光催化固氮:人工光合成的新途径（英文）

氨不仅是一种广泛使用的化工原料,还可用作重要的能源载体.哈伯法合成氨被认为是20世纪最伟大的发明之一,为人类社会的发展做出了巨大贡献.同时,氨合成过程每年需要消耗世界总能源的1%–2%.因此,开发绿色清洁的氨合成方法一直是世界范围内工业界和学术界关注的热点.随着人工光合成太阳燃料研究的蓬勃发展,利用太阳能光催化的方式实现在温和条件下合成氨吸引了越来越多研究者的兴趣,因为这是一条最为理想的能源利用途径,即直接利用太阳能将氮气和水转化为氨.近期,该研究领域涌现了一系列有代表性的研究工作,报道了利用半导体光催化剂实现太阳能到氨的转化,虽然整体效率仍很低,但是已经证明了利用太阳能直接将氮气转化为氨的可能性.光催化合成氨过程中,最具挑战的是氮气分子在半导体光催化剂表面的吸附和活化.研究表明,通过在半导体光催化剂表面引入空位或者缺陷可有效地增加氮气的吸附,且很可能成为氮气分子活化并参与反应的活性中心.此外,借鉴自然界豆类植物固氮酶的独特结构,利用其对于氮气分子高效活化的独特优势,构建自然-人工杂化体系也是提升氮气吸附与活化的有效策略之一.本综述将从合成氨过程中氮气的吸附与活化问题入手,分别从缺陷与空位调控和固氮酶两个方面的策略考虑,结合几个典型的光催化剂体系(如卤氧化铋,二氧化钛及水滑石等)作为示例,介绍空位调控与模拟固氮酶策略对太阳能光催化固氮的影响并分析其可能的机理.虽然人工光合成固氮研究取得了一些进展,但是目前效率太低,亟需从基础科学问题的认识和理解上有新的突破,如氮气分子的吸附与活化微观过程、空位可控调变策略、新型光催化剂的开发与表界面修饰、氨氧化逆反应的抑制策略及精确的理论模拟指导人工光合成固氮体系的构建等.最后,对人工光合成固氮研究方向面临的挑战和未来的发展方向进行了总结与展望.     

表面组装钴物种同时促进Cd0.9Zn0.1S光催化剂的界面电荷分离和表面反应

利用人工光合成将太阳能转化为化学燃料是太阳能利用的重要途径,具有广阔的应用前景,其中,太阳能光催化分解水制氢是最为关键的反应之一.但是,大多数半导体光催化材料面临着光生电荷分离困难和表面催化反应速率慢等挑战.本文以具有可见光响应的半导体光催化剂Cd0.9Zn0.1S(CZS)纳米棒为研究模型,利用水热法成功在其表面上均...     

钴基非均相催化剂在光催化水分解、二氧化碳还原和氮还原的研究进展与展望（英文）

利用大自然丰富的太阳能驱动水、二氧化碳或氮气转化为高附加值燃料(如H₂, CO, CH₄, CH₃OH或NH₃等),实现人工光合成,将储量丰富的太阳能转化为可利用的清洁化学能源,被认为是解决能源短缺和环境问题的关键技术之一,能够有效缓解能源危机和全球变暖,极具应用前景.因此,各种类型的光催化剂相继被开发出来,以满足光催化的需求.其中钴基多相催化剂是最有前途的光催化剂之一,它可以通过扩大光吸收范围、促进电荷分离、提供活性位点和降低反应能垒等途径有效提高光催化效率,为太阳能燃料转化利用开辟广阔的前景.本文首先介绍了光催化水分解、CO₂还原和N₂还原的基本原理.然后,总结了基于钴基催化剂的改性策略,包括形貌、晶面、结晶度、掺杂和表面修饰,重点讨论了钴基多相材料在水分解(产氢、产氧和全解水)、二氧化碳还原以及氮还原领域的光催化进展.最后,对钴基光催化剂当前面临的挑战和未来的发展作了展望和总结.提出了钴基光催化剂未来的一些研究方向.包括:(1)基于材料光催化体系的设...     

