Biomass-derived substrate hydrogenation over rhodium nanoparticles supported on functionalized mesoporous silica.

The use of supported rhodium nanoparticles (RhNPs) is gaining attention due to the drive for better catalyst performance and sustainability. Silica-based supports are promising for RhNP immobilization because of their thermal and chemical stability. Functionalizing silica allows for the design of catalysts with improved activity for biomass transformations.

Structural and optical characterisation of silanised Dy-doped-GdO NPs.

In this work, we studied the optical properties of Dy-doped GdO nanoparticles (NPs) before and after their APTES functionalisation. We obtained luminescent Dy@GdO NPs (0.5, 1, and 5% mol) using a modified polyol method.

RhNPs supported on -functionalized mesoporous silica: effect on catalyst stabilization and catalytic activity.

Amine and nicotinamide groups grafted on ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) were investigated as stabilizers for RhNPs used as catalysts in the hydrogenation of several substrates, including carbonyl and aryl groups. Supported RhNPs on functionalized OMS were prepared by controlled decomposition of an organometallic precursor of rhodium under dihydrogen pressure. The resulting materials were characterized thoroughly by spectroscopic and physical techniques (FTIR, TGA, BET, SEM, TEM, EDX, XPS) to confirm the formation of spherical rhodium nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution supported on the silica surface.