Designing differentiated charge distributed interface has been considered as effective strategy to boost photocatalysis. However, it is still difficult to realize the directional strong polarization to continuous drive directional charge transfer. Here, we present a polarization state reinforcement strategy by coupling Bi19S27Cl3 with covalent triazine framework (CTF) atomic layers via strong bonding. The intrinsic Bi1 & horbar;S & horbar;Bi2 polarize site pair in Bi19S27Cl3 enables rapid bulk charge transport, while interfacial Bi & horbar;C/N bond further strengthens the Bi1 & horbar;S & horbar;Bi2 polarization and favors fast interfacial electron transfer from Bi19S27Cl3 to CTF. Then, the electron-rich triazine N in CTF will serve as reactive sites to reduce the adsorbed NO3 - to NH4 +, with NH4 + generation rate of 13.65 mmol g-1 h-1 in 320-780 nm, and apparent quantum yield up to 46.7% at 380 nm, 30.5% at 400 nm, which is superior to most reported photocatalyst. Moreover, the gradual shift from non-covalent interactions of *NO over CTF to covalent interactions over CTF/Bi19S27Cl3 can help to stabilize the intermediate and lower the rate-limiting step energy barrier.
Energetic ammonium salts are a class of oxidizer materials widely used in solid-propellant systems, and it's crucial to seek efficient catalysts to advance their in-depth applications. This study employs a combined approach of theoretical calculations and experimental to investigate the pyrolysis mechanisms of reactive molecules (NH3, HClO4, HNO3, and HN(NO2)(2)) derived from energetic ammonium salts (AP, AN, and ADN) over various graphite-based single-atom catalysts (SACs). Free energy calculations reveal that Co SAC exhibits superior catalytic activity, dominating in the pyrolysis of NH3 and HNO3, while Cu SAC slightly outperforms Co SAC in HClO4 pyrolysis. The Co SAC favors the occurrence of the *HN(NO2)(2)->*N/*NO pathway, whereas the Cu SAC demonstrates more pronounced promotion of the *HN(NO2)(2)->*N2O pathway. Due to the inferior reactant adsorption and product desorption capabilities, Zn SAC exhibits the weakest catalytic performance. The Co/Cu/Zn SACs structurally analogous to theoretical models were successfully synthesized via ball-milling. TG-DSC analysis confirmed their catalytic efficiencies align with theoretical predictions (Co > Cu > Zn). Particularly, Co SAC reduces the high-temperature decomposition peak of AP by 84.85 degrees C. Furthermore, hygroscopicity simulations and water contact angle measurements elucidate how graphite-based SACs mitigate ammonium salt hygroscopicity. This study provides guidance for the development of multifunctional catalysts for energetic ammonium salts.
Catalyzing ammonium perchlorate (AP) thermal decomposition is essential for improving the energy release of composite solid propellants. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) show great potential in AP catalysis, but systematic research on their regulation of AP decomposition and propellant combustion remains insufficient. Herein, four carbon black-supported transition metal single-atom catalysts (M-SACs, M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) were prepared via a coordination adsorption-pyrolysis strategy, and their atomic dispersion and coordination structure were systematically characterized. Thermal tests demonstrate that Cu-SAC delivers the best catalytic performance, reducing AP's high-temperature decomposition peak by 103.6°C, increasing heat release by 4.1 times, and lowering activation energy by 96.3 kJ/mol. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm that Cu-N active sites strongly adsorb key intermediates (NH3 and HClO) and weakly bind final products, providing a thermodynamic basis for its superior catalytic activity. In AP-based propellants, Cu-SAC increases burning rate by 25.6% and shortens ignition delay by 23.1%, while effectively suppressing molten aluminum agglomeration and reducing condensed combustion product size by 61%. This work establishes the multi-scale structure-activity relationship of Cu-N coordination, offering a new route for the design of high-performance propellant combustion catalysts.
