Cyclohexane Oxidative Dehydrogenation on Graphene-Oxide-Supported Cobalt Ferrite Nanohybrids: Effect of Dynamic Nature of Active Sites on Reaction Selectivity.

In this work, we investigated cyclohexane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) catalyzed by cobalt ferrite nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide (RGO). We aim to identify the active sites that are specifically responsible for full and partial dehydrogenation using advanced spectroscopic techniques such as X-ray photoelectron emission microscopy (XPEEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) along with kinetic analysis. Spectroscopically, we propose that Fe/T sites could exclusively produce benzene through full cyclohexane dehydrogenation, while kinetic analysis shows that oxygen-derived species (O*) are responsible for partial dehydrogenation to form cyclohexene in a single catalytic sojourn.

TNU-9 Zeolite: Aluminum Distribution and Extra-Framework Sites of Divalent Cations.

The TNU-9 zeolite (TUN framework) is one of the most complex zeolites known. It represents a highly promising matrix for both acid and redox catalytic reactions. We present here a newly developed approach involving the use of Si and Al (3Q) MAS NMR spectroscopy, Co as probes monitored by UV/Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, and extensive periodic DFT calculations, including molecular dynamics, to investigating the aluminum distribution in the TUN framework and the location of aluminum pairs and divalent cations in extra-framework cationic positions.

Structure of framework aluminum Lewis sites and perturbed aluminum atoms in zeolites as determined by 27Al{1H} REDOR (3Q) MAS NMR spectroscopy and DFT/molecular mechanics.

Zeolites are highly important heterogeneous catalysts. Besides Brønsted SiOHAl acid sites, also framework AlFR Lewis acid sites are often found in their H-forms. The formation of AlFR Lewis sites in zeolites is a key issue regarding their selectivity in acid-catalyzed reactions.

Mechanism of framework oxygen exchange in Fe-zeolites: a combined DFT and mass spectrometry study.

The role of framework oxygen atoms in N(2)O decomposition [N(2)O(g)→N(2)(g) and 1/2O(2)(g)] over Fe-ferrierite is investigated employing a combined experimental (N(2)(18)O decomposition in batch experiments followed by mass spectroscopy measurements) and theoretical (density functional theory calculations) approach. The occurrence of the isotope exchange indicates that framework oxygen atoms are involved in the N(2)O decomposition catalyzed by Fe-ferrierite. Our study, using an Fe-ferrierite sample with iron exclusively present as Fe(II) cations accommodated in the cationic sites, shows that the mobility of framework oxygen atoms in the temperature range: 553 to 593 K is limited to the four framework oxygen atoms of the two AlO(4)(-) tetrahedra forming cationic sites that accomodate Fe(II).

Spectroscopic investigations of high-power laser-induced dielectric breakdown in gas mixtures containing carbon monoxide.

Large-scale plasma was created in gas mixtures containing carbon monoxide by high-power laser-induced dielectric breakdown (LIDB). The composition of the mixtures used corresponded to a cometary and/or meteoritic impact into the Earth's early atmosphere. A multiple-centimeter-sized fireball was created by focusing a single 85 J, 450 ps near-infrared laser pulse into the center of a 15 L gas cell.

Selective catalytic reduction of NOx by hydrocarbons enhanced by hydrogen peroxide over silver/alumina catalysts.

It is shown that hydrogen peroxide enhances substantially selective reduction of NOx to nitrogen with hydrocarbons over Ag/alumina catalysts.