Hierarchical Zeolites Containing Vanadium or Tantalum and Their Application in Cyclohexene Epoxidation Reaction.

The aim of this study was the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic application of new hierarchical materials modified with tantalum and vanadium ions. These materials exhibit secondary porosity, thus allowing the reactant molecules to access the active sites of the material while maintaining the acidity and crystallinity of the zeolites. Based on the results, these systems were found to be highly active and selective in the oxidation of cyclohexene. The performance of the catalysts was compared in oxidation processes carried out by conventional and microwave-assisted methods. Microwave-assisted experiments showed that in the presence of a hierarchical FAU zeolite containing Ta, long reaction times could be shortened with increased activity and selectivity under the same residual experimental conditions.

Nanotechnology-General Aspects: A Chemical Reduction Approach to the Synthesis of Nanoparticles.

The role of nanotechnology is increasingly important in our society. Through it, scientists are acquiring the ability to understand the structure and properties of materials and manipulate them at the scale of atoms and molecules. Nanomaterials are at the forefront of the rapidly growing field of nanotechnology. The synthesis of nanostructured materials, especially metallic nanoparticles, has attracted tremendous interest over the past decade due to their unique properties, making these materials excellent and indispensable in many areas of human activity. These special properties can be attributed to the small size and large specific surface area of nanoparticles, which are very different from those of bulk materials. Nanoparticles of different sizes and shapes are needed for many applications, so a variety of protocols are required to produce monodisperse nanoparticles with controlled morphology. The purpose of this review is firstly to introduce the reader to the basic aspects related to the field of nanotechnology and, secondly, to discuss metallic nanoparticles in greater detail. This article explains the basic concepts of nanotechnology, introduces methods for synthesizing nanoparticles, and describes their types, properties, and possible applications. Of many methods proposed for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, a chemical reduction is usually preferred because it is easy to perform, cost-effective, efficient, and also allows control of the structural parameters through optimization of the synthesis conditions. Therefore, a chemical reduction method is discussed in more detail-each factor needed for the synthesis of nanoparticles by chemical reduction is described in detail, i.e., metal precursors, solvents, reducing agents, and stabilizers. The methods that are used to characterize nanomaterials are described. Finally, based on the available literature collection, it is shown how changing the synthesis parameters/methods affects the final characteristics of nanoparticles.

Diatom Biosilica Doped with Palladium(II) Chloride Nanoparticles as New Efficient Photocatalysts for Methyl Orange Degradation.

A new catalyst based on biosilica doped with palladium(II) chloride nanoparticles was prepared and tested for efficient degradation of methyl orange (MO) in water solution under UV light excitation. The obtained photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, TEM and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms. The photocatalytic degradation process was studied as a function of pH of the solution, temperature, UV irradiation time, and MO initial concentration. The possibilities of recycling and durability of the prepared photocatalysts were also tested. Products of photocatalytic degradation were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. The photocatalyst exhibited excellent photodegradation activity toward MO degradation under UV light irradiation. Rapid photocatalytic degradation was found to take place within one minute with an efficiency of 85% reaching over 98% after 75 min. The proposed mechanism of photodegradation is based on the assumption that both HO• and O2•- radicals, as strongly oxidizing species that can participate in the dye degradation reaction, are generated by the attacks of photons emitted from diatom biosilica (photonic scattering effect) under the influence of UV light excitation. The degradation efficiency significantly increases as the intensity of photons emitted from biosilica is enhanced by palladium(II) chloride nanoparticles immobilized on biosilica (synergetic photonic scattering effect).

Catalytic role of metals supported on SBA-16 in hydrodeoxygenation of chemical compounds derived from biomass processing.

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) carried out at high temperatures and high hydrogen pressures is one of the alternative methods of upgrading pyrolytic oils from biomass, leading to high quality biofuels. To save energy, it is important to carry out catalytic processes under the mildest possible experimental conditions. The aim of our research was the synthesis of ordered mesoporous SBA-16 type silica materials modified with transition metal atoms (Ir, Ru, Pd, Pt), their physicochemical characterization and use as catalysts in hydrodeoxygenation of model chemicals (guaiacol, syringol, creosol). The HDO process was carried out under mild experimental conditions at temperatures in the range from 90 to 130 °C and hydrogen pressures in the range from 25 to 60 bar. The catalytic tests revealed differences in the catalytic properties of the samples studied. The catalytic systems used assured highly efficient transformations of the examined molecules as well as high selectivity towards chemical compounds with lower O/C ratio and higher H/C ratio as compared to those in the initial substrates. High activity of the catalysts containing precious metals in the experimental conditions applied suggests their potential to improve bio-oil production for biofuels.