Highly exposed NiFeOx nanoclusters supported on boron doped carbon nanotubes for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction

The development of efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial for the overall water splitting. Herein, we prepared a highly exposed NiFeO_x ultra-small nanoclusters supported on boron-doped carbon nonotubes catalyst, which achieves a 10 mA/cm² anodic current density at a low overpotential of 213 mV and the Tafel slope of 52 mV/dec in 1.0 mol/L KOH, superior to the pristine NiFeO_x-CNTs and other state-of-the-art OER catalysts in alkaline media. A combination study (XPS, sXAS and XAFS) verifies that the local atomic structure of Ni and Fe atoms in the nanoclusters are similar to NiO and Fe₂O₃, respectively, and the B atoms which are doped into the crystal lattice of CNTs leads to the optimization of Ni 3d e_g orbitals. Furthermore, in-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopies reveal that the high valence state of Ni atoms are served as the real active sites. This work highlights that the precise control of highly exposed multicomponent nanocluster catalysts paves a new way for designing highly efficient catalysts at the atomic scale.     

A comparative XPS and UPS study of VOx layers on mineral TiO2(001)‐anatase supports

Four vanadium oxide layers on mineral TiO₂(001)‐anatase supports with different thickness (3–33 Å) were prepared with reactive d.c. magnetron sputtering and were extensively studied with photoelectron spectroscopy. Al Kα radiation and 150 eV synchrotron radiation were used as excitation sources. The evolution of the 2p, 3s and 3p core level line shapes of V and Ti as a function of the vanadium oxide thickness was studied, as well as the O1s and O2s core lines and the valence band. All the V2p spectra of the deposited vanadium oxide layers consist of at least 60% V⁵⁺, the rest being V⁴⁺. The V3p region is complicated by multiplet splitting, which prevents the determination of the vanadium oxidation state. The V3p multiplet splitting is different for the two excitation energies. No reduction of the titania support surface due to the vanadium oxide deposition was observed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transition metal bonding functions and their applications in catalytic adsorptions and reactions: Part III. Effect of metal valence band and periodic trend of CO σ-π bonding functions on transition metals

Our model of metal valence band and our new concept of σ-π coordination are further discussed and confirmed in this paper.The infrared stretching frequencies of C-O decrease in the order 2056, 1886 and 1786 cm⁻¹ in Ni(CO)₄, Co(CO)₄⁻¹ and Fe(CO)₄⁻², which parallels the increase in d electron back-donation functions (B metal bonding functions) from 1.539, 2.121 to 2.895 on Ni, Co and Fe metals, respectively. On the other hand, the M-C bond orders increase from 1.33, 1.89 to 2.16 for Ni(CO)₄, Co(CO)₄⁻¹ and Fe(CO)₄⁻², which parallel the increase in A(CO5σ-Mσ)-B(CO2π-Mπ) metal bonding functions from 24.61, 30.01 to 33.19, respectively. They are in agreement with our new concept of σ-π coordination proposed in the previous paper. This new concept has also been used to analyze the mechanism of the formation of Ni(CO)₄, Co(CO)₄⁻¹ and Fe(CO)₄⁻², and to explain why they can automotively hybridize each other despite the energy differences between 3d and 4s, 4p, which are very large.The effects of metal valence bands have been accounted for on all transition metals (d¹ to d⁸), and it is demonstrated that d orbitals increase from the Vd band upward to the Vs band, and s orbitals from the Vs band downward to the Vd band, which is equivalent to a change in orbital potential, and would modify their orbital overlap integrals with the adsorbate M.O.s and the A, B metal bonding functions significantly. The effective potentials and the percentage s, d functions of Vs, Vd and d_occ bands are the most important factors for determining the effect of the metal valence band. The effects of promoter and support are also altered by changes in the above factors. For Group VIII metals, the valence band provides various s and d orbitals at various potentials, in which a certain number of s and d orbitals can match better with CO adsorbate M.O.s, which explains why CO adsorbed species on Group VIII metals are all stable and adsorption rates are all relatively rapid.The periodic trends of metal A, B, AB and D_c bonding functions depend on the structures of the metal valence band, i.e. the potential levels and s, d percentage functions of Vs, Vd and d_occ bands. For 4d and 5d metals, the potential levels of the Vs band are high, which cannot form a strong CO 5σ-M σ bond, but the potential levels of Vd band are higher and the width of the d band is wider than those of 3d metal, so their B bonding functions are larger, and they can be used to activate saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. In contrast, for 3d metals, the potentials of the Vs band are lower, which favour formation of strong CO 5σ-M σ and M-C bonds, i.e. their A and D_c bonding functions are larger, which can promote coke formation. While ABD_cD_o can be used to characterize CO dissociation, B/A can be used to characterize C-C formation.The characteristics of various metal bonding functions on each transition metal are useful for designing catalyst composition. A typical example has been illustrated, using the possibility to select non-noble metals instead of noble metals in hydrocarbon reactions.     

