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Carbon-Based Catalyst (2nd Edition)

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A special issue of C (ISSN 2311-5629). This special issue belongs to the section "Carbon Materials and Carbon Allotropes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2023) | Viewed by 24849

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Prof. Dr. Manuel Fernando Ribeiro Pereira

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Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: carbon materials; catalysis; environment and energy; chemical reaction engineering; functional materials
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Dear Colleagues,

This second Special Issue is the natural consequence of the great success of the previous Special Issue "Carbon-Based Catalyst".

Carbon materials present several advantages when used in catalysis, either as supports or as catalysts on their own. In addition to their high stability in acid and alkaline media, their versatility and the easy tailoring of their properties (textural and surface chemistry) to specific needs make them promising materials to fit different catalytic applications, from fine chemical synthesis to environmental and energy processes. More recently, the generalized access to new forms of carbons such as carbon xerogels, carbon nanotubes, and graphene and the ability to finely tune their surface chemistry, such as through hetero-atom doping (e.g., N, S, B, P), opened up new horizons for their use in catalysis—namely, for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells and biomass conversion.

In this Special Issue of C—Journal of Carbon Research, we invite authors to submit original communications, articles, and reviews on the application of carbon materials (in all its forms, from activated carbon to graphene) in catalysis.

Prof. Dr. Manuel Fernando Ribeiro Pereira
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. C is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

carbon catalyst
carbon-supported catalyst
carbocatalysis
carbon-based
metal-free catalysis
catalysis
heterogeneous catalysis
electrocatalysis

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Carbon-Based Catalyst in C (6 articles)

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Research

20 pages, 7961 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Magnetic Carbon Foam Adorned with Co/Fe Nanoneedles as an Efficient Activator of Oxone for Oxidative Environmental Remediation: Roles of Surficial and Chemical Enhancement

by Yi-Chun Chen, Xin-Yu Jiang, Bui Xuan Thanh, Jia-Yin Lin, Haitao Wang, Chao-Wei Huang, Hongta Yang, Afshin Ebrahimi, Sanya Sirivithayapakorn and Kun-Yi (Andrew) Lin

C 2023, 9(4), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/c9040107 - 13 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1965

Abstract

As heterogeneous catalysis is a practical method for activating Oxone, the immobilization of transition metals (e.g., Co, Fe) on carbonaceous supports is a promising platform. Thus, this study attempts to develop a carbon-supported metallic catalyst by growing Co/Fe on carbon foam (CF) via adopting melamine foam as a readily available template which could be transferred to nitrogen-doped CF with marcoporous structures. Specifically, a unique adornment of Co/Fe species on this CF is facilely fabricated through a complexation of Co/Fe with a plant extract, tannic acid, on melamine foam, followed by carbonization to produce nano-needle-like Co/Fe on N-doped CF, forming a magnetic CF (MCF). This resultant MCF exhibits a much higher surface area of 54.6 m²/g than CF (9.5 m²/g), and possesses a much larger specific capacitance of 9.7 F/g, than that of CF as 4.0 F/g. These superior features of MCF enable it to accelerate Oxone activation in order to degrade an emerging contaminant, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methanone (BHPM). Furthermore, MCF + Oxone exhibits a lower activation energy as 18.6 kJ/mol for BHPM elimination and retains its effectiveness in eliminating BHPM over multiple rounds. More importantly, the CF is also prepared and directly compared with the MCF to study the composition-structure-property relationship to provide valuable insights for further understanding of catalytic behaviors, surficial characteristics, and application of such a functional carbon material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Catalyst (2nd Edition))

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14 pages, 7400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified NiCo₂S₄ for the Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium

by Qiu Jin, Ziye Zheng, Yuxiao Feng, Shuang Tian and Zuoli He

C 2023, 9(4), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/c9040099 - 20 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1901

Abstract

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) compounds are considered to be occupational carcinogens, which can be transferred from the environment to the human body and pose a significant threat to human health. It is particularly urgent to explore a more efficient catalyst for removing Cr(VI) to comply with discharge standards. The addition of CNTs enables the separation and transfer of photogenerated charges. Thus, we synthesized a range of NiCo₂S₄ hybrid materials with different multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) contents using a two-step hydrothermal method. The composites had significant advantages compared to pure NiCo₂S₄, such as an enhanced visible light absorption, increased specific surface area, high electron–hole pair separation, and fast electron transport. Thus, MWCNT addition enabled efficient photocatalytic performances in terms of reducing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). Among all the composite samples, the MWCNT/NiCo₂S₄ with 0.050 g of MWCNTs achieved the highest efficiency in reducing Cr(VI) under light irradiation, which showed a removal rate close to 100% within 40 min. Such CNT-based composite photocatalysts could be used to reduce the highly toxic Cr(VI) in environmental applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Catalyst (2nd Edition))