量子点人工光合成化学转换研究进展

利用半导体量子点为光催化剂通过人工光合成的方式把H2O或CO2转化为H2或CO从而获得氢气或其他太阳能燃料,被认为是解决能源和环境危机的有效途径.量子点由于其独特的光物理和光化学性质(如优异的吸光能力、可调的能带结构、多激子生成、表面丰富的活性位点等)在人工光合成化学转换领域受到了广泛的关注.本文总结了近年来作者团队在...     

人工光合成制氢

氢气的燃烧热值高(285.8 kJ/mol),且燃烧时只生成水不生成任何污染物,被认为是理想的能源载体。模拟自然界光合作用系统活性中心的结构和功能,利用光催化分解水制取氢气是将太阳能转换为化学能的重要方式,也是人工光合成的重要内容。本文对近年来国内外人工光合成制氢领域取得的重要进展进行了总结,并对人工光合成制氢的发展趋势和前景进行了展望。     

生物杂化体介导的半人工光合作用:机理、进展及展望

半人工光合系统通过利用人工光合系统与自然光合系统关键功能组分的协同效应以实现太阳能-化学能的转化。生物杂化体介导的半人工光合系统(biohybrid mediated semi-artificial photosynthetic system, BMSAPS)创新性地耦合了光敏剂优异的光捕获特性及生物催化剂高效的催化能力,从而利用太阳能高效驱动特定的化学转化过程。强化光敏剂与生物催化剂微界面间电子的产生、传输及利用是提高BMSAPS性能的关键。本文从BMSAPS的基本原理出发,分析了BMSAPS构建的关键科学问题及研究现状,阐述了该系统光生电子传递的相关机制及研究手段,总结了其在可再生能源转化、二氧化碳减排等方面的研究进展,并就未来的研究方向提出展望。本文有助于加深对BMSAPS的认识,从而为进一步优化其在能源生产和环境修复领域的应用提供理论基础和技术支撑。     

从自然光合作用到人工光合作用

光合作用的光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)是自然界唯一能够利用太阳能高效、安全将水裂解,获得电子、质子并释放出氧气的生物系统,对其结构和微观原理的研究一直是光合作用研究领域的热点和难点.2011年以来PSⅡ的晶体结构研究取得突破性进展,其核心色素、辅基及水裂解催化中心(OEC)的空间结构均已被揭示,这为人工光合作用研究提供了重要的依据.最近本课题组成功合成出结构和理化性能均与生物OEC类似的人工Mn_4Ca-簇合物.这些进展为今后人工光合作用探索利用太阳能和水制备清洁能源的研究奠定了重要基础.本文对生物光系统Ⅱ和人工光合作用的最近研究进展进行了评述.     

缺陷态钒酸铋超薄结构实现高效稳定的光还原二氧化碳性能

<正>人工光催化还原二氧化碳是利用太阳能激发半导体光催化材料产生光生电子与空穴,诱发氧化-还原反应将CO_2和H_2O转化为碳氢燃料,是一种转化和利用CO_2的新途径。与其它方法相比,该过程在常温常压下进行,直接利用太阳能,可实现碳的循环使用,因而被认为是最具前景的CO_2转化方法之一~(1,2)。近年来,研究表明一些氧化物和硫化物等具有光还原CO_2活性,但这些材料低的光转换效率以及严重的光腐蚀限制了其进一步的应     

氮杂穴醚双核钴配合物用于高效可见光催化二氧化碳还原

<正>能源短缺和二氧化碳排放引起的全球变暖是人类社会可持续发展所面临的主要问题。同时解决这两大问题的一条理想途径是利用催化剂和太阳能,通过人工光合作用将二氧化碳转化为有用的化学燃料或原料~1。要实现这一过程,关键在于设计合成高效、高选择性的CO2还原催化剂,并与光敏剂耦合构建高效光催化反应体系~2。目前文献报道的光催化CO_2还原生成CO催化剂的催化效率不高3-5,其催化转化数(TON)和转化频率(TOF)分     

常温常压电催化合成氨的研究进展

氨不仅是重要的化肥化工原料,还是理想的清洁能源载体.目前人工氨合成主要基于Haber-Bosch过程,但该方法存在能耗大、转化率低、大量排放温室气体等问题.相比而言,利用太阳能催化转化N2和H2O等制NH3是一条实现太阳能至化学能转化的绿色制氢储氢一体化路线,受到世界各国科学家的高度关注.但当前该技术路线的氮还原(NR...     

