J. Silvestre-Albero

• Dr.
• Professor (Associate) at University of Alicante

Although 1,3-butadiene hydrogenation is known to be a structure-sensitive reaction, correlation of the catalytic activity with the exact Pd particle surface structure shows that the reaction is in fact particle size independent.

Pt on mesostructured CeO(2) nanoparticles embedded within ultrathin layers of highly structured SiO(2) binder shows highest activity reported with 80% selectivity for the chemoselective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde. Characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), CO adsorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) show the pres...

The effect of the reduction temperature has been studied on ceria-supported bimetallic platinum–zinc catalysts prepared from H2PtCl6 and Pt(NH3)4(NO3)2 as the platinum precursors and Zn(NO3)2 as the zinc precursor. The catalysts have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), and X-ray photoelectron spect...

Novel nanostructured TiO2 and SiO2 based biocatalysts, with 3-4 wt. % of Pt have been developed. The obtained materials exhibit a high surface area together with a broad pore size distribution. The method of synthesis allowed obtaining high dispersed platinum metal nanoparticles. In vitro DNA reactivity test of the biocatalysts were carried out by...

Mesoporous Pt/C‐CeO2 catalysts for the combustion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were developed. The materials were obtained by nanoreplication of spherical silica gel. The pores of the SiO2 template were filled simultaneously with a solution of sucrose and Ce(III) nitrate, and the obtained composites were carbonized. After etching of the SiO...

People with end‐stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) require routine dialysis treatments to remove uremic toxins from the blood in order to minimize toxic symptoms. However, some hydrophobic toxins cannot be effectively removed using conventional hemodialysis techniques, especially when they are bound to plasma proteins. This work reports the first e...

After undergoing biological treatment, wastewater still contains substances with endotoxic activity, such as lipopolysaccharide. However, due to the increasing practice of treating wastewater to make it suitable for drinking (potable reuse), the removal of these endotoxic active materials is crucial. These substances can be harmful to human health,...

Safe storage and utilisation of hydrogen is an ongoing area of research, showing potential to enable hydrogen becoming an effective fuel, substituting current carbon-based sources. Hydrogen storage is associated with a high energy cost due to its low density and boiling point, which drives a high price. Clathrates (gas hydrates) are water-based (ic...

In the current work, carbon materials were used in the hydrogen adsorption process, specifically as carbons doped with platinum dispersed on ceria. The textural characterization results of the prepared samples and the starting carbon showed the presence of both micro‐ and mesopores. On the other hand, it has been observed that the specific areas we...

Fluorination is one of the most efficient and universal strategies to increase the hydrophobicity of materials and consequently their water stability. Zeolitic-imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), which have limited stability in aqueous media and even lower stability when synthesized on a nanometric scale, can greatly benefit from the incorporation of fl...

This study investigates the origin of low‐pressure hysteresis (LPH) in the adsorption and desorption of three different probe molecules: carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon, across various adsorption temperatures (from cryogenic to room temperature), and within five different carbon materials: synthetic carbons (pristine and one post‐synthetically...

This study evaluates the removal of several dyes with different charge properties, i.e., anionic (Acid Red 88), cationic (Basic Red 13), and neutral (Basic Red 5) using transition metal-doped TiO2 supported on a high-surface-area activated carbon. Experimental results confirm the successful deposition of TiO2 and the derivatives (Zr-, Cu-, and Ce-d...

Activated carbons were prepared from Amazonian biomass by means of microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization and activated with CO 2. These materials were investigated as methane adsorption sorbents. The prepared samples were submitted to textural investigations and comprehensive characterizations using scanning electron microscopy, Transmissio...

Hydrogen storage by cryoadsorption on porous materials has the advantages of low material cost, safety, fast kinetics, and high cyclic stability. The further development of this technology requires reliable data on the H2 uptake of the adsorbents, however, even for activated carbons the values between different laboratories show sometimes large dis...

The adsorption performance of ZIF-71 towards two common volatile organic compounds such as chlorobenzene and phenol has been evaluated using a number of experimental techniques and gran canonical Monte Carlo...

Space cooling and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) accounts for roughly 10% of global electricity use and is responsible for ca. 1.13 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Adsorbent-based HVAC technologies have long been touted as an energy-efficient alternative to traditional refrigeration systems. However, thus far, no suitable ad...

