Achieving Simultaneous CO2 and H2S Conversion via a Coupled Solar‐Driven Electrochemical Approach on Non‐Precious‐Metal Catalysts

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) are generally concomitant with methane (CH₄) in natural gas and traditionally deemed useless or even harmful. Developing strategies that can simultaneously convert both CO₂ and H₂S into value‐added products is attractive; however it has not received enough attention. A solar‐driven electrochemical process is demonstrated using graphene‐encapsulated zinc oxide catalyst for CO₂ reduction and graphene catalyst for H₂S oxidation mediated by EDTA‐Fe²⁺/EDTA‐Fe³⁺ redox couples. The as‐prepared solar‐driven electrochemical system can realize the simultaneous conversion of CO₂ and H₂S into carbon monoxide and elemental sulfur at near neutral conditions with high stability and selectivity. This conceptually provides an alternative avenue for the purification of natural gas with added economic and environmental benefits.     

Low‐Spin Pseudotetrahedral Iron(I) Sites in Fe2(μ‐S) Complexes

Fe^I centers in iron–sulfide complexes have little precedent in synthetic chemistry despite a growing interest in the possible role of unusually low valent iron in metalloenzymes that feature iron–sulfur clusters. A series of three diiron [(L₃Fe)₂(μ‐S)] complexes that were isolated and characterized in the low‐valent oxidation states Fe^II? S? Fe^II, Fe^II? S? Fe^I, and Fe^I? S? Fe^I is described. This family of iron sulfides constitutes a unique redox series comprising three nearly isostructural but electronically distinct Fe₂(μ‐S) species. Combined structural, magnetic, and spectroscopic studies provided strong evidence that the pseudotetrahedral iron centers undergo a transition to low‐spin S=1/2 states upon reduction from Fe^II to Fe^I. The possibility of accessing low‐spin, pseudotetrahedral Fe^I sites compatible with S^2? as a ligand was previously unknown.     

Efficient Counter Electrode Manufactured from Ag2S Nanocrystal Ink for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

It is generally believed that silver or silver‐based compounds are not suitable counter electrode (CE) materials for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) due to the corrosion of the I^?/I₃^? redox couple in electrolytes. However, Ag₂S has potential applications in DSSCs for catalyzing I₃^? reduction reactions because of its high carrier concentration and tiny solubility product constant. In the present work, CE manufactured from Ag₂S nanocrystals ink exhibited efficient electrocatalytic activity in the reduction of I₃^? to I^? in DSSCs. The DSSC consisting of Ag₂S CE displayed a higher power conversion efficiency of 8.40 % than that of Pt CE (8.11 %). Moreover, the devices also showed the characteristics of fast activity onset, high multiple start/stop capability and good irradiated stability. The simple composition, easy preparation, stable chemical property, and good catalytic performance make the developed Ag₂S CE as a promising alternative to Pt CE in DSSCs.     

Two‐Dimensional Perovskite Oxynitride K2LaTa2O6N with an H+/K+ Exchangeability in Aqueous Solution Forming a Stable Photocatalyst for Visible‐Light H2 Evolution

Undoped layered oxynitrides have not been considered as promising H₂‐evolution photocatalysts because of the low chemical stability of oxynitrides in aqueous solution. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of a new layered perovskite oxynitride, K₂LaTa₂O₆N, as an exceptional example of a water‐tolerant photocatalyst for H₂ evolution under visible light. The material underwent in‐situ H⁺/K⁺ exchange in aqueous solution while keeping its visible‐light‐absorption capability. Protonated K₂LaTa₂O₆N, modified with an Ir cocatalyst, exhibited excellent catalytic activity toward H₂ evolution in the presence of I^? as an electron donor and under visible light; the activity was six times higher than Pt/ZrO₂/TaON, one of the best‐performing oxynitride photocatalysts for H₂ evolution. Overall water splitting was also achieved using the Ir‐loaded, protonated K₂LaTa₂O₆N in combination with Cs‐modified Pt/WO₃ as an O₂ evolution photocatalyst in the presence of an I₃^?/I^? shuttle redox couple.     

