Jiping Ma

The copolymerization reactivity of diols with 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid for furan-based copolyester materials

Furan-based copolyesters were synthesized via polytransesterification of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) with ethylene glycol (EG) and 1,4-butylene glycol (BG). The composition and thermal properties of the obtained copolyesters were characterized in detail by 1H NMR and elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimeters (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The 1H NMR results showed that the ethylene segment content was consistently lower than that of butylene in the obtained copolyesters in comparison with the comonomer feeds. The reactivities of EG and BG with FDCA were intensively investigated. On the basis of kinetic studies, EG was found to be less reactive than BG. The thermal properties of the obtained copolyesters could be adjusted by variation of the EG/BG molar ratios in the copolyesters.

Oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to maleic anhydride with molecular oxygen

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was converted to maleic anhydride in 52% yield via selective oxidation with molecular oxygen using VO(acac)2 as catalyst in liquid phase.

Preparation of superhydrophobic cauliflower-like silica nanospheres with tunable water adhesion

A new superhydrophobic material with cauliflower morphology was prepared with a one-step introduction of organic groups on the materials surface. Rough surface structure and heterogeneous surface chemical composition could be directly obtained. Adjustment of the phenyl group content was utilized to modulate the surface wettability, and different hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and superhydrophobic materials could be obtained by simply controlling the ratio of phenyl groups and silanols. The dynamic wettability of the superhydrophobic materials could be flexibly tuned between water repellent and water adhesive by the adjustment of the surface chemical composition. Especially the unique water-adhesive superhydrophobic material demonstrates capacity in solid and water transfer, and it may show wide application in the future.

Investigations on the crystal plane effect of ceria on gold catalysis in the oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols and amines in the liquid phase

Gold nanoparticles supported on ceria{110} crystal planes were more reactive than on ceria{111} and {100} in the oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols. Kinetic analysis and a Hammett plot suggest that hydride transfer is involved, and the cationic gold is catalytically active.

Synthesis and properties of furan-based imine-linked porous organic frameworks

Furan-based porous organic frameworks (FOFs) were prepared by condensation of biomass-derived 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) and diamines via the formation of imine linkages, which are insoluble in water and common organic solvents and can keep stable around 300 °C under N2 atmosphere. The materials obtained by DFF being condensed with nonlinear diamines show higher specific surface areas and micropore volumes than that of with linear diamines. In the adsorption of CO2, the capacity of the FOFs largely depends on their specific surface areas and micropore volumes.

Biphasic Catalytic Conversion of Fructose by Continuous Hydrogenation of HMF over a Hydrophobic Ruthenium Catalyst

The production of chemicals directly from sugars is an important step in biomass conversion. Herein, tetrahydro-2,5-furandimethanol (THFDM), obtained from fructose, is formed by using a combination of acid and hydrophobic Ru/SiO2 in a water/cyclohexane biphasic system. Two key factors enable the high selectivity towards THFDM: modifying the hydrogenation catalyst so that it has hydrophobic properties, and the continuous hydrogenation of generated 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural in the cyclohexane phase. Moreover, the selectivity towards THFDM is found to depend strongly on the acid catalyst used.

Gold nanoparticles confined in the interconnected carbon foams with high temperature stability

Gold nanoparticle-carbon foam composites with highly-dispersed gold nanoparticles confined in the cavities were prepared. The gold nanoparticles are effectively separated from each other by permeable carbon shells, which show high temperature stability and were fully accessible to the substrate.

Direct conversion of fructose-based carbohydrates to 5-ethoxymethylfurfural catalyzed by AlCl3·6H2O/BF3·(Et)2O in ethanol

Direct conversion of fructose-based carbohydrates to 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) catalyzed by Lewis acid in ethanol was investigated. It was found that BF3·(Et)2O was favorable for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) etherification to EMF. BF3·(Et)2O combination with AlCl3·6H2O with the molar ratio of 1 was an effective catalyst system for synthesis of EMF from fructose-based carbohydrates. 55.0%, 45.4% and 23.9% of EMF yields were obtained from fructose, inulin and sucrose under optimized conditions, respectively.

Synergistic effect of vanadium–phosphorus promoted oxidation of benzylic alcohols with molecular oxygen in water

The synergistic effect of vanadium–phosphorus in aqueous solution is crucial to ensure high efficiency for oxidation of benzylic alcohols with molecular oxygen in water catalyzed by VOPO4/TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl-1-oxy).

Aqueous phase hydrogenation of furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol on alkaline earth metal modified Ni/Al2O3

Al2O3 modified by alkaline earth metals M–Al2O3 (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) was synthesised by coprecipitation method. The nickel-based catalysts supported by M–Al2O3 were prepared by impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by TEM, N2 adsorption/desorption, XRD, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD and XPS, and used for the direct hydrogenation of furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) in water. The reaction was demonstrated to proceed through furfuryl alcohol as an intermediate. The modification of Al2O3 by alkaline earth metals has a significant effect on the activity and selectivity of THFA. A high yield of THFA was obtained over Ni/Ba–Al2O3 under optimized conditions. Moreover, the catalyst is recyclable and reusable at least four times without significant loss of the conversion of furfural and selectivity of THFA.