Here, we report the preparation of microporous-activated carbons from a Brazilian natural lignocellulosic agricultural waste, cupuassu shell, by pyrolysis at 500 ºC and KOH activation under different experimental conditions and their subsequent application as adsorbent for CO 2 capture. The effect of the KOH:precursor ratio (wt/wt%) and the activat...

A series of UiO-66 materials with different functional groups (-H, -NH2, and -NO2) have been evaluated for the adsorption and release of a common ocular drug such as brimonidine tartrate. UiO-66 samples were synthesized under solvothermal conditions and activated by solvent exchange with ethanol. Experimental results suggest that the incorporation...

Activated carbons from different precursors have been synthetized using KOH and mixtures of KOH and KCl as activating agents. The results revealed an increase of surface area and yield of activation related with KCl addition in all the samples. Thermodynamic and mass spectrometry studies reveal that KCl do not act as an activating agent, but promot...

Clathrate hydrates are crystalline solids characterized by their ability to accommodate large quantities of guest molecules. Although CH4 and CO2 are the traditional guests found in natural systems, incorporating smaller molecules (e.g., H2) is challenging due to the need to apply higher pressures to stabilize the hydrogen-bonded network. Another c...

The aim of this study was to determine the adsorption performance of a petroleum pitch-based activated carbon (PPAC1:3) before and after a post-treatment with H2S. In the first step, a microporous activated carbon (PPAC1:3) with a highly developed porous structure was produced through a chemical activation route with KOH. Afterward, the synthesized...

Activated carbon-based molecular sieves were synthetized, characterized and their kinetics of adsorption were evaluated to be used in separation processes of CO 2 /CH 4 mixtures. Polyurethane (PU) foams were used as carbon precursors and the PU-derived carbons were physical activated with CO 2. All the samples present a preferential adsorption of C...

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as a versatile material platform for such applications as chemical separations, chemical reaction engineering, and energy storage. Their inherently low mechanical stability, however, frequently renders existing methods of pelletization ineffective, contributing to pore collapse, pore blockage, or insu...

We are currently witnessing the dawn of hydrogen (H2) economy, where H2 will soon become a primary fuel for heating, transportation, and long-distance and long-term energy storage. Among diverse possibilities, H2 can be stored as a pressurized gas, a cryogenic liquid, or a solid fuel via adsorption onto porous materials. Metal-organic frameworks (M...

A series of activated carbon materials have been prepared from petroleum residue using KOH as activating agent. The gravimetric adsorption capacity for methane of the synthesized samples increases with the activation degree, albeit at a lower packing density of the carbon material. These results anticipate an optimum pitch/KOH ratio (1:3) to achiev...

To meet current economic demands enforcing the replacement of platinum-group metals, extensively used in three-way-catalytic converters (TWC), research is driven towards low-cost and widely available base metals. However, to cope with their lower activity, high metal loadings must be coupled with increased dispersion. Herein, a series of CuO/Al2O3...

A series of activated carbon materials have been successfully prepared from a non-essential amino acid, such as L-cysteine. The synthesized carbons combine a widely developed porous structure (BET surface area up to 1000 m²/g) and a rich surface chemistry (mainly oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur functionalities). These surface functional groups are rel...

We are currently witnessing the dawn of the hydrogen (H2) economy, where H2 will become a primary fuel for heating, transportation, and long-distance and long-term energy storage. Among the diverse possibilities, H2 can be stored as a pressurized gas, cryogenic liquid, or solid fuel via adsorption onto porous materials. Metal-organic frameworks (MO...

Biolubricants may be obtained from vegetable oils using appropriate chemical modifications, to improve their physicochemical properties for lubrication applications. In this study, the esterification of a free fatty acid (FFA) with long chain alcohols was performed using sulfonated mesoporous silica as catalyst. Fresh and functionalized MCM-41 samp...

The cleaning or removal of manganese stains on Cultural Heritage has not been much tested or successful so far. The aim of this article was to assess a new green cleaning gel for Mn-rich black-blue stains on different substrates. The black-blue stains were characterized at optical and chemical level through colour-related data, optical microscope,...

