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- Carbon aerogels and xerogels: next-generation materials for sustainable energy and environmental solutionsPublication . Tomić, David; Radinović, Kristina; Mladenović, Dušan; Milikić, Jadranka; Santos, Diogo; Pombeiro, Armando; Paul, Anup; Sljukic Paunkovic, BiljanaAbstract Carbon aerogels and xerogels, with their 3D porous architectures, ultralow density, high surface area, and excellent conductivity, have emerged as multifunctional materials for energy and environmental applications. This review highlights recent advances in the synthesis of these materials via polymerisation, drying, and carbonisation, as well as the role of novel precursors such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and biomass. Emphasis is also placed on doped and metal-decorated carbon gels as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions, enabling four- and two-electron pathways for energy conversion and the production of green H2O2, respectively. Aerogels’ high specific capacitance and stability also position them as promising materials for supercapacitors. The versatility of carbon aerogels and xerogels offers exciting prospects for future innovations in catalysis, energy storage, and sustainable technologies.
- Low-cost transition metals (Fe, Ni, Co) on carbon aerogel for water electrolysis and supercapacitor applicationsPublication . Mladenović, Dušan; Martins, Marta; Samanci, Meryem; Charneca, Miguel; Paul, Anup; Santos, Diogo; Bayrakçeken, Ayşe; Sljukic Paunkovic, BiljanaAbstract Cost-effective transition metals (TM = Fe, Ni, Co) were immobilized on carbon aerogel (CA) using microwave irradiation, followed by nitrogen doping into one catalyst series through heat treatment. The physical characterization of the synthesized catalysts included N2 sorption, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Co/CA displayed the best performance for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysis in alkaline water electrolysis, followed by Ni/CA. Co/CA exhibited a small Tafel slope of 110 mV dec−1 and required an overpotential of just 276 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2, lower than that of the commercial IrO2 electrocatalyst. Additionally, Co/CA and Ni/CA demonstrated excellent long-term stability during OER, with activity increasing over time. Capacitance measurements also showed the potential of TM/CA materials as supercapacitor electrodes. Fe/CA achieved the highest performance, with a specific capacitance of 322 F g-1 at a moderate current of 1 A g-1. It retained up to 96 % of its capacitance over 1000 cycles, indicating excellent stability.
- Adenine tagged Mn-based coordination polymer for conversion of carbon dioxide to cyclic carbonates under atmospheric pressurePublication . Eskemech, Alehegn; Bhakhar, Rubi; Biswas, Pritam; Karmakar, Anirban; Krishnan, Venkata; Koner, Rik RaniAbstract Natural processes collectively balance the global carbon cycle, effectively controlling atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. However, excessive CO2 emissions due to industrialization and population growth have disrupted natural processes by increasing the atmospheric CO2 concentration. To address this issue, CO2 capture and conversion have been implemented. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)/coordination polymers (CPs) with bioligands, such as amino acids and nucleobases, are receiving much interest. However, bio-MOFs are not much reported due to the lack of control over their coordination with metal ions. In this work, we have developed an adenine-tagged Mn-CP with dominant basic sites, [Mn(IPT2–)(Ade)(DMF)]n (IPT2– = isophthalate; Ade = adenine; DMF = N,N′-dimethylformamide). The analysis of isosteric heat (Qst) of CO2 adsorption supported the presence of strong interactions between CO2 and Mn-CP. Mn-CP demonstrated moderate to outstanding performance in coupling CO2 with smaller and larger epoxides at ambient pressure under neat conditions. The thermodynamic activation parameters indicate that Mn-CP operates through an associative mechanism (ΔS⧧ = −283.4 J mol−1 K−1), with a reduced kinetic barrier characterized by ΔH⧧ of 17.28 kJ mol–1 and Ea of 20.5 kJ mol–1. The catalytic efficiency of Mn-CP was particularly notable in the coupling reaction of epichlorohydrin and CO2, yielding 92% of the corresponding cyclic carbonate under atmospheric pressure.
