Molecular self-assembly is the spontaneous association of molecules under equilibrium conditions into stable, structurally well-defined aggregates joined by noncovalent bonds. Molecular self-assembly is ubiquitous in biological systems and underlies the formation of a wide variety of complex biological structures. Understanding self-assembly and the associated noncovalent interactions that connect complementary interacting molecular surfaces in biological aggregates is a central concern in structural biochemistry. Self-assembly is also emerging as a new strategy in chemical synthesis, with the potential of generating nonbiological structures with dimensions of 1 to 10(2) nanometers (with molecular weights of 10(4) to 10(10) daltons). Structures in the upper part of this range of sizes are presently inaccessible through chemical synthesis, and the ability to prepare them would open a route to structures comparable in size (and perhaps complementary in function) to those that can be prepared by microlithography and other techniques of microfabrication.

Molecular self-assembly and nanochemistry: A chemical strategy for the synthesis of nanostructures

The detection methods and generation mechanisms of the intrinsic reactive oxygen species (ROS), i.e., superoxide anion radical (•O2–), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), singlet oxygen (1O2), and hydroxyl radical (•OH) in photocatalysis, were surveyed comprehensively. Consequently, the major photocatalyst used in heterogeneous photocatalytic systems was found to be TiO2. However, besides TiO2 some representative photocatalysts were also involved in the discussion. Among the various issues we focused on the detection methods and generation reactions of ROS in the aqueous suspensions of photocatalysts. On the careful account of the experimental results presented so far, we proposed the following apprehension: adsorbed •OH could be regarded as trapped holes, which are involved in a rapid adsorption–desorption equilibrium at the TiO2–solution interface. Because the equilibrium shifts to the adsorption side, trapped holes must be actually the dominant oxidation species whereas •OH in solution would exert the reactivity...

Generation and Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species in Photocatalysis

A review on g-C3N4-based photocatalysts

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is broadly recognised as having the potential to play a key role in meeting climate change targets, delivering low carbon heat and power, decarbonising industry and, more recently, its ability to facilitate the net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. However, despite this broad consensus and its technical maturity, CCS has not yet been deployed on a scale commensurate with the ambitions articulated a decade ago. Thus, in this paper we review the current state-of-the-art of CO2 capture, transport, utilisation and storage from a multi-scale perspective, moving from the global to molecular scales. In light of the COP21 commitments to limit warming to less than 2 °C, we extend the remit of this study to include the key negative emissions technologies (NETs) of bioenergy with CCS (BECCS), and direct air capture (DAC). Cognisant of the non-technical barriers to deploying CCS, we reflect on recent experience from the UK's CCS commercialisation programme and consider the commercial and political barriers to the large-scale deployment of CCS. In all areas, we focus on identifying and clearly articulating the key research challenges that could usefully be addressed in the coming decade.

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Carbon capture and storage (CCS): the way forward

Hydrogen fuel is considered as the cleanest renewable resource and the primary alternative to fossil fuels for future energy supply. Sustainable hydrogen generation is the major prerequisite to realize future hydrogen economy. The electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), as the vital step of water electrolysis to H2 production, has been the subject of extensive study over the past decades. In this comprehensive review, we first summarize the fundamentals of HER and review the recent state-of-the-art advances in the low-cost and high-performance catalysts based on noble and non-noble metals, as well as metal-free HER electrocatalysts. We systemically discuss the insights into the relationship among the catalytic activity, morphology, structure, composition, and synthetic method. Strategies for developing an effective catalyst, including increasing the intrinsic activity of active sites and/or increasing the number of active sites, are summarized and highlighted. Finally, the challenges, perspectives, and research directions of HER electrocatalysis are featured.

Recent Advances in Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Using Nanoparticles.

The invention relates to a preparation method of a catalyst ie, supported transition metal chrome with a carrier of a ceria-zirconia solid solution, and application of the catalyst in selectively catalytic oxidizing NO in flue gases The preparation method of the catalyst comprises the following steps: 1, that cerium nitrate and zirconium oxychloride are dissolved in deionized water and stirred, and are dried and calcinated after fully reaction, thereby obtaining the carrier of the ceria-zirconia solid solution; and 2, that chromic nitrate and the ceria-zirconia solid solution are dissolved in water and stirred, and are dried and calcinated after fully reaction, thereby obtaining the catalyst Cr/CexZr1-xO2 The catalyst prepared in the invention increases superoxide radicals to the carrier which is used for catalytic oxidizing NO, thereby assisting migration and diffusion of bulk phase oxygen, and facilitating the NO to be oxidized on carrier surface Thus, the catalyst has good capability of catalytic oxidizing NO

Preparation of catalyst with carrier of ceria-zirconia solid solution and application of catalyst in NOx removal

Basic lithium phosphate and stoichiometric lithium phosphate were prepared and their catalytic properties were compared. Using basic lithium phosphate as the isomerization catalyst for propylene oxide led to higher selectivity in allyl alcohol and better propylene oxide conversion than stoichiometric lithium phosphate. The fresh and deactivated basic lithium phosphates were also characterized by X-ray diffraction. Results showed that new phases appeared in the deactivated catalyst. An isomerization mechanism for propylene oxide catalyzed by basic lithium phosphate was proposed. Results of temperature programmed desorption of CO2 showed that the surface basicity of the catalysts had a great effect on their catalytic properties and that the catalyst with pH = 12 had two basic centers and its catalytic properties were the best. Basic lithium phosphate had better catalytic properties for isomerization of propylene oxide to allyl alcohol than stoichiometric lithium phosphate. Results of CO2-TPD showed that surface basicity of the catalysts had much effect on catalytic properties. And a mechanism was proposed.

Structures and Catalytic Properties of Lithium Phosphates

The discovery of effective methods toward nitric oxide (NO) removal by solution is valuable for the cost-effective flue gas control. In this study, it is first reported that nitrous oxide (N2O) is obviously suppressed by using copper oxide (CuO) combined with (NH4)2SO3 (NS) solution. CuO has been characterized, and the effects of reactants concentration, additives, temperature, pH and powder size on NO absorption process have been evaluated. The selectivity of N2O can drop from 91.30% to 11.25% under the optimum experimental conditions. Furthermore, based on the method of single-factor analysis, the inhibition of N2O is identified as the coeffect of NS/CuO. In addition, the pathways of NO removal are divided into two parts—N2O formation and NO absorption—and its ratio is calculated in the range of 0.29–0.53. Because of the continuous supply of NS from ammonia desulfurization, this study opens the feasibility of simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification.

Qin Zhong

Papers

Preparation of catalyst with carrier of ceria-zirconia solid solution and application of catalyst in NOx removal

Structures and Catalytic Properties of Lithium Phosphates

Efficient Inhibition of N2O during NO Absorption Process Using a CuO and (NH4)2SO3 Mixed Solution

Characterization and activity of N doped TiO2 supported VPO catalysts for NO oxidation

Validation and Electrochemical Characterization of LSCF Cathode Deposition on Metal Supported SOFC