Reconstruction of the ZnAl Mixed Oxides Into the Layered Double Hydroxide Catalysts Active in the Aldol Condensation of Furfural: The Role of ZnO Particles

A memory effect is the ability to restore the original, lamellar layered double hydroxide structure. Herein, we have described 1) the changes in the structural and basic properties of ZnAl mixed oxides during their transformation into ZnAl-reconstructed LDHs (RE-LDHs); 2) the extraordinary properties of ZnAl RE-LDHs compared to the original ZnAl LDHs; and 3) the changes of basic properties during the interaction of ZnAl RE-LDHs with atmospheric CO2. Aldol condensation was selected as probe reaction to prove the catalytic potential of ZnAl RE-LDHs. We have described a target method for preparing ZnAl RE-LDHs with a large number of basic sites. ZnAl RE-LDHs possess significantly higher furfural conversion in the aldol condensation of furfural than MOs. The structural, textural, and basic properties of the studied materials were described by temperature-programmed analysis, X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption, temperature-programmed desorption of CO2, and in-situ diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

VOCs Photothermo-Catalytic Removal on MnOx-ZrO2 Catalysts

Solar photothermo-catalysis is a fascinating multi-catalytic approach for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal. In this work, we have explored the performance and the chemico-physical features of non-critical, noble, metal-free MnOx-ZrO2 mixed oxides. The structural, morphological, and optical characterizations of these materials pointed to as a low amount of ZrO2 favoured a good interaction and the ionic exchange between the Mn and the Zr ions. This favoured the redox properties of MnOx increasing the mobility of its oxygens that can participate in the VOCs oxidation through a Mars-van Krevelen mechanism. The further application of solar irradiation sped up the oxidation reactions promoting the VOCs total oxidation to CO2. The MnOx-5 wt.%ZrO2 sample showed, in the photothermo-catalytic tests, a toluene T90 (temperature of 90% of conversion) of 180 °C and an ethanol T90 conversion to CO2 of 156 °C, 36 °C, and 205 °C lower compared to the thermocatalytic tests, respectively. Finally, the same sample exhibited 84% toluene conversion and the best selectivity to CO2 in the ethanol removal after 5 h of solar irradiation at room temperature, a photoactivity similar to the most employed TiO2-based materials. The as-synthetized mixed oxide is promising for an improved sustainability in both catalyst design and environmental applications.

Evaluation of the reactivity, selectivity and lifetime of hydrotalcite-based catalysts using isopropanol as probe molecule

Hydrotalcite catalysts derived from NiAl and NiAlMg mixed oxides were successfully prepared by coprecipitation at a constant pH of 11. Physicochemical methods were investigated to determine their structural and textural properties. Using isopropanol as a probe molecule, the acid–base properties of the catalysts were investigated, and the evaluation of reactivity, selectivity and lifetime was established.

Mixed Oxides NiO/ZnO/Al2O3 Synthesized in a Single Step via Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP) Method

Mixed oxides have received remarkable attention due to the many opportunities to adjust their interesting structural, electrical, catalytic properties, leading to a better, more useful performance compared to the basic metal oxides. In this study, mixed oxides NiO/ZnO/Al2O3 were synthesized in a single step via the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method using nitrate salts, and the temperature effects of the process were investigated (400, 600, 800 °C). The synthesized samples were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analyses. The results showed Al2O3, NiO–Al2O3 and ZnO–Al2O3 systems with spinel phases. Furthermore, the Raman peaks supported the coexistence of oxide phases, which strongly impact the overall properties of nanocomposite.

IrO2/LiLa2IrO6 as a Robust Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Media

Recently reported non-noble metal-iridium mixed oxides not only exhibit excellent activity for the oxygen evolution reaction in acid media, but also reduce the cost. However, most of them fail to...

Ti-Co mixed oxide as photocatalysts in the generation of hydrogen from water

The effect of Co into the titanium oxide matrix as photocatalysts in the generation of hydrogen from water is herein reported. Ti–Co mixed oxides and pure titania were synthetized by sol-gel. The Co content was 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 wt.%. The solids were characterized by Scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), N2 physisorption, X-ray difrraction (XRD), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), spectroscopy Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectroscopy and High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The results showed that the mixed oxides show larger specific surface areas (73–186 m2/g) compare to that of pure TiO2 (64 m2/g). The XRD patterns of the Ti-Co samples resemble that of anatase and segregation of Co was not observed by this technique. The band gap energies of these solids vary from 3.05 to 2.85 eV which are smaller than that of pure TiO2 (3.2 eV). The Ti-Co oxides showed an enhancement in the hydrogen production (∼3056 μmol/h) compare to that of TiO2 (190 μmol/h) when using UV light. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of titania (110 μmol/h) for this reaction was also smaller than those observed for the Ti-Co mixed oxides (∼4056 μmol/h) under visible light.

Facile green synthesis of ZnO–CuO nanocomposites using areca catechu leaves and their in vitro antidiabetic and cytotoxicity studies

The fabrication and diverse applications of mixed oxides have received immense interest due to numerous prospects for better functional performance in tuning their properties compared to the basic metal oxides. Herein, we report synthesis of ZnO-CuO nanocomposites (NCs) using a simple and green route solution combustion method. The as-prepared ZnO-CuO NCs have been characterised through x-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The results revealed that as-prepared ZnO-CuO NCs have spherical and rod-shaped structures with an average size between 10 and 30 nm. Further, ZnO-CuO NCs were tested for antidiabetic and anticancer properties. Amylase inhibition and MTT assays were carried out with different concentrations of NCs. The biological results depicted that the as-prepared nanocomposites exhibited significant cytotoxic effects with IC50 value of 13.29 μg mg−1. These observations further showed that the newly synthesised ZnO–CuO NCs are interesting and promising nanomaterials in pharmaceutical and healthcare sector.