Bimetallic Metal-Organic Frameworks (BMOF) and BMOF- Incorporated Membranes for Energy and Environmental Applications.

Bimetallic metal organic frameworks (BMOFs) are a class of crystalline solids and their structure comprises two metal ions in the lattice. BMOFs show a synergistic effect of two metal centres and enhanced properties compared to MOFs. By controlling the composition and relative distribution of two metal ions in the lattice the structure, morphology, and topology of BMOFs could be regulated resulting in an improvement in the tunability of pore structure, activity, and selectivity. Thus, developing BMOFs and BMOF incorporated membranes for applications such as adsorption, separation, catalysis, and sensing is a promising strategy to mitigate environmental pollution and address the looming energy crisis. Herein we present an overview of recent advancements in the area of BMOFs and a comprehensive review of BMOF incorporated membranes reported to date. The scope, challenges as well as future perspectives for BMOFs and BMOF incorporated membranes are presented.

Operando X-Ray Spectroscopic Techniques: A Focus on Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions.

The study of structural as well as chemical properties of an electrocatalyst in its reaction environment is a challenge in electrocatalysis. This is very important for the better understanding of the dynamic changes in the reactivity with respect to the structure of catalysts to give insight into the reaction mechanism. The in situ/operando investigation of electrode/electrolyte interface has been increasingly explored in recent days due to the significant developments in technology. The review focus on operando X-ray spectroscopic techniques to understand the behavior of electrocatalysts in hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER). Some recent studies on the application of operando X-ray spectroscopic methods to study the dynamic nature as well as the evaluation of structural and chemical changes of the electrocatalysts for HER and OER in different reaction environment are discussed.

Simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid, dopamine and uric acid by a novel electrochemical sensor based on N2/Ar RF plasma assisted graphene nanosheets/graphene nanoribbons.

A novel nitrogen/argon (N2/Ar) radio frequency (RF) plasma functionalized graphene nanosheet/graphene nanoribbon (GS/GNR) hybrid material (N2/Ar/GS/GNR) was developed for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA). Various nitrogen mites introduced into GS/GNR hybrid structure was evidenced by a detailed microscopic, spectroscopic and surface area analysis. Owing to the unique structure and properties originating from the enhanced surface area, nitrogen functional groups and defects introduced on both the basal and edges, N2/Ar/GS/GNR/GCE showed high electrocatalytic activity for the electrochemical oxidations of AA, DA, and UA with the respective lowest detection limits of 5.3, 2.5 and 5.7 nM and peak-to-peak separation potential (ΔEP) (vs Ag/AgCl) in DPV of 220, 152 and 372 mV for AA/DA, DA/UA and AA/UA respectively. Moreover, the selectivity, stability, repeatability and excellent performance in real time application of the fabricated N2/Ar/GS/GNR/GCE electrode suggests that it can be considered as a potential electrode material for simultaneous detection of AA, DA, and UA.