An Investigation into the Suitability of Bismuth as an Alternative to Gold‐Amalgam as a Working Electrode for the In Situ Determination of Chemical Redox Species in the Natural Environment

The suitability of the bismuth film working electrode was investigated as an alternative to the gold‐amalgam electrode used in solid state microelectrodes for in situ voltammetric analysis of redox chemistry in the natural environment (e.g., lakes, oceans, sedimentary pore waters). Chemical redox species measurable with the Au‐amalgam include O₂, H₂S, S , S₂O , Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, I^?. Bismuth was electrochemically deposited to form a solid film analogous to the Au‐amalgam on a polished gold disk electrode. The useable potential window of the Bi‐film was found to be narrower than that of the Au‐amalgam, precluding the detection of dissolved O₂, I^? and S₂O , whose redox potentials fall outside the Bi‐film's range. The Bi‐film was able to detect free H₂S/HS^? and total sulfide (AVS), but not Fe²⁺ or Mn²⁺. The Bi‐film was less sensitive to low levels of total sulfide (<10 μM) than the Au‐amalgam; however, the Bi‐film was able to accurately quantify very high concentrations of sulfide (at least 15 mM), with a linear response up to an order of magnitude higher than that of the Au‐amalgam. Thus the Bi‐film appears to have limited application as an alternative to the Au‐amalgam microelectrode for in situ analysis of redox species in natural waters.     

A Four‐Electron Sulfur Electrode Hosting a Cu2+/Cu+ Redox Charge Carrier

The elemental sulfur electrode with Cu²⁺ as the charge carrier gives a four‐electron sulfur electrode reaction through the sequential conversion of S?CuS?Cu₂S. The Cu‐S redox‐ion electrode delivers a high specific capacity of 3044 mAh g^?1 based on the sulfur mass or 609 mAh g^?1 based on the mass of Cu₂S, the completely discharged product, and displays an unprecedently high potential of sulfur/metal sulfide reduction at 0.5 V vs. SHE. The Cu‐S electrode also exhibits an extremely low extent of polarization of 0.05 V and an outstanding cycle number of 1200 cycles retaining 72 % of the initial capacity at 12.5 A g^?1. The remarkable utility of this Cu‐S cathode is further demonstrated in a hybrid cell that employs an Zn metal anode and an anion‐exchange membrane as the separator, which yields an average cell discharge voltage of 1.15 V, the half‐cell specific energy of 547 Wh kg^?1 based on the mass of the Cu₂S/carbon composite cathode, and stable cycling over 110 cycles.     

A Fluorescent Chemosensor for Dihydrogen Phosphate Ion Based on 2‐[2‐Hydroxy‐4‐(diethylamino) phenyl]‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐b]phenazine‐Fe3+ Ensemble

A long wavelength emission fluorescent (612 nm) chemosensor with high selectivity for H₂PO₄^? ions was designed and synthesized according to the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). The sensor can exist in two tautomeric forms ('keto' and 'enol') in the presence of Fe³⁺ ion, Fe³⁺ may bind with the 'keto' form of the sensor. Furthermore, the in situ generated GY‐Fe³⁺ ensemble could recover the quenched fluorescence upon the addition of H₂PO₄^? anion resulting in an off‐on‐type sensing with a detection limit of micromolar range in the same medium, and other anions, including F^?, Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, AcO^?, HSO₄^?, ClO₄^? and CN^? had nearly no influence on the probing behavior. The test strips based on 2‐[2‐hydroxy‐4‐(diethylamino) phenyl]‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐b]phenazine and Fe³⁺ metal complex ( GY‐Fe³⁺ ) were fabricated, which could act as convenient and efficient H₂PO₄^? test kits.     

