轻元素调控的贵金属催化剂在能源相关领域的应用

贵金属广泛用于多相催化研究,对于诸多具有重要科学意义和工业应用价值的化学反应展现出优异的催化活性和选择性.引入轻合金元素(如C,H,B和N),可以调控贵金属的晶体结构和电子性质,是进一步提高贵金属催化性能的重要策略.与传统的金属合金催化剂相比,这种轻元素合金化的催化剂具有一些独特性:(1)轻元素由于原子尺寸很小,容易溶于金属晶格的间隙位点;(2)一些轻元素(如C,N和S)的电负性与金属的差别很大,能够在相邻原子间引起较大的电荷转移;(3)轻元素-金属合金中的电子相互作用主要由金属的d轨道和轻元素的sp轨道杂化主导,这与金属合金中的d-d轨道杂化显著不同.这些独特性为贵金属原子结构和电子结构的调控以及催化性能的优化带来了更多的可能性.轻合金元素研究的主要瓶颈在于其原子尺寸小、分布不均匀、难以直接观察和精准控制,从而限制了对活性提升机制和构效关系的研究.近几十年来,纳米合成技术和材料表征技术的长足发展使得轻合金元素改性的催化剂研究渐入佳境.此外,计算化学在结构分析和催化应用中的日趋成熟为揭示轻合金元素对贵金属晶体结构、电子结构和催化性质的调控作用提供了有力工具.本文综述了引入轻合金元素改性的贵金属催化剂在不同催化应用中的主要研究进展,总结了贵金属催化性能的主要影响因素(包括轻合金元素的种类、位置、浓度和有序度等),阐述了轻合金原子如何影响催化反应性能,介绍了轻元素的实验引入策略以及揭示轻元素合金效应的实验表征和理论研究方法.重点讨论了不同轻合金原子改性的贵金属基催化剂在催化反应中的广泛应用,并试图建立其结构特征与催化性能之间的密切联系.总的来说,轻合金原子的活性调控作用主要表现在以下几个方面:(1)晶相转变:轻元素的引入能够改变金属原子的堆积模式,产生有利于催化反应的晶相结构;(2)电荷转移:轻元素和母体金属的电负性差异能够导致电荷重新分布,影响金属的电子结构;(3)应力效应:轻元素的引入会导致金属晶格膨胀,产生拉伸应力,引起电子结构变化;(4)配体效应:轻元素的sp轨道和金属的d轨道杂化,引起d带中心下移,降低表面吸附性质;(5)集团效应:轻元素的引入能够孤立金属原子,产生特定的表面金属位点,有利于促进催化反应;(6)次表面化学:在氢相关的催化反应中,次表面的间隙轻元素能够阻止氢的渗入,抑制活性衰减或不利的副反应发生.最后,本文对于当前该领域存在的挑战和未来的发展前景进行了分析,以期促进该合金体系的合成、理解和催化应用,内容包括:(1)开发更精确可控的轻元素掺入策略;(2)合理阐明轻合金元素与宏观催化性能之间的关系;(3)发展新型的轻元素改性催化剂;(4)扩展轻元素改性催化剂的催化应用范围.     

Sustainable Production of Chemicals via Hydrotreating of CO2 and Biomass Derived Molecules Using Heterogeneous Noble Metal Oxide Catalysts

The noble metals are widely used in heterogeneous catalysis and automobile industry. The limited natural sources and high cost of noble metals dictates improving the efficiency of modern industry. This review considers the applications of noble metal oxide as potential solutions to the sustainability issues, including biomass conversion, CO₂ capture and conversion, green fuel production, etc. Noble metal oxides with their different compositions (monometallic and bimetallic) and structures exhibit a wide range of properties in heterogeneous catalysis. Although platinum metals in an oxidized form may not be the most common choice in hydroprocesses; recently, there have been studies indicating that they were highly active and selective catalysts in hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis. This review outlines the most established noble metal oxide catalysts used in hydrogenation catalysis and shed the light on the relation of noble metal oxide species to catalyst selectivity based on state-of-the-art techniques. Finally, the perspectives on the application of noble metal oxide catalysts to produce value-added chemicals are discussed.     

