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At least 631 records · Page 35

Interaction of Anisole on Alumina-Supported Ni and Mo Oxide Hydrodeoxygenation Catalysts

The conversion of biomass to transportation fuels and value-added chemicals is a promising method to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Mo-based catalysts have been shown to be highly active in the hydrodeoxygenation of biomass-derived phenolic compounds. The catalyst active phase, surface species, and the effect of adding additional metals is not comprehensively understood. Here we compare the temperature-dependent adsorption behavior of the model compound anisole 2 on an alumina-supported mixed nickel molybdenum oxide catalyst with two reference catalysts of molybdenum oxide and nickel oxide. Raman spectroscopy showed that the catalysts contain significant amounts of molybdates and molybdoaluminates, in addition to NiMoO 4 in the nickel molybdenum catalyst and MoO 3 in the molybdenum-only catalyst. Using transmission infrared spectroscopy under a controlled environment, we find that anisole chemisorbed largely through the oxygen in the methoxy group to form surface-bound phenoxy and methoxy species on all the catalysts. Ambient pressure X-ray photoelectrons spectroscopy measurements of the catalysts in anisole vapor showed reduced Mo atoms are the binding sites. The surface interaction and removal temperature of these species varied with the metal composition. The MoO x component dominated the adsorption behavior in both MoO x and NiMoO x catalysts. The formation of new aromatics, including methylated rings, depended on Ni composition. Upon adding hydrogen to induce the hydrodeoxygenation of anisole, undesirable polynuclear aromatic species were quickly formed on the Mo-based catalysts. In conclusion, these results suggest that the molybdenum oxide controls the adsorption and reactivity of the surface species, with a cooperative effect by Ni.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Toward Ultracold Organic Chemistry: Prospects of Laser Cooling Large Organic Molecules

Ultracold organic chemistry enables studies of reaction dynamics and mechanisms in quantum regime. Access to ultracold molecules hinges on the ability to efficiently scatter multiple photons via quasi-closed cycling transitions. Optical cycling in polyatomic molecules is challenging due to their complex electronic structure. Using equation-of-motion coupled-cluster calculations, we demonstrate that an alkaline earth metal attached to various aromatic ligands (such as benzene, phenol, cyclopentadienyl, and pyrrolide) offer nearly closed cycling transitions with only a few additional repump lasers. Here, we also show that aromatic ligands such as benzene can accommodate multiple cycling centers in various geometrical arrangements, opening new avenues in quantum information science, precision measurements, and ultracold chemistry.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Nuclear–Electronic Orbital Quantum Mechanical/Molecular Mechanical Real-Time Dynamics

Simulating the nuclear–electronic quantum dynamics of large-scale molecular systems in the condensed phase is key for studying biologically and chemically important processes such as proton transfer and proton-coupled electron transfer reactions. Herein, the real-time nuclear–electronic orbital time-dependent density functional theory (RT-NEO-TDDFT) approach is combined with a hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) strategy to enable the accurate description of coupled nuclear–electronic quantum dynamics in the presence of heterogeneous environments such as solvent or proteins. The densities of the electrons and quantum protons are propagated in real time, while the other nuclei are propagated classically on the instantaneous electron–proton vibronic surface. This approach is applied to phenol bound to lysozyme, intramolecular proton transfer in malonaldehyde, and nonequilibrium excited-state intramolecular proton transfer in o-hydroxybenzaldehyde. Furthermore, these examples illustrate that the RT-NEO-TDDFT framework, coupled with an atomistic representation of the environment, allows the simulation of condensed-phase systems that exhibit significant nuclear quantum effects.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Counterintuitive Catalytic Reactivity of the Aluminum Oxide “Passivation” Shell of Aluminum Nanoparticles Facilitating the Thermal Decomposition of exo -Tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (JP-10)

High energy density aluminum nanoparticles (AlNP) have been at the center of attention as additives to hydrocarbon jet fuels like exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (JP-10, C 10 H 16 ) aiming at a superior performance of volume-limited air-breathing propulsion systems. However, a fundamental understanding of the ignition and combustion chemistry of JP-10 in presence of AlNPs has been elusive. Exploiting an isomer-selective comprehensive identification of the decomposition products in a newly designed high temperature chemical microreactor coupled to vacuum ultraviolet photoionization, we reveal an active low temperature heterogeneous surface chemistry commencing at 650 K involving the alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) shell. Contrary to textbook knowledge of an “inactive alumina surface”, this unconventional reactivity, where oxygen is transferred from alumina to JP-10, leads to generating cyclic, oxygenated organics like phenol (C 6 H 5 OH) and 2,4-cyclopentadiene-1-one (C 5 H 4 O) - key tracers of an alumina-mediated interfacial chemistry. Furthermore, this counterintuitive reactivity transforms our knowledge on the (catalytic) processes of alumina-coated AlNPs on the molecular level.

