The Front Cover shows how bisguaiacol (BG), a lignin-derived bisphenol, can be used to prepare useful polyesters. Waste from the wood and paper industry (symbolized here by a Quercus Rubra log) can be utilized as a source of phenolic compounds for the synthesis of BG, which, in turn, can be used as a monomer for the preparation of polyesters. The products exhibit remarkable thermal properties, high-temperature stability, and enzymatic hydrolysis susceptibility. The green arrows represent this cycle: derivatization from wood waste, polymerization to afford thermoplastics, and biodegradation leading to monomer release. More information can be found in the Full Paper by Curia et al. on page 2529 in Issue 15, 2018 (DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201801059)

The Cover Feature shows dyesensitized photocatalysis for the hydrogen evolution reaction in water using platinized titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Ideally, the photoelectrochemical reaction should maximize photon capture from sunlight. The Zinc(II) porphyrin chromophore enables the construction of molecular dyes with panchromatic absorption, which helps to optimize the photocatalytic reaction. More information can be found in the Full Paper by Ho and Mark et al. on page 2517 in Issue 15, 2018 (DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201801255)

The Cover Feature shows a cartoon for our developed process to directly obtain lactic acid from microalgae (Scenedesmus) by controlled release of glucose. The Monkey King casts a spell (formic acid), which forces open the cart (microalgae) dragged by the reindeer, and then sweet candies (glucose) spill and fall onto the passing mountains (Sn-Beta zeolite), where they are broken into sour pieces (lactic acid) and finally immerge into the river (water). More information can be found in the Communication by Zan et al. on page 2492 in Issue 15, 2018 (DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201801087)

The Cover Feature shows the effect of impurities (carbohydrates and their derivatives) on the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) conversion of lignin to jet fuel hydrocarbons. The competitive adsorption of carbohydrates and their derivatives can block and/or deactivate the active sites of metal catalysts, resulting in significant negative effects on the lignin HDO process. More information can be found in the Full Paper by Wang et al. on page 2562 in Issue 15, 2018 (DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201801401)

“These novel polyesters show strong potential for a wide range of applications…” This and more about the story behind the research that inspired the Cover image is presented in the Cover Profile. Read the full text of the corresponding research at 10.1002/cssc.801059. View the Front Cover here: 10.1002/cssc.201801667.

N₂ chemistry: Our board member Prof. Ping Chen highlights the nitrogen cycle as a path towards minimizing the use of fossil fuels. She focuses in particular on NH₃, which possesses great potential as a carbon-neutral source of energy, provided fundamental breakthroughs in catalysis, materials science, and physics are achieved.

Adding value to biomass: The combination of green click synthetic strategies with the use of biobased polyphenols as building blocks is increasingly sought-after to develop environmentally friendly polymeric materials. The increasing application of click chemistry to design aromatic polymers with controlled architectures from polyphenols, mainly lignin and tannins, is reviewed.

Hey Scenesters! Formic acid-induced controlled-release one-pot hydrolysis of microalgae (Scenedesmus) over Sn-Beta catalyst was developed to afford lactic acid in an excellent product of 83.0 % in water. The hydrolysis of polysaccharides and the catalytic conversion of monosaccharide into lactic acid were realized by the combination of a Brønsted acid catalyst and a heterogeneous Lewis acid catalyst.

Tailored performance: A crystal-face tailored graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) film was fabricated with the combination of monomer tailoring and sulfur doping strategies. The resulting photo-responsive current density is as high as 228.2 μA cm⁻² in the absence of co-catalysts and sacrificial reagents, showing the best performance compared with previously reported g-CN photoelectrodes.

Doubling up: A combined NiMoO₄/BiVO₄ photoanode is synthesized for the first time and achieves excellent photoelectrochemical performance. Moreover, the deposition of CoPi cocatalyst on top of the above electrode further improves its water oxidation activity and results in enhanced photocurrent density, which exceeds that of most related photoanodes reported to date.

