Cerium(IV)‐Driven Water Oxidation Catalyzed by a Manganese(V)–Nitrido Complex

The study of manganese complexes as water‐oxidation catalysts (WOCs) is of great interest because they can serve as models for the oxygen‐evolving complex of photosystem II. In most of the reported Mn‐based WOCs, manganese exists in the oxidation states III or IV, and the catalysts generally give low turnovers, especially with one‐electron oxidants such as Ce^IV. Now, a different class of Mn‐based catalysts, namely manganese(V)–nitrido complexes, were explored. The complex [Mn^V(N)(CN)₄]²⁻ turned out to be an active homogeneous WOC using (NH₄)₂[Ce(NO₃)₆] as the terminal oxidant, with a turnover number of higher than 180 and a maximum turnover frequency of 6 min⁻¹. The study suggests that active WOCs may be constructed based on the Mn^V(N) platform.     

A Mononuclear CoII Coordination Complex Locked in a Confined Space and Acting as an Electrochemical Water‐Oxidation Catalyst: A “Ship‐in‐a‐Bottle” Approach

Preparing efficient and robust water oxidation catalyst (WOC) with inexpensive materials remains a crucial challenge in artificial photosynthesis and for renewable energy. Existing heterogeneous WOCs are mostly metal oxides/hydroxides immobilized on solid supports. Herein we report a newly synthesized and structurally characterized metal–organic hybrid compound [{Co₃(μ₃‐OH)(BTB)₂(dpe)₂} {Co(H₂O)₄(DMF)₂}_0.5]_n?n H₂O ( Co‐WOC‐1 ) as an effective and stable water‐oxidation electrocatalyst in an alkaline medium. In the crystal structure of Co‐WOC‐1 , a mononuclear Co^II complex {Co(H₂O)₄(DMF)₂}²⁺ is encapsulated in the void space of a 3D framework structure and this translationally rigid complex cation is responsible for a remarkable electrocatalytic WO activity, with a catalytic turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.05 s^?1 at an overpotential of 390 mV (vs. NHE) in 0.1 m KOH along with prolonged stability. This host–guest system can be described as a “ship‐in‐a‐bottle”, and is a new class of heterogeneous WOC.     

Au/FeOx-羟基磷灰石催化CO氧化反应中羟基磷灰石和FeOx的作用

近期我们报道了Au/FeO_x-羟基磷灰石(HAP, Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂)催化剂应用于CO氧化反应的研究结果,该催化剂不仅具有很高的低温CO氧化活性和反应稳定性, 同时也具有很好的高温抗烧结性能, 即使600℃焙烧后依然能够维持很好的CO氧化反应活性. 为了进一步研究Au/FeO_x-HAP催化CO氧化反应中HAP和FeO_x的作用, 本文对该催化剂进行了更加深入的表征. X射线光电子能谱结果表明, HAP能与Au和FeO_x形成强相互作用, 进而在高温条件下稳定Au和FeO_x纳米粒子. 根据原位漫反射红外结果, FeO_x则主要通过改变反应路径和中间产物的方式起到促进催化剂CO氧化活性的作用. 结合透射电镜, 穆斯堡尔谱和原位漫反射红外结果可知, Au/FeO_x-HAP催化剂良好的反应稳定性源于其优异的抗碳酸盐累积能力.     

Activation by oxidation and ligand exchange in a molecular manganese vanadium oxide water oxidation catalyst