Fast,Reversible Lithium Storage with a Sulfur/Long‐Chain‐Polysulfide Redox Couple

The cathodic reactions in Li–S batteries can be divided into two steps. Firstly, elemental sulfur is transformed into long‐chain polysulfides (S₈?Li₂S₄), which are highly soluble in the electrolyte. Next, long‐chain polysulfides undergo nucleation reaction and convert into solid‐state Li₂S₂ and Li₂S (Li₂S₄?Li₂S) by slow processes. As a result, the second‐step of the electrochemical reaction hinders the high‐rate application of Li–S batteries. In this report, the kinetics of the sulfur/long‐chain‐polysulfide redox couple (theoretical capacity=419 mA h g^?1) are experimentally demonstrated to be very fast in the Li–S system. A Li–S cell with a blended carbon interlayer retains excellent cycle stability and possesses a high percentage of active material utilization over 250 cycles at high C rates. The meso‐/micropores in the interlayer are responsible for accommodating the shuttling polysulfides and offering sufficient electrolyte accessibility. Therefore, utilizing the sulfur/long‐chain polysulfide redox couple with an efficient interlayer configuration in Li–S batteries may be a promising choice for high‐power applications.     

“Complex” versus “free radical” mechanism for the catalytic decomposition of H2O2 by ferric ions

Kinetic and spectrophotometric measurements made during the Fe³⁺ ion catalyzed decomposition of H₂O₂ have been analyzed using the computer simulation method. Improved values of the rate constants of the “complex scheme” and of the molar absorptivities ofthe intermediates were obtained: k₃/K_M = 4.94 M^?1 min^?1, k₄ = 193 M^?1 min^?1, ε_I/K_M = 52.3 M^?2 cm^?1, ε_II = 25.7 M^?1 cm^?1. The simulation revealed details of the reaction which were unavailable by other means and which explained several features of its kinetics. The total amount of O₂ evolved in the reaction using [H₂O₂] ～ 10^?2 M has been calculated and found to be nearly stoichiometric. O₂ evolution experiments in this region cannot, thus, distinguish between the “complex mechanism” predicting nearly stoichiometric evolution of O₂ and the “free radical mechanism” predicting exactly stoichiometricamounts of O₂. There are discrepancies within the “free radical scheme” with regard to the correct values of the rate constants to fit the reactions of H₂O₂ both with Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions, as well as other reactions assumed to proceed via free radicals.     

Transition metal salts of H<Subscript>4</Subscript>PMo<Subscript>11</Subscript>VO<Subscript>40</Subscript> for efficient H<Subscript>2</Subscript>S removal in the liquid redox process

Several transition metal (Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn⁴⁺, and Cr⁶⁺) salts of H₄PMo₁₁VO₄₀ were prepared and their solutions were used initially for H₂S removal in the liquid redox process. H₂S removal tests were performed by dynamic absorption experiments. Among these polyoxometalates, that with the Cu²⁺ cation was found to have pronounced H₂S removal performance with the removal efficiency of up to 98%. The relevant oxidative desulfurization mechanism and the role of Cu²⁺ were studied.     

Hollow Carbon Nanofibers Filled with MnO2 Nanosheets as Efficient Sulfur Hosts for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Lithium–sulfur batteries have been investigated as promising electrochemical‐energy storage systems owing to their high theoretical energy density. Sulfur‐based cathodes must not only be highly conductive to enhance the utilization of sulfur, but also effectively confine polysulfides to mitigate their dissolution. A new physical and chemical entrapment strategy is based on a highly efficient sulfur host, namely hollow carbon nanofibers (HCFs) filled with MnO₂ nanosheets. Benefiting from both the HCFs and birnessite‐type MnO₂ nanosheets, the MnO₂@HCF hybrid host not only facilitates electron and ion transfer during the redox reactions, but also efficiently prevents polysulfide dissolution. With a high sulfur content of 71 wt % in the composite and an areal sulfur mass loading of 3.5 mg cm^?2 in the electrode, the MnO₂@HCF/S electrode delivered a specific capacity of 1161 mAh g^?1 (4.1 mAh cm^?2) at 0.05 C and maintained a stable cycling performance at 0.5 C over 300 cycles.     