NiO/MnO_2分级纳米片阵列复合材料的制备与超电容性能

通过化学浴沉积和水热法在泡沫镍上制备了NiO/MnO_2分级纳米片阵列复合材料,XRD和SEM测试表明NiO纳米片垂直生长在泡沫镍上,交叉形成网状阵列结构;MnO_2纳米介孔泡沫进一步生长在NiO纳米片两侧,与NiO形成了壳核式的复合结构。循环伏安和恒流充放电测试发现,NiO/MnO_2分级纳米片阵列复合材料的电化学性能相比复合前得到明显改善,在1 A·g~(-1)的电流密度下,比电容提高至1 297 F·g~(-1);2 A·g~(-1)下循环1 000次,比电容保持率高达97%,比电容和循环性能的改善是由于分级纳米片阵列复合结构方便了电解液传质,扩大了活性材料与电解液的接触,促进了赝电容反应,提高了NiO和MnO_2的结构稳定性。     

NiO/MnO2分级纳米片阵列复合材料的制备与超电容性能

通过化学浴沉积和水热法在泡沫镍上制备了NiO/MnO₂分级纳米片阵列复合材料,XRD和SEM测试表明NiO纳米片垂直生长在泡沫镍上,交叉形成网状阵列结构;MnO₂纳米介孔泡沫进一步生长在NiO纳米片两侧,与NiO形成了壳核式的复合结构。循环伏安和恒流充放电测试发现,NiO/MnO₂分级纳米片阵列复合材料的电化学性能相比复合前得到明显改善,在1 A·g^-1的电流密度下,比电容提高至1 297 F·g^-1;2 A·g^-1下循环1 000次,比电容保持率高达97%,比电容和循环性能的改善是由于分级纳米片阵列复合结构方便了电解液传质,扩大了活性材料与电解液的接触,促进了赝电容反应,提高了NiO和MnO₂的结构稳定性。     

Hybridization Gap and Dresselhaus Spin Splitting in EuIr4In2Ge4

EuIr₄In₂Ge₄ is a new intermetallic semiconductor that adopts a non‐centrosymmetric structure in the tetragonal ${I\bar 42m}$ space group with unit cell parameters a=6.9016(5) Å and c=8.7153(9) Å. The compound features an indirect optical band gap E_g=0.26(2) eV, and electronic‐structure calculations show that the energy gap originates primarily from hybridization of the Ir 5d orbitals, with small contributions from the Ge 4p and In 5p orbitals. The strong spin–orbit coupling arising from the Ir atoms, and the lack of inversion symmetry leads to significant spin splitting, which is described by the Dresselhaus term, at both the conduction‐ and valence‐band edges. The magnetic Eu²⁺ ions present in the structure, which do not play a role in gap formation, order antiferromagnetically at 2.5 K.     

介孔氧化镍的合成、表征和在电化学电容器中的应用

以十二烷基硫酸钠为模板剂, 采用尿素为沉淀剂, 用均匀沉淀法, 适当控制尿素的水解速度, 制备具有介孔结构的氢氧化镍胶体, 在不同温度下焙烧处理得到孔分布集中的氧化镍介孔分子筛. 结果表明, 在523 K下焙烧得到的氧化镍BET比表面达到477.7 m²•g^－1. 结构表征还显示, 介孔氧化镍的孔壁为多晶结构, 其孔结构形成机理应为准反胶束模板机理. 循环伏安法表明用NiO介孔分子筛制备的电极有很好的电容性能. 与浸渍法和阴极沉淀法制得的NiO相比, 这种介孔结构的NiO能够大量用来制作电化学电容器电极, 并且保持较高的比电容量和良好的电容性能.     

Circular dichroism spectrum of the infrared band of nickel sulphate. Manifestation of an orthorhombic splitting in the E3T2g state

The axial CD spectrum of the infrared band of the α-Ni(H₂O)₆SO₄ crystal exhibits a complex vibronic structure at low temperatures. The lowest energy vibronic component consists of two oppositely signed bands which arise from the orthorhombic splitting of the E(³T_2g) state.     

