Chang-jun Liu

Nano-carrier for gene delivery and bioimaging based on carbon dots with PEI-passivation enhanced fluorescence.

Polyethylenimine (PEI) functionalized carbon dots (CD-PEI) were fabricated by one-step microwave assisted pyrolysis of glycerol and branched PEI25k mixture where the formation of carbon nanoparticles and the surface passivation were accomplished simultaneously. In this hybrid C-dot, PEI molecule played two key roles in the system - as a nitrogen-rich compound to passivate surface to enhance the fluorescence and as a polyelectrolyte to condense DNA. This CD-PEI was shown to be water soluble and emit stable bright multicolor fluorescence relying on excitation wavelength. The DNA condensation capability and cytotoxicity of CD-PEI could be regulated by pyrolysis time possibly due to the somewhat destruction of PEI during the formation of carbon dots. CD-PEI obtained at an appropriate pyrolysis time exhibited lower toxicity, higher or comparable gene expression of plasmid DNA in COS-7 cells and HepG2 cells relative to control PEI25k. Intriguingly, the CD-PEIs internalized into cells displayed tunable fluorescent emission under varying excitation wavelength, suggesting the potential application of CD-PEI in gene delivery and bioimaging.

Progresses in the Preparation of Coke Resistant Ni‐based Catalyst for Steam and CO2 Reforming of Methane

Steam reforming of methane is an extremely important process for the hydrogen and syngas production. Nickel‐based catalysts have been extensively employed in the industrial process of steam reforming because of their high activity, low cost, and the plentiful supply of Nickel. Nickel‐based catalysts have also shown high activity for CO2 reforming of methane, which has been considered as a good option, with consumption of a significant amount of carbon dioxide. However, a major challenge is that Ni catalysts have a high thermodynamic potential for coke formation during reforming reactions. For steam reforming, coke formation induces deactivation of the catalyst, especially if the carbon forms as carbon filaments. The filamentous carbon material has a high mechanical strength and can cause mechanical deformation of the catalyst. For CO2 reforming, coke formation over Ni catalyst is even more serious and leads to rapid deactivation of the catalyst. It is highly desired to design and synthesize a coke resistant Ni catalyst not only for reforming of methane, but also for reforming of other hydrocarbons (including biomass derived hydrocarbons). Herein we summarize the very recent progresses in the design, synthesis, and characterization of coke resistant Ni catalysts for steam and CO2 reforming of methane. The progresses in the use of promoters, in the effect of supporting materials and in the preparation methods have been discussed. The thermal stability, regeneration, and future development of coke resistant Ni catalysts for these processes are also briefly addressed.

Catalyst preparation using plasma technologies

This paper discusses catalyst preparation using thermal and cold plasmas. In general, there are three main trends in preparing catalysts using plasma technologies: (1) plasma chemical synthesis of ultrafine particle catalysts; (2) plasma assisted deposition of catalytically active compounds on various carriers, especially plasma spraying for the preparation of supported catalysts; (3) plasma enhanced preparation or plasma modification of catalysts. Compared to conventional catalyst preparation, there are several advantages of using plasmas, including: (1) a highly distributed active species; (2) reduced energy requirements; (3) enhanced catalyst activation, selectivity, and lifetime; (4) shortened preparation time. These advantages are leading to many potential applications of plasma prepared catalysts.

One-step synthesis of surface passivated carbon nanodots by microwave assisted pyrolysis for enhanced multicolor photoluminescence and bioimaging

Strong photoluminescent carbon nanodots (C-dots) were synthesized by one-step microwave assisted pyrolysis of glycerol in the presence of 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine (TTDDA). The formation and surface passivation of C-dots were accomplished simultaneously. The obtained C-dots exhibited excellent biocompatibility and preeminent multicolor photoluminescent properties for bioimaging.

Plasma methane conversion in the presence of carbon dioxide using dielectric-barrier discharges

Abstract Methane conversion in the presence of carbon dioxide was investigated under the conditions of dielectric-barrier discharge plasmas. Different from the previous investigations, the grounded electrode is covered by the dielectric material (quartz) in the present reactor design. The product contains gaseous hydrocarbons, syngas and oxygenates. No liquid hydrocarbons can be detected with the present reactor design. The oxygenates produced includes acetic acid, propanoic acid, ethanol and methanol. There exists an optimum feed ratio of CH 4 /CO 2 to make the maximum selectivity of the objective oxygenate. The highest selectivity of acetic acid was 5.2% achieved at CH 4 and CO 2 conversions of 64.3% and 43.1%, respectively.