Comprehensive Summary Catalytic reduction of unsaturated substrates provides a powerful tool for bulk and fine chemical synthesis. However, very few examples have been reported on the reductive transformation of thioamides, presumably because of the poisoning of catalysts by sulfur‐containing molecules. Herein, we describe an efficient and sustainable hydrogenative coupling of thioamides with olefins under electrocatalytic conditions. The key to success for this reductive process is the application of an earth‐abundant cobalt complex as the cost‐effective and robust molecular electrocatalyst. As only protons (H + ) and electrons (e – ) as the hydrogen source and redox equivalent, this polarity‐reversed electrochemical protocol is showcased by highly selective and straightforward synthesis of a wide range of α‐branched amines, as well as deuterium isotope labeling applications. Over 60 α‐branched amines, including 12 deuterated analogues, have been successfully synthesized. Notably, a variety of functional groups, including aryl halides, esters, and nitriles, are well tolerated under the mild electrochemical conditions. Furthermore, late‐stage modification of complex molecules has also been achieved. Mechanistic studies indicate that the in‐situ generated imines and α‐amino radicals by cobalt‐electrocatalytic desulfurization of thioamides are identified as the key intermediates in this transformation. This work provides an alternative and versatile method for the synthesis of structurally diverse α‐branched amines, with advantages including sustainability, high selectivity, and compatibility with isotope labeling and complex molecular functionalization.
Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CH4 is a promising strategy for converting renewable energy into a desirable high-energy-density fuel with significant compatibility with the existing natural gas infrastructure. However, conventional alkaline and neutral CO2-to-CH4 systems exhibit low carbon utilization due to the loss of CO2 into (bi)carbonate. Conducting CO2 electroreduction in acid can alleviate carbonation issues but suffers from moderate CH4 selectivity owing to competing hydrogen evolution. Herein, we report that thiocyanate (SCN-), a well-known poison in electrocatalysis, can remarkably enhance acidic electrocatalytic CO2-to-CH4 performance, specifically resulting in a record-high CH4 Faradaic efficiency of 81.8% (accompanied by a CH4 partial current density of 213.3 mA cm-2) and a single-pass carbon efficiency of 65.2% when using a CeO2-supported Cu single-atom material as the model catalyst. We demonstrate that SCN- enables the coordination with Cu single sites, forming the SCN--stabilized Cu(I) species, which effectively suppresses the competing hydrogen evolution reaction and, more importantly, manipulates the binding of *CHO to promote its protonation to *CHOH, thereby leading to selective and efficient CH4 production. This work highlights the unique role of thiocyanate in promoting the selective reduction of CO2 to CH4 and offers insights into the design of surface chemistry for precise regulation of catalytic processes to achieve targeted product production.
Controllable energy release in solid propellants has always been a challenging technology, and extensive efforts have been devoted to the synthesis and application of catalysts to achieve its controllable release. In this study, tannic acid (TA) and its complexes (TA-Cu) were introduced into boron@ammonium perchlorate (B@AP) composites using in situ self-assembly technique, and the core-shell-structured B@TA (TA-Cux)@AP composites with controllable energy release characteristics were prepared. The TA layer enhanced the combustion performance and energy output of B-based composites by promoting close contact between B and AP, with the pressurization rate of 9.276 MPa s-1 and the light intensity of 3.797. It can also facilitate the rapid release of energy, thus meeting the needs of high-performance propellants. In addition, the performance of B-based composites was regulated using Cu single atoms, which facilitated their stable and efficient release with a pressurization rate of 2.905 MPa s-1, a light intensity of 2.345, and an ignition delay time of 0.576 s, as well as a long combustion duration and a low flame growth rate. Furthermore, Cu single atoms with high catalytic activity in the TA-Cu interfacial layer also effectively improve the thermal decomposition and combustion performance of B@AP and its heat of explosion, thus realizing its fast and efficient ignition characteristics and controllable combustion performance. It is also expected to provide long-lasting thrust for long-range rockets and cruise missiles. Foreseeably, the present study was able to regulate the properties of the B-based composites by simply adjusting the ion content, thus meeting the demands of various burning rates. (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(TA)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(TA-Cu)(sic)(sic)(sic)@(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(B@AP)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)B@TA (TA-Cux)@AP(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).TA(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)B(sic)AP(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)B(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)9.276 MPa s-1,(sic)(sic)(sic)3.797.(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)Cu(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)B(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)2.905 MPa s-1,(sic)(sic)(sic)2.345,(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)0.576 s,(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic),TA-Cu(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)Cu(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)B@AP(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)B(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).