High-temperature FeS-FeS2 solid-state transitions: Reactions of solid mackinawite with gaseous H2S

Phase transitions and reactions of non-oxidized and surface-oxidized mackinawite (FeS) in helium and H₂S gas were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT). DFT was used to obtain optimized structures of the iron-sulfur phases mackinawite, hexagonal pyrrhotite, greigite, marcasite and pyrite and to determine the thermochemical properties of reactions of mackinawite with H₂S to these phases. The phase transitions of mackinawite to hexagonal pyrrhotite are endothermic, while reactions to greigite, marcasite and pyrite are exothermic. The experiments show that non-oxidized mackinawite converts into hexagonal pyrrhotite (Fe₉S₁₀ first and then Fe₇S₈) in He and also in H₂S but at a lower temperature. No further reactions can be observed under these conditions. In the case of surface-oxidized mackinawite, the extent of surface oxidation determines the course and the final product of the reaction with H₂S. If the extent of surface oxidation is low, only Fe²⁺ is oxidized to Fe³⁺. Under these conditions mackinawite converts into the mixed-valence thiospinel compound greigite. In case of pronounced surface oxidation all surface Fe centers are oxidized to the Fe³⁺ state and S²⁻ is oxidized to SO₄²⁻. Oxidation of sulfur is a prerequisite for the formation of pyrite.     

Optimization and Degradation Mechanism of Photocatalytic Removal of Bisphenol A Using Zn0.9Fe0.1S Synthesized by Microwave‐assisted Method

The sulfide photocatalyst of Zn_0.9Fe_0.1S was successfully synthesized by a facile microwave‐assisted method, and Zn_0.9Fe_0.1S photocatalysts were characterized using SEM, EDX, XRD and BET. The specific surface area of synthesized Zn_0.9Fe_0.1S is 78.1 m² g^?1, and total pore volume is 0.4 cm³ g^?1. With bisphenol A (BPA) as a target pollutant, photocatalytic system of UV + Zn_0.9Fe_0.1S + H₂O₂ was set up. Some influencing parameters, including H₂O₂ dosage, initial pH value, initial concentration of BPA and Zn_0.9Fe_0.1S dosage, were investigated, and the stability of the Zn_0.9Fe_0.1S was also studied during the photocatalysis. The optimum values of operating parameters were found at an initial pH value of 5.0, a H₂O₂ dosage of 0.15 mmol L^?1 and a Zn_0.9Fe_0.1S dosage of 0.08 g when the initial concentration of BPA was 10 mg L^?1. Under the optimal conditions, the highest removal rate of BPA achieved 95%. After seven consecutive reaction cycles, the degradation efficiency of BPA could still reach 85% and there was only a little dissolution of Zn²⁺ and Fe²⁺. Compared with the traditional photo‐Fenton system, the UV + Zn_0.9Fe_0.1S + H₂O₂ system can not only improve the degradation efficiency of BPA, but also reduce the dosage of H₂O₂ and thus reduce the processing cost.     

Über Reaktionen oxygenierter Kobalt(II)-Komplexe. IX. Oxydative Eigenschaften von Tetrakis(äthylendiamin)-μ-peroxo-μ-hydroxo-dikobalt(III)

Reactions of oxygenated cobalt(II) complexes. IX. Oxidative properties of tetrakis(ethylenediamine)-μ-peroxo-μ-hydroxo-dicobalt(III)

1 VIII s. [1].

[(en)₂Co(O₂, OH)Co(en)₂]³⁺ ( a ) reacts with I^? in acidic aqueous solution according to: Co^III(O₂, OH)Co^III + 21^? + 5H⁺ ? 2Co^III + 3H₂O + I₂. Using I^? in excess first order rate constants are obtained which, to a first approximation, are independent of [I^?]. Comparison with kinetic data of deoxygenation of [(en)₂Co(O₂, OH)Co(en)₂]³⁺ under analogous conditions suggests that both reactions have the same rate determining step. The singly bridged species [(en)₂(H₂O)CoO₂Co(H₂O) (en)₂]⁴⁺ is shown to be the reactive intermediate in the iodide oxidation (Schema 2).     

