Gold (Au) and palladium (Pd) nanoparticles dispersed on a zeolite-type metal–organic framework (i.e., MIL-101) were prepared via a simple colloidal method. The catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, N2 physical adsorption, atomic absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Au and Pd were mostly in the form of bimetallic alloys on the MIL-101 support. The Au–Pd/MIL-101 was active and selective in the oxidation of a variety of saturated (including primary, secondary, and tertiary) C–H bonds with molecular oxygen. For the liquid-phase oxidation of cyclohexane, cyclohexane conversion exceeding 40% was achieved (TOF: 19 000 h–1) with >80% selectivity to cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol under mild solvent-free conditions. Moreover, the Au–Pd alloy catalyst exhibited higher reactivity than their pure metal counterparts and an Au + Pd physical mixture. The high activity and selectivity of Au–Pd/MIL-101 in cyclohexane aerobic oxidation may be correlated to the synergistic alloying effect of bimetallic Au–Pd nanoparticles.

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Reducing carbon emissions and realizing green, circular, and low-carbon development is essential for high-quality economic development. Following the construction of a superefficiency SBM model and combining the panel data of three major urban agglomerations in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2003 to 2017, carbon emission efficiency was measured and analyzed. A spatial Durbin model (SDM) was incorporated to analyze the urban agglomerations in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the impact of urbanization quality and foreign direct investment (FDI) on carbon emission efficiency. Finally, the SDM model was used to decompose the spillover effect. Generally, carbon emission efficiency in the three major urban agglomerations in the Yangtze River Economic Belt is low, with regional differences. FDI only has a positive impact on the carbon emissions of the Yangtze River Delta and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Furthermore, urbanization and population density have led to high levels of carbon emission in the region; however, the industrial structure and energy intensity factors have inhibited the improvement of regional carbon emission efficiency. Improving the quality of urbanization and trade structure is important to achieve energy conservation and emission reductions, which are pillars of sustainable economic development.