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Luminescent Properties of DOBDC Containing MOFs: The Role of Free Hydroxyls

A novel metal–organic framework (MOF), Mn-DOBDC, has been synthesized in an effort to investigate the role of both the metal center and presence of free linker hydroxyls on the luminescent properties of DOBDC (2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid) containing MOFs. Co-MOF-74, RE-DOBDC (RE–Eu and Tb), and Mn-DOBDC have been synthesized and analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and the fluorescent properties probed by UV–Vis spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT). Mn-DOBDC has been synthesized by a new method involving a concurrent facile reflux synthesis and slow crystallization, resulting in yellow single crystals in monoclinic space group C2/c. Mn-DOBDC was further analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and photoluminescent emission. Results indicate that the luminescent properties of the DOBDC linker are transferred to the three-dimensional structures of both the RE-DOBDC and Mn-DOBDC, which contain free hydroxyls on the linker. In Co-MOF-74 however, luminescence is quenched in the solid state due to binding of the phenolic hydroxyls within the MOF structure. Finally, Mn-DOBDC exhibits a ligand-based tunable emission that can be controlled in solution by the use of different solvents.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Elucidating the Interfacial Effects of Nonmetallic Elements on the Dehydrogenation Behavior of Nanoconfined NaAlH 4 in Zeolite-Templated Carbon

Confining materials within nanoscale volumes alters their physical and chemical properties, with positive consequences for energy storage, conversion, and catalysis. The pore structure and composition of scaffolds are essential variables for optimizing these properties, with carbon-based materials being preferred due to their tunable porous structures and chemical versatility. This study investigates the influence of surface functional groups on the dehydrogenation kinetics of nanoconfined NaAlH4 using zeolite-templated carbons (ZTCs). Here we focus on oxygen functional groups commonly present as intrinsic impurities on carbon scaffolds, analyzing three ZTC scaffolds to determine how their concentrations and configurations affect dehydrogenation behavior. Our findings reveal that carbonyl groups enhance charge transfer and destabilize Al–H bonds more effectively than ether or phenol groups. This indicates that the type of oxygen functional group is more critical than the quantity, highlighting the importance of properly tailoring oxygen defects to improve hydrogen storage performance in nanoconfined systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis of High-Performance Lignin-Based Inverse Thermoplastic Vulcanizates with Tailored Morphology and Properties

In this work, we report synthesis of a high-strength renewable phenolic composition with linear large deformation strain without a thermoplastic-like yielding while retaining thermal processability. Small molecule carboxylic acid derivatives with varying molecular architectures act as esterifying crosslinkers in an equal mass mixture of lignin and acrylonitrile–butadiene copolymers in a highly scalable, solvent-free process. These “inverse thermoplastic vulcanizates” (iTPVs)—unique in their approach of crosslinking the rigid lignin phase rather than the soft phase—exhibit ordered self-assembly, tunable nanoscale morphology, and processability. The first of its kind iTPV compositions exhibit engineering stress–strain curves with two- to sixfold linear extensibility, a twofold rise in strength, and an order of magnitude enhanced modulus compared to a simple lignin-rubber blend. Viscoelastic properties correlate well with crosslinker architecture and the resulting morphology, allowing competing properties of toughness and stiffness to be tuned. This research finds a path for identifying the potential of lignin as a sustainable feedstock.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Cleavage of C-O and C-C Bonds in Lignin-Derived Compounds to Produce Aromatics Using Molybdenum-Containing MFI Zeolites

Lignin, the most abundant source of renewable arenes, is a viable feedstock for the production of aromatic compounds. However, the prevalence of resilient C-C bonded oligomeric fragments in lignin-derived streams can compromise monomer yields during reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF). To address this issue, we developed a bifunctional molybdenum-containing MFI (Mo/H-MFI) zeolite catalyst capable of cleaving both C-O and C-C bonds in lignin-derived molecules to produce aromatic monomers. Using propylguaiacol as a model compound, we demonstrated the importance of proximity between metallic molybdenum carbide sites and the Bronsted acid sites in the zeolite in achieving high carbon yields (~80%) of benzene, toluene, propylbenzene, and phenol while maintaining catalyst stability (>98% stable conversion for 20 h). A reaction network involving both C-O and C-C bond cleavage pathways was proposed based on kinetic studies using key intermediates as feeds. Finally, we successfully depolymerized partially deoxygenated lignin oil obtained from the RCF of poplar using a continuous, two-pass catalytic process. This work highlights the potential of the bifunctional Mo/H-MFI catalyst in upgrading complex lignin feedstocks and provides a methodological approach for converting lignin-derived compounds into platform aromatic chemicals.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Elucidating the Competitive Hydrodeoxygenation of Lignin-Derived Oxygenates over Bulk MoO 3 Catalyst through Kinetic Analysis