SnS‐Quantum Dot Solar Cells Using Novel TiC Counter Electrode and Organic Redox Couples

Low‐cost quantum‐dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) were fabricated by using the earth‐abundant element SnS quantum dot, novel TiC counter electrodes, and the organic disulfide/thiolate (T₂/T^?) redox couple, and reached an efficiency of 1.03 %. QDSSCs based on I^?/I₃^?, T₂/T^?, and S^2?/S_x^2? redox couples were assembled to study the role of the redox couples in the regeneration of sensitizers. Charge‐extraction results reveal the reasons for the difference in J_SC in three QDSSCs based on I^?/I₃^?, T₂/T^?, and S^2?/S_x^2? redox couples. The catalytic selectivity of TiC and Pt towards T₂/T^? and I^?/I₃^? redox couples was investigated using Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance analysis. These results indicated that Pt and TiC show a similar catalytic selectivity for I^?/I₃^?. However, TiC possesses better catalytic activity for T₂/T^? than for I^?/I₃^?. These results indicate the great potential of transition metal carbide materials and organic redox couples used in QDSSCs.     

Study on Apparent Kinetics of the Reaction between Sulfuric and Hydriodic Acids in the Iodine–Sulfur Process

The iodine–sulfur (IS) thermochemical process for hydrogen production is one of the most promising approaches in using high‐temperature process heat supplied by a nuclear reactor. This process includes three reactions that form a closed cycle: the Bunsen reaction, in which iodine, water, and sulfur dioxide react to form sulfuric acid and hydriodic acid (HI); HI decomposition; and sulfuric acid decomposition. However, the side reactions between H₂SO₄ and HI may disturb the operation of the IS closed cycle. For optimal process conditions, the reaction kinetics between H₂SO₄ and HI should be examined. In this work, a preliminary kinetic study was conducted. Using the initial reaction rate method, the kinetic parameters of the reaction between sulfuric acid and HI, such as the apparent reaction orders and rate constant were determined. For I^?, the apparent reaction order was approximately 1.77, whereas the orders for H⁺ and SO₄^2? were 7.78 and 1.29, respectively. The apparent rate constant at 85 ± 1°C was approximately 2.949 × 10^?11 min^?1 (mol/L)^?9.84. The H⁺ concentration had more significant influence on the reaction rate than those of SO₄^2? and I^?. Such basic data provide useful information for related process design and further kinetics study.     

(Dibenzoylmethanato)boron Difluoride Derivatives Containing Triphenylamine Moieties: A New Type of Electron‐Donor/π‐Acceptor System for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

(Dibenzoylmethanato)boron difluoride derivatives containing triphenylamine moieties were synthesized as a new type of electron‐donor/π‐acceptor system. These new compounds exhibited long‐wavelength absorptions in the UV/Vis spectra, and reversible oxidation and reduction waves in cyclic voltammetry experiments. Their amphoteric redox properties are based on their resonance hybrid forms, in which a positive charge is delocalized on the triphenylamine moieties and a negative charge is localized on the boron atoms. Molecular orbital (MO) calculations indicate that their HOMO and LUMO energies vary with the number of phenylene rings connected to the difluoroboron‐chelating ring. This is useful for optimizing the HOMO and LUMO levels to an iodine redox (I^?/I₃^?) potential and a titanium dioxide conduction band, respectively. Dye‐sensitized solar cells fabricated by using these compounds as dye sensitizers exhibited solar‐to‐electric power conversion efficiencies of 2.7–4.4 % under AM 1.5 solar light.     