The selectivity of 1-butene hydrogenation/isomerization on Pd catalysts is known to be particle size dependent. Here we show that combining well-defined model catalysts, atmospheric pressure reaction kinetics, DFT calculations and microkinetic modeling enables to rationalize the particle size effect based on the abundance and the specific propertie...

The catalytic reduction of nitrites over Pt-In catalysts supported on activated carbon has been studied in a semi-batch reactor, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and using hydrogen as the reducing agent. The influence of the indium content on the activity and selectivity was evaluated. Monometallic Pt catalysts are very active for nitr...

The cleaning or removal of manganese stains on Cultural Heritage has not been much tested or successful so far. The aim of this article was to assess a new green cleaning gel for Mn-rich black-blue stains on different substrates. The black-blue stains were characterized at optical and chemical level through RGB data, colorimetry, optical microscope...

This article discloses a rare and outstanding type of Mn-rich black-blue patina found on mural painting and granite ashlars located in the church of Sta. Marinha, north of Portugal, and conjectures the phenomenon associated to the appearance of such patinas in different surface materials. This Mn-patina reported on mural painting and their origin i...

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is both a primary contributor to global warming and a major industrial impurity. Traditional approaches to carbon capture involve corrosive and energy-intensive processes such as liquid amine absorption. Although adsorptive separation has long been a promising alternative to traditional processes, up to this point there has bee...

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as a versatile materials platform for applications including chemical separations, water purification, chemical reaction engineering and energy storage. Their inherently low mechanical stability, however, frequently renders existing methods of pelletisation ineffective contributing to pore collapse, p...

Featured Application High porosity activated charcoal can be administered per orally for mitigation of radiation-induced intoxication and intoxication related to different pathological states. Abstract Activated charcoal (AC) can be taken orally as enterosorbent for treatment of pathological states related to exogenous and endogenous intoxications...

This review article is dedicated to the memory of Francisco (Paco) Rodríguez-Reinoso (Granada 1941 - Alicante 2020). Paco dedicated more than 56 years of his life to research on carbon materials, covering from their synthesis and characterization, to their evaluation using a range of processes such as gas adsorption/separation, heterogeneous cataly...

Selective CO2 capture in industrial streams is of paramount importance to decrease actual emissions to the atmosphere, and to minimize the associated environmental concerns. Among the different possibilities to capture CO2, adsorption using nanoporous networks is one of the most promising approaches, provided that the adsorbent can be properly desi...

Molecular separation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) is of growing interest for biogas upgrading, carbon capture and utilization, methane synthesis and for purification of natural gas. Here, we report a new zeolitic-imidazolate framework (ZIF), coined COK-17, with exceptionally high affinity for the adsorption of CO2 by London dispersion...

Novel MOF-based polymer nanocomposite films were successfully prepared using Zr-based UiO-67 as a metal-organic framework (MOF) and polyurethane (PU) as a polymeric matrix. Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (SXRPD) analysis confirms the improved stability of the UiO-67 embedded nanocrystals and scanning electron microscopy images confirm their h...

The structural deterioration of archetypical, well‐faceted metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has been evaluated upon exposure to an acidic environment (H2S). Experimental results show that the structural damage highly depends on the nature of the hybrid network (e.g., softness of the metal ions, hydrophilic properties, among others) and the crystallo...

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the recycling of Tetra Pak waste via pyrolysis to recover the most valuable solid products within its composition, char and aluminum, and the subsequent application of the char in the adsorption of mercury in aqueous solutions. The impact of the Tetra Pak pyrolysis conditions on the char and aluminum yield...

This paper reports the results of an international interlaboratory study led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on the measurement of high-pressure surface excess methane adsorption isotherms on NIST Reference Material RM 8850 (Zeolite Y), at 25 °C up to 7.5 MPa. Twenty laboratories participated in the study and contribute...

The presence of porosity critically affects the performance of solid systems. The pore accessibility to adsorbate molecules and the corresponding adsorption/desorption behavior are crucial aspects to understand the properties of porous materials, but are difficult to address, principally when dealing with narrow micropores. A prominent example are...