- Heterometallic CuCd and Cu2Zn complexes with o-vanillin and its Schiff-base derivative: slow magnetic relaxation and catalytic activity associated with Cu(II) centresPublication . Vassilyeva, Olga Yu; Nesterova, Oksana V.; Bienko, Alina; Komarnicka, Urszula K.; Buvaylo, Elena A.; Vasylieva, Svitlana M.; Skelton, Brian W.; Nesterov, Dmytro S.Abstract In this work, two novel heterometallic mixed-ligand mixed-anion complexes [CuIICdIIClL(o-Van) (OAc)]·3H2O (1) and [CuII2ZnIICl2L2(o-Van)(OAc)] (2) were prepared by reacting fine copper powder and Cd(II) or Zn(II) acetate with an ethanol solution of the Schiff-base ligand HL formed in situ in the condensation reaction of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde (o-VanH) and CH3NH2·HCl. The compounds were thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing the neutral molecular nature of both the compounds. Catalytic properties of 1 and 2 were studied in the oxidation of hydrocarbons with H2O2 under mild conditions, showing the maximum reaction rate of 4 × 10−5 M s−1 and TOF up to 640 h−1. Both compounds undergo complex transformations in solution as evidenced by kinetic analysis and time-dependent UV/Vis spectroscopy, indicating that the reduced Cu(I) form of 1 is unexpectedly unfavorable. Complex 1 demonstrates slow magnetic relaxation dominated by the direct relaxation process between T = 1.8 and 7 K under an external DC field of 0.2 and 0.4 T, a very rarely observable effect in the coordination compounds of Cu(II). Complex 2 possesses weak ferromagnetism (J = 4.50 cm−1, zJ’ = −0.201 cm−1 for H = −JS1S2 formalism) occurring through the Cu–O–Cu pathways. Theoretical CASSCF, DFT and TDDFT calculations were applied to investigate the electronic structures of 1 and 2 and rationalize their behavior in solution.
- A 3D MOF with Cu20/Cu6 clusters: self-assembly, CO2 encapsulation, structural features, and magnetic propertiesPublication . Sliwa, Ewelina I.; Nesterov, Dmytro S.; Klak, Julia; Kirillov, Alexander M.; Smolenski, PiotrAbstract Molecular design of multicopper clusters has been of increasing importance in inorganic chemistry, biomedical science, and functional materials. Herein, two new copper compounds were self-assembled from copper(II) monofluoroacetate or trifluoroacetate, elemental copper, and 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA). The reaction starting from copper(II) monofluoroacetate yielded a tetranuclear cluster, [Cu4II(μ3-OH)2(μ-L)6(PTA=O)2] (1), where L is monofluoroacetate(1−) and PTA=O is the oxide of PTA. Formation of 1 involves the oxidation of PTA and the incorporation of μ3-OH– ligands. In contrast, a similar reaction with copper(II) trifluoroacetate produced a unique three-dimensional metal–organic framework (3D MOF), formulated as [{Cu20II(CO3)(μ3-O)2(μ3-OH)22(μ-L′)12}{Cu6I(μ3-PTA)6(CH3CN)12}]n·6n(L′)·3n(H2O)·2n(CH3CN) (2), where L′ is trifluoroacetate. It comprises Cu20 clusters, with an encapsulated carbonate anion fixed from atmospheric CO2, which are bridged by {Cu6I(PTA)6} units into a 3D MOF. Control experiments confirmed that carbonate originates from ambient CO2 rather than from added carbonate salts. Both 1 and 2 were fully characterized, and their magnetic properties were investigated, revealing dominant antiferromagnetic interactions within the Cu4 and Cu20 clusters, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed the antiferromagnetic ground spin state of 1 and disclosed the stability of the Cu20 core in 2. This work highlights the influence of fluorinated carboxylates and atmospheric conditions on the assembly and architecture of multicopper clusters, and extends their family to new examples.