Copper Versus Thioether‐Centered Oxidation: Mechanistic Insights into the Non‐Innocent Redox Behavior of Tripodal Benzimidazolylaminothioether Ligands

A series of Cu⁺ complexes with ligands that feature varying numbers of benzimidazole/thioether donors and methylene or ethylene linkers between the central nitrogen atom and the thioether sulfur atoms have been spectroscopically and electrochemically characterized. Cyclic voltammetry measurements indicated that the highest Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ redox potentials correspond to sulfur‐rich coordination environments, with values decreasing as the thioether donors are replaced by nitrogen‐donating benzimidazoles. Both Cu²⁺ and Cu⁺ complexes were studied by DFT. Their electronic properties were determined by analyzing their frontier orbitals, relative energies, and the contributions to the orbitals involved in redox processes, which revealed that the HOMOs of the more sulfur‐rich copper complexes, particularly those with methylene linkers (? N? CH₂? S? ), show significant aromatic thioether character. Thus, the theoretically predicted initial oxidation at the sulfur atom of the methylene‐bridged ligands agrees with the experimentally determined oxidation waves in the voltammograms of the NS₃‐ and N₂S₂‐type ligands as being ligand‐based, as opposed to the copper‐based processes of the ethylene‐bridged Cu⁺ complexes. The electrochemical and theoretical results are consistent with our previously reported mechanistic proposal for Cu²⁺‐promoted oxidative C? S bond cleavage, which in this work resulted in the isolation and complete characterization (including by X‐ray crystallography) of the decomposition products of two ligands employed, further supporting the novel reactivity pathway invoked. The combined results raise the possibility that the reactions of copper–thioether complexes in chemical and biochemical systems occur with redox participation of the sulfur atom.     

Effect of simulated solar light on the autocatalytic degradation of nitrobenzene using Fe3+ and hydrogen peroxide

The effect of simulated solar light on nitrobenzene degradation in Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ solutions was investigated under different experimental conditions. Consumption profiles of NBE and H₂O₂ display an autocatalytic kinetic behavior for both dark and photo-assisted degradation experiments. The rates of the initial slow phase that precedes the catalytic phase are significantly enhanced by irradiation, although the effect of simulated solar light on the rates of the fast phase is negligible. The absolute rates of the slow phase increase with the concentrations of Fe³⁺ and H₂O₂, whereas the initial rate of the degree of conversion increase decreases with organic matter loading. The reaction progress was characterized by HPLC, GC–MS, IC, TOC (total organic carbon) and toxicity analyses. The main products detected were 4-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, 2-nitrophenol, 1,3-dinitrobenzene, phenol, oxalic acid, formic acid, NO₂^? and NO₃^?. Product distribution profiles are discussed in connection with TOC and toxicity measurements. The results show that dark treatment is neither capable of lowering the organic content nor capable of reducing the effluent toxicity to acceptable levels. On the other hand, photo-assisted processes induced by simulated solar light can significantly enhance both mineralization and detoxification efficiencies.     

A Low‐Cost and Environmentally Friendly Mixed Polyanionic Cathode for Sodium‐Ion Storage

Sodium‐ion batteries (NIBs) are the most promising alternatives to lithium‐ion batteries in the development of renewable energy sources. The advancement of NIBs depends on the exploration of new electrode materials and fundamental understanding of working mechanisms. Herein, via experimental and simulation methods, we develop a mixed polyanionic compound, Na₂Fe(C₂O₄)SO₄?H₂O, as a cathode for NIBs. Thanks to its rigid three dimensional framework and the combined inductive effects from oxalate and sulfate, it delivered reversible Na insertion/desertion at average discharging voltages of 3.5 and 3.1 V for 500 cycles with Coulombic efficiencies of ca. 99 %. In situ synchrotron X‐ray measurements and DFT calculations demonstrate the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ redox reactions contribute to electron compensation during Na⁺ desertion/insertion. The study suggests mixed polyanionic frameworks may provide promising materials for Na ion storage with the merits of low cost and environmental friendliness.