Porous MOFs capable of storing relatively high amount of dry methane (CH4) in adsorbed phase are largely explored, how-ever solid CH4 storage in confined pores of MOFs in the form of hydrates is yet to be discovered. Here we report a rational approach to form CH4 hydrates by taking advantage of the optimal pore confinement in relatively narrow cavi...

A series of xerogels with a properly designed porous structure and surface chemistry have been synthesized and evaluated as a host structure to promote the nucleation and growth of methane hydrates. Organic xerogels (OGs) have been synthesized from resorcinol-formaldehyde mixtures using a sol-gel approach and microwave heating. These xerogels are h...

Novel MOF-based polymer nanocomposite films were successfully prepared using Zr-based UiO-67 as a metal-organic framework (MOF) and polyurethane (PU) as a polymeric matrix. Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (SXRPD) analysis confirms the improved stability of the UiO-67 embedded nanocrystals and scanning electron microscopy images confirm their h...

In this study, sulfonated activated carbons have been prepared, under different conditions, with the purpose of evaluating the effect of the nature and amount of sulfonic surface groups on the esterification reaction of free fatty acids (FFA) with different long-chain alcohols. The synthesized catalysts were characterized using different techniques...

A high-surface area activated carbon material (PPAC) prepared from a petroleum residue has been used as a host structure to promote the nucleation and growth of confined methane hydrates after the incorporation of additives. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), Leucine and Tetrahydrofuran (THF) have been evaluated either dissolved in the pre-impregnation...

Mitochondria play a key role in oncogenesis and constitute one of the most important targets for cancer treatments. Although the most effective way to deliver drugs to mitochondria is by covalently linking them to a lipophilic cation, the in vivo delivery of free drugs still constitutes a critical bottleneck. Herein, we report the design of a mitoc...

The methane storage capacity of two series of activated carbons, obtained from a graphitizable (petroleum pitch) and a non-graphitizable precursor (polyaniline), has been evaluated after different thermal treatments. Both samples have been pyrolyzed and subsequently activated with KOH to obtain a highly developed microporous structure. After the sy...

The synthesis method of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has an important impact on their properties, including their performance in catalytic reactions. In this work we report on how the performance of [Cu3(TMA)2(H2O)3]n (HKUST-1) and Ce@HKUST-1 in the reaction of CO oxidation depends on the synthesis method of HKUST-1 and the way the cerium active...

Magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction (MDSPE) is combined with electrochemical detection by using a screen-printed carbon electrode modified with gold nanoparticles to determine lead(II). A zeolite-based magnetic composite was used as sorbent during sample preparation, thus combining the unique properties of zeolites as sorbent materials with...

Direct hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol is an interesting method to recycle CO2 emitted e.g., during combustion of fossil fuels. However, it is a challenging process because both the selectivity to methanol and its production are low. The metal-organic frameworks are relatively new class of materials with a potential to be used as catalysts or cata...

Spherical carbon molecular sieves (CMS) have selective adsorptive properties which are suitable for separation and purification of gas mixtures. Precise methods of characterization are needed to understand the performance of CMS in separation processes. To this end, the pore size distribution (PSD) of four carbon molecular sieves were evaluated exp...

Mesoporous MgO was synthesized by the nanoreplication method using CMK-3 carbon as a hard template and magnesium nitrate as a metal oxide precursor. The produced support was modified with different amounts of ammonium metavanadate solution. Various distributions of V-containing species on the MgO surface were found by XRD, low-temperature adsorptio...

Although traditionally high-surface area carbon materials have been considered as rigid structures with a disordered three dimensional (3D) network of graphite microdomains associated with a limited electrical conductivity (highly depending on the porous structure and surface chemistry), here we show for the first time that this is not the case for...

The elimination of tiny amounts of water from alcohols is by no means a trivial issue in many practical applications like, for instance, the dehumidification of biocombustibles. The use of carbonaceous materials as sorbents has been far less explored than that of other materials because their hydrophobic character has typically limited their water...

Ethylene (C 2 H 4) management involves the usage of materials such as KMnO 4 or processes such as ozone oxidation or combined photocatalysis/photochemistry. The ubiquity of C 2 H 4 , especially in an industrial context, necessitates a simpler and much more effective approach, and herein we propose the usage of tuneable polymer nanocomposites for th...