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13 pages, 3278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Nanobiocatalyst Constituted by Lipase from Burkholderia cepacia Immobilized on Graphene Oxide Derived from Grape Seed Biochar

by Lays C. de Almeida, Erikles L. O. Andrade, Jefferson C. B. Santos, Roberta M. Santos, Alini T. Fricks, Lisiane dos S. Freitas, Álvaro S. Lima, Matheus M. Pereira and Cleide M. F. Soares

C 2023, 9(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/c9010012 - 19 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2454

Abstract

The present research aims to study the process of immobilization of lipase from Burkholderia cepacia by physical adsorption on graphene oxide derived (GO) from grape seed biochar. Additionally, the modified Hummers method was used to obtain the graphene oxide. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectrum, X-ray diffraction, and point of zero charge were used for the characterization of the GO. The influences of pH, temperature, enzyme/support concentration on the catalytic activity were evaluated for the immobilized biocatalyst. The best immobilization was found (543 ± 5 U/g of support) in the pH 4.0. Considering the biochemical properties, the optimal pH and temperature were 3.0 and 50 °C, respectively, for the immobilized biocatalyst. Reusability studies exhibited that the immobilized lipase well kept 60% of its original activity after 5 cycles of reuse. Overall, these results showed the high potential of graphene oxide obtained from biochar in immobilization lipase, especially the application of nanobiocatalysts on an industrial scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Catalyst (2nd Edition))

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18 pages, 2986 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ferromagnetic Biochar Prepared from Hydrothermally Modified Calcined Mango Seeds for Fenton-like Degradation of Indigo Carmine

by Aurelien Bopda, Sandrale Grace Mokue Mafo, Josiane Nguimatsia Ndongmo, Georges Teikam Kenda, Cyrille Ghislain Fotsop, Idris-Hermann Tiotsop Kuete, Christian Sadeu Ngakou, Donald Raoul Tchuifon Tchuifon, Arnaud Kamdem Tamo, George Ndifor-Angwafor Nche and Solomon Gabche Anagho

C 2022, 8(4), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/c8040081 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2507

Abstract

Biochar and ferromagnetic biochar obtained from the pyrolysis of dried mango seeds and modified using a hydrothermal method were used as catalyst for the heterogeneous degradation of indigo carmine in an aqueous medium. These prepared biochars were characterized using different techniques: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The analyses of the results revealed the presence of iron oxide in the form of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) in the catalyst. The catalytic tests carried out with this composite material showed a significant degradation of indigo carmine. The maximum degradation of indigo carmine in the aqueous solution was reached after 240 min of agitation. The Fenton degradation process using irradiation with a 100 W electric lamp and hydrogen peroxide (concentration 4 mol/L) showed the best results at pH = 3. From this study, it emerged that the second-order kinetic model better described the degradation process, and it gave lower half-lives compared to those obtained with the first-order kinetic law. The study also showed that ferromagnetic biochar could be prepared from mango seeds and used for the degradation of indigo carmine in an aqueous solution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Catalyst (2nd Edition))

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8 pages, 2254 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plasma Electrochemical Synthesis of Graphene-Phosphorene Composite and Its Catalytic Activity towards Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

by Valeriy K. Kochergin, Natal’ya S. Komarova, Alexander S. Kotkin, Roman A. Manzhos, Vladimir P. Vasiliev and Alexander G. Krivenko

C 2022, 8(4), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/c8040079 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2121

Abstract

For the first time, graphene-phosphorene structures were synthesized using the plasma-assisted electrochemical method. The catalytic activity of the composite obtained in the electrolytic plasma mode and its mixtures with few-layer graphene structures toward the hydrogen evolution reaction was studied. A substantial increase in the catalytic activity of the phosphorene structures towards the hydrogen evolution reaction was realized by mixing them with few-layer graphene structures. The catalyst demonstrates excellent activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media with a low overpotential of 940 mV at a current density of 10 mA·cm⁻² and a small Tafel slope of 130 mV dec⁻¹. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Catalyst (2nd Edition))