Despite their technological importance for water splitting, the reaction mechanisms of most water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) are poorly understood. This paper combines theoretical and experimental methods to reveal mechanistic insights into the reactivity of the highly active molecular manganese vanadium oxide WOC [Mn₄V₄O₁₇(OAc)₃]³⁻ in aqueous acetonitrile solutions. Using density functional theory together with electrochemistry and IR-spectroscopy, we propose a sequential three-step activation mechanism including a one-electron oxidation of the catalyst from [Mn₂³⁺Mn₂⁴⁺] to [Mn³⁺Mn₃⁴⁺], acetate-to-water ligand exchange, and a second one-electron oxidation from [Mn³⁺Mn₃⁴⁺] to [Mn₄⁴⁺]. Analysis of several plausible ligand exchange pathways shows that nucleophilic attack of water molecules along the Jahn–Teller axis of the Mn³⁺ centers leads to significantly lower activation barriers compared with attack at Mn⁴⁺ centers. Deprotonation of one water ligand by the leaving acetate group leads to the formation of the activated species [Mn₄V₄O₁₇(OAc)₂(H₂O)(OH)]⁻ featuring one H₂O and one OH ligand. Redox potentials based on the computed intermediates are in excellent agreement with electrochemical measurements at various solvent compositions. This intricate interplay between redox chemistry and ligand exchange controls the formation of the catalytically active species. These results provide key reactivity information essential to further study bio-inspired molecular WOCs and solid-state manganese oxide catalysts.

Combined theoretical and experimental studies shed light on the initial steps of redox-activation of a molecular manganese vanadium oxide water oxidation catalyst.     

Water Oxidation by In Situ Generated [RuII(OH2)(NCNHCO)(pic)2]+

A dinuclear ruthenium complex [Ru^II(NC^NHC O)(pic)₂]₂²⁺ ( 2 ) was firstly prepared and characterized spectroscopically and electrochemically. Instead of the conventional ligand exchange, complex 2 dissociates in situ to afford two single‐site Ru aqua complexes, [Ru^II(OH₂)(NC^NHC O)(pic)₂]⁺, which mediates water oxidation through proton‐coupled electron transfer events. In electrokinetic studies, complex 2 demonstrated a TOF of 150.3 s⁻¹ comparable to those state‐of‐the‐art catalysts at neutral conditions. TONs of 2173 and 217 were attained in chemical and photochemical water oxidation when 2 was used as a catalyst, exhibiting good stability. Notably, a TOF of 1.3 s⁻¹ was achieved at CAN‐driven water oxidation, which outperformed most of the reported single‐site Ru complexes, indicating that complex 2 is one of most active water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) to date. The unique coordination configuration and outstanding catalytic performance of complex 2 might shed light on the design of novel molecular WOCs.     

Magnetic and optical investigation of 40SiO2·30Na2O·1Al2O3·(29 − x)B2O3·xFe2O3 glass matrix

Samples of 40SiO₂·30Na₂O·1Al₂O₃·(29 − x)B₂O₃·xFe₂O₃ (mol%), with 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 17.5, were prepared by the fusion method and investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), optical absorption (OA) and Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS). The EPR spectra of the as-synthesized samples exhibit two well-defined EPR signals around g = 4.27 and g = 2.01 and a visible EPR shoulder around g = 6.4, assigned to isolated Fe³⁺ ion complexes (g = 4.27 and g = 6.4) and Fe³⁺-based clusters (g = 2.01). Analyses of both EPR line intensity and line width support the model picture of Fe³⁺-based clusters built in from two sources of isolated ions, namely Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺; the ferrous ion being used to build in iron-based clusters at lower x-content (below about x = 2.5%) whereas the ferric ion is used to build in iron-based clusters at higher x-content (above about x = 2.5%). The presence of Fe²⁺ ions incorporated within the glass template is supported by OA data with a strong band around 1100 nm due to the spin-allowed ⁵E_g–⁵T_2g transition in an octahedral coordination with oxygen. Additionally, Mössbauer data (isomer shift and quadrupole splitting) confirm incorporation of both Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions within the template, more likely in tetrahedral-like environments. We hypothesize that ferrous ions are incorporated within the glass template as FeO₄ complex resulting from replacing silicon in non-bridging oxygen (SiO₃O⁻) sites whereas ferric ions are incorporated as FeO₄ complex resulting from replacing silicon in bridging-like oxygen silicate groups (SiO₄).     