In the manufacturing of modified double-base (MDB) propellants, comprising nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin, calendered intermediate products are subjected to continuous thermal processing during manufacturing, where heat accumulation may trigger pyrolysis and potential ignition. Although numerous studies have investigated the thermal behavior of final MDB propellants, the safety of calendered intermediates remains insufficiently explored, especially under representative processing conditions. To address this gap, this study systematically investigates the pyrolysis pathways and ignition mechanisms of calendered MDB intermediates by integrating microscale thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry-Fourier transform infrared-mass spectrometry (TG-DSC-FTIR-MS) with macroscale programmed hot-surface heating tests. Both analyses consistently revealed a three-stage behavior: thermal softening, melting and foaming, and rapid decomposition/burning, accompanied by the release of CO2, NO2, NO, CH2O, HCN, and N2O. Kinetic analysis showed that the average activation energy in stage I (52.0 kJ/mol) is 63.4% lower than that in stage II(142.1 kJ/mol), indicating a particular susceptibility to nitroglycerin-dominated initial decomposition-a primary fire hazard during production. Notably, the macroscale mass loss at 110 degrees C reached 7.1%, considerably exceeding the microscale value (3.6%) and underscoring the enhanced reactivity under bulk heating conditions. Ignition occurred at approximately 226 degrees C, followed by the peak concentrations of N2O (65 ppm) and NO2 (45 ppm). Statistical analysis further identified a combustion probability threshold between 220 degrees C and 230 degrees C, verifying that temperature and gas concentration are critical predictors of ignition. These findings highlight the elevated thermal risks associated with calendered propellant intermediates and provide a theoretical basis for design of safer manufacturing processes for MDB propellants.
Ammonia (NH3) serves as a key component in the majority of fertilizers, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The conventional Haber-Bosch process is highly energy-intensive, accounting for 2% of global energy consumption annually and contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, photothermal catalysis, driven by light energy, has emerged as a highly promising approach to synthesizing ammonia under green and mild conditions. By leveraging the synergy between the photochemical and thermochemical effects of sunlight, this method drives chemical reactions efficiently, which offers significant potential to enhance reaction rates and tune selectivity. This review begins with a brief introduction to the principles and limitations of conventional thermal catalysis, highlighting the advantages and mechanisms of photothermal ammonia synthesis. It then categorizes different types of photothermal ammonia synthesis based on their primary reaction pathways. Furthermore, design strategies for photothermal catalysts and methods to improve catalytic activity are discussed. Finally, perspectives and forward-looking suggestions are provided for the future development of photothermal ammonia synthesis.
With the increasing severity of global climate change and the enhanced greenhouse effect, the effective utilization of CO2 has become a pressing challenge. Electrochemical reduction of CO2 (eCO2RR) not only helps to lower its atmospheric concentration but also transforms it into valuable chemicals or fuels, such as carbon monoxide, methane, and ethylene. Metal phthalocyanine (MePc)-based catalysts, with well-defined active metal centers and highly tunable molecular structures, show great promise in eCO2RR and have been extensively studied in recent years. This review firstly summarizes the reaction pathways involved in converting CO2 into C1 and C2/2+ products, followed by an in-depth discussion on recent advancements in MePc-based catalysts for eCO2RR. Emphasis is placed on molecular regulation strategies of MePcs, including metal center modulation, molecule immobilization, and substituent engineering, aiming to explore the structure-performance relationships of these catalysts and elucidate the fundamental principles guiding the design of efficient eCO2RR electrocatalysts based on MePc-derived materials. Finally, challenges and potential opportunities in the development of MePc-based catalysts for eCO2RR are proposed.