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19 pages, 7209 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Easy Synthesis of Doped Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets as New Material for Enhanced DNA Extraction from Vegetal Tissues Using a Simple and Fast Protocol

by Manuel Eduardo Martínez-Cartagena, Juan Bernal-Martínez, Arnulfo Banda-Villanueva, Víctor D. Lechuga-Islas, Teresa Córdova, Ilse Magaña, José Román Torres-Lubián, Salvador Fernández-Tavizón, Jorge Romero-García, Ana Margarita Rodríguez-Hernández and Ramón Díaz-de-León

C 2022, 8(4), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/c8040068 - 25 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2346

Abstract

Conventional and commercially available DNA extraction methods have several limitations regarding, for instance, contamination, and complex and slow precipitation and recovery processes. Herein, we report the synthesis of oxygen and phosphorus-doped Graphitic carbon nitride structures (g-POCN), via a novel Zinc-catalyzed one-pot solvothermal approach, and its application in the extraction of genomic DNA (gDNA) from a vegetal matrix (P. argentatum). Experimental and molecular modeling analyses demonstrate the high affinity of gDNA with g-POCN, which provided highly efficient gDNA extraction processes, with extraction yield, as well as integrity and quality of the extracted gDNA, comparable or superior to a commercial extraction kit and isopropanol extraction. Moreover, under suitable elution conditions, this method allows the easy removal of high concentrations of gDNA from g-POCN, rendering this method as a low-cost, simple, and fast approach for the extraction of even small amounts of gDNA. Remarkably, the extracted gDNA shows no degradation, and no inhibition of the polymerase chain reaction. Therefore, g-POCN represents a promising material for the highly efficient, cost-effective, and biocompatible extraction of DNA, which could stimulate research focused on broad DNA sources, e.g., RNA extraction, plasmids, ssDNA, etc. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Catalyst (2nd Edition))

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17 pages, 3865 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Carbon-Based Support Using Biochar from Guava Seeds for Lipase Immobilization

by Lays C. de Almeida, Felipe A. de Jesus, Flávia M. S. Wiltshire, Roberta M. Santos, Alini T. Fricks, Lisiane dos S. Freitas, Matheus M. Pereira, Álvaro S. Lima and Cleide M. F. Soares

C 2022, 8(4), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/c8040064 - 14 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2189

Abstract

Enzymes are promising tools for achieving an environmentally benign process. However, enzymes are required to be immobilized on economically competent supports to be reusable and maintain their activity. In this work, the aim was to evaluate the application of the biochar for immobilization of Burkholderia cepacia lipase (BCL) by physical adsorption (PA) and covalent binding (CB). Additionally, it was observed that regarding the biochemical properties, the optimal pH was 4.0 for the BCL immobilized by PA and pH 7.0 for the BCL free and immobilized by CB. Among the kinetic parameters, the maximal velocity (V_max) for the free enzyme was 2500 µmol g⁻¹·min⁻¹, and for the PA- and CB-immobilized biocatalyst the values of V_max were 2000 and 3333 µmol g⁻¹·min⁻¹, respectively. The Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m) value for the free lipase was 665 mM and for the biocatalysts immobilized by PA and CB the K_m values were 219 and 369 mM, respectively. Immobilized LBC exhibited superior thermal stability. The reusability tests showed that the LBC immobilized by PA preserved 50% of the initial activity after 16 cycles. Thus, biochar is a by-product of a renewable source; therefore, it is a promising alternative for lipase immobilization demonstrating its potential for use in a wide range of greener industrial processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Catalyst (2nd Edition))

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11 pages, 4173 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conducting Polymer Metallic Emerald: Magnetic Measurements of Nanocarbons/Polyaniline and Preparation of Plastic Composites

by Yusuke Koshikawa, Ryo Miyashita, Takuya Yonehara, Kyoka Komaba, Reiji Kumai and Hiromasa Goto

C 2022, 8(4), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/c8040060 - 4 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1949