碱土元素掺杂的BaFeO3钙钛矿型催化剂的NOx储存性能

采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了Ba_1-xM_xFeO₃ (M=Mg, Ca, Sr; x=0, 0.1, 0.2)系列钙钛矿型NO_x储存还原(NSR)催化剂, 考察碱金属元素Mg、Ca 和Sr 的掺杂对BaFeO₃ 钙钛矿NO_x 储存和氧化性能的影响. 结果表明, 在250-400 ℃范围内Mg的掺杂提高了BaFeO₃钙钛矿的NO_x储存性能, 其中以Ba_0.8Mg_0.2FeO₃样品的NO_x储存性能最佳, 在温度350 ℃时NO_x储存量高达1200 μmol·g^-1以上, NO→NO₂转化率为53.4%. 与BaFeO₃比较,Ba_0.8Mg_0.2FeO₃样品在250 ℃进行NO_x储存时就出现了单齿硝酸盐, 并随储存温度的变化而变化, 它的数量与NO_x储存量有相同的变化趋势. 傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱结果表明, 与BaFeO₃相比, Ba_0.8Mg_0.2FeO₃样品NO_x储存量增大的原因在于: 一方面, 形成了具有A位缺陷的钙钛矿结构, 产生大量能够用于储存NO_x的氧空位; 另一方面, 未进入钙钛矿晶格的Mg元素可能以碱性氧化物的形式与NO_x作用形成了单齿硝酸盐.     

Platinum-Iron(II) Oxide Sites Directly Responsible for Preferential Carbon Monoxide Oxidation at Ambient Temperature: An Operando X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study**

Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy identified that the concentration of Fe²⁺ species in the working state-of-the-art Pt−FeO_x catalysts quantitatively correlates to their preferential carbon monoxide oxidation steady-state reaction rate at ambient temperature. Deactivation of such catalysts with time on stream originates from irreversible oxidation of active Fe²⁺ sites. The active Fe²⁺ species are presumably Fe⁺²O⁻² clusters in contact with platinum nanoparticles; they coexist with spectator trivalent oxidic iron (Fe³⁺) and metallic iron (Fe⁰) partially alloyed with platinum. The concentration of active sites and, therefore, the catalyst activity strongly depends on the pretreatment conditions. Fe²⁺ is the resting state of the active sites in the preferential carbon monoxide oxidation cycle.     

Synthesis, Crystal and Magnetic Structures of the Sodium Ferrate (IV) Na4FeO4 Studied by Neutron Diffraction and Mössbauer Techniques

The alkali sodium ferrate (IV) Na₄FeO₄ has been prepared by solid-state reaction of sodium peroxide Na₂O₂ and wustite Fe_1−xO, in a molar ratio Na/Fe=4, at 400°C under vacuum. Powder X-ray and neutron diffraction studies indicate that Na₄FeO₄ crystallizes in the triclinic system P−1 with the cell parameters= a=8.4810(2) Å, b=5.7688(1) Å, c=6.5622(1) Å, α=124.662(2)°, β=98.848(2)°, γ=101.761(2)° and Z=2. Na₄FeO₄ is isotypic with the other known phases Na₄MO₄ (M=Ti, Cr, Mn, Co and Ge, Sn, Pb). The solid solution Na₄Fe_xCo_1−xO₄ exists for x=0-1 and we have followed the evolution of the cell parameters with x to determine the lattice parameters of the triclinic cell of Na₄FeO₄. A three-dimensional network of isolated FeO₄ tetrahedra connected by Na atoms characterizes the structure. This compound is antiferromagnetic below T_N=16 K. At 2 K the magnetic cell is twice the nuclear cell and the magnetic structure is collinear (μ_Fe=3.36(12) μ_B at 2 K). This black compound is highly hygroscopic. In water or on contact with the atmospheric moisture it is disproportionated in Fe³⁺ and Fe⁶⁺. The Mössbauer spectra of Na₄FeO₄ are fitted with one doublet (δ=− 0.22 mm/s, Δ=0.41 mm/s at 295 K) in the paramagnetic state and with a sextet at 8K. These parameters characterize Fe⁴⁺ high-spin in tetrahedral FeO₄ coordination.     

