One-pot mechanochemical ball milling synthesis of the MnOx nanostructures as efficient catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation reaction

Here, we report on a one-pot mechanochemical ball milling synthesis of manganese oxide nanostructures synthesized at different milling speeds. The as-synthesized pure oxides and metal (Pt and Cu) doped oxides were tested in the hydrogenation of CO2 in the gas phase. Our study demonstrates the successful synthesis of the manganese oxide nanoparticles via mechano–chemical synthesis. We discovered that the milling speed could tune the crystal structure and the oxidation state of the manganese, which plays an essential role in the CO2 hydrogenation evidenced by ex situ XRD and XPS studies. The pure MnOx milled at 600 rpm showed high catalytic activity (∼20 000 nmol g−1 s−1) at 823 K, which can be attributed to the presence of Mn(II) besides Mn(III) and Mn(IV) on the surface under the reaction conditions. This study illustrates that the milling method is a cost-effective, simple way for the production of both pure, Pt-doped and Cu-loaded manganese nanocatalysts for heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Thus, we studied the Pt incorporation effect for the catalytic activity of MnOx using different Pt loading methods such as one-pot milling, wet impregnation and size-controlled 5 nm Pt loading via an ultrasonication-assisted method

Preparation of catalyst from natural montmorillonite mineral and its application in the synthesis of carbon nanosphere

In developed countries, nanoparticles derived from natural minerals and high-purity chemicals both are widely studied, while in developing countries like Mongolia, the natural minerals-based nanoparticles have more interest because of the low production cost and applicability of domestic natural minerals for their production. For the synthesis of natural mineral-based nanomaterials, it is important first to define the chemical composition and physical structure of local minerals and their possible processing route. We employed an environmentally friendly alkaline leaching procedure to recover silica from the clay mineral at 90°C for 24 hours. We applied an organic surfactant (CTAB) and a simple coprecipitation approach to form iron-doped silica nanoparticles. Consequently, we used iron-doped silica nanoparticles as a substrate and catalyst for the synthesis of carbon nanosphere at 750 °C for 1 hour in an argon and acetylene gas atmosphere. As a result, vast quantities of superhydrophobic carbon nanospheres (CNS) were obtained. The physicochemical properties of nanosilica substrate, non-functionalized carbon nanosphere, and functionalized carbon nanosphere (CNS) samples were characterized using XRD, XRF, SEM, EDS, TEM, and FTIR spectrometer. Iron-doped mineral-derived nanosilica particles demonstrated high catalytic efficiency and the potential to produce a large amount of value-added carbon nanospheres. Superhydrophobic CNS can be used in a variety of applications, particularly drug delivery; however, to use CNS in both aqueous and non-aqueous media, the superhydrophobic properties of CNS can be modified using different oxidizers. The changes in hydrophobicity of the CNS were examined and suggested possible oxidizing agents

The Catalytic Potential of Modified Clays: A Review

The need for innovative catalysts and catalytic support materials is continually growing due to demanding requirements, stricter environmental demands, and the ongoing development of new chemical processes. Since about 80% of all industrial processes involve catalysts, there is a continuing need to develop new catalyst materials and supports with suitable qualities to meet ongoing industrial demands. Not only must new catalysts have tailored properties, but they must also be suitable for large-scale production through environmentally friendly and cost-effective processes. Clay minerals, with their rich history in medicine and ceramics, are now emerging as potential catalysts. Their transformative potential is exemplified in applications such as hydrogenating the greenhouse gas CO2 into carbohydrate fuel, a crucial step in meeting the rising electrical demand. Moreover, advanced materials derived from clay minerals are proving their mettle in diverse photocatalytic reactions, from organic dye removal to pharmaceutical pollutant elimination and photocatalytic energy conversion through water splitting. Clay minerals in their natural state show a low catalytic activity, so to increase their reactivity, they must be activated. Depending on the requirements of a particular application, selecting an appropriate activation method for modifying a natural clay mineral is a critical consideration. Traditional clay mineral processing methods such as acid or alkaline treatment are used. Still, these have drawbacks such as high costs, long processing times, and the formation of hazardous by-products. Other activation processes, such as ultrasonication and mechanical activation routes, have been proposed to reduce the production of hazardous by-products. The main advantage of ultrasonication and microwave-assisted procedures is that they save time, whereas mechanochemical processing is simple and efficient. This short review focuses on modifying clay minerals using various new methods to create sophisticated and innovative new materials. Recent advances in catalytic reactions are specifically covered, including organic biogeochemical processes, photocatalytic processes, carbon nanotube synthesis, and energy conversion processes such as CO2 hydrogenation and dry reforming of methane