- Copper(II) complex with a redox-noninnocent Schiff base bearing a tetraphenyldisiloxane unit: synthesis, structure and catalytic oxidation of cyclohexanePublication . Wittmann, Christopher; Palamarciuc, Oleg; Dascalu, Mihaela; Cazacu, Maria; Nesterov, Dmytro S.; Pombeiro, Armando; Rapta, Peter; Arion, Vladimir B.Abstract An organic–inorganic diamine, 1,3-bis(aminopropyl)tetraphenyldisiloxane, was prepared and introduced as a flexible spacer into the structure of a salen-type Schiff base (H2L7) extending the available small library of similar compounds derived from 1,3-bis(aminopropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane and substituted 2-hydroxybenzaldehydes (H2L1–H2L6). Like the previously reported mononuclear copper(II) complexes [CuL1]–[CuL6], the new copper(II) complex [CuL7], obtained by reaction of Cu(OAc)2·H2O with H2L7 in a mixture of organic solvents, has a tetrahedrally distorted square-planar (N2O2) coordination geometry. X-ray crystallography has shown that compared to [CuL1]–[CuL6] the Si–O–Si angle in [CuL7] is even closer to linear due to stronger intramolecular interactions between Ph groups than between Me groups in the central–R2Si–O–SiR2– fragment (R = Ph and Me, respectively). [CuL7] can be electrochemically reversibly oxidised by two successive one-electron processes, generating stable phenoxyl mono- and diradicals. Both oxidations are ligand-centred, leading to the formation of coordinated phenoxyl radicals. The UV spectrum of [CuL7] consists of π → π* and LMCT σ → d transitions. The low-energy d–d absorption is well described by AILFT CAS(9,5)/NEVPT2 calculations. The one-electron oxidised compound [CuL7]+ should exist in the triplet ground state as 3[CuL7]+ with one unpaired electron located on the dx2−y2 orbital of copper(II) (d9, SCu = ½) and another electron on the molecular orbital (MO) comprising pz oxygen and carbon atoms of the phenoxyl radical (Srad = ½). The broad absorption in the vis-NIR region of the optical spectrum of the one-electron oxidised complex is due to intervalence charge transfer in the triplet species 3[CuL7]+, but not in the [CuL7]2+ one. The doubly oxidised [CuL7] species shows very close doublet and quartet states, where the doublet state has an unpaired electron located on the Cu(II) d-orbital, while the quartet state has one unpaired electron on the Cu(II) d-orbital and two unpaired electrons on π-bonding orbitals. In all state-averaged CASSCF cases, the occupation of the Cu(II) d-orbital is nearly 1.0, indicating its limited involvement in the excited states. Catalytic studies showed that [CuL7] acts as a catalyst for the oxidation of alkanes with peroxides under very unusual solvent-free conditions, converting cyclohexane into cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (with hydrogen peroxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant) or into cyclohexanol and ε-caprolactone (with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid as the oxidant). Theoretical investigations of the catalytic reaction mechanisms disclosed the principal intermediates.
- Phenoxazinone synthase-like catalytic activity of bi- and trinuclear copper(II) complexes with 2- benzylethanolamine: experimental and theoretical investigationsPublication . Nesterova, Oksana V.; Bondarenko, Olena E.; Pombeiro, Armando; Nesterov, Dmytro S.Abstract The self-assembly reaction of 2-benzylaminoethanol (Hbae) with CuCl2 or Cu(NO3)2 leads to the formation of binuclear [Cu2(bae)2(Cl)2] (1) and [Cu2(Hbae)2(bae)2](NO3)2 (2) complexes, while the trinuclear [Cu3(Hbae)2(bae)2(dmba)2](NO3)2 (3) compound was obtained using the auxiliar bulky substituted 2,2-dimethylbutyric acid (Hdmba). Crystallographic studies reveal the molecular structures of 1 and 2 based on the similar {Cu2(μ-O)2} core, while the structure of 3 features the {Cu3(μ-O)2} core with consecutive arranement of the metal centres, supported by the additional carboxylate bridges. The strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds join the molecular structures into 1D (for 1 and 3) or 2D (for 2) architectures. All three compounds act as catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of 2-aminophenol to the phenoxazinone chromophore (phenoxazinone synthase-like activity) with the maximum reaction rates up to 2.3×10-8 M s-1. The substrate scope involves methyl-, nitro- and chloro-substituted 2-aminophenols, disclosing the negligible activity of nitro-derivatives, while the 6-amino-m-cresol substrate shows the highest activity with the initial reaction rate of 5.8×10-8 M s-1. The mechanism of the rate-limiting reaction step (copper-catalysed formation of 2-aminophenoxyl radicals) was investigated at the DFT level. The combined DFT and CASSCF studies of the copper superoxo CuII-OO⋅ radical species as possible unconventional reaction intermediates resulted in a rational mechanism of H-atom abstraction, where the activation energies follow the experimental reactivity of substituted 2-aminophenols. The TDDFT and STEOM-DLPNO-CCSD theoretical calculations of the absorption spectra of substrates, phenoxazinone chromophores and putative polynuclear species containing 2-aminophenoxo ligand are reported.