Nitrogen-rich heterocyclic energetic materials typically exhibit significantly negative oxygen balances, leading to incomplete energy release. The investigation of interaction mechanisms between nitrogen-rich heterocyclic compounds and oxidizers during thermal decomposition is crucial for optimizing their energy output and practical applications. Taking dihydroxylammonium 5, 5 '-bistetrazole-1, 1 '-diolate (TKX-50), ammonium perchlorate (AP), and the TKX-50/AP composite system as model systems, we conducted machine learning potential-based molecular dynamics simulations and identified three key interaction mechanisms between TKX-50 and AP: (1) Proton transfer between reorganized ions accelerates reaction kinetics; (2) the high oxygen content of AP promotes the oxidation of carbon and hydrogen in TKX-50, increasing the production of CO2 and H2O, while simultaneously enhancing the cleavage of C-N bonds in the heterocycles, thereby facilitating the formation of N2; (3) oxidizing species derived from AP convert NO from TKX-50 into NO2, which competes with hydrogen-mediated NO2 reduction, ultimately leading to increased NO emissions. Notably, the effects generated by interaction (2) and (3) represent universal oxidizer effects on nitrogen-rich heterocycles: although significantly improving energy release efficiency (62.02 % increase in the TKX-50/AP system), oxidizer incorporation unavoidably elevates NO gas production, partially compromising the clean combustion advantage intrinsic to nitrogen-rich compounds. These atomic-level insights establish a fundamental framework for balancing energy output and environmental impact in advanced energetic material design.
Selective hydrogenolysis of C-O bonds in lignin is widely regarded as the most promising strategy for generating high-value chemicals and clean liquid fuels. Ni-Ru bimetallic catalyst supported on solid superacid was successfully synthesized and applied to the cleavage of C-O bonds in diphenyl ether (DPE) and alkali lignin. The catalytic hydrogenolysis of DPE over a 10%Ni-0.5%Ru-S2O8 2-/ZrO2 catalyst produced 88.0% cyclohexanol. Additionally, 10%Ni-0.5%Ru-S2O8 2-/ZrO2 catalyzed the depolymerization of alkali lignin in high yields of phenolic compounds, primarily including guaiacol and methoxyphenol. The synergistic effect between Ni and Ru promoted electron transfer from Ni to Ru. The incorporation of Ru improved the dispersion of Ni and reduced the average particle size of metallic Ni. The strong acidity of the solid superacid support provided abundant acidic sites, facilitating hydrogen atom adsorption and thereby promoting C-O bonds cleavage.
Methane dry reforming offers a promising approach for converting CH4 and CO2 into valuable syngas, while its application is restricted by catalyst deactivation and carbon deposition. Here, we report a well-designed heterostructured plasmonic photocatalyst consisting of a plasmonically active Ag core and a catalytically active Ir cage selectively grown on the vertices and edges of the Ag core, which preserves strong plasmonic absorption and enables the significant concentration of electromagnetic energy on the Ir cage, as well as the selective dissipation of that energy to generate hot carriers. This heterostructured plasmonic photocatalyst demonstrates long-term stability (300 h), high selectivity (>97%), and much enhanced H2 and CO production in light-driven methane dry reforming. We demonstrate that light-excited hot carriers, coupled with electron-enriched Ir sites, enhance the activation of CO2 and CH4, and facilitate the conversion of *CH intermediates to *CHO, thereby preventing coke formation and contributing to the high catalytic performance.