Water‐Splitting Catalysis and Solar Fuel Devices: Artificial Leaves on the Move

The development of new energy materials that can be utilized to make renewable and clean fuels from abundant and easily accessible resources is among the most challenging and demanding tasks in science today. Solar‐powered catalytic water‐splitting processes can be exploited as a source of electrons and protons to make clean renewable fuels, such as hydrogen, and in the sequestration of CO₂ and its conversion into low‐carbon energy carriers. Recently, there have been tremendous efforts to build up a stand‐alone solar‐to‐fuel conversion device, the “artificial leaf”, using light and water as raw materials. An overview of the recent progress in electrochemical and photo‐electrocatalytic water splitting devices is presented, using both molecular water oxidation complexes (WOCs) and nano‐structured assemblies to develop an artificial photosynthetic system.     

Heterogeneous Molecular Systems for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction with Water Oxidation

Artificial photosynthesis—reduction of CO₂ into chemicals and fuels with water oxidation in the presence of sunlight as the energy source—mimics natural photosynthesis in green plants, and is considered to have a significant part to play in future energy supply and protection of our environment. The high quantum efficiency and easy manipulation of heterogeneous molecular photosystems based on metal complexes enables them to act as promising platforms to achieve efficient conversion of solar energy. This Review describes recent developments in the heterogenization of such photocatalysts. The latest state‐of‐the‐art approaches to overcome the drawbacks of low durability and inconvenient practical application in homogeneous molecular systems are presented. The coupling of photocatalytic CO₂ reduction with water oxidation through molecular devices to mimic natural photosynthesis is also discussed.     

用于光催化能量转换的Z-型异质结的研究进展

Inspired by the photosynthesis of green plants, various artificial photosynthetic systems have been proposed to solve the energy shortage and environmental problems. Water photosplitting, carbon dioxide photoreduction, and nitrogen photofixation are the main systems that are used to produce solar fuels such as hydrogen, methane, or ammonia. Although conducting artificial photosynthesis using man-made semiconducting materials is an ideal and potential approach to obtain solar energy, constructing an efficient photosynthetic system capable of producing solar fuels at a scale and cost that can compete with fossil fuels remains challenging. Therefore, exploiting the efficient and low-cost photocatalysts is crucial for boosting the three main photocatalytic processes (light-harvesting, surface/interface catalytic reactions, and charge generation and separation) of artificial photosynthetic systems. Among the various photocatalysts developed, the Z-scheme heterojunction composite system can increase the light-harvesting ability and remarkably suppress charge carrier recombination; it can also promote surface/interface catalytic reactions by preserving the strong reductive/oxidative capacity of the photoexcited electrons/holes, and therefore, it has attracted considerable attention. The continuing progress of Z-scheme nanostructured heterojunctions, which convert solar energy into chemical energy through photocatalytic processes, has witnessed the importance of these heterojunctions in further improving the overall efficiency of photocatalytic reaction systems for producing solar fuels. This review summarizes the progress of Z-scheme heterojunctions as photocatalysts and the advantages of using the direct Z-scheme heterojunctions over the traditional type Ⅱ, all-solid-state Z-schemel, and liquid-phase Z-scheme ones. The basic principle and corresponding mechanism of the two-step excitation are illustrated. In particular, applications of various types of Z-scheme nanostructured materials (inorganic, organic, and inorganic-organic hybrid materials) in photocatalytic energy conversion and different controlling/engineering strategies (such as extending the spectral absorption region, promoting charge transfer/separation and surface chemical modification) for enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency in the last five years are highlighted. Additionally, characterization methods (such as sacrificial reagent experiment, metal loading, radical trapping testing, in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photocatalytic reduction experiments, Kelvin probe force microscopy, surface photovoltage spectroscopy, transient absorption spectroscopy, and theoretical calculation) of the Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism, and the assessment criteria and methods of the photocatalytic performance are discussed. Finally, the challenges associated with Z-scheme heterojunctions and the possible growing trend are presented. We believe that this review will provide a new understanding of the breakthrough direction of photocatalytic performance and provide guidance for designing and constructing novel Z-scheme photocatalysts.      