Widespread access to greener energy is required in order to mitigate the effects of climate change. A significant barrier to cleaner natural gas usage lies in the safety/efficiency limitations of storage technology. Despite highly porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) demonstrating record-breaking gas-storage capacities, their conventionally powde...

Structural changes in ZIFs upon adsorption remain a paradigm due to the sensitivity of the adsorption mechanism to the nature of the organic ligands and gas probe molecules. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction under operando conditions clearly anticipate for the first time that ZIF-4 exhibits a structural reorientation from a narrow-pore (np) to a new ex...

This chapter reviews the requirements for a nanoporous carbon material to be used as an adsorbent for methane storage. Due to the necessity to achieve a large gravimetric and volumetric storage capacity in real applications (e.g., onboard storage for transportation vehicles), a proper carbon material must fulfill certain requirements in terms of po...

Gas clathrates are solid structures constituted by water molecules forming 3D networks through hydrogen bonding and isolated gas molecules trapped in their inner cavities. These structures have been well known for the last 30–40 years due to their abundance in nature (preferentially methane hydrates) and their relevance as a future fuel source. Sim...

Immersion calorimetry into liquids of different dimensions is a powerful tool to learn about the pore size and shape in nanoporous solids. In general, in the absence of specific interactions with the solid surface, the accessibility of the liquid probe molecule to the inner porosity, and the associated enthalpy value decreases with an increase in i...

A series of cerium-based UiO-66 was obtained via hydrothermal and sonochemical methods, using the same quantities of reagents (cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN), terephthalic acid (H2BDC)) and solvents) in each synthesis. The impact of synthesis method and metal to linker ratio on the structural and textural properties of obtained UiO-66(Ce), as well a...

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been evaluated as potential nanocarriers for intra-ocular incorporation of brimonidine tartrate to treat chronic glaucoma. Experimental results show that UiO-67 and MIL-100 (Fe) exhibit the highest loading capacity with values up to 50-60 wt.%, while the performance is quite limited for MOFs with narrow cavities...

Clathrates are well-known compounds whose low thermal stability makes them extremely rare and appreciated. Although their formation mechanism is still surrounded by many uncertainties, these ice-like structures have the potential to be an alternative for transport and storage of different gases, especially methane. For the formation of methane clat...

The microporous nature of monodisperse Stöber silica spheres is demonstrated in the literature, although usually via indirect evidence. Contradictorily, there also exist numerous reports of nonporosity based on conventional N2 adsorption isotherms, leading to a confusing scenario and questioning the evaluation methodology. Thus, there is the strong...

Nanoreplication strategy was used for the synthesis of mesoporous ordered carbon materials with various pore architectures and surface compositions. Two different silica templates (regular MCM-48 and hexagonal SBA-15) were filled with a carbon precursor – poly(furfuryl alcohol) or sucrose – by the precipitation polycondensation or incipient wetness...

Active carbons were synthesized from a furfural copolymer using a polyester resin as an activator. The influence of the temperature of the thermal treatment of the carbon sorbents on the weights and ash contents of the obtained materials was established. The molecular structures of the carbons were studied by NMR spectroscopy.

Applying a density functional approach to slab models of planar, (111), and rough, (110), Pd surfaces, we determined the isomerization free energy barriers of 1-butene to be significantly lower than the hydrogenation barriers. Microkinetic modeling allows one to mirror the kinetic experiments on conversions of 1-butene at the corresponding single-c...

This work reports the preparation and characterization of biomass-derived renewable microporous carbon nanoparticles obtained by microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization (MAHC), following by physical activation, of assai stone waste. Conventional routes (i.e. carbonization in furnace and chemical activation) was also investigated. The highest...

Methane hydrate inheres the great potential to be a nature-inspired alternative for chemical energy storage, since it allows to store large amounts of methane in a dense solid phase. The embedment of methane hydrate in the confined environment of porous materials can be capitalized for potential applications as its physico-chemical properties such...

Oxygen-enriched boron carbonitrides – known as boron carbon oxinitrides, BCNOs – have exhibited remarkable properties with numerous works reporting on their performance as phosphors and some few ones as H2-adsorbents. However, the study of BCNOs capability for CO2 uptaking has yet to be achieved. Herein, we have designed a simple process for prepar...