A5081492661- Ionic liquids properties and applications
- Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
- Hydrogen Storage and Materials
- Nanomaterials for catalytic reactions
- Electrochemical Analysis and Applications
- Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures
- Asymmetric Hydrogenation and Catalysis
- Catalytic Processes in Materials Science
- Catalysis and Oxidation Reactions
- Surface Chemistry and Catalysis
- Graphene research and applications
- Nanowire Synthesis and Applications
- Chemical and Physical Properties in Aqueous Solutions
- Surface and Thin Film Phenomena
- Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems
- Inorganic Chemistry and Materials
- Corrosion Behavior and Inhibition
- Inorganic Fluorides and Related Compounds
- Crystallography and molecular interactions
- Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
- Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry
- Electron and X-Ray Spectroscopy Techniques
- Advanced Chemical Physics Studies
- Analytical chemistry methods development
- X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
University of Reading
2019-2025
Gold nanoparticles stabilized by phosphine-decorated polymer immobilized ionic liquids (AuNP@PPh2-PIILP) is an extremely efficient multiproduct selective catalyst for the sodium borohydride-mediated reduction of nitrobenzene giving N-phenylhydroxylamine, azoxybenzene, or aniline as sole product under mild conditions and a very low loading. The use single nanoparticle-based partial complete nitroarenes to afford three different products with exceptionally high selectivities unprecedented....
Using a combination of experiments and calculations, we have gained new insights into the nature anion–cation interactions in ionic liquids (ILs). An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)-derived anion-dependent electrostatic interaction strength scale, determined using XPS core-level binding energies for IL cations, is presented here 39 different anions, with at least 18 anions included. Linear correlations experimental cations (a) calculated core (ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD)...
Liquid-phase d10s2 post-transition metal anions, such as [SnCl3]−, appear in a range of applications with focus on catalysis and material preparation. However, little is known about their electronic structure how it relates to reactivity. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ab initio calculations, we demonstrate that liquid-phase anions can act dual-mode Lewis bases, interacting through the center and/or ligands, interaction mode depending identity acid/electron acceptor. The basicity...
Understanding and predicting ionic liquid (IL) electronic structure is crucial for their development, as local, atomic-scale electrostatic interactions control both the ion-ion ion-dipole that underpin all applications of...
Abstract Platinum nanoparticles stabilized by imidazolium‐based phosphine‐decorated Polymer Immobilized Ionic Liquids (PPh 2 ‐PIIL) catalyze the hydrolytic evolution of hydrogen from sodium borohydride with remarkable efficiency, under mild conditions. The composition polymer influences efficiency catalyst based on a polyethylene glycol modified imidazolium monomer (PtNP@PPh ‐PEGPIILS) more active than its N‐alkylated counterpart ‐ N ‐decylPIILS). maximum initial TOF 169 moleH .molcat −1...
Using a combination of liquid-phase X-ray spectroscopy experiments and small-scale calculations we have gained new insights into the speciation halozincate anions in ionic liquids.
We demonstrate a combined experimental and computational approach to probe the electronic structure atomic environment of an ionic liquid, based on core level binding energies. The 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate [C4C1Im][SCN] liquid was studied using ab initio molecular dynamics, results were compared against previously published new X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data. long-held assumption that initial-state effects in XPS dominate measured energies is proven correct, which...
Non-resonant and resonant photoelectron spectroscopy was used to measure electronic structure descriptors for 60 ionic liquids, allowing the development of design rules predict a further 516 liquids.
We present the synthesis of metal nanowires in a multiplexed device configuration using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as nanoscale vector templates. The SWNT templates control dimensionality wires, allowing precise their size, shape, and orientation; moreover, solution-processable approach enables linear deposition between specific electrode pairs electronic devices. Electrical characterization demonstrated successful fabrication nanowire devices, while multiscale different steps...
Abstract Unsupported and SiO 2 ‐supported Ni nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesised via hot‐injection colloidal route using oleylamine (OAm) trioctylphosphine (TOP) as reducing protective agents, respectively. By adopting a multi‐length scale structural characterization, it was found that by changing equivalents of OAm TOP not only the size is affected but also electronic structure. The synthetized NPs modified with ( R , )‐tartaric acid (TA) investigated in asymmetric hydrogenation methyl...
Ruthenium nanoparticles stabilised by polymer immobilized ionic liquids catalyse the hydrolytic release of hydrogen from sodium borohydride. The composition influences performance and ruthenium an amine-decorated imidazolium-based immobilised liquid ([email protected]2-PIILS) was most efficient with a maximum initial turnover frequency (TOF) 177 moleH2.molRu−1.min−1, obtained at 30°C catalyst loading 0.08 mol%; markedly higher than that 69 molH2.molRu−1.min−1 5 wt% Ru/C one highest to be...
Abstract Near ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP-XPS) was used to study the chemical states of a range alumina-supported monometallic Pd and bimetallic Pd–Pt nanocatalysts, under methane oxidation conditions. It has been suggested before that for optimal complete oxidation, palladium needs be in an oxidised state. These experiments, combining NAP-XPS with broad characterisation techniques, demonstrate clear link between Pt presence, catalyst activity stoichiometric...
Understanding the interaction of amino acids with metal surfaces is essential for rational design chiral modifiers able to confer enantioselectivity catalysts. Here, we present an investigation adsorption aspartic acid (Asp) on Ni{100} surface, using a combination synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), near-edge absorption fine structure, and density functional theory simulations. Based combined analysis experimental simulated data, can identify dominant mode as pentadentate...
Valence electronic structure is crucial for understanding and predicting reactivity. non-resonant X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NRXPS) provides a direct method probing the overall valence structure. However, it often difficult to separate varying contributions NRXPS; example, of solutes in solvents or functional groups complex molecules. In this work we show that resonant (RXPS) vital tool obtaining atomic states. We combine RXPS with NRXPS density theory calculations demonstrate...
Ruthenium nanoparticles stabilised by polymer immobilized ionic liquids catalyse the hydrolytic release of hydrogen from sodium borohydride. The composition influences performance and ruthenium an amine-decorated imidazolium-based immobilised liquid (RuNP@NH 2 -PIILS) was most efficient with a maximum TOF 177 mole H2 .mol Ru -1 .min , obtained at 30 °C catalyst loading 0.08 mol%; markedly higher than that 69 mol 5 wt% Ru/C one highest to be reported for RuNP catalyst. apparent activation...
Abstract We present the synthesis of metal nanowires in a multiplexed device configuration using single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as nanoscale vector templates. The SWNT templates control dimensionality wires, allowing precise their size, shape, and orientation; moreover, solution‐processable approach enables linear deposition between specific electrode pairs electronic devices. Electrical characterization demonstrated successful fabrication nanowire devices, while multiscale different...
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and