Abstract

Synthesis of polyaniline in the presence of fullerene nanotubes (nanocarbons) in water was carried out with oxidative polymerization. The surface of the sample showed metallic emerald green color in bulk like the brilliance of encrusted gemstones. The composite showed unique magnetic behavior, such as microwave power-dependent magnetic resonance as magnetic spin behavior and macroscopic paramagnetism with a maximum χ value at room temperature evaluated with superconductor interference device. Surface structure of the composite was observed with optical microscopy, circular polarized differential interference contrast optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron probe micro analyzer. Polymer blends consisting of polyaniline, nano-carbons, and hydroxypropylcellulose or acryl resin with both conducting polymer and carbon characters were prepared, which can be applied for electrical conducting plastics. The combination of conducting polymer and nano-carbon materials can produce new electro-magneto-active soft materials by forming a composite. This paper reports evaluation of magnetic properties as a new point of nanocarbon and conducting polymer composite. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Catalyst (2nd Edition))

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13 pages, 1585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Heteroatom-Doped g-C₃N₄ Particles as Catalysts for Dehydrogenation of Sodium Borohydride in Methanol

by Sahin Demirci and Nurettin Sahiner

C 2022, 8(4), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/c8040053 - 16 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2764

Abstract

Here, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) was synthesized from melamine, doped with heteroatoms, such as B, S, and P reported using boric acid, sulfur, and phosphorous red as dopants, respectively. The catalytic performances of g-C₃N₄, and heteroatom-doped g-C₃N₄ (H@g-C₃N₄ (H=B, S or P) particles as catalysts in the dehydrogenation of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) in methanol to generate hydrogen (H₂) were investigated. The prepared g-C₃N₄-based structures were used as catalysts for hydrogen (H₂) production in the dehydrogenation reaction of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) in methanol. The catalytic performance of H@g-C₃N₄ (H=B, S or P) structures in the dehydrogenation reaction of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) in methanol was determined to be higher than the catalytic performance of the bare g-C₃N₄ structure. The hydrogen generation rate (HGR) values were calculated for the reactions catalyzed by B@g-C₃N₄, P@g-C₃N₄, and S@g-C₃N₄ as 609 ± 48, 699 ± 48, and 429 ± 55 mL H₂/g of cat.min, respectively, which is only 282 ± 11 mL H₂/g of cat.min for the native g-C₃N₄-catalyzed one. The activation energies (Ea) were found to be relatively low, such as 31.2, 26.9, and 31.2 kJ/mol, for the reactions catalyzed by B@g-C₃N₄, P@g-C₃N₄, and S@g-C₃N₄, respectively. In addition, in the reuse studies, it was concluded that B@g-C₃N₄, P@g-C₃N₄, and S@g-C₃N₄ catalysts can readily complete the reaction with 100% conversion, even in five consecutive uses, and afforded promising potential with more than 80% activity for each use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Catalyst (2nd Edition))

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13 pages, 2155 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decoration of Reduced Graphene Oxide with Magnesium Oxide during Reflux Reaction and Assessment of Its Antioxidant Properties

by Aicha Bensouici, Nacera Baali, Roumaissa Bouloudenine and Giorgio Speranza

C 2022, 8(4), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/c8040049 - 30 Sep 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3227

Abstract

The aim of this work is the reduction and decoration of graphene oxide (GO) with magnesium oxide (MgO). In this work, GO was synthesized using modified Hummers’ protocol with (1:2), (1:3) and (1:4) graphite:potassium permanganate mass ratios. Subsequently, all GO samples (GO1:2, GO1:3, GO1:4) were reduced and decorated with magnesium oxide nanoparticles using a reflux technique at 100 °C for 2 h. Sample characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals the presence of peaks relative to two different magnesium (Mg) phases: magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂). The presence of these spectral features, although characterized by a remarkable broadening, confirms the successful synthesis of Mg(OH)₂-rGO-MgO nanocomposites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra indicate the presence of peaks assigned to C, O and Mg. The analysis of the high-resolution XPS spectra of these elements confirms once again the presence of Mg(OH)₂-rGO-MgO compounds. The low temperature synthesis of Mg(OH)₂-rGO-MgO nanocomposite exhibiting superior catalytic properties compared to MgO–rGO nanoparticles is an important step forward with respect to the current state of the art. The antioxidant activity of six nanocomposites, namely GO1:2, GO1:3, GO1:4, MgO–rGO1:2, MgO–rGO1:3 and MgO–rGO1:4, was determined using standard protocols based on a DPPH radicals scavenging assay, an H₂O₂ scavenging assay, and a phosphomolybdate assay. All our samples exhibited dose-dependent antioxidant activity. Interestingly, among the different synthesized nanoparticles, GO1:4 and MgO–rGO1:4 showed the best performances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Catalyst (2nd Edition))

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