Supported Rhodium Catalysts for Ammonia–Borane Hydrolysis: Dependence of the Catalytic Activity on the Highest Occupied State of the Single Rhodium Atoms

Supported metal nanocrystals have exhibited remarkable catalytic performance in hydrogen generation reactions, which is influenced and even determined by their supports. Accordingly, it is of fundamental importance to determine the direct relationship between catalytic performance and metal–support interactions. Herein, we provide a quantitative profile for exploring metal–support interactions by considering the highest occupied state in single‐atom catalysts. The catalyst studied consisted of isolated Rh atoms dispersed on the surface of VO₂ nanorods. It was observed that the activation energy of ammonia–borane hydrolysis changed when the substrate underwent a phase transition. Mechanistic studies indicate that the catalytic performance depended directly on the highest occupied state of the single Rh atoms, which was determined by the band structure of the substrates. Other metal catalysts, even with non‐noble metals, that exhibited significant catalytic activity towards NH₃BH₃ hydrolysis were rationally designed by adjusting their highest occupied states.     

金属纳米粒子再分散法测定二氧化铈稳定的单原子的位点数

单原子催化剂由于能最大限度地利用贵金属以及其独特的催化性能而引起了人们的兴趣.基于其表面原子性质,CeO2是稳定单金属原子最常用的载体之一.一旦金属含量超过其负载的载体容量,就会形成金属纳米粒子,因而许多单原子催化剂的金属含量受限.目前,还没有直接的测量方法来确定载体稳定单个原子的容量.本文开发了一种基于纳米颗粒的技术,即通过将Ru纳米颗粒重新分散成单个原子,并利用Ru单原子和纳米颗粒在CO2加氢反应中的不同催化性能,从而确定该容量.该方法避免了湿浸初期反离子对金属负载的影响,最终可应用于多种不同的金属.结果表明,该技术可跟踪氧空位浓度和表面氧含量的变化趋势,有望成为一种定量测定载体单原子稳定容量的新方法.     

高活性Co3O4负载单原子Au催化剂室温催化CO氧化

CO低温氧化是多相催化领域研究最多的反应之一.作为简单、典型的探针反应,其不仅具有重要的基础研究价值,而且在环境污染消除等方面也有着非常重要的实际应用价值.金属氧化物如铜锰(Hopcalite)、铜铬复合氧化物以及氧化钴等都具有优异的低温CO氧化活性.然而氧化物催化剂热稳定性低、反复启动性能差、以及对硫化物、水等物质敏感,严重制约了其实际应用.相对而言,负载型贵金属催化剂因具有较高的CO氧化活性、反应稳定性以及热稳定性而受到关注.但是贵金属价格昂贵、资源稀少,使其持续应用面临严峻挑战.为了提高贵金属利用效率、降低贵金属使用量,在负载型贵金属催化剂中,贵金属多以纳米尺度分散于高比表面载体上.由于多相催化一般在纳米粒子表面发生,只有表面金属原子能够接触到反应物,因而贵金属原子利用率仍然有待提高.最近本课题组成功开发以原子级分散的单原子催化剂并提出“单原子催化”的概念.后续研究以及其他研究人员相继证明氧化物负载贵金属单原子具有高活性和/或不同于纳米粒子的反应性能,表明开发单原子催化剂是最大化贵金属利用效率、降低贵金属用量的可行途径.对于CO氧化而言,目前普遍认为负载Au催化剂具有最高活性.然而负载Au单原子催化剂是否具有活性仍存争议：理论计算表明氧化物负载Au单原子催化剂具有很好的活性,但是缺少实验证据;目前已有一些氧化物负载Au正价离子催化剂的报道,结果也都表明Au单原子活性远低于纳米粒子或纳米团簇.最近本课题组发现氧化铁负载Au单原子不仅具有与Au纳米粒子相当的单位活性位(TOF)活性而且具有更高的单位金属重量(反应速率)活性以及非常高的反应稳定性.本文将载体拓展到氧化钴,开发了具有更高活性的氧化钴负载Au单原子催化剂, Au负载量仅为0.05 wt%即可在室温条件下实现CO完全转化. Co3O4载体用Co(NO3)3与Na2CO3通过共沉淀法制备,400 oC焙烧.然后通过简单的沉淀吸附法制备Co3O4负载Au单原子催化剂(Au1/Co3O4),确保Au单原子能够分散于载体的表面.具有原子分辨率的球差校正高分辨电镜照片显示Au原子确实以单原子形式分散于载体上.催化剂在第一个循环中活性并不非常高,但是在第二个循环中活性提高非常明显,可以在室温条件下实现CO全转化.为了弄清楚活性提高的原因,我们用惰性气体(He)、氧化性气体(5%O2/He)以及还原性气体(5%CO/He)对催化剂进行了热处理,但是活性提高并不明显.由此推断催化剂是在第一个循环反应过程中发生了某些变化,导致活性显著提高.空白载体实验表明Co3O4载体本身虽然具有反应活性,但是远不如负载少量Au原子活性高,表明Au原子或Au原子与载体一起起到高活性的作用.稳定性研究表明该催化剂在室温条件下容易失活,但经惰性气体或氧化气体处理后活性可恢复,表明不是结构性失活而是可逆失活,说明单原子非常稳定.     

