Wei-Chao Song

Preparation of a Sb/Cu2Sb/C composite as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Sb/Cu2Sb/C composites are synthesized via a thermolysis approach with copper citrate and antimony acetate as precursors, respectively. The as-synthesized composites display an initial reversible capacity of 602 mA h g−1 and maintain 461 mA h g−1 after 60 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance of the Sb/Cu2Sb/C composites can be ascribed to the presence of Sb/Cu2Sb and amorphous carbon layers. The amorphous carbon layers could prevent the damage of electrodes that resulted from large volume expansion. The Sb/Cu2Sb improves their electronic conductivity.

MOF-derived Ni-based nanocomposites as robust catalysts for chemoselective hydrogenation of functionalized nitro compounds

Porous graphitic carbon layers encapsulating Ni nanoparticles (Ni@C) were prepared by a facile thermolysis of a Ni-containing metal–organic framework, the structure of which were characterized by power X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in detail. The resulting Ni@C nanocomposites served as highly efficient and magnetically recyclable catalysts for the hydrogenation of diverse functionalized nitro compounds to the corresponding anilines under relatively milder conditions. The high catalytic performance and the enhanced stability are ascribed to the synergistic effects and electron transfer between the metallic Ni and graphitic carbon as well as the unique encapsulation structure. The achieved success in the MOF-derived Ni@C nanocomposites may pave the way for designing environmentally benign catalytic hydrogenation processes for industrial applications.

Light-triggered Supramolecular Isomerism in a Self-catenated Zn(II)-organic Framework: Dynamic Photo-switching CO2 Uptake and Detection of Nitroaromatics.

A self-catenated Zn(II)-organic framework formulated as [Zn2(3,3′-bpeab)(oba)2]·DMF (1) exhibiting a six-connected 44·610·8 topology has been successfully synthesized through the mixed-ligand of kinked 3,3′-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]azobenzene (3,3′-bpeab) and 4,4′-oxybis-benzoic acid (H2oba) under solvothermal condition. UV light triggers isomerization of complex 1 in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) manner, giving rise to a conformational supramolecular isomer 1_UV through the pedal motion of photoresponsive double bonds. Dynamic photo-switching in the obtained light-responsive supramolecular isomers leads to instantly reversible CO2 uptake. Furthermore, the ligand originated fluorescence emission of water-resistant complex 1 is selectively sensitive to 4-nitrotoluene (4-NT) owing to a higher quenching efficiency of the perilous explosive over other structurally similar nitroaromatics, prefiguring the potentials of 1 as a fluorescence sensor towards 4-NT in aquatic media.

Assembly of ZnII-coordination polymers constructed by benzothiadiazole functionalized bipyridines and V-shaped dicarboxylic acids: topology variety, photochemical and visible-light-driven photocatalytic properties

Four coordination polymers constructed from a benzothiadiazole functionalized bipyridine ligand bearing vinyl linkage 4,7-bis((E)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinyl)benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole (bptda) with diverse conformations, namely, [Zn2(bptda)(dpa)2]n (1), {[Zn2(bptda)(oba)2]·2.75DMF}n (2), {[Zn4(bptda)3(oba)4]·2H2O}n (3), and [Zn2(bptda)(sdba)2]n (4), have been synthesized under solvothermal/hydrothermal conditions by tuning V-shaped aromatic polycarboxylate co-ligands possessing different bend angles (4,4′-dicarboxydiphenylamine (H2dpa), 4,4′-oxybis(benzoic acid) (H2oba), and 4,4′-sulfonyldibenzoic acid (H2sdba)). All the obtained complexes are based on binuclear secondary building units (SBUs), but exhibit different topologies. Complex 1 presents a uninodal 3-fold interpenetrated jsm topology with the point symbol 510·64·7, complex 2 shows a 6-connected threefold interpenetrated structure with pcu topology, complex 3 presents a 2D + 2D → 3D polycatenation, and complex 4 reveals a 2D + 2D → 2D twofold interpenetrating network with both polyrotaxane and polycatenane features. The effects of the bend angles of the V-shaped dicarboxylic acids on the diverse structures have been discussed. The thermal and luminescence properties of the complexes are investigated. The functionalization effect of thiadiazole groups on the optical absorption and visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue (MB), and crystal violet (CV) has been investigated.

Post-synthesis of Zr-MOR as a robust solid acid catalyst for the ring-opening aminolysis of epoxides

Zirconosilicate with the MOR topology (Zr-MOR) was successfully prepared using a two-step post-synthesis strategy from pre-dealumination of a H-MOR zeolite and subsequent dry impregnation of Cp2ZrCl2. The incorporated Zr species mainly existed in the form of isolated tetrahedrally coordinated Zr in the MOR framework. It was found that the mechanism of the post-synthetic incorporation of Zr involved interaction between the Cp2ZrCl2 molecules and silanols at defects generated by steaming and acid treatment. In comparison with Ti- and Sn-silicate analogues, the as-synthesized Zr-MOR zeolite showed high activity and regioselectivity in the ring-opening aminolysis of epoxides to β-amino alcohols under ambient and solvent-free conditions, which was related to the impact of the Lewis acid sites of the catalysts, the basicity of the amines and competitive adsorption of the reactant molecules. Moreover, the Zr-MOR zeolite could be reused at least five times without loss of activity and regioselectivity.

A dynamic microporous magnet exhibiting room-temperature thermal hysteresis, variable magnetic ordering temperatures and highly selective adsorption for CO2

A dynamic microporous magnet shows reversible temperature-tuned single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations by stepwise losing of coordinated and lattice water molecules, exhibiting an unusually observed room-temperature hysteresis loop, variable magnetic ordering temperatures and high adsorption selectivity for CO2 over N2.

CCDC 1045972: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Wei-Chao Song, Xun-Zhe Cui, Xiu-Guang Wang, Ling Liang, En-Cui Yang, Xiao-Jun Zhao|2017|Polyhedron|127|266|doi:10.1016/j.poly.2017.02.012

CCDC 1045971: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Wei-Chao Song, Xun-Zhe Cui, Xiu-Guang Wang, Ling Liang, En-Cui Yang, Xiao-Jun Zhao|2017|Polyhedron|127|266|doi:10.1016/j.poly.2017.02.012