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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Unexpected “Spontaneous” Evolution of Catalytic, MOF-Supported Single Cu(II) Cations to Catalytic, MOF-Supported Cu(0) Nanoparticles

A desirable feature of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is their well-defined structural periodicity and the presence of well-defined catalyst grafting sites (e.g., reactive –OH and –OH 2 groups) that can support single-site heterogeneous catalysts. However, one should not overlook the potential role of residual organic moieties, specifically formate ions that can occupy the catalyst anchoring sites during MOF synthesis. Here we show how these residual formate species in a Zr-based MOF, NU-1000, critically alter the structure, redox capability, and catalytic activity of postsynthetically incorporated Cu(II) ions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements established that there are two structurally distinct types of Cu(II) ions in NU-1000: one type with residual formate and one without. In NU-1000 with formate, Cu(II) solely binds to the node via the formate-unoccupied, bridging μ 3 –OH, whereas in the formate-free case, it displaces protons from two node hydroxo ligands and resides close to the terminal –OH 2 . Under an inert atmosphere, node-bound formate facilitates the unanticipated reduction of isolated Cu(II) to nanoparticulate Cu(0)—a behavior which is essentially absent in the formate-free analogue because no other sacrificial reductant is present. When the two MOFs were tested as benzyl alcohol oxidation catalysts, we observed that residual formate boosts the catalytic turnover frequency. Density functional calculations showed that node-bound formate acts as a sacrificial two-electron donor and assists in reducing Cu(II) to Cu(0) by a nonradical pathway. The negative Gibbs free energy of reaction (ΔG) and enthalpy of reaction (ΔH) indicate that the reduction is thermodynamically favorable. Here, the work presented here highlights how the often-neglected residual formate prevalent in nearly all zirconium-based MOFs can significantly modulate the properties of supported catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

The Structure and Catalytic Mechanism of Sorghum bicolor Caffeoyl-CoA O-Methyltransferase

Caffeoyl-coenzyme A 3-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) is an S-adenosyl methionine (SAM)-dependent O-methyltransferase responsible for methylation of the meta-hydroxyl group of caffeoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) on the pathway to monolignols, with their ring methoxylation status characteristic of guaiacyl or syringyl units in lignin. In order to better understand the unique class of type 2 O-methyltransferases from monocots, we have characterized CCoAOMT from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor; SbCCoAOMT), including the SAM binary complex crystal structure and steady-state enzyme kinetics. Key amino acid residues were validated with site-directed mutagenesis. Isothermal titration calorimetry data indicated a sequential binding mechanism for SbCCoAOMT, wherein SAM binds prior to caffeoyl-CoA, and the enzyme showed allosteric behavior with respect to it. 5-Hydroxyferuloyl-CoA was not a substrate for SbCCoAOMT. We propose a catalytic mechanism in which lysine-180 acts as a catalytic base and deprotonates the reactive hydroxyl group of caffeoyl-CoA. This deprotonation is facilitated by the coordination of the reactive hydroxyl group by Ca 2+ in the active site, lowering the pK a of the 3'-OH group. Collectively, these data give a new perspective on the catalytic mechanism of CCoAOMTs and provide a basis for the functional diversity exhibited by type 2 plant OMTs that contain a unique insertion loop (residues 208–231) conferring affinity for phenylpropanoid-CoA thioesters. The structural model of SbCCoAOMT can serve as the basis for protein engineering approaches to enhance the nutritional, agronomic, and industrially relevant properties of sorghum.

