Study of phase formation in heterogeneous synthesis of aluminum-ammonium hydroxocarbonate

Synthesis of ammonium aluminium carbonate hydroxide NH4AlCO3(OH)2 from hydrated alumina received by ammonization of ammonia alums NH4Al(SO4)2·12H2O was studied. It was found the synthesis of NH4AlCO3(OH)2 occurs without the formation of intermediate phases.

High-pressure vapor-solid transformation of 2D template to derive 2D Co-N-C electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Two-dimensional (2D) cobalt zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-67) have attracted significant research interests to synthesize cobalt and nitrogen co-doped carbon-based (Co-N-C) catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, most of the current synthetic approaches of 2D ZIF-67 are energy-intensive, environmentally hazardous and low-yield. Herein, a feasible and efficient “morphology-retaining method via a high-pressure vapor-solid reaction” are reported to synthesize 2D ZIF-67 nanosheets by using 2D cobalt carbonate hydroxide template. In the strategy, the high-pressure vapor caused by sublimation of 2-Melm and the pores formed from effusion of CO2 during transformation ensure the complete transformation from 2D template to 2D ZIF-67. The corresponding 2D Co-N-C catalyst exhibits comparable ORR electrocatalytic activity and better stability than Pt/C in alkaline media. The present method is expected to offer a feasible and universal way to efficiently synthesize 2D M-N-C catalysts.