Synthesis of Supported Bimetal Catalysts using Galvanic Deposition Method

Supported bimetallic catalysts have been studied because of their enhanced catalytic properties due to metal‐metal interactions compared with monometallic catalysts. We focused on galvanic deposition (GD) as a bimetallization method, which achieves well‐defined metal‐metal interfaces by exchanging heterogeneous metals with different ionisation tendencies. We have developed Ni@Ag/SiO₂ catalysts for CO oxidation, Co@Ru/Al₂O₃ catalysts for automotive three‐way reactions and Pd−Co/Al₂O₃ catalysts for methane combustion by using the GD method. In all cases, the catalysts prepared by the GD method showed higher catalytic activity than the corresponding monometallic and bimetallic catalysts prepared by the conventional co‐impregnation method. The GD method provides contact between noble and base metals to improve the electronic state, surface structure and reducibility of noble metals.     

贵金属及其掺杂团簇与甲烷反应研究进展

贵金属在甲烷活化与转化中呈现出优良的反应性。研究气态条件下贵金属物种与甲烷的反应,可以从分子水平上揭示凝聚相贵金属催化体系的活性位点与基元反应机理,为理性设计和改进催化剂提供理论基础。本文综述了贵金属原子、离子、团簇、氢化物、卤化物、氧化物、甲基配合物以及掺杂团簇活化、转化甲烷取得的新进展,并针对不同贵金属体系的甲烷活化机理展开讨论。     

Graphdiyne Based Atomic Catalyst:an Emerging Star for Energy Conversion

Atomic catalysts(Acs)consisting of zero-valent metal atoms anchored on supporting materials have shown promising potentials in catalysis and energy conversion due to their higher atomic utilization,higher selectivity,activity and durability toward target reactions.However,traditional single-atom catalysts are mainly composed of clusters of metal atoms,which cannot effectively solve the problems of easy migration and aggregation of metal atoms.Besides,the traditional synthesis methods still lack breakthroughs in improving the stability and accurately controlling the chemical structure and charge distribution of metal atoms,which seriously limits the understanding of structure-activity relationship and catalytic mechanism in the catalytic reaction process at the atomic level.Graphdiyne(GDY)based Acs are stabilized by incomplete charge transfer between metal atoms and supporting materials,resolving the easy migration and aggregation of traditional single atomic catalysts,which have been regarded as the next generation of catalysts.This review will start with the overview of the synthesis methods for precisely anchoring of different zero-valent transition metal atoms(e.g.,Ni,Fe,Mo and Cu)and noble metal atoms(e.g.,Pd and Ru),followed by focusing on the recent advances in the researches of the Acs toward a series of important reactions for energy conversion technologies,including the electrochemical water splitting(EWS),nitrogen reduction reaction(NRR),oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and others.Finally,the review concludes with a perspective highlighting the promises and challenges in the further development of Acs.     

