Polysulfone-Based Membranes Modified with Ionic Liquids and Silica for Potential Fuel Cell Applications.

The urgent need for sustainable, low-emission energy solutions has positioned proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) as a promising technology in clean energy conversion. Polysulfone (PSF) membranes with incorporated ionic liquid (IL) and hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane-functionalized silica (SiO-PDMS) were developed and characterized for their potential application in PEMFCs. Using a phase inversion method, membranes with various combinations of PSFs, SiO-PDMS, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium triflate (BMI.

Synergism between iron porphyrin and dicationic ionic liquids: tandem CO electroreduction-carbonylation reactions.

Here, we report a simple procedure that drastically reduces the electrochemical (Fe/Fe) and 0cat of the commercially available iron(III) tetraphenylporphyrin chloride (FeTPP·Cl) catalyst via a synergetic effect with the imidazolium dications of the ionic liquid electrolyte. This procedure enhanced the performance of catalytic systems in the electrochemical production of CO and enabled us to perform different tandem CO reduction-carbonylation reactions under mild conditions.

A General One-Pot Methodology for the Preparation of Mono- and Bimetallic Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotubes: Application in the Semi-hydrogenation of Alkynes and Acetylene.

A facile and straightforward methodology for the preparation of monometallic (copper and palladium) and bimetallic nanocatalysts (NiCu and PdCu) stabilized by a N-heterocyclic carbene ligand is reported. Both colloidal and supported nanoparticles (NPs) on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared in a one-pot synthesis with outstanding control on their size, morphology and composition. These catalysts were evaluated in the selective hydrogenation of alkynes and alkynols.

Facile synthesis of NHC-stabilized Ni nanoparticles and their catalytic application in the Z-selective hydrogenation of alkynes.

Well defined Ni nanoparticles (NiNPs) stabilized with N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been synthesized through a new methodology involving the decarboxylation of a zwitterionic CO adduct. Their catalytic performance was tested in the partial hydrogenation of alkynes into (Z)-alkenes under very mild reaction conditions (50 °C and 5 bar H pressure), providing excellent activities and selectivities.

Activation of carboxylic acids in asymmetric organocatalysis.

Organocatalysis, catalysis using small organic molecules, has recently evolved into a general approach for asymmetric synthesis, complementing both metal catalysis and biocatalysis. Its success relies to a large extent upon the introduction of novel and generic activation modes. Remarkably though, while carboxylic acids have been used as catalyst directing groups in supramolecular transition-metal catalysis, a general and well-defined activation mode for this useful and abundant substance class is still lacking.