High-temperature studies of La1−x SrxFeO3−δ solid solutions using synchrotron radiation

A series of La_1?x Sr_xFeO_3?δ samples with a perovskite structure were investigated by high-temperature X-ray analysis using synchrotron radiation. In this series, one can observe a morphotropic phase transition (0.3 ? x ? 0.4) from the orthorhombic (0 ? x < 0.3) to cubic (0.4 < x ? 0.75) modification. The samples from the morphotropic transition region (MTR) at room temperature have a highly disordered microblock structure related to their phase heterogeneity; according to high-temperature X-ray analysis data, this is the result of particle stratification of the high-temperature homogeneous solid solution formed at the temperature of the synthesis (1200°C) in the course of cooling.     

Structure and magnetic properties of potassium doped bismuth ferrite

The influence of the potassium (K⁺) doping on the structure of multiferroic BiFeO₃ and its relation with ferroelectric and magnetic properties was investigated for perovskites with composition Bi_1−xK_xFeO₃ in the range 0?x?0.07. All the studied samples are described in R3c space group (No. 161). Typical cell parameters (BiFeO₃) in hexagonal setting are a_hex=5.5769(2) Å and c_hex=13.8531(2) Å with Z=6 formula units. The structure determination shows that as the K⁺ content increases, the average cations displacements decrease reducing the polar character of doped samples with respect to pure BiFeO₃ and leading to a change from rhombohedral to a pseudo-cubic symmetry. A structural disorder is related to the substitution of K⁺, which results in strong diffuse scattering (DS) located at the bottom of the Bragg peaks. Magnetic measurements reveal that all the compounds remain antiferromagnetic at room temperature (RT) with almost no change in the transition temperature (Néel temperature T_N).     

La1-xSrxFeO3钙钛矿型氧化物中的晶格氧用于甲烷部分氧化制合成气

采用燃烧法制备了Sr掺杂钙钛矿型氧化物La_1-xSr_xFeO₃（x=0,0.3,0.5,0.9）载氧体,对载氧体分别进行X射线衍射、扫描电镜和H₂程序升温还原反应表征,在热重循环装置和固定床反应装置上考察甲烷与载氧体晶格氧的部分氧化反应.结果表明,La_1-xSr_xFeO₃氧化物中的晶格氧适用于甲烷部分氧化制合成气,晶格氧的得失是一个可逆过程,Sr的掺杂提高了载氧体的供氧能力,5次循环后载氧体得失晶格氧的能力没有明显的衰减.从甲烷转化率、n（H₂）/n（CO）比以及H₂和CO的选择性等方面来考虑,x=0.3-0.5比较理想,甲烷转化率维持在70%左右,气体产物中n（H₂）/n（CO）约为2,CH₄没有发生明显的裂解.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation of perovskites La1−x Sr x FeO3−y (0 ≤x < 1.0), prepared via a mechanochemical route

Perovskite-structure oxides La_1?x Sr _x FeO_3?y (x = 0, 0.2, 0.6, 1) were synthesized by the mechanochemical method. In order to refine the stoichiometric composition and the charge state of ions, these samples were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). An investigation of perovskites with x = 0, 0.2, and 0.6 in air at room temperature showed that these samples do not contain oxygen vacancies (y = 0), i.e., they are fully oxidized. Hence, to produce electrical neutrality, these samples should contain iron(4+) cations in an amount proportional to the degree of substitution (x) of strontium(2+) for lanthanum(3+). However, no Fe⁴⁺ cations were found in the oxides. All perovskites contain only Fe³⁺ cations, oxygen ions O^2? along with oxygen ions with reduced electron density (O^?). These data provid evidence of the possible electron density redistribution from oxygen ions to iron cations. The fact that the oxides contain oxygen ions with reduced electron density suggests that weakly bound lattice oxygen in substituted perovskites is represented by O^? ions.     