Ambient pressure hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of lignin-derived oxygenates over molybdenum oxide-based catalysts is an effective strategy to produce chemicals that can be directly integrated into our existing petrochemical infrastructure. Complexities pertaining to the simultaneous kinetic and mechanistic analysis of HDO have limited research endeavors to single-compound systems. Although valuable insight into the catalytic reaction has been gained through this approach, it provides limited understanding of the competitive adsorption behavior manifest in a realistic multioxygenate reaction environment. To address this shortcoming, simultaneous gas-phase acetone and anisole HDO was performed at 330 °C and ≤1 bar H 2 partial pressure over bulk MoO 3 . Propene, propane, and benzene were the HDO products formed, showing a similar product distribution to the single-compound system. Selectivity to propene and propane was ∼14 times higher than benzene, even at three times higher anisole partial pressure compared to acetone. A negative anisole HDO (−0.97 ± 0.22) rate order with varying acetone partial pressure suggested a strong inhibition effect on anisole HDO by acetone. Conversely, with increasing anisole partial pressure, a rate order of −0.07 ± 0.12 was observed for acetone HDO, implying a weak impact of anisole cofeed on acetone HDO. A kinetic-driven approach was taken to estimate the relative adsorption constants of the oxygenates. Acetone exhibited a 6.4 times higher adsorption propensity on the HDO active site than anisole. Relative adsorption constants for phenolics increased with increasing basicity of the oxygenate but decreased for aliphatic molecules, suggesting a volcano-shaped relationship. The results suggest the possibility of an optimal electron density around the molecule’s oxygen atom to maximize the molecule’s adsorption strength.

acid sites↗

Thermal Activation of a Copper-Loaded Covalent Organic Framework for Near-Ambient Temperature Hydrogen Storage and Delivery

Copper(II) formate is efficiently incorporated into the pores of a 2D imine-based covalent organic framework (COF) via coordination with the phenol and imine groups. The coordinated metal ion is then reduced to Cu(I) with a thermal treatment that evolves CO 2 . After loading with hydrogen gas, the majority of H 2 desorbs from the coordinatively saturated Cu(II) COF at temperatures < -100 degrees C. However, the activated Cu(I) COF retains adsorbed H 2 above room temperature. Adsorption/desorption of H 2 was highly reversible. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) strongly supports a molecular hydrogen interaction with Cu(I). A Kissinger analysis of variable ramp rate desorption experiments estimates the enthalpy of H 2 desorption from Cu(I) at 15 kJ mol -1 . The results represent an advance toward practical H 2 storage and delivery in a lightweight, stable, and highly versatile material.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Ultranano Titania: Selectively Ridding Water of Persistent Organic Pollutants

Persistent organic pollutants, including the EPA's “dirty dozen”, are difficult to remove from water supplies due to their chemical stability. Here, we report a stable oxide photocatalyst, ultranano titania (d < 2 nm) doped with iron, Fe•TiUNP, that efficiently mineralizes multiple persistent pollutants including aromatic compounds plus common troublesome, difficult-to-oxidize intermediates such as formaldehyde and acetone, netting mineralization of persistent pollutants. Efficiency stems from a direct charge-transfer pathway. The key role of iron doping is to lower the reduction potential of the photogenerated electron so that it is insufficient to reduce water, thus eliminating competition from the hydrogen evolution reaction. The reduction potential of the localized electron is similarly insufficient to reduce quinone, enabling breaking aromaticity. Specific results for degrading acetone, phenol, benzoic acid, and 1,4-benzoquinone are reported.