Rational microstructure design and compositional regulation have emerged as effective pathways to enhance electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption, However, simultaneously achieving strong absorption, broad bandwidth, thin thickness and low filler loading remains challenging. Herein, three-dimensional hierarchical heterostructures comprising amorphous carbon-wrapped magnetite supported on flower-like reduced graphene oxide (Fe₃O₄@C/FRGO) was constructed through spray-drying assembly, spatially confined solvothermal crystallization, and defect-modulated carbonization. By tailoring the reduction degree of FRGO and tuning ferrite composition through thermal treatment, the dielectric-magnetic properties and interfacial interactions are precisely regulated. With merely ≈ 3.26 wt
Reversible metal electrodeposition has attracted extensive attention for its ability to achieve color–neutral switching between transparent and black states; however, its color expression remains relatively limited, making it difficult to meet the demand for versatile color modulation. This work proposes a hybrid deposition strategy that combines metal and nonmetal redox processes in a single electrochromic device. The metal component involves codeposition of Cu 2+ and Bi 3+ ions for high‐contrast black‐state formation, while the nonmetal component utilizes reversible Br − /Br 3 − conversion. Br 3 − is further stabilized via complexation with 1‐methyl‐3‐propylimidazolium ion (MPI + ) to form yellow MPIBr 3 , enabling a transparent‐to‐yellow transition. These two processes are synergistically driven and precisely controlled by applied voltages, allowing reversible switching among transparent, black, and yellow within a single device. The device exhibits a high optical modulation of up to 60.8% in the yellow state, and the transmittance can be modulated below 1% in the black state, demonstrating excellent color neutrality and privacy protection. Moreover, after 24 h of resting, the transmittance increases by only 1.3%, indicating outstanding open‐circuit stability. This multicolor dynamic switching capability not only fulfills the functional requirements of smart windows for privacy and light regulation but also offers enriched color expression of aesthetic value.
The shock response of energetic materials serves as a critical bridge connecting microscopic mechanisms with weapon performance and safety, yet comprehensive atomic-level insights remain scarce. In this study, we developed a universally applicable machine learning potential (MLP) for TKX-50, capable of predicting its thermodynamic and mechanical properties across extreme temperature and pressure ranges while maintaining first-principles accuracy. MLP-driven molecular dynamics simulations reveal pronounced anisotropic shock responses in TKX-50, which results from the coupling of structural, mechanical, and chemical responses. Most strikingly, the structural features of TKX-50 lead to distinct shock-accelerated chemical reactions along different crystallographic directions. Specifically, shock along the [1 0 0] direction primarily promote bistetrazolate anion polymerization, those along the [0 1 0] direction mainly enhance proton transfer between hydroxylammonium cations and bistetrazolate anions, while shock along the [0 0 1] direction predominantly accelerate hydroxylammonium cation decomposition. These microscopic mechanisms correspond to macroscopic anisotropic shock sensitivity, with the [0 0 1] direction being the most sensitive and the [1 0 0] direction the least sensitive. The occurrence of chemical reactions concurrently feeds back into the structural evolution, with the intensity of atomic motion following the sequence: [0 0 1] > [0 1 0] > [1 0 0]. In contrast, the substantial structural disordering induced by chemical reactions causes the reacted Hugoniot response of TKX-50 to trend toward isotropy, with the sound speed and bulk modulus of TKX-50 being 5.61 km/s and 44.99 GPa, respectively.
Photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution from glycerol reforming represents a green and sustainable strategy for H2 production while simultaneously integrating biomass utilization. However, this reaction is limited by the narrow-spectrum light absorption and low charge separation and transfer efficiency of the current photocatalysts. In this study, an S-scheme MoO3-x-CdZnS (MO-CZS) heterojunction photocatalyst exhibiting a strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect was fabricated via an electrostatic self-assembly strategy, demonstrating high full-spectrum light absorption from the ultraviolet (UV) to the near-infrared (NIR) region and an impressive photothermal conversion effect. Meanwhile, the built-in electric field formed at the S-scheme interface induced directional charge transfer, enabling efficient photogenerated carrier separation and migration. Consequently, the optimized MO-CZS heterojunction photocatalyst achieved a hydrogen evolution rate of 352.4 μmol g-1 h-1 from glycerol reforming under visible-to-NIR light irradiation, approximately four times that of pristine CdZnS (88 μmol g-1 h-1), and maintained high catalytic stability. This study provides a new insight into designing full-spectrum-responsive photocatalysts for biomass reforming toward hydrogen production through the synergistic integration of LSPR effect and S-scheme mechanisms.