Walker, Alexander M.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Construction of multi-shelled Bi2WO6 hollow microspheres with enhanced visible light photo-catalytic performance

Highlights: • Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} with multi-shelled hollow microstructure was successfully fabricated and the use of ethylene glycol is a key factor. • Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} composite with multi-shelled hollow structure were also fabricated when concentration of solution was reduced. • Enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance was observed, which are believed due to the unique hollow microstructure. - Abstract: As a promising structure in enhancing the photo-catalytic performance of the materials, hollow-shell structure still faces the great challenge of constructing an effective architecture for catalytic application. Herein, multi-shelled hollow microspheres of the visible-light photo-catalyst Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} with shells up to the triple (BWO-MSH), have been synthesized by using a facile and effective carbonaceous template route. Intriguingly, the photo-catalytic reaction rate constant of BWO-MSH sample is nearly 16 times higher than the Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} prepared through solid-state reaction (BWO-SSR). The single-, double-shelled Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} microspheres (Broken) could only be synthesized with lower quality (synthesized with many broken species), and their photo-catalytic performance was nearly the same poor as the BWO-SSR sample. Furthermore, multi-shelled hollow microsphere of Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} (BO/BWO-MSH) composite was also synthesized. The present work not only extends the scope of high-performance complex mixed metal oxides with multi-shelled microstructures, but also brings a good reference to engineer other impressive photo-catalyst.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Catalytic Oxidation of Alcohol via Nickel Phosphine Complexes with Pendant Amines

Nickel complexes were prepared with diphosphine ligands that contain pendant amines, and these complexes catalytically oxidize primary and secondary alcohols to their respective aldehydes and ketones. Kinetic and mechanistic studies of these prospective electrocatalysts were performed to understand what influences the catalytic activity. For the oxidation of diphenylmethanol, the catalytic rates were determined to be dependent on the concentration of both the catalyst and the alcohol. The catalytic rates were found to be independent of the concentration of base and oxidant. The incorporation of pendant amines to the phosphine ligand results in substantial increases in the rate of alcohol oxidation with more electron-donating substituents on the pendant amine exhibiting the fastest rates. We thank Dr. John C. Linehan, Dr. Elliott B. Hulley, Dr. Jonathan M. Darmon, and Dr. Elizabeth L. Tyson for helpful discussions. Research by CJW, PD, DLM, and AMA was supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences. Research by MLH was supported as part of the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a multiprogram national laboratory operated for DOE by Battelle.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗
DOE OSTI2014

Mechanistic Insights into Hydride Transfer for Catalytic Hydrogenation of CO2 with Cobalt Complexes

The catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to formate by Co(dmpe)2H can proceeds via direct hydride transfer or via CO2 coordination to Co followed by reductive elimination of formate. Both pathways have activation barriers consistent with experiment (~17.5 kcal/mol). Controlling the basicity of Co by ligand design is key to improve catalysis. The research by N.K., D.M.C. and A.M.A. was supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences. The research by S.R. and M.D. was supported as part of the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a multiprogram national laboratory operated for the DOE by Battelle.

Kumar, Neeraj↗
DOE OSTI2014

Direct Comparison of Electrochemical and Spectrochemical Kinetics for Catalytic Oxygen Reduction

We describe here a direct comparison of electrochemical and spectrochemical experiments to determine rates and selectivity of oxygen reduction catalyzed by iron 5,10,15,20-meso-tetraphenylporphyrin chloride. Strong agreement was found between the two methods suggesting the same mechanism is occurring under both conditions, with the same overall third order rate constant kcat = (1.1 ± 0.1) × 106 M-2 s-1. This report provides a rare example of characterization of a redox catalytic process by two common but very different methods. This work was supported as part of the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences.

Wasylenko, Derek J.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Perspective on Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation of Biomass Pyrolysis Oils: Essential Roles of Fe-Based Catalysts

Catalytic fast pyrolysis is the most promising approach for biofuel production due to its simple process and versatility to handle lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks with varying and complex compositions. Here, compared with in situ catalytic fast pyrolysis, ex situ catalytic pyrolysis has the flexibility of optimizing the pyrolysis step and catalytic process individually to improve the quality of pyrolysis oil (stability, oxygen content, acid number, etc.) and to maximize the carbon efficiency in the conversion of biomass to pyrolysis oil. Hydrodeoxygenation is one of the key catalytic functions in ex situ catalytic fast pyrolysis. Recently, Fe-based catalysts have been reported to exhibit superior catalytic properties in the hydrodeoxygenation of model compounds in pyrolysis oil, which potentially makes the ex situ pyrolysis of biomass commercially viable due to the abundance and low cost of Fe. Here, we briefly summarize the recent progress on Fe-based catalysts for the hydrodeoxygenation of biomass, and provide perspectives on how to further improve Fe-based catalysts (activity and stability) for their potential applications in the emerging area of biomass conversion.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