Stable Isolated Metal Atoms as Active Sites for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The process of using solar energy to split water to produce hydrogen assisted by an inorganic semiconductor is crucial for solving our energy crisis and environmental problems in the future. However, most semiconductor photocatalysts would not exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity without loading suitable co‐catalysts. Generally, the noble metals have been widely applied as co‐catalysts, but always agglomerate during the loading process or photocatalytic reaction. Therefore, the utilization efficiency of the noble co‐catalysts is still very low on a per metal atom basis if no obvious size effect exists, because heterogeneous catalytic reactions occur on the surface active atoms. Here, for the first time, we have synthesized isolated metal atoms (Pt, Pd, Rh, or Ru) stably by anchoring on TiO₂, a model photocatalystic system, by a facile one‐step method. The isolated metal atom based photocatalysts show excellent stability for H₂ evolution and can lead to a 6–13‐fold increase in photocatalytic activity over the metal clusters loaded on TiO₂ by the traditional method. Furthermore, the configurations of isolated atoms as well as the originality of their unusual stability were analyzed by a collaborative work from both experiments and theoretical calculations.     

The evolution of model catalytic systems; studies of structure, bonding and dynamics from single crystal metal surfaces to nanoparticles, and from low pressure (<10(-3) Torr) to high pressure (>10(-3) Torr) to liquid interfaces

The material and pressure gap has been a long standing challenge in the field of heterogeneous catalysis and have transformed surface science and biointerfacial research. In heterogeneous catalysis, the material gap refers to the discontinuity between well-characterized model systems and industrially relevant catalysts. Single crystal metal surfaces have been useful model systems to elucidate the role of surface defects and the mobility of reaction intermediates in catalytic reactivity and selectivity. As nanoscience advances, we have developed nanoparticle catalysts with lithographic techniques and colloidal syntheses. Nanoparticle catalysts on oxide supports allow us to investigate several important ingredients of heterogeneous catalysis such as the metal-oxide interface and the influence of noble metal particle size and surface structure on catalytic selectivity. Monodispersed nanoparticle and nanowire arrays were fabricated for use as model catalysts by lithographic techniques. Platinum and rhodium nanoparticles in the 1-10 nm range were synthesized in colloidal solutions in the presence of polymer capping agents. The most catalytically active systems are employed at high pressure or at solid-liquid interfaces. In order to study the high pressure and liquid interfaces on the molecular level, experimental techniques with which we bridged the pressure gap in catalysis have been developed. These techniques include the ultrahigh vacuum system equipped with high pressure reaction cell, high pressure Sum Frequency Generation (SFG) vibration spectroscopy, High Pressure Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (HP-STM), and High Pressure X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (HP-XPS), and Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM). In this article, we overview the development of experimental techniques and evolution of the model systems for the research of heterogeneous catalysis and biointerfacial studies that can shed light on the long-standing issues of materials and pressure gaps.     

Electronic Metal–Support Interactions in Single‐Atom Catalysts

The synthesis of single‐atom catalysts and the control of the electronic properties of catalytic sites to arrive at superior catalysts is a major challenge in heterogeneous catalysis. A stable supported single‐atom silver catalyst with a controllable electronic state was obtained by anti‐Ostwald ripening. An electronic perturbation of the catalytic sites that is induced by a subtle change in the structure of the support has a strong influence on the intrinsic reactivity. The higher depletion of the 4d electronic state of the silver atoms causes stronger electronic metal–support interactions, which leads to easier reducibility and higher catalytic activity. These results may improve our understanding of the nature of electronic metal–support interactions and lead to structure–activity correlations.     

二氧化钛负载单原子催化剂用于光催化反应的研究

Titania (TiO₂) has been among the most widely investigated and used metal oxides over