alcohols↗

Perspective on Technical Lignin Fractionation

Technical lignin extracted from pulping and biorefining processes provides a class of complex and polydisperse phenolic polymers. Preparation of lignin with lower structural complexity and polydispersity through lignin fractionation is one of the primary solutions to engineer lignin into a value-added material. Sequential lignin fraction by pH controlled precipitation from 12 to 1 is one of the primary developed methods. Partial solubility of lignin in organic solvents is another promising method for lignin fractionation. Organic solvents with different polarity and solubility factors are able to fractionate lignin, yielding a more homogeneous chemical structure. As a modification of the lignin fractionation process using solvents, water/organic solvents mixture, such as propan-2-one, alcohols, and acetic acid, from room to high temperature has been proposed as a greener method for lignin fractionation. Using membrane technology is another promising method and current results indicate a good potential for lignin recovery and fractionation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Antimicrobial Properties of Corn Stover Lignin Fractions Derived from Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenolysis in Supercritical Ethanol with a Ru/C Catalyst

Converting lignin to value-added products at high yields provides an avenue for making ethanol biorefineries more profitable while reducing the carbon footprint of products generally derived from petroleum. In this study, corn stover lignin was depolymerized by catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis (CTH) in supercritical ethanol with a Ru/C catalyst. The lignin-derived bio-oil was then sequentially extracted utilizing hexane, petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate as solvents in order of less polar to polar, and the subsequent bio-oils were characterized using GPC, GC/MS, and HSQC NMR. In this work, results show that the monomers in the bio-oil fractions contained primarily alkylated phenols, hydrogenated hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, syringol and guaiacol-type lignins created from reductive cleavages of ether linkages, which were sequentially extracted into groups depending on the solvent polarity. The antimicrobial properties of the bio-oils were screened against Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus amylovorus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) by examining microbial growth inhibition. Results show that CTH-derived bio-oils inhibited all tested organisms at concentrations less than 3 mg/mL. Total monomer concentration and the presence of specific monomers (i.e., syringyl propane) showed correlations to antimicrobial activity, likely due to cell death or membrane damage. This study provides insights into using sequential extraction to fractionate lignin-derived compounds and correlations between the properties of the extracted compounds and their antimicrobial activity.

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High-Efficiency Conversion of Ionic Liquid-Pretreated Woody Biomass to Ethanol at the Pilot Scale

We report that with a diverse and widely distributed global resource base, woody biomass is a compelling organic feedstock for conversion to renewable liquid fuels. In California, woody biomass comprises the largest fraction of underutilized biomass available for biofuel production, but conversion to fuels is challenged both by recalcitrance to deconstruction and by toxicity toward downstream saccharification and fermentation due to organic acids and phenolic compounds generated during pretreatment. In this study, we optimize pretreatment and scale-up of an integrated one-pot process for deconstruction of California woody biomass using the ionic liquid (IL) cholinium lysinate [Ch][Lys] as a pretreatment solvent. By evaluating the impact of solid loading, solid removal, yeast acclimatization, fermentation temperature, fermentation pH, and nutrient supplementation on final ethanol yields and titers, we achieve nearly full conversion of both glucose and xylose to ethanol with commercial C5-utilizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We then demonstrate process scalability in 680 L pilot-scale fermentation, achieving >80% deconstruction efficiency, >90% fermentation efficiency, 27.7 g/L ethanol titer, and >80% ethanol distillation efficiency from the IL-containing hydrolysate post fermentation. This fully integrated process requires no intermediate separations and no intermediate detoxification of the hydrolysate. Using an integrated biorefinery model, current performance results in a minimum ethanol selling price of $\$$8.8/gge. Reducing enzyme loading along with other minor process improvements can reduce the ethanol selling price to $\$$3/gge. This study is the largest scale demonstration of IL pretreatment and biofuel conversion known to date, and the overall biomass-to-ethanol efficiencies are the highest reported to date for any IL-based biomass-to-biofuel conversion.

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Materials Based on Technical Bulk Lignin

Lignin is the second most abundant biopolymer and the main source of aromatic structures on earth. Lignin has long been produced as a byproduct of the pulping process and utilized in low value-added applications like heat. However, lignin has received increased attention in recent years to improve its value through various chemical processes. This Review compiles recent progress in synthesis, properties, and applications of lignin-based materials. The lignin for material applications can often be classified into three categories: technical bulk lignin (TBL), lignin-derived oligomers (LDOs), and lignin-derived phenols (LDPs). Furthermore, this Review focuses on the chemical modifications of TBLs and their applications in novel smart materials like self-healing, stimulus responsive, and shape memory polymers. The conversion of TBL to polymers can be briefly divided into two steps: (1) introduction of polymerizable functional groups into the lignin backbone and (2) polymerization that achieves desired materials. Both lignin functionalization and polymerization approaches are discussed in detail. As such, this work attempts to provide a comprehensive overview that highlights the importance of these approaches for the utilization of the abundant but largely ignored biopolymer.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Computational and Experimental Study for the Denitrification of Biomass-Derived Hydrothermal Liquefaction Oil