Nickel Foam Supported NiO@Ru Heterostructure Towards High-Efficiency Overall Water Splitting

Electrocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production from renewable energy requires the innovation of electrocatalysts with high activity and low cost. In this work, densely packed NiO@Ru nanosheets were fabricated on the surface of Ni foam through a two-step method of Ni(OH)₂ growth followed by Ru deposition. Through pair distribution function analysis from selected-area electron diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the interface structure feature is revealed as a thin layer of perovskite NiRuO₃ sandwiched between NiO and Ru. The electrode exhibits high activity and durability for HER and OER, delivering a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at a voltage of 1.55 V for overall water splitting in 1 M KOH. The excellent performance can be attributed to the intimate interface contact of NiO and Ru in addition to low charge transfer resistance and super-hydrophilic surface structure, as verified by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and contact-angle measurement.     

The Natural Optical Activity of Tris(Ethylenediamine)Metal(II) Nitrates V. The Single Crystal Circular Dichroism Spectrum of Ni(en)3 (NO3 )2

The axial CD spectra of single crystal of Zn(en)₃(NO₃)₂ doped with 1-50% Ni(en)₃(NO₃)₂ have been observed at temperatures from ambient to 5 K. The increase in R of the ³E[³T_3g(F)] transition as the temperature decreases is consistent with the magnetic dipole allowed character of the parent octahedral transition. The electric and magnetic dipole forbidden transition to the ³T_1g(F) octahedral level gives rise to a relatively weak axial CD band with an unusual temperature dependent splitting. This structure is attributed to electric quadrupole intensity, which is allowed for transitions to both the E and ³A₂[³T_1g(F)] levels in D₃ symmetry.     

The Valence States of Nickel,Tin, and Sulfur in the Ternary Chalcogenide Ni3Sn2S2—XPS, 61Ni and 119Sn Mössbauer Investigations,and Band Structure Calculations

The hitherto controversial valence states of nickel and tin in the ternary chalcogenide Ni₃Sn₂S₂ (see structure) have been determined by photoelectron and Mössbauer spectroscopy (⁶¹Ni, ¹¹⁹Sn). Results from band structure calculations confirmed that this shandite phase is a metal and that the approximate distribution of the valence electrons is (Ni⁰)₃(Sn(1)^II)(Sn(2)^II)(S^II−)₂.     

Optical transitions,XPS, electronic states in NiPS3

We have measured the optical absorption below the fundamental threshold, the normal-incidence reflectivity between 1.5 and 30 eV and the X-ray photoemission spectra of NiPS₃. Shake-up satellites present at the Ni 2p and 3p core levels are strong evidence for the ionicity of the NiS bonds. We have also derived a qualitative molecular orbital model of NiPS₃ in which the trigonal crystal field splits the P and S 3p_xp_y-3p_a states, and strong covalent hybridization between P and S p_xp_y orbitals leads to covalent electronic bonding. Ni is envisaged as a divalent ion which plays little role in the electronic bonding and its 3d levels are localized, lying near the top both of the valence states. This model accounts well for both the valence band XPS data and the low energy optical transitions. Our model should represent, at the center of the Brillouin zone but not at the boundaries, the energy level sequence in NiPS₃ and other related MPX₃ layer-type compounds where M Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺ and X is sulfur or selenium.The XPS spectra and optical properties of NiPS₃ have been obtained and interpreted on a qualitative molecular orbital model in which the Ni is a divalent positive ion which plays little role in the bonding. Evidence for such ionicity appears in the optical properties and XPS satellite structures, as well as in the magnetic properties. The model should represent qualitatively the band structure at the center of the Brillouin zone, but not at the boundaries. It should also be valid for other compounds similar to NiPS₃, i.e. those with other metals in place of Ni and those with Se in place of S.     

The3 A 2g →3 T 1g(F) transition in the spectrum of some oxygen-ligated octahedral nickel(II) species

Summary In sodium phosphate glasses, nickel(II) is octahedrally coordinated by the oxygens of the phosphates with ₀ = 7600 cm^–1 and B = 920 cm^–1. Contrary to the case of many other oxygen-coordinated systems including [Ni(H₂O)₆]²⁺ and low alkali borate glasses, the second spin-allowed transition to³ T _1g(F) appears as a single-peaked band well-separated from the spinforbidden transition to¹ E _g(D). Variation of the glass composition does not change the main features of the spectrum. Dissolving the glasses in water results in a shift of all the bands to higher energies with the second spin-allowed band becoming triple-peaked. This supports Liehr and Ballhausen's explanation of the structure of this band.Part of a thesis submitted by T. Genena in partial fulfillment of the M.Sc. degree in Solid State Science, 1985.     

