Volume 63, Issue 13 e202314650
Research Article

Amphiphilic Covalent Organic Framework Nanoparticles for Pickering Emulsion Catalysis with Size Selectivity

Prof. Houbing Zou

Corresponding Author

Prof. Houbing Zou

Shanxi Key Laboratory of Coal-based Value-added Chemicals Green Catalysis Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

Shanxi Research Institute of Huairou Laboratory, Taiyuan, 030032 China

Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education for Fine Chemicals, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

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Prof. Qibiao Li

Prof. Qibiao Li

Shanxi Key Laboratory of Coal-based Value-added Chemicals Green Catalysis Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

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Rongyan Zhang

Rongyan Zhang

Shanxi Key Laboratory of Coal-based Value-added Chemicals Green Catalysis Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

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Zeshan Xiong

Zeshan Xiong

State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China

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Binghua Li

Binghua Li

Shanxi Key Laboratory of Coal-based Value-added Chemicals Green Catalysis Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

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Prof. Junhao Wang

Prof. Junhao Wang

Institute of Crystalline Materials, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

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Prof. Runwei Wang

Prof. Runwei Wang

State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China

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Prof. Qianrong Fang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Qianrong Fang

State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China

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Prof. Hengquan Yang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Hengquan Yang

Shanxi Key Laboratory of Coal-based Value-added Chemicals Green Catalysis Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

Shanxi Research Institute of Huairou Laboratory, Taiyuan, 030032 China

Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education for Fine Chemicals, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 China

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First published: 31 January 2024
Citations: 3

Graphical Abstract

Covalent organic framework (COF) nanoparticles constructed with highly hydrophobic monomers as linkers were demonstrated to show a superior amphiphilicity for the formation of stable Pickering emulsions. Because of the high surface areas and tunable pore diameters of COFs, Pickering emulsion catalysis with both a high reaction efficiency and a remarkable size selectivity was achieved.

Abstract

Exploiting advanced amphiphilic solid catalysts is crucial to the development of Pickering emulsion catalysis. Herein, covalent organic framework (COF) nanoparticles constructed with highly hydrophobic monomers as linkers were found to show superior amphiphilicity and they were then developed as a new class of solid emulsifiers for Pickering emulsion catalysis. Employing amphiphilic COFs as solid emulsifiers, Pickering emulsions with controllable emulsion type and droplet sizes were obtained. COF materials have also been demonstrated to serve as porous surface coatings to replace traditional surface modifications for stabilizing Pickering emulsions. After implanting Pd nanoparticles into amphiphilic COFs, the obtained catalyst displayed a 3.9 times higher catalytic efficiency than traditional amphiphilic solid catalysts with surface modifications in the biphasic oxidation reaction of alcohols. Such an enhanced activity was resulted from the high surface area and regular porous structure of COFs. More importantly, because of their tunable pore diameters, Pickering emulsion catalysis with remarkable size selectivity was achieved. This work is the first example that COFs were applied in Pickering emulsion catalysis, providing a platform for exploring new frontiers of Pickering emulsion catalysis.

Conflict of interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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