Issue 5, 2024

Au nanoparticles confined in self-assembled Zn(ii) metal–organic cubane cages for light-driven conversion of furfural to 2-methyl furan in biofuel production

Abstract

A polyoxometalate Zn(II) cubane cage with intrinsic confined spaces constructed by the self-assembly of tetrametallic cubane clusters was obtained and utilized as a skeletal support for the encapsulation of gold nanoparticles. AuNP-encapsulated Zn(II) cubane cages (ZnCC@AuNPs) were characterized using FTIR, TGA, BET, SEM, TEM, XPS, and PXRD analysis. The catalytic activity of ZnCC@AuNPs for the hydrogenation of furfural to 2-methyl furan, which is an active precursor for biofuel production, was investigated. The anchored AuNPs generate Au–H species under visible light and catalyse the reaction in 2-propanol at 60 °C, yielding >99% of the product in just 1.5 h. The reaction kinetics and mechanism were confirmed by in situ ATR-IR and DFT studies. The parameter optimization suggested exceptional chemical stability and reusability of ZnCC@AuNPs as a catalyst without any agglomeration even after several cycles of use. These intriguing features are suitable for developing sustainably viable catalysts for the biomass refinery industry.

Graphical abstract: Au nanoparticles confined in self-assembled Zn(ii) metal–organic cubane cages for light-driven conversion of furfural to 2-methyl furan in biofuel production

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
25 Oct 2023
Accepted
11 Dec 2023
First published
12 Dec 2023

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2024,12, 1683-1692

Au nanoparticles confined in self-assembled Zn(II) metal–organic cubane cages for light-driven conversion of furfural to 2-methyl furan in biofuel production

S. Thakur, J. Rohilla, K. Kumar, R. Singh, V. Kaur and R. Kamboj, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2024, 12, 1683 DOI: 10.1039/D3TC03896C

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