Photochemical,Electrochemical, and Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation Catalyzed by Water‐Soluble Mononuclear Ruthenium Complexes

Two mononuclear ruthenium complexes [Ru(H₂tcbp)(isoq)₂] ( 1 ) and [Ru(H₂tcbp)(pic)₂] ( 2 ) (H₄tcbp=4,4′,6,6′‐tetracarboxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine, isoq=isoquinoline, pic=4‐picoline) are synthesized and fully characterized. Two spare carboxyl groups on the 4,4′‐positions are introduced to enhance the solubility of 1 and 2 in water and to simultaneously allow them to tether to the electrode surface by an ester linkage. The photochemical, electrochemical, and photoelectrochemical water oxidation performance of 1 in neutral aqueous solution is investigated. Under electrochemical conditions, water oxidation is conducted on the deposited indium‐tin‐oxide anode, and a turnover number higher than 15,000 per water oxidation catalyst (WOC) 1 is obtained during 10 h of electrolysis under 1.42 V vs. NHE, corresponding to a turnover frequency of 0.41 s^?1. The low overpotential (0.17 V) of electrochemical water oxidation for 1 in the homogeneous solution enables water oxidation under visible light by using [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ ( P1 ) (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) or [Ru(bpy)₂(4,4′‐(COOEt)₂‐bpy)]²⁺ ( P2 ) as a photosensitizer. In a three‐component system containing 1 or 2 as a light‐driven WOC, P1 or P2 as a photosensitizer, and Na₂S₂O₈ or [CoCl(NH₃)₅]Cl₂ as a sacrificial electron acceptor, a high turnover frequency of 0.81 s^?1 and a turnover number of up to 600 for 1 under different catalytic conditions are achieved. In a photoelectrochemical system, the WOC 1 and photosensitizer are immobilized together on the photoanode. The electrons efficiently transfer from the WOC to the photogenerated oxidizing photosensitizer, and a high photocurrent density of 85 μA cm^?2 is obtained by applying 0.3 V bias vs. NHE.     

High Valence State Sites as Favorable Reductive Centers for High-Current-Density Water Splitting

Electrochemical water splitting is a promising approach for producing sustainable and clean hydrogen. Typically, high valence state sites are favorable for oxidation evolution reaction (OER), while low valence states can facilitate hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, here we proposed a high valence state of Co³⁺ in Ni_9.5Co_0.5−S−FeO_x hybrid as the favorable center for efficient and stable HER, while structural analogues with low chemical states showed much worse performance. As a result, the Ni_9.5Co_0.5−S−FeO_x catalyst could drive alkaline HER with an ultra-low overpotential of 22 mV for 10 mA cm⁻², and 175 mV for 1000 mA cm⁻² at the industrial temperature of 60 °C, with an excellent stability over 300 h. Moreover, this material could work for both OER and HER, with a low cell voltage being 1.730 V to achieve 1000 mA cm⁻² for overall water splitting at 60 °C. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) clearly identified the high valence Co³⁺ sites, while in situ XAS during HER and theoretical calculations revealed the favorable electron capture at Co³⁺ and suitable H adsorption/desorption energy around Co³⁺, which could accelerate the HER. The understanding of high valence states to drive reductive reactions may pave the way for the rational design of energy-related catalysts.     

Strong Metal–Support Interactions between Copper and Iron Oxide during the High‐Temperature Water‐Gas Shift Reaction

The commercial high‐temperature water‐gas shift (HT‐WGS) catalyst consists of CuO‐Cr₂O₃‐Fe₂O₃, where Cu functions as a chemical promoter to increase the catalytic activity, but its promotion mechanism is poorly understood. In this work, a series of iron‐based model catalysts were investigated with in situ or pseudo in situ characterization, steady‐state WGS reaction, and density function theory (DFT) calculations. For the first time, a strong metal‐support interaction (SMSI) between Cu and FeO_x was directly observed. During the WGS reaction, a thin FeO_x overlayer migrates onto the metallic Cu particles, creating a hybrid surface structure with Cu‐FeO_x interfaces. The synergistic interaction between Cu and FeO_x not only stabilizes the Cu clusters, but also provides new catalytic active sites that facilitate CO adsorption, H₂O dissociation, and WGS reaction. These new fundamental insights can potentially guide the rational design of improved iron‐based HT‐WGS catalysts.     