Photosensitization! Two Zn^II porphyrin photosensitizers with panchromatic absorption properties were anchored onto platinized titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The active composite materials were investigated for light-driven hydrogen generation in water. The Zn^II porphyrin moiety is a competent chromophore to sensitize the photocatalytic system.

Biomass to building blocks: The electrochemical conversion of renewable biomass into value-added chemicals and clean fuels by Ni−Co-based transition metal oxide non-precious-metal catalysts is studied.

Lock and load, spray and coat: Inspired by natural photosystem II, a promising method for the commercially viable production of nanostructured manganese oxide films for the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction has been developed. As a result, striking activity and stability is attained and, subsequently, the atomistic understanding of the “real active species” involved in catalysis is established.

Some impure thoughts: Valorization of biorefinery lignin-rich wastes is challenging but necessary for an economical process. This study reveals that sugars, furans, and their derivatives as “impurities” in such wastes could suppress metal catalysts, inhibit lignin depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation reactions, and thus decrease yields of jet-fuel-range hydrocarbons from biomass-derived lignin.

Whole lotta histidine: Ir-coordinated histidyl bolaamphiphile self-assemblies displayed remarkable catalytic oxygen evolution activity with Ce^IV as a sacrificial oxidant. Ir^III ions coordinated with surface-exposed histidine imidazoles to build multiple catalytic active sites.

Brønsted-pHobia! Catalytic experiments with different starting pH reveal the influence of the presence of Brønsted acid species on the activity of Lewis-acidic Cu(OH)⁺ for glucose–fructose isomerization in an aqueous medium. A strong decline in activity is observed at low pH owing to the hydrolysis of Cu(OH)⁺ to inactive Cu²⁺, whereas a high pH leads to precipitation of inactive Cu(OH)₂.

Ni/Co Co-op: Efficient visible light diversion dehydrogenation of formic acid over CdS nanorods through cooperative redox mediation of Ni and Co is achieved at room temperature.

Ex marks the spot: The La_0.8Sr_0.2Fe_0.9Nb_0.1Pd_0.04O_3−δ (LSFNP) anode material with Fe–Pd co-exsolutions for intermediate-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells is prepared. The exsolved Fe⁰ and Pd⁰ co-exsolutions promote the charge-transfer process and H₂-adsorption ability of the La_0.8Sr_0.2Fe_0.9Nb_0.1Pd_0.04O_3-δ (LSFNP) anode. LSFNP anode exhibits high performance, good redox-stability, good coking and sulfur tolerance. A maximum power density of 287.6 mW cm⁻² is obtained at 800 °C using humidified H₂ as the fuel. SDC=Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_2−δ.

Generating green energy: Ru/TiO₂ catalysts are successfully synthesized and employed in the transformation of biomass-derived methyl levulinate into to γ-valerolactone. Superior catalytic performance, relative to commercial catalysts, is observed and reveals great potential for green energy production from renewable resources.

Green nanofiltration! A zinc benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid metal-organic framework selective layer was fabricated on a modified polyacrylonitrile support by using an environmentally benign and facile fabrication method. The membranes showed good performance in organic solvent nanofiltration.

Deposit for success: A tailored cathode for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) that has high oxygen reduction reaction activity at intermediate temperatures is fabricated by using a simple but effective approach based on “electrochemical” surface modification. An anode-supported SOFC with (La,Sr)MnO₃–(Y₂O₃)_0.08(ZrO₂)_0.92 (LSM–YSZ) as electrode tailored using LaCoO₃ exhibits a remarkably increased power density, approximately 180 % at 700 °C compared with a SOFC with the pristine electrode, as well as excellent long-term stability.

HaPPI to capture CO₂! Poly(propylenimine)-containing solid adsorbents are demonstrated for CO₂ capture from ambient air. These materials are more resistant to oxidation than their poly(ethylenimine) counterparts and show stable carbon dioxide adsorption/desorption performance over many cycles.