人工光合作用

人工光合作用是模拟自然界的光合作用过程,设计制备人工光催化体系,以达到高效吸收、转化和储存太阳能的目的。本文从自然界的光合作用过程出发,综述了国内外人工光合作用的最新研究进展。从基本原理、常用体系和能量转换效率等方面入手,系统介绍了两种人工光合作用体系:模拟自然光合作用系统的超分子和无机半导体光催化体系。在此基础上,分析当前研究中存在的问题,并提出改进能量转换效率的可能对策,最后评述了人工光合作用的发展趋势和应用前景。     

Energy, charge, and spin transport in molecules and self-assembled nanostructures inspired by photosynthesis

Electron transfer in biological molecules provides both insight and inspiration for developing chemical systems having similar functionality. Photosynthesis is an example of an integrated system in which light harvesting, photoinduced charge separation, and catalysis combine to carry out two thermodynamically demanding processes, the oxidation of water and the reduction of carbon dioxide. The development of artificial photosynthetic systems for solar energy conversion requires a fundamental understanding of electron-transfer reactions between organic molecules. Since these reactions most often involve single-electron transfers, the spin dynamics of photogenerated radical ion pairs provide important information on how the rates and efficiencies of these reactions depend on molecular structure. Given this knowledge, the design and synthesis of large integrated structures to carry out artificial photosynthesis is moving forward. An important approach to achieving this goal is the development of small, functional building blocks, having a minimum number of covalent bonds, which also have the appropriate molecular recognition sites to facilitate self-assembly into a complete, functional artificial photosynthetic system.     

Photosynthetic Antenna–Reaction Center Mimicry by Using Boron Dipyrromethene Sensitizers

Various molecular and supramolecular systems have been synthesized and characterized recently to mimic the functions of photosynthesis, in which solar energy conversion is achieved. Artificial photosynthesis consists of light‐harvesting and charge‐separation processes together with catalytic units of water oxidation and reduction. Among the organic molecules, derivatives of BF₂‐chelated dipyrromethene (BODIPY), “porphyrin’s little sister”, have been widely used in constructing these artificial photosynthetic models due to their unique properties. In these photosynthetic models, BODIPYs act as not only excellent antenna molecules, but also as electron‐donor and ‐acceptor molecules in both the covalently linked molecular and supramolecular systems formed by axial coordination, hydrogen bonding, or crown ether complexation. The relationships between the structures and photochemical reactivities of these novel molecular and supramolecular systems are discussed in relation to the efficiency of charge separation and charge recombination. Femto‐ and nanosecond transient absorption and photoelectrochemical techniques have been employed in these studies to give clear evidence for the occurrence of energy‐ and electron‐transfer reactions and to determine their rates and efficiencies.     

A photocatalyst-enzyme coupled artificial photosynthesis system for solar energy in production of formic acid from CO2

The photocatalyst-enzyme coupled system for artificial photosynthesis process is one of the most promising methods of solar energy conversion for the synthesis of organic chemicals or fuel. Here we report the synthesis of a novel graphene-based visible light active photocatalyst which covalently bonded the chromophore, such as multianthraquinone substituted porphyrin with the chemically converted graphene as a photocatalyst of the artificial photosynthesis system for an efficient photosynthetic production of formic acid from CO(2). The results not only show a benchmark example of the graphene-based material used as a photocatalyst in general artificial photosynthesis but also the benchmark example of the selective production system of solar chemicals/solar fuel directly from CO(2).     