Low-temperature oxidation of carbon monoxide over (Mn1 − x M x )O2 (M = Co, Pd) catalysts

(Mn_{1 ? x} M _x )O₂ (M = Co, Pd) materials synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and dried at 80°C have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and adsorption and have been tested in CO oxidation under CO + O₂ TPR conditions and under isothermal conditions at room temperature in the absence and presence of water vapor. The synthesized materials have the tunnel structure of cryptomelane irrespective of the promoter nature and content. Their specific surface area is 110–120 m²/g. MnO₂ is morphologically uniform, and the introduction of cobalt or palladium into this oxide disrupts its uniformity and causes the formation of more or less crystallized aggregates varying in size. The (Mn,Pd)O₂ composition contains Pd metal, which is in contact with the MnO₂-based oxide phase. The average size of the palladium particles is no larger than 12 nm. The initial activity of the materials in CO oxidation, which was estimated in terms of the 10% CO conversion temperature, increases in the following order: MnO₂ (100°C) < (Mn,Co)O₂ (98°C) < (Mn,Co,Pd)O₂ (23°C) < (Mn,Pd)O₂ (?12°C). The high activity of (Mn,Pd)O₂ is due to its surface containing palladium in two states, namely, oxidized palladium (interaction phase) palladium metal (clusters). The latter are mainly dispersed in the MnO₂ matrix. This catalyst is effective in CO oxidation even at room temperature when there is no water vapor in the reaction mixture, but it is inactive in the presence of water vapor. Water vapor causes partial reduction of Mn⁴⁺ ions and an increase in the proportion of palladium metal clusters.     

A Calix[4]arene-Based Cyclic Dinuclear Ruthenium Complex for Light-Driven Catalytic Water Oxidation

A cyclic dinuclear ruthenium(bda) (bda: 2,2’-bipyridine-6,6’-dicarboxylate) complex equipped with oligo(ethylene glycol)-functionalized axial calix[4]arene ligands has been synthesized for homogenous catalytic water oxidation. This novel Ru(bda) macrocycle showed significantly increased catalytic activity in chemical and photocatalytic water oxidation compared to the archetype mononuclear reference [Ru(bda)(pic)₂]. Kinetic investigations, including kinetic isotope effect studies, disclosed a unimolecular water nucleophilic attack mechanism of this novel dinuclear water oxidation catalyst (WOC) under the involvement of the second coordination sphere. Photocatalytic water oxidation with this cyclic dinuclear Ru complex using [Ru(bpy)₃]Cl₂ as a standard photosensitizer revealed a turnover frequency of 15.5 s⁻¹ and a turnover number of 460. This so far highest photocatalytic performance reported for a Ru(bda) complex underlines the potential of this water-soluble WOC for artificial photosynthesis.     

A Molecular Approach to Self‐Supported Cobalt‐Substituted ZnO Materials as Remarkably Stable Electrocatalysts for Water Oxidation

In regard to earth‐abundant cobalt water oxidation catalysts, very recent findings show the reorganization of the materials to amorphous active phases under catalytic conditions. To further understand this concept, a unique cobalt‐substituted crystalline zinc oxide (Co:ZnO) precatalyst has been synthesized by low‐temperature solvolysis of molecular heterobimetallic Co_4?xZn_xO₄ (x=1–3) precursors in benzylamine. Its electrophoretic deposition onto fluorinated tin oxide electrodes leads after oxidative conditioning to an amorphous self‐supported water‐oxidation electrocatalyst, which was observed by HR‐TEM on FIB lamellas of the EPD layers. The Co‐rich hydroxide‐oxidic electrocatalyst performs at very low overpotentials (512 mV at pH 7; 330 mV at pH 12), while chronoamperometry shows a stable catalytic current over several hours.