Synthesis of Ni-poor NiO nanoparticles for p-DSSC applications

To improve the performances of p-Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (p-DSSC) for the future, the synthesis of modified p-type nickel oxide semiconductor, commonly used as photocathode in such devices, was initiated with Ni₃O₂(OH)₄ as precursor. This specific nickel oxyhydroxide was first characterized by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Then its thermal decomposition was thoroughly studied in order to control the particles size of the as-prepared NiO nanopowders. Low temperature decomposition in air of this precursor allows the formation of Ni_1−xO nanoparticles with a large amount of Ni vacancies and specific surface areas up to 250 m² g⁻¹. Its ammonolysis at 250 °C leads to nanostructured N-doped NiO (NiO:N) materials.     

Self‐Assembly,Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Studies of Nickel(II)‐4,8‐Diazaundecanediamide Complex

The self‐assembly of NiCl₂·6H₂O with a diaminodiamide ligand 4,8‐diazaundecanediamide (L‐2,3,2) gave a [Ni(C₉H₂₀N₄O₂)(Cl)(H₂O)] Cl·2H₂O ( 1 ). The structure of 1 was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Structural data for 1 indicate that the Ni(II) is coordinated to two tertiary N atoms, two O atoms, one water and one chloride in a distorted octahedral geometry. Crystal data for 1: orthorhombic, space group P 21nb, a = 9.5796(3) Å, b = 12.3463(4) Å, c = 14.6305(5) Å, Z = 4. Through NH···Cl–Ni (H···Cl 2.42 Å, N···Cl 3.24 Å, NH···Cl 158°) and OH···Cl–Ni contacts (H···Cl 2.36 Å, O···Cl 3.08 Å, OH···Cl 143°), each cationic moiety [Ni(C₉H₂₀N₄O₂) (Cl)(H₂O)]⁺ in 1 is linked to neighboring ones, producing a charged hydrogen‐bonded 1D chainlike structure. Thermogrametric analysis of compound 1 is consistent with the crystallographic observations. The electronic absorption spectrum of Ni(L‐2,3,2)²⁺ in aqueous solution shows four absorption bands, which are assigned to the ³A_2g → ³T_2g, ³T_2g → ¹Eg, ³T_2g → ³T_1g, and ³A_2g → ³T_1g transitions of triplet‐ground state, distorted octahedral nickel(II) complex. The cyclic volammetric measurement shows that Ni²⁺ is more easily reduced than Ni(L‐2,3,2)²⁺ in aqueous solution.     

Partially Pyrolyzed Binary Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets for Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Synthesis

Herein, we developed a partially controlled pyrolysis strategy to create evenly distributed NiO nanoparticles within NiFe‐MOF nanosheets (MOF NSs) for electrochemical synthesis of H₂O₂ by a two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The elemental Ni can be partially transformed to NiO and uniformly distributed on the surface of the MOF NSs, which is crucial for the formation of the particular structure. The optimized MOF NSs‐300 exhibits the highest activity for ORR with near‐zero overpotential and excellent H₂O₂ selectivity (ca. 99 %) in 0.1 m KOH solution. A high‐yield H₂O₂ production rate of 6.5 mol g_cat^?1 h^?1 has also been achieved by MOF NSs‐300 in 0.1 m KOH and at 0.6 V (vs. RHE). In contrast to completely pyrolyzed products, the enhanced catalytic activities of partially pyrolyzed MOF NSs‐300 originates mainly from the retained MOF structure and the newly generated NiO nanoparticles, forming the coordinatively unsaturated Ni atoms and tuning the performance towards electrochemical H₂O₂ synthesis.     