Plasma application for more environmentally friendly catalyst preparation

The present status of catalyst preparation using nonthermal plasma treatment has been summarized in this paper. Improved dispersion, better low-temperature activity, enhanced stability, and better anti-carbon deposition performance can be achieved with nonthermal plasma-treated catalysts. The improvement in catalyst preparation with nonthermal plasma treatment can reduce or avoid the use of hazardous chemicals. Nonthermal plasma catalyst treatment has especially induced a new development of nonthermal plasma for catalyst reduction. The reduction using hydrogen at high temperatures or using hazardous liquid chemicals can be replaced by the developed plasma reduction process. The mechanism for nonthermal plasma treatment has been presented. An analog between the man-made gas discharge plasmas and the environment inside the zeolite pores and around catalyst surface defects is also proposed.

Non-thermal plasma approaches in CO2 utilization

CO2 is the final product of combustion of all fossil fuels. CO2 itself has little value by far, but it contributes more than 50% to the man-made greenhouse effect among all the greenhouse gases. There is still no proven technology for the chemical utilization of such a plentiful carbon resource. Recently, non-thermal plasmas have been found to be effective in the activation of CO2 for the formation of more valuable hydrocarbons. The non-thermal plasma approaches can even be performed at ambient condition. In this review, the present state of carbon dioxide utilization via non-thermal plasmas is addressed.

Methane Conversion to Higher Hydrocarbons in the Presence of Carbon Dioxide Using Dielectric-Barrier Discharge Plasmas

Experimental investigation has been conducted to convert methane into higher hydrocarbons in the presence of carbon dioxide within dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasmas. The objectives of cofeed of carbon dioxide are to inhibit carbon deposit and to increase methane conversion. The products from this plasma methane conversion include: (1) syngas (H2+CO), (2) gaseous hydrocarbons containing ethylene, acetylene, and propylene, (3) liquid hydrocarbons, (4) plasma-polymerized film, and (5) oxygenates. The selectivity of products is subject to the DBD plasma-reactive conditions and catalyst applied. The liquid hydrocarbons produced by this way are highly branched, which represents a better fuel production.

Cu3(BTC)2: CO oxidation over MOF based catalysts

Crystalline and amorphized MOFs (Cu(3)(BTC)(2)) have been demonstrated to be excellent catalysts for CO oxidation. The catalytic activity can be further improved by loading PdO(2) nanoparticles onto the amorphized Cu(3)(BTC)(2).

Comparative investigations on plasma catalytic methane conversion to higher hydrocarbons over zeolites

Abstract Zeolites are an important class of industrial catalyst. In this investigation, the application of zeolites for plasma catalytic methane conversion (PCMC) to higher hydrocarbons at very low gas temperatures (room temperature to 200°C) has been addressed. Zeolites NaY, HY, NaX, NaA, Linde Type 5A and Na-ZSM-5 have been tested for the application in PCMC. The products contain C2 hydrocarbons (acetylene, ethane and ethylene), other carbon species including carbon deposits and trace C+3 hydrocarbons, and syngas (H2+CO), depending upon co-reactant or dilution gases added to the feed. A streamer corona discharge, a cold plasma phenomenon, has been found to be the most effective and efficient at inducing plasma catalytic activity over zeolites. The order of the zeolites tested from good to poor for sustaining the desired streamer discharges is NaY,NaOH treated Y>HY>NaX>NaA>Linde Type 5A>Na-ZSM-5 . Oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen (with or without oxygen added in a small amount), steam and nitrogen have been tested as co-reactants or dilution gases for PCMC over zeolites. Experimental results showed that the selectivity to higher hydrocarbons decreases in the order H2>H2+O2>H2O>N2>N2+O2>CO2>O2, while the methane conversion decreases in the order N2+O2>N2>O2>CO2>H2+O2>H2O>H2. All the co-reactants tested here, except hydrogen, can induce high methane conversions during plasma catalytic reactions. Small amounts of oxygen added to hydrogen can improve significantly the plasma reactivity of hydrogen over zeolites. This has led to a very selective net production of hydrogen and higher hydrocarbons (especially acetylene).