H-cluster Intermediates and Catalytic Properties of Clostridium pasteurianum [FeFe]-Hydrogenase III

[FeFe]-Hydrogenases are structurally diverse enzymes that catalyze reversible H2 activation at a catalytic cofactor or H-cluster. The H-cluster is a [4Fe-4S] cubane linked by a cysteine thiolate to a diiron subsite containing unique CO, CN-, and dithiomethylamine ligands. The established H-cluster resting state of [4Fe-4S]2+-[FeII-FeI], or Hox, functions in H2 binding and oxidation, or by proton-coupled reduction initiates H2 evolution. In contrast, in Clostridium pasteurianum [FeFe]-hydrogenase III (CpIII) the resting state of the H-cluster is fully oxidized, [4Fe-4S]2+-[FeII-FeII], or Hox+1. To begin to understand if Hox+1 has a role in the mechanism of CpIII, we determined the spectroscopic and redox properties of CpIII H-cluster states under catalytic conditions. CpIII poised in Hox+1 and either equilibrated under 1 atm of H2 or reduced with sodium dithionite, resulted in a mixture of reduced states including Hox (Em8 = -407 mV), Htrans-like [4Fe-4S]+-[FeII-FeII] (Em8 = -418 mV), Hred [4Fe-4S]+-[FeII-FeI], and HredH+ [4Fe-4S]2+-[FeI-FeI] (Em8 = -455-480 mV). Under H2 the population of the Htrans-like state was >20-fold higher than Hox, implicating a role in CpIII catalysis. Unlike other enzymes, there was no spectral evidence of fully reduced states, such as HsredH+ ([4Fe-4S]+-[FeI-FeI]) or Hhyd ([4Fe-4S]+-[FeII-FeII]-H-). Thus, while the H-cluster states of CpIII encompass most of the catalytic intermediates, it is either unable to form HsredH+ and Hhyd, or these states are highly destabilized in CpIII. Thus, these results demonstrate that catalytic intermediates of reduced CpIII differ from the typical intermediates of other catalytic [FeFe]-hydrogenases and may explain the catalytic preference for H2 production.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2014

Atomic-Structural Synergy for Catalytic CO Oxidation over Palladium-Nickel Nanoalloys

Alloying palladium (Pd) with other transition metals at the nanoscale has become an important pathway for preparation of low-cost, highly-active and stable catalysts. However the lack of understanding of how the alloying phase state, chemical composition and atomic-scale structure of the alloys at the nanoscale influence their catalytic activity impedes the rational design of Pd-nanoalloy catalysts. This work addresses this challenge by a novel approach to investigating the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) over palladium-nickel (PdNi) nanoalloys with well-defined bimetallic composition, which reveals a remarkable a maximal catalytic activity at Pd:Ni ratio of ~50:50. Key to understanding the structural-catalytic synergy is the use of high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction coupled to atomic pair distribution function (HE-XRD/PDF) analysis to probe the atomic structure of PdNi nanoalloys under controlled thermochemical treatments and CO reaction conditions. Three-dimensional (3D) models of the atomic structure of the nanoalloy particles were generated by reverse Monte Carlo simulations (RMC) guided by the experimental HE-XRD/PDF data. Structural details of the PdNi nanoalloys were extracted from the respective 3D models and compared with the measured catalytic properties. The comparison revealed a strong correlation between the phase state, chemical composition and atomic-scale structure of PdNi nanoalloys and their catalytic activity for CO oxidation. This correlation is further substantiated by analyzing the first atomic neighbor distances and coordination numbers inside the nanoalloy particles and at their surfaces. These findings have provided new insights into the structural synergy of nanoalloy catalysts by controlling the phase state, composition and atomic structure, complementing findings of traditional density functional theory studies.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