LSDA+U方法研究Ni掺杂CuO和Cu掺杂NiO的电子结构和反铁磁学性质

光催化分解水制H2和光催化还原CO2是解决能源危机和全球变暖的有效途径.但是,由于粉末光催化剂存在回收效率低的问题,因而光催化成本很高.而磁性光催化剂便于回收和重复利用,因此人们把目光转向具有磁性的非光催化剂材料,试图通过改性使得磁性材料具有合适的水分解或者还原CO2的氧化还原电位.同时,对具有光催化活性但是没有磁性的材料进行磁化改性可以得到新型的磁性光催化剂.本文通过对本身具有磁性的NiO材料进行Cu掺杂能带调整,使调整后的NiO具有合适的氧化还原电位;对本身具有良好光催化氧化还原电位的CuO材料进行Ni掺杂磁化调整,使磁化后的CuO既有良好的氧化还原电位又有磁性.最终两种材料经过掺杂变成磁性光催化材料,既有较好的光催化性能,又可高效回收,因此有望在光催化领域具有潜在的应用前景.LSDA(局域自旋密度近似)+U(有效库仑相关能)计算方法能够很好地给出磁矩和禁带宽度等电子结构性质.本文通过LSDA+U计算方法对具有磁性的宽禁带半导体材料NiO进行电子结构改性研究,希望通过降低其禁带宽度、调整其氧化还原电位使之对太阳光有响应.因其同时具有磁性便于回收,使得光催化分解水制H2和光催化还原CO2成本高的问题得到解决.对NiO的磁胞进行了Cu掺杂计算,结果发现Cu的掺杂几乎没有引起NiO空间结构的变化,这是因为Cu和Ni的离子半径相近.通过对电子结构的计算发现掺杂体系的禁带变窄,并且在禁带中间出现了两条杂质能级,该杂质能级是由掺杂原子Cu 3d态组成.杂质能级的出现能够降低光生载流子在带隙中的复合,从而提高光催化效率.计算结果同时表明,Cu掺杂的NiO系统具有一个1μB的净磁矩,即Cu的掺杂使得NiO显示出磁性,而Ni的磁矩在掺杂前后几乎保持不变,由纯相的1.67μB增加到掺杂体系中的1.70μB.由于CuO本身低指数(111)面和(011)面具有合适的分解水制H2和还原CO2的氧化还原电位,如果对CuO进行磁化改性,可以使光催化剂CuO同时带有磁性,便于回收再利用.本文对CuO磁胞进行了Ni的掺杂计算.结果表明,由于离子半径相近,Ni掺杂几乎没有引起CuO空间结构的变化.掺杂后的体系具有一个1.66μB的净磁矩,同时Ni的掺杂引起多个杂质能级出现,靠近价带的杂质能级由Cu 3d态组成,而在导带底位置出现的杂质能级主要由Ni 3d态组成.整个能带向高能级方向平移.     

Partially Pyrolyzed Binary Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets for Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Synthesis

Herein, we developed a partially controlled pyrolysis strategy to create evenly distributed NiO nanoparticles within NiFe-MOF nanosheets (MOF NSs) for electrochemical synthesis of H₂O₂ by a two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The elemental Ni can be partially transformed to NiO and uniformly distributed on the surface of the MOF NSs, which is crucial for the formation of the particular structure. The optimized MOF NSs-300 exhibits the highest activity for ORR with near-zero overpotential and excellent H₂O₂ selectivity (ca. 99 %) in 0.1 m KOH solution. A high-yield H₂O₂ production rate of 6.5 mol g_cat⁻¹ h⁻¹ has also been achieved by MOF NSs-300 in 0.1 m KOH and at 0.6 V (vs. RHE). In contrast to completely pyrolyzed products, the enhanced catalytic activities of partially pyrolyzed MOF NSs-300 originates mainly from the retained MOF structure and the newly generated NiO nanoparticles, forming the coordinatively unsaturated Ni atoms and tuning the performance towards electrochemical H₂O₂ synthesis.     

Effect of Nitrogen Substitution in V2O3 on the Metal–Insulator Transition

The effect of N‐doping on the paramagnetic–antiferromagnetic transition associated with the metal–insulator (M–I) transition of V₂O₃ at 150 K has been studied in bulk samples as well as in nanosheets. The magnetic transition temperature of V₂O₃ is lowered to ～120 K in the N‐doped samples. Electrical resistivity data also indicate a similar lowering of the M–I transition temperature. First‐principles DFT calculations reveal that anionic (N) substitution and the accompanying oxygen vacancies reduce the energy of the high‐temperature metallic corundum phase relative to the monoclinic one leading to the observed reduction in Nèel temperature. In the electronic structure of N‐substituted V₂O₃, a sub‐band of 2p states of trivalent anion (N) associated with its strong bond with the vanadium cation appears at the top of the band of O(2p) states, the 3d‐states of V being slightly higher in energy. Its band gap is thus due to crystal field splitting of the degenerate d‐orbitals of vanadium and superexchange interaction, which reduces notably (ΔE_g=?0.4 eV) due to their hybridization with the 2p states of nitrogen. A weak magnetic moment arises in the monoclinic phase of N‐substituted V₂O₃ with O‐vacancies, with a moment of ?1 μ_B/N localized on vanadium atoms in the vicinity of oxygen vacancies.