Enlai Hu

Bio: Enlai Hu is an academic researcher from Zhejiang University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Metal-organic framework & Water splitting. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 9 publications receiving 56 citations.

Benchmark C 2 H 2 /CO 2 Separation in an Ultra‐Microporous Metal–Organic Framework via Copper(I)‐Alkynyl Chemistry

Abstract: Separation of acetylene from carbon dioxide remains a daunting challenge because of their very similar molecular sizes and physical properties. We herein report the first example of using copper(I)-alkynyl chemistry within an ultra-microporous MOF (CuI @UiO-66-(COOH)2 ) to achieve ultrahigh C2 H2 /CO2 separation selectivity. The anchored CuI ions on the pore surfaces can specifically and strongly interact with C2 H2 molecule through copper(I)-alkynyl π-complexation and thus rapidly adsorb large amount of C2 H2 at low-pressure region, while effectively reduce CO2 uptake due to the small pore sizes. This material thus exhibits the record high C2 H2 /CO2 selectivity of 185 at ambient conditions, significantly higher than the previous benchmark ZJU-74a (36.5) and ATC-Cu (53.6). Theoretical calculations reveal that the unique π-complexation between CuI and C2 H2 mainly contributes to the ultra-strong C2 H2 binding affinity and record selectivity. The exceptional separation performance was evidenced by breakthrough experiments for C2 H2 /CO2 gas mixtures. This work suggests a new perspective to functionalizing MOFs with copper(I)-alkynyl chemistry for highly selective separation of C2 H2 over CO2 .

Boosting Ethylene/Ethane Separation within Copper(I)-Chelated Metal-Organic Frameworks through Tailor-Made Aperture and Specific π-Complexation.

Abstract: The development of new materials for separating ethylene (C2H4) from ethane (C2H6) by adsorption is of great importance in the petrochemical industry, but remains very challenging owing to their close molecular sizes and physical properties. Using isoreticular chemistry in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) enables the precise design and construction of target materials with suitable aperture sizes and functional sites for gas separations. Herein, it is described that fine-tuning of pore size and π-complexation simultaneously in microporous copper(I)-chelated MOFs can remarkably boost the C2H4/C2H6 adsorption selectivity. The judicious choice of organic linkers with a different number of carboxyl groups in the UiO-66 framework not only allows the fine tuning of the pore size but also immobilizes copper(I) ions onto the framework. The tailor-made adsorbent, CuI@UiO-66-(COOH)2, thus possesses the optimal pore window size and chelated Cu(I) ions to form π-complexation with C2H4 molecules. It can rapidly adsorb C2H4 driven by the strong π-complexation interactions, while effectively reducing C2H6 uptake due to the selective size-sieving. Therefore, this material exhibits an ultrahigh C2H4/C2H6 selectivity (80.8), outperforming most previously described benchmark materials. The exceptional separation performance of CuI@UiO-66-(COOH)2 is validated by breakthrough experiments for 50/50 v/v C2H4/C2H6 mixtures under ambient conditions.

Boosting hydrogen generation by anodic oxidation of iodide over Ni–Co(OH)2 nanosheet arrays

Abstract: For overall water electrolysis, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is severely limited by the sluggish kinetics of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Therefore, replacing the OER with a more favorable anodic oxidation reaction with remarkable kinetics is of paramount significance, especially the one that can produce value-added chemicals. Moreover, time-saving and cost-effective strategies for the fabrication of electrodes are helpful for the wide application of electrolysis. Herein, thermodynamically more favorable iodide electrooxidation over Ni doped Co(OH)2 nanosheet arrays (NSAs) in alkaline solution is presented as the alternative to the OER to boost the HER. And the active species are determined to be the reverse redox of the Co(IV)/Co(III) couple. Remarkably, a negative shift of voltage of 320 mV is observed at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 after using iodide electrolysis to replace ordinary water splitting. The synthetic strategy and iodide oxidation in this work expand the application of Co-based materials in the field of energy-saving hydrogen production.

Optimizing Multivariate Metal-Organic Frameworks for Efficient C2H2/CO2 Separation.

Abstract: Adsorptive separation of acetylene (C2H2) from carbon dioxide (CO2) promises a practical way to produce high-purity C2H2 required for industrial applications. However, challenges exist in the pore environment engineering of porous materials to recognize two molecules due to their similar molecular sizes and physical properties. Herein, we report a strategy to optimize pore environments of multivariate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for efficient C2H2/CO2 separation by tuning metal components, functionalized linkers, and terminal ligands. The optimized material UPC-200(Al)-F-BIM, constructed from Al3+ clusters, fluorine-functionalized organic linkers, and benzimidazole terminal ligands, demonstrated the highest separation efficiency (C2H2/CO2 uptake ratio of 2.6) and highest C2H2 productivity among UPC-200 systems. Experimental and computational studies revealed the contribution of small pore size and polar functional groups on the C2H2/CO2 selectivity and indicated the practical C2H2/CO2 separation of UPC-200(Al)-F-BIM.

Chemodynamic Therapy via Fenton and Fenton-Like Nanomaterials: Strategies and Recent Advances.

Abstract: Chemodynamic therapy (CDT), a novel cancer therapeutic strategy defined as the treatment using Fenton or Fenton-like reaction to produce •OH in the tumor region, was first proposed by Bu, Shi, and co-workers in 2016. Recently, with the rapid development of Fenton and Fenton-like nanomaterials, CDT has attracted tremendous attention because of its unique advantages: 1) It is tumor-selective with low side effects; 2) the CDT process does not depend on external field stimulation; 3) it can modulate the hypoxic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment; 4) the treatment cost of CDT is low. In addition to the Fe-involved CDT strategies, the Fenton-like reaction-mediated CDT strategies have also been proposed, which are based on many other metal elements including copper, manganese, cobalt, titanium, vanadium, palladium, silver, molybdenum, ruthenium, tungsten, cerium, and zinc. Moreover, CDT has been combined with other therapies like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, phototherapy, sonodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy for achieving enhanced anticancer effects. Besides, there have also been studies that extend the application of CDT to the antibacterial field. This review introduces the latest advancements in the nanomaterials-involved CDT from 2018 to the present and proposes the current limitations as well as future research directions in the related field.

Benchmark C 2 H 2 /CO 2 Separation in an Ultra‐Microporous Metal–Organic Framework via Copper(I)‐Alkynyl Chemistry

Abstract: Separation of acetylene from carbon dioxide remains a daunting challenge because of their very similar molecular sizes and physical properties. We herein report the first example of using copper(I)-alkynyl chemistry within an ultra-microporous MOF (CuI @UiO-66-(COOH)2 ) to achieve ultrahigh C2 H2 /CO2 separation selectivity. The anchored CuI ions on the pore surfaces can specifically and strongly interact with C2 H2 molecule through copper(I)-alkynyl π-complexation and thus rapidly adsorb large amount of C2 H2 at low-pressure region, while effectively reduce CO2 uptake due to the small pore sizes. This material thus exhibits the record high C2 H2 /CO2 selectivity of 185 at ambient conditions, significantly higher than the previous benchmark ZJU-74a (36.5) and ATC-Cu (53.6). Theoretical calculations reveal that the unique π-complexation between CuI and C2 H2 mainly contributes to the ultra-strong C2 H2 binding affinity and record selectivity. The exceptional separation performance was evidenced by breakthrough experiments for C2 H2 /CO2 gas mixtures. This work suggests a new perspective to functionalizing MOFs with copper(I)-alkynyl chemistry for highly selective separation of C2 H2 over CO2 .