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Mixed bandgap and bandgap tunability in semiconductors is critical in expanding their use. Composition altera-tions through single-crystal epitaxial growth and formation of multi-layer tandem structures are often employed to achieve mixed bandgaps albeit with limited tunability. In this study, self-assembled one-dimensional coordination polymers provide a fac-ile synthon and template for graphitic C-doped mesoporous oxides, gC-β-Ga₂O₃ or gC-In₂O₃ via controlled oxidative ligand ablation. These materials have mixed bandgaps, and colors, depending on amount of gC present. The carbon-oxide interface leads to induced gap states, hence, a stoichiometrically tunable band structure. Structurally, a multi-scale porous network percolating throughout the material is realized.more » The nature of heat-treatment and top-down process allows for facile tunabil-ity and formation of mixed bandgap metal oxides through controlled carbon deposition. As a proof of concept, gC-β-Ga₂O₃ was utilized as a photocatalyst for CO₂ reduction, which demonstrated excellent selectivity and conversion rates into CH₄ and CO.« less

Boron-containing materials have recently been identified as highly selective catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of alkanes to olefins. It has previously been demonstrated by several spectroscopic characterization techniques that the surface of these boron-containing ODH catalysts oxidize and hydrolyze under reaction conditions, forming an amorphous B₂(OH)_xO_(3–x/2) (x=0–6) layer. Yet, the precise nature of the active site(s) remains elusive. In this Communication, we provide a detailed characterization of zeolite MCM-22 isomorphously substituted with boron (B-MWW). Using ¹¹B solid-state NMR spectroscopy, we show that the majority of boron species in B-MWW exist as isolated BO₃ units, fully incorporated into the zeolite framework. However, thismore » material shows no catalytic activity for ODH of propane to propene. The catalytic inactivity of B-MWW for ODH of propane falsifies the hypothesis that site-isolated BO₃ units are the active site in boron-based catalysts. Furthermore, this observation is at odds with other traditionally studied catalysts like vanadium-based catalysts and provides an important piece of the mechanistic puzzle.« less

Abstract Boron‐containing materials have recently been identified as highly selective catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of alkanes to olefins. It has previously been demonstrated by several spectroscopic characterization techniques that the surface of these boron‐containing ODH catalysts oxidize and hydrolyze under reaction conditions, forming an amorphous B ₂ (OH) _x O _{(3− x /2)} ( x= 0–6) layer. Yet, the precise nature of the active site(s) remains elusive. In this Communication, we provide a detailed characterization of zeolite MCM‐22 isomorphously substituted with boron (B‐MWW). Using ¹¹ B solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, we show that the majoritymore » of boron species in B‐MWW exist as isolated BO ₃ units, fully incorporated into the zeolite framework. However, this material shows no catalytic activity for ODH of propane to propene. The catalytic inactivity of B‐MWW for ODH of propane falsifies the hypothesis that site‐isolated BO ₃ units are the active site in boron‐based catalysts. This observation is at odds with other traditionally studied catalysts like vanadium‐based catalysts and provides an important piece of the mechanistic puzzle.« less

We report on the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) activity of silica-supported boron oxide prepared via incipient wetness impregnation. Characterization of pristine and spent catalysts with infrared, Raman, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy reveals the presence of both isolated and aggregated oxidized boron sites. The results of these investigations, in combination with our earlier work on bulk boron-containing ODH catalysts (e.g., h-BN, metal borides, and elemental boron), give direct evidence that oxidized boron species formed in situ on the surface of these materials are responsible for the exceptional catalytic behavior. Furthermore, we anticipate that investigation of supported boron materials can provide insight intomore » the structural characteristics required for selective boron-containing ODH catalysts.« less

Coordination polymers are ideal synthons for high aspect ratio nanomaterials. Using conjugate acid-base pairs, liquid metals are etched and chelated in situ . Solubility-driven polymerization, precipitation, and self-assembly gives tunable structures.

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) were recently reported as highly selective catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of alkanes to olefins in the gas phase. Previous studies revealed a substantial increase in surface oxygen content after exposure to ODH conditions (heating to ca. 500 °C under a flow of alkane and oxygen); however, the complexity of these materials has thus far precluded an in-depth understanding of the oxygenated surface species. In this contribution, we combine advanced NMR spectroscopy experiments with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to characterize the molecular structure ofmore » the oxygen functionalized phase that arises on h-BN and BNNTs following catalytic testing for ODH of propane. The pristine BN materials are readily oxidized and hydrolyzed under ODH reaction conditions to yield a phase consisting of three coordinate boron sites with variable numbers of hydroxyl and bridging oxide groups which is denoted B(OH)_xO_3-x (where x = 0-3). Evidence for this robust oxide phase revises previous literature hypotheses of hydroxylated BN edges as the active component on h-BN.« less