Nano-thermite (Al/CuO) exhibits high reactivity and energy density, but its application is often limited by issues such as nanoparticle agglomeration and inhomogeneous mixing. This study presents an innovative strategy that employs microfluidic technology to overcome these challenges. Molecular dynamics simulations identified F2603 as an optimal binder for improving interfacial stability. By precise regulation of multiphase flow within microchannels, Al/CuO@F2603 composite microspheres were successfully fabricated, featuring excellent dispersibility, high sphericity, and strong hydrophobicity. Among formulations with varying aluminum content (30%, 40%, and 50%), the Al/CuO@F2603-2 sample (containing 40% Al) demonstrated superior performance. Specifically, its initial exothermic peak occurred approximately 200 °C lower than that of raw Al powder, achieving a maximum heat release of 1929.8 J/g and a unique deflagration phenomenon. Constant-volume combustion tests further confirmed its exceptional reactivity, showing an ignition delay of 0.157 s, a 43 ms combustion duration, a peak pressurization rate of 5.633 MPa/s, and an ignition energy of 4.472 J. This enhanced performance is attributed to the near-stoichiometric Al/CuO thermite reaction combined with a pre-ignition reaction (PIR) between the binder and aluminum. Overall, this work provides valuable theoretical guidance for designing advanced energetic composites with high reactivity, hydrophobicity, and sphericity.
The hydrolysis of the C-O bonds in lignin-derived compounds represents a significant pathway for the synthesis of oxygen-containing chemicals. The development of a support with hydrophilic properties represents a crucial step in this reaction. Glucose is a particularly suitable precursor for the preparation of hydrophilic-activated carbon due to its abundance of oxygen functional groups. In this study, Ni/HACs, prepared by using glucose, were employed. The high specific surface area of Ni/HAC-6-7 is conducive to the dispersion of Ni, resulting in the smallest metal particle size and the highest Ni0 concentration. Additionally, its favorable hydrophilicity facilitates the entry of water molecules, which are essential for the reaction, into the reactive sites. Under mild conditions (180 degrees C and 1 MPa of H2), complete conversion of diphenyl ether was observed, along with a cyclohexanol selectivity of 63.7%. This study provides a strategy for the development of a lignin-directed hydrolysis process.
The efficient energy release of oxidizers and aluminum (Al) is of great significance in the field of highenergy propellants. Typically, the energy release efficiency of composite energetic materials is enhanced by improving the thermal decomposition and combustion of oxidizers or Al through the addition of catalytic materials. However, the catalysts primarily catalyze one of the components in composite energetic materials. Developing a strategy to simultaneously enhance the energy release of oxidizers and Al using catalysts holds significant appeal. In this study, the Cobalt (Co) nanoparticle interface layer was constructed on the surface of Al powder through a one-step redox reaction to improve the decomposition and combustion performance of the oxidizer@Al composites. The Co nanoparticles with high reactivity act as "transport centers" facilitating the rapid transport of external oxygen to the internal active Al powder, thereby enhancing the thermal oxidation efficiency of the Al powder. The highly active Co nanoparticles also accelerate the ultrafast thermal decomposition of oxidizers, especially reducing the thermal decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate@Al@Co-30% from 397.04 degrees C (AP@Al) to 311.69 degrees C. It also promotes the accumulation of products during the thermal decomposition of the oxidizers, and the HCl content in DAP@Al@Co-10% and the NO2 content in AP@Al@Co-10% and CL-20@Al@Co-10% significantly increased during their thermal decomposition, further confirming the pronounced catalytic effect of Co nanoparticles. Furthermore, the synergistic catalytic effect of Co nanoparticle transit centers on Al powder and oxidizers also promotes the full combustion of oxidizer@Al energetic microunits, resulting in a significant decrease in combustion duration and an obvious increase in maximum flame area and flame growth rate of oxidizer@Al composite energetic microunits. In brief, the Co nanoparticle transit centers established in this study simultaneously enhances the thermal decomposition and combustion properties of both Al powder and oxidizers, which is expected to significantly improve the energy release efficiency of propellants without changing their formulation. (c) 2025 China Ordnance Society. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).