This study shows that the particle size of ZIF-67 can be controlled by adjusting the reactant concentration, enabling manipulation of the electrochemical properties as a sulfur host.

To improve the electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries, sulfur composites are prepared through sulfur's melt-diffusion into porous materials such as metal organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs are porous nanocrystalline materials consisting of metal ions and organic ligands. Due to their high porosity, specific surface area, and easily controllable porous structure, MOFs and their derivatives are considered useful materials for holding sulfur. Herein, the effect of the concentration of the reactants on the particle diameter distribution of ZIF-67 is studied, and the performance of the product as a sulfur host for Li-S battery cathode is evaluated. ZIF-67 was prepared by regulating the Co²⁺ concentration in solution from 10 to 250 mM, with a constant mole ratio between Co²⁺ and the organic ligand. Cyclovoltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and rate capability tests were performed to electrochemically characterize each sample as a sulfur host for Li-S battery cathodes. MeZ-50 mM, prepared with 50 mM Co²⁺ ion solution, had the smallest particle diameter (591 nm). The sulfur cathode utilizing MeZ-50 mM afforded the best electrochemical performance (883.7 mAh g_S ⁻¹). This study demonstrates that the particle size of ZIF-67 can be controlled by adjusting the reactant concentration, enabling manipulation of the electrochemical properties as a sulfur host.

The CC@ZrO₂ green catalyst was created by immobilizing a chlorophyllin copper complex onto ZrO₂ nanoparticles under mechanical conditions. The resulting catalyst demonstrated exceptional efficacy in generating different types of thioether derivatives.

The synthesis of organosulfur compounds gained specific interest in the interference of organic chemistry and chemical biology. Copper chlorophyllin (CC) is a bio-based copper complex that facilitates the synthesis of organosulfur compounds through the thioetherification reaction. The current paper deals with the immobilization of CC on the ZrO₂ nanoparticles (CC@ZrO₂) and its application in the one-pot thioetherification of alkyl and aryl halides using thiourea, an alternative to the bad-smelling thiols. After the characterization of CC@ZrO₂ with different analytical techniques such as FT-IR, TGA, XPS, N₂ adsorption/desorption, XRD, ICP, and FESEM, the catalytic activity of the prepared CC@ZrO₂ was evaluated in the synthesis of different types of thioether derivatives. Good to excellent yields, high reusability, and reproducibility made this cost-effective approach a benchmark in C–S cross-coupling reactions.