@article {46850, title = {Functionalized magnetic nanosized materials for efficient biodiesel synthesis via acid-base/enzyme catalysis}, journal = {Green Chemistry}, volume = {22}, year = {2020}, month = {MAY}, pages = {2977-3012}, type = {Review}, abstract = {

According to the principles of green chemistry, the rapid recovery and reuse of catalysts after a catalytic reaction are important factors to realize the sustainable management of chemical production processes. The functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles is the basis for the efficient separation of heterogeneous catalysts from the reaction system by using the magnetic separation technology as well as for effectively bridging heterogeneous and homogeneous catalytic processes. This can considerably improve the production efficiency and reduce energy consumption as well. Owing to important applications as a potential biofuel or fuel additive, the synthesis of biodiesel mainly from low-cost biomass feedstocks has received considerable attention in the current biorefinery research. A simple synthesis process coupled with the application of functionalized magnetic catalysts can remarkably reduce the production cost and minimize waste generation, thereby promoting the potential development of green catalytic processes for the large-scale synthesis of biodiesel. In this review, the preparation methods, structural and performance control, and protection and functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles as well as the consequent catalytic effects in the synthesis of biodiesel (mainly long-chain fatty acid methyl esters) have been reported. In addition, various representative reaction mechanisms are discussed, emphasizing the existing challenges and prospects of industrialization.

}, issn = {1463-9262}, doi = {10.1039/d0gc00924e}, author = {Wang, Anping and Sudarsanam, Putla and Xu, Yufei and Zhang, Heng and Li, Hu and Yang, Song} } @article {47703, title = {Room-temperature quasi-catalytic hydrogen generation from waste and water}, journal = {Green Chemistry}, volume = {23}, year = {2021}, month = {OCT}, pages = {7528-7533}, type = {Article}, abstract = {A solvation-driven catalyst-free H-2 generation system from water and various waste hydrosilanes at room temperature was developed, with good to quantitative H-2 yields in minutes. Using a green solvent is found to promote the strong coordination of proton carriers with hydrosilane to liberate H-2 based on molecular dynamics simulations. Theoretical calculations clarify that OH(-)in situ generated from H2O enabled by solvation is favorable for activating the Si-H species of hydrosilane, and the in situ formed Si-OH interacts more effectively with the adjacent remaining Si-H, both contributing to the overall enhanced H-2 generation. Moreover, the overall life-cycle impacts of the developed system are less than those of industrial H-2 production processes, especially in ozone layer depletion and abiotic depletion resources - fossil fuels. This protocol realizes the potential of efficiently producing H-2 from waste and water, and opens a new avenue to alleviate petroleum consumption.}, issn = {1463-9262}, doi = {10.1039/d1gc02722k}, author = {Wu, Hongguo and Zhang, Li-Long and Wang, Junqi and Jiang, Yiyuan and Li, Hu and Sudarsanam, Putla and Yang, Song} } @article {47091, title = {Sulfonic acid-functionalized heterogeneous catalytic materials for efficient biodiesel production: a review}, journal = {Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering}, volume = {9}, year = {2021}, month = {FEB}, pages = {104719}, type = {Review}, abstract = {

The development of social productive forces leads to the increasing consumption of fossil fuels. However, the burning of traditional fossil fuels releases huge amounts of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, resulting in drastically increased global surface temperatures, and hence, global warming and abnormal climate change. Biodiesel, which can be produced by (trans)esterification of bio-oils using solid acid catalysts, is recognized as renewable and clean energy, alternative to fossil-derived diesel, and it can meet society{\textquoteright}s requirements. This review describes the catalytic conversion of bio-derived oils into biodiesel using various sulfonic acid-functionalized heterogeneous catalytic materials that show higher catalytic efficiency and superior recyclability. Besides, various methods of biodiesel preparation and the appropriate design and preparation of robust and efficient catalytic materials for biodiesel production were provided. Finally, the mechanisms of different catalytic esterification and transesterification reactions for biodiesel synthesis, the relevant reaction kinetic models, and techno-economic analysis of biodiesel production were critically discussed in this review.

}, keywords = {(Trans)esterification, Biodiesel, heterogeneous catalysis, kinetic study, solid acid}, doi = {10.1016/j.jece.2020.104719}, author = {Tan, Xiang and Sudarsanam, Putla and Tan, Jinyu and Wang, Anping and Zhang, Heng and Li, Hu and Yang, Song} } @article {48182, title = {Protophilic solvent-impelled quasi-catalytic CO2 valorization to formic acid and N-formamides}, journal = {Fuel}, volume = {326}, year = {2022}, month = {OCT}, pages = {125074}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

As a low-price and luxuriant C1 sustainable resource, CO2 has the privilege of synthesizing hydrogen carriers and valuable chemicals. However, expensive metallic and organic catalysts are often indispensable for going on wheels of the relevant reaction processes. In this work, a protophilic solvent-impelled quasi-catalytic system was developed for efficient synthesis of formic acid and various N-formamides with high yields of 76-94\% via reductive CO2 functionalization under mild reaction conditions (50 ?). Direct activation of the liquid hydrosilane toward the reduction of CO2 enabled by DMSO with optimum basicity/protophilicity is the predominant reaction route among the examined interaction models, while carbonic acid potentially derived from excessive CO2 and residual water inhibits the reaction, as explicitly disclosed by theoretical calculations and isotope labeling experiments. In addition, the in situ formed O-formyl species is conductive to the cascade CO2 reduction steps, which remarkably facilitated the overall quasi-catalytic upgrading process.

}, keywords = {CO2 utilization, Formic acid, Green energy, Nitrogenous chemicals, Quasi-catalysis}, issn = {0016-2361}, doi = {10.1016/j.fuel.2022.125074}, author = {Wu, Hongguo and Li, Hu and Zhao, Wenfeng and Sudarsanam, Putla and Yang, Song} }