- Rapid FTIR spectral fingerprinting of kidney allograft perfusion fluids distinguishes DCD from DBD donors: a pilot machine learning studyPublication . Ramalhete, Luís ; Araújo, Rúben; Vieira, Miguel Bigotte ; Vigia, Emanuel ; Pena, Ana ; Carrelha, Sofia; Ferreira, Aníbal ; Calado, Cecília R. C.Background/Objectives: Rapid, objective phenotyping of donor kidneys is needed to support peri-implant decisions. Label-free Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of static cold-storage Celsior® perfusion fluid can discriminate kidneys recovered from donation after circulatory death (DCD) versus donation after brain death (DBD). Methods: Preservation solution from isolated kidney allografts (n = 10; 5 DCD/5 DBD) matched on demographics was analyzed in the Amide I and fingerprint regions. Several spectral preprocessing steps were applied, and feature extraction was based on the Fast Correlation-Based Filter. Support vector machines and Naïve Bayes were evaluated. Unsupervised structure was assessed based on cosine distance, multidimensional scaling, and hierarchical clustering. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) was used to examine band co-variation. Results: Donor cohorts were well balanced, except for higher terminal serum creatinine in DCD. Quality metrics were comparable, indicating no systematic technical bias. In Amide I, derivatives improved classification, but performance remained modest (e.g., second derivative with feature selection yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88 and an accuracy of 0.90 for support vector machines; Naïve Bayes reached an AUC of 0.92 with an accuracy of 0.70). The fingerprint window was most informative. Naïve Bayes with second derivative plus feature selection identified bands at ~1202, ~1203, ~1342, and ~1413 cm−1 and achieved an AUC of 1.00 and an accuracy of 1.00. Unsupervised analyses showed coherent grouping in the fingerprint region, and 2D correlation maps indicated coordinated multi-band changes. Conclusions: Performance in this 10-sample pilot should be interpreted cautiously, as perfect leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) estimates are vulnerable to overfitting. The findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating, and they require confirmation in larger, multicenter cohorts with a pre-registered analysis pipeline and external validation.
- Core-shell catalysts for conventional oxidation of alcohols: a brief reviewPublication . Correia, Luís M. M.; Kuznetsov, Maxim L.; Alegria, ElisabeteThis review highlights recent research on the application of core–shell structured materials as catalysts in the oxidation of alcohols to value-added products, such as benzaldehyde, acetophenone, benzophenone, cinnamaldehyde, and vanillin, among others. While the application of various unconventional energy inputs (such as microwave and ultrasound irradiation) was reported, this paper focuses on conventional heating. The oxidation of homocyclic aromatic, heterocyclic aromatic, aliphatic, and alicyclic alcohols catalyzed by core–shell composite catalysts is addressed. This work also highlights some unique advantages of core–shell nanomaterial catalysis, namely the flexibility of combining individual functions for specific purposes as well as the effect of various parameters on the catalytic performance of these materials.
- P-xylene oxidation to terephthalic acid: New trendsPublication . dos Anjos Carvalho Lapa, Hugo Miguel; Martins, LuisaLarge-scale terephthalic acid production from the oxidation of p-xylene is an especially important process in the polyester industry, as it is mainly used in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) manufacturing, a polymer that is widely used in fibers, films, and plastic products. This review presents and discusses catalytic advances and new trends in terephthalic acid production (since 2014), innovations in terephthalic acid purification processes, and simulations of reactors and reaction mechanisms.