodic process in copper-tin deposition from sulphate solutions

Data on cathodic processes in sulphate solutions containing Cu(II) and Sn(II) ions and H₂SO₄ with and without Laprol 2402C (OA) is given. The sequence of cathodic processes and their dependence on the electrolyte composition were determined. The presence of OA extended the range of cathodic current densities (i _c) at which a high quality alloy was obtained. Electrolysis conditions under which the cathodic process rates considerably decrease were found. This is caused by passivation of the cathode surface by the film formed. The cathode passivation is accompanied by periodic oscillations. Anodic current peaks, i.e. reverse maxima, were found to occur during reverse potential sweeps. The peak values depended on the potential at which the reverse sweep began.     

Ruthenium catalyzed copolymerization of 2-acetylphenanthrene and α,ω-dienes

Summary Copolymers with 2-aceto-1,3-phenanthrenylene units in the chain have been directly prepared by Ru catalyzed step-growth copolymerization of 2-acetyl phenanthrene and ,-dienes such as 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane. Copolymers which incorporate 2-aceto-1,3-phenanthrenylene units possess higher T_gS and increased thermal stability compared to analogous copolymers which have 2-aceto-5-phenyl-1,3-phenylene(biphenyl) or 2-aceto-1,3-phenylene units. Fluorescence spectra of these copolymers have been obtained.     

Effect of the Moisture Content on the Electrical Conductivity of SiO2/LiCl Xerogels

The effect of LiCl and water in pores on the active component of the low-frequency electrical conductivity of silicon dioxide xerogels is investigated. It is found that the electrical conductivity of SiO₂/LiCl xerogels at atmospheric humidity substantially depends on the hygroscopic properties of the salt. It is demonstrated that the dependence of the electrical conductivity of SiO₂and SiO₂/LiCl xerogels on the fraction pof the pore volume filled with an ionic conductor (water or an aqueous LiCl solution) can be described by equations of the percolation theory. The dilution of the LiCl solution upon water sorption does not change the character of the power dependence (p). It is shown for the first time that the introduction of water into pores considerably (by several orders of magnitude) extends the electrical conductivity range for xerogels and shows promise as a means for increasing the sensitivity of humidity detectors and controlling their threshold response.     

Spectroscopic evidence for adsorption sites located at Cu/ZnO interfaces

FTIR spectra are reported of CO and formic acid adsorption on a series of Cu/ZnO/SiO₂ catalysts. Peaks due to linear CO adsorbed on copper diminished in intensity as the loading of ZnO was increased. This behaviour was explained in terms of ZnO island growth on the copper surface. Similarly, reduction of the copper concentration while maintaining a constant ZnO loading also resulted in further attenuation in bands ascribed to CO chemisorbed on copper. Formic acid exposure to a Cu/SiO₂ sample produced a formate species displaying a _as(COO) mode at 1585 cm^–1. Addition of a small quantity of ZnO to the catalyst resulted in substantial promotion of formate growth, which was accompanied by a shift (and broadening) of the _as(COO) vibration to 1660–1600 cm^–1. Since further ZnO incorporation poisoned formate creation it was concluded that formate species bonded to Cu and Zn sites located at interfacial positions had been formed. The role of such species in methanol synthesis is discussed.     

New mechanisms in DNA cleavage by metal complexes

The chemistry of new families of DNA cleavage agents based on oxoruthenium(IV) or diplatinum pyrophosphite complexes is reviewed. The ruthenium complexes derived from Ru(tpy)(bpy)O²⁺ (tpy, 2, 2, 2-terpyridine; bpy, 2, 2-bipyridine) are effective DNA cleavage agents both electrocatalytically or thermally. The stoichiometric reaction quantitatively produces Ru(II), which also binds to DNA covalently in a slow, follow-up reaction. The cleavage by Pt₂(pop)₄ ^4– (pop, P₂O₅H₂) is photoactivated and proceeds via H-atom abstraction by the platinum complex.     

Mechanisms of Iron Activation on Fe-Containing Zeolites and the Charge of α-Oxygen

According to previous Mössbauer data [1] -sites formation at the activation of Fe-containing zeolites is accompanied by irreversible self-reduction of the iron, proceeding without participation of an external reducing agent. Reduced Fe²⁺ ions are inert to O₂ but are reversibly oxidized to Fe³⁺ by N₂O, generating the -oxygen species, O, which provide selective oxidation of hydrocarbons.In this work, the mechanism of -sites formation was studied via quantitative measurement of the dioxygen amount desorbed into the gas phase at the step of self-reduction. A prominent role of the zeolite matrix chemical composition has been revealed. For example, with zeolites of Al–Si composition (FeZSM-5 and Fe-), heating to 900 °C in a closed vacuum space leads to irreversible evolution of O₂, which is accompanied by the immediate formation of -sites. Similar heating of B–Si and Ti–Si zeolites also leads to dioxygen evolution; however, this evolution is reversible and is not accompanied by formation of -sites. Activation of these zeolites occurs only in the presence of water vapor. Stoichiometric measurements showed that in terms of charge one regular O^2- ion, removed at the activation, is equivalent to two -oxygen atoms. So, -oxygen is identified as an ion-radical species O ^-., whose unique oxidation properties still distinguish it from the generally observed O^-. radicals.The mechanism of -sites formation is proposed, in which the process of strong chemical stabilization of reduced Fe²⁺ atoms in the zeolite structure is a key step, making impossible the reoxidation of the iron with O₂.     

On the promotional effect of Sn in Co–Sn/Al2O3 catalyst for NO selective reduction

NO reduction with propylene over Co/Al₂O₃ and Co–Sn/Al₂O₃ catalysts has been investigated. For the Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst, a calcination temperature exceeding 800°C led to a decrease of NO conversion. Calcination of the Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst at 1000°C resulted in the formation of -Al₂O₃ and Co₃O₄. The presence of 20% water vapor showed a significant shift for the maximum NO reduction temperature from 450 to 600°C over Co/Al₂O₃. It has been found that modification of 6 wt% Co/Al₂O₃ with 2 wt% Sn significantly enhanced the catalyst thermal stability and improved the inhibitory effect of water on NO conversion and reaction temperature. The promotional effect of Sn on the catalyst thermal stability was attributed to the suppression of the phase transformation from highly dispersed Co²⁺ species on -Al₂O₃ to -Al₂O₃ and Co₃O₄. The smaller influence of water vapor on NO reduction conversion and temperature over Co–Sn/Al₂O₃, compared to Co/Al₂O₃, was attributed to the dispersion effect of Sn species on Co²⁺ species as well as the involvement of Sn species in NO reduction at a relatively lower temperature. The synergetic effect between the octahedral Co²⁺ species and -alumina plays a significant role in the catalysis of NO selective reduction by C₃H₆.     

Performance of supported Ru-Cu bimetallic catalysts prepared from nitrate precursors

Bimetallic Ru-Cu catalysts supported on SiO₂, -Al₂O₃, -Al₂O₃ have been prepared using precursors which do not contain chlorine and characterized by CO chemisorption and TPR. Catalytic activity has been tested in the propane hydrogenolysis. It has been observed that the degree of formation of bimetallic Ru-Cu aggregates depends on the support used. It is suggested that the degree of interaction between Ru and Cu is strongly influenced by the strength of the metal-support interaction.