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The heterogenization of homogeneous complexes to combine the advantages of both approaches in catalysis has been attracting researchers and industries over the last decades. The common approaches are based on the grafting of homogeneous catalysts or their encapsulation in small-sized porous matrixes, which often affect the state of the complex and the catalytic performance. Herein, we propose a new approach of heterogenization of homogeneous complexes such as tris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium dichloride by encapsulation in solid micelles during the synthesis of MCM-41 with subsequent narrowing of the pores by recrystallization. The prepared materials demonstrate stable catalytic performance without leaching of the complex at the activities comparable to the pure complex in the hydrogenation reactions. The key advantage of this technology is that it allows performing catalysis in an aqueous phase at complex insoluble conditions. The solid micelles provide a soluble environment for the complex with high intrinsic activity regardless of the solvent in the reactor.

The production of n-paraffins from biomass derivatives appears as an alternative to petroleum-derived compounds for the production of fuels, energy, and chemicals. Deoxygenation reactions, especially decarboxylation (DCX), are economically viable and are generally carried out with noble metal catalysts (Pt and Pd). Taking into account the cost and deactivation issues related to these catalysts, the development of non-noble metal catalysts is highly desirable yet challenging. For this purpose, non-noble monometallic catalysts (Ni, Fe, Cu, and Ag) and Ni-based bimetallic catalysts were studied for the DCX of palmitic acid (PA). Surprisingly, Ni–Cu/C systems were by far the most advantageous; the presence of Cu prevents the deactivation of the catalyst, decreases the reduction temperature, and significantly improves the yield of n-pentadecane (n-PD). The as-prepared catalysts formed a Ni–Cu alloy, but Cu- and Ni-rich phases were formed upon annealing. The higher Ni content in the 10% Ni 10% Cu/C catalyst resulted in a higher proportion of metallic Ni on the surface and a higher charge transfer from Ni to Cu. Thus, the best catalytic performance with full PA conversion and 95% selectivity to n-PD in 6 h was obtained at 320 °C, using 10 vol% of H2in N2and an operating pressure of 40 bar. Furthermore, this catalyst exhibited excellent recyclability under similar reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies confirmed the high catalyst selectivity, and excellent performance was observed for the DCX of stearic acid. This highlights the potential of this Ni–Cu catalyst for DCX of other fatty acids.

Direct methanol oxidation is expected to play a central role in low-polluting future power sources. However, the sluggish and complex electro-oxidation of methanol is one of the limiting factors for any practical application. To solve this issue, the use of plasmonic is considered as a promising way to accelerate the methanol oxidation reaction. In this study, we report on a novel approach for achieving enhanced methanol oxidation currents. Perforated gold thin film anodes were decorated with Pt/Ru via electrochemical deposition and investigated for their ability for plasmon-enhanced electrocatalytic methanol oxidation in alkaline media. The novel methanol oxidation anode (AuNHs/PtRu), combining the strong light absorption properties of a gold nanoholes array-based electrode (AuNHs) with surface-anchored bimetallic Pt/Ru nanostructures, known for their high activity toward methanol oxidation, proved to be highly efficient in converting methanol via the hot holes generated in the plasmonic electrode. Without light illumination, AuNHs/PtRu displayed a maximal current density of 13.7 mA/cm2at −0.11 V vs Ag/AgCl. Enhancement to 17.2 mA/cm2was achieved under 980 nm laser light illumination at a power density of 2 W/cm2. The thermal effect was negligible in this system, underlining a dominant plasmon process. Fast generation and injection of charge carriers were also evidenced by the abrupt change in the current density upon laser irradiation. The good stability of the interface over several cycles makes this system interesting for methanol electro-oxidation.

Catalysis, irrespective of its form can be considered as one of the most important pillars of today’s chemical industry. The development of new catalysts with improved performances is therefore a highly strategic issue. However, the a prioritheoretical design of the best catalyst for a desired reaction is not yet possible and a time- and money-consuming experimental phase is still needed to develop a new catalyst for a given reaction. The REALCAT platform described in this paper consists in a complete, unique, integrated and top-level high-throughput technologies workflow that allows a significant acceleration of this kind of research. This is illustrated by some preliminary results of optimization of the operating conditions of glycerol dehydration to acrolein over an heteropolyacid-based supported catalyst. It is shown that using REALCAT high-throughput tools a more than 10-fold acceleration of the operating conditions optimization process is obtained.