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a promising method for processing wet biomass and waste feedstock to produce biofuels. During the HTL process, proteins and other biomolecules in certain feedstock get converted into nitrogenous compounds in produced biocrude, which represents a major challenge to further upgrading them into fuels. One promising approach is to separate nitrogenous compounds from the biocrude using polymeric resins. In this study, experiments were conducted to down-select sorbent and resin systems using a nitrogen-compound-containing surrogate biocrude. We model the binding interactions between an Amberlyst polymeric resin with various compounds present in the biocrude mixture such as nitrogenous compounds like pyrrole, pyridine, hexanamide, and representative co-existing compounds like phenol and dodecanoic acid. To ascertain the efficiency of various resins in the denitrogenation process, we have developed a quantitative structure–function model for the interacting components in the mixture. Our results suggest that the Amberlyst resin is a viable candidate for efficient removal of target nitrogen-containing compounds (such as pyridine) from the biocrude as a result of favorable interactions. The computational studies provide some insight into how and why the identified resin (Amberlyst) works in selective extraction of nitrogenous compound(s).

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Product Characteristics and Synergy Study on Supercritical Methanol Liquefaction of Lignocellulosic Biomass and Plastic

Bio-oil originating from lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is a potential next-generation fuel because of its abundant, renewable, and sustainable resources compared to other types. However, these bio-oils are typically of low quality compared to petroleum-derived oils due to their low calorific value, high acidity, and oxygen content. This work intends to provide a feasible method for producing hydrocarbon-rich oils by supercritical methanol (scMeOH) coliquefaction of LCB and plastic waste. Both rice straw (RS) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) are coliquefied under 300 °C for 60 min in scMeOH at various RS/LLDPE mass ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2. Positive effects were found in terms of oil yield and fuel quality, such as higher hydrocarbons content and calorific value. The oil yield increased from 26.72 to 30.07 wt % with LLDPE addition of 67%. Around 79.15–92.24% of the oil was hydrocarbons, phenols, ketones, and diverse functional group compounds. The complex compounds led to various degrees of the synergetic effect on oil chemical compositions. Among various RS/LLDPE ratios in this work, RS/LLDPE of 1:2 was supposed to be an optimal ratio for hydrocarbon-rich fuel production because it presented the highest oil yield of 30.07 wt % and quality-high oil with 71.42% hydrocarbons. In addition, scMeOH coliquefaction of LCB and plastic waste shows a synergetic effect on the improvement of carbon and hydrogen contents in solid products. These results indicate that scMeOH coliquefaction of LCB with plastic is a feasible and promising means to improve fuel quality and also to realize the thermal recycling of plastic wastes.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Molecular Engineering of Biorefining Lignin Waste for Solid-State Electrolyte

Lignin is the second most abundant renewable biopolymer on Earth but also a waste in both the paper industry and lignocellulosic biorefineries. Recently, lignin valorization has been extensively sought after to return economics, enhance carbon efficiency, and improve the bioeconomy, but the commercial value and size compatibility still hinder its applications. In this study, we developed a facile strategy to apply lignin waste into a solid-state electrolyte (SSE), which represents a safe next generation energy storage. Here, lignin was grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG), an efficient lithium-ion (Li + ) conductive polymer, to enable its ion conduction. The synthesized PEG-g-lignin was mixed with poly(vinylidene fluoride)-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) and PEG-g-lignin-based bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) to prepare a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE), which has an ionic conductivity of 2.5 × 10 –5 S/cm at 25 °C. This result was further enhanced to 6.5 × 10 –5 S/cm by adding an ion-conductive ceramic of Li 6.4 La 3 Ga 0.2 Zr 2 O 12 (LLGZO), which is referred to as composite polymer electrolyte (CPE). These data represent the highest ones among reported polymer-based SSE. A mechanistic study by using 2D HSQC NMR revealed that PEG-g-lignin has increased ether type β–O–4 linkages that can promote the interchain hopping of Li+ between lignin polymer chains, and 31 P NMR revealed that the lignin phenolic end can be associated by Li + . Moreover, the abundant aromatic moieties and methoxyl in PEG-g-lignin also enhanced Li + association and improved its ionic conductivity. The superior ionic conductivity of PEG-g-lignin-based SSE can enable massive applications of this biorefining waste in all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs), which has potential to promote the energy sector by promoting the bioeconomy and enhancing the renewability and sustainability of future energy storage.

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