Anthropogenic chemical carbon cycle for a sustainable future

Nature's photosynthesis uses the sun's energy with chlorophyll in plants as a catalyst to recycle carbon dioxide and water into new plant life. Only given sufficient geological time, millions of years, can new fossil fuels be formed naturally. The burning of our diminishing fossil fuel reserves is accompanied by large anthropogenic CO(2) release, which is outpacing nature's CO(2) recycling capability, causing significant environmental harm. To supplement the natural carbon cycle, we have proposed and developed a feasible anthropogenic chemical recycling of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is captured by absorption technologies from any natural or industrial source, from human activities, or even from the air itself. It can then be converted by feasible chemical transformations into fuels such as methanol, dimethyl ether, and varied products including synthetic hydrocarbons and even proteins for animal feed, thus supplementing our food chain. This concept of broad scope and framework is the basis of what we call the Methanol Economy. The needed renewable starting materials, water and CO(2), are available anywhere on Earth. The required energy for the synthetic carbon cycle can come from any alternative energy source such as solar, wind, geothermal, and even hopefully safe nuclear energy. The anthropogenic carbon dioxide cycle offers a way of assuring a sustainable future for humankind when fossil fuels become scarce. While biosources can play a limited role in supplementing future energy needs, they increasingly interfere with the essentials of the food chain. We have previously reviewed aspects of the chemical recycling of carbon dioxide to methanol and dimethyl ether. In the present Perspective, we extend the discussion of the innovative and feasible anthropogenic carbon cycle, which can be the basis of progressively liberating humankind from its dependence on diminishing fossil fuel reserves while also controlling harmful CO(2) emissions to the atmosphere. We also discuss in more detail the essential stages and the significant aspects of carbon capture and subsequent recycling. Our ability to develop a feasible anthropogenic chemical carbon cycle supplementing nature's photosynthesis also offers a new solution to one of the major challenges facing humankind.     

Biocatalytic Photosynthesis with Water as an Electron Donor

Efficient harvesting of unlimited solar energy and its conversion into valuable chemicals is one of the ultimate goals of scientists. With the ever‐increasing concerns about sustainable growth and environmental issues, numerous efforts have been made to develop artificial photosynthetic process for the production of fuels and fine chemicals, thus mimicking natural photosynthesis. Despite the research progress made over the decades, the technology is still in its infancy because of the difficulties in kinetic coupling of whole photocatalytic cycles. Herein, we report a new type of artificial photosynthesis system that can avoid such problems by integrally coupling biocatalytic redox reactions with photocatalytic water splitting. We found that photocatalytic water splitting can be efficiently coupled with biocatalytic redox reactions by using tetracobalt polyoxometalate and Rh‐based organometallic compound as hole and electron scavengers, respectively, for photoexcited [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺. Based on these results, we could successfully photosynthesize a model chiral compound (L ‐glutamate) using a model redox enzyme (glutamate dehydrogenase) upon in situ photoregeneration of cofactors.     

Progress of transition metal chalcogenides as efficient electrocatalysts for energy conversion

The continuous excessive usage of fossil fuels has resulted in its fast depletion, leading to an escalating energy crisis as well as several environmental issues leading to increased research towards sustainable energy conversion. Electrocatalysts play crucial role in the development of numerous novel energy conversion devices, including fuel cells and solar fuel generators. In particular, high-efficiency and cost-effective catalysts are required for large-scale implementation of these new devices. Over the last few years, transition metal chalcogenides have emerged as highly efficient electrocatalysts for several electrochemical devices such as water splitting, carbon dioxide electroreduction, and, solar energy converters. These transition metal chalcogenides exhibit high electrochemical tunability, abundant active sites, and superior electrical conductivity. Hence, they have been actively explored for various electrocatalytic activities. Herein, we have provided comprehensive review of transition-metal chalcogenide electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, and carbon dioxide reduction and illustrated structure–property correlation that increases their catalytic activity.