Passivating the pH‐Responsive Sites to Configure a Widely pH‐Stable Emulsifier for High‐Efficiency Benzyl Alcohol Oxidation. Issue 7 (3rd March 2022) - Shan, Yuanyuan
Abstract: Widely pH‐stable emulsions configured by solid emulsifiers with high chemical stabilities and anti‐corrosion properties under strong acid or alkaline conditions are highly sought after for practical and wide application of Pickering interfacial catalysis. Herein, a unique strategy was reported for synthesis of a widely pH‐stable and novel emulsifier by passivating the pH‐responsive sites on graphene oxide nanoribbon (GONR) surface using ionic liquid (IL). The suitable wettability of GONR‐IL was derived from the positive binding energy between IL and water, which ensured the stability of the emulsion in a wide pH range. Benefiting from the passivated surface chemistry of GONR, the emulsion microreactor stabilized by GONR‐IL exhibited a remarkable stability over a wide range of pH values. A GONR‐IL‐supported Pd catalyst stabilized at the toluene–water interface achieved an excellent emulsion catalytic activity for benzyl alcohol oxidation (conversion of 92 %), which was exceedingly higher than that of Pd/GONR (<1 %), Pd/CNTs‐IL (51 %), or Pd/GO‐IL (8 %). Abstract : Amphiphilicity : A widely pH‐stable emulsifier is fabricated via passivating the pH‐responsive sites of graphene oxide nanoribbon (GONR). The surface properties of GONR emulsifier are regulated from super‐hydrophilicity to amphiphilicity, confirmed by the weakened binding energy between GONR‐IL and water. The unique characteristics of GONR‐IL configure stable reaction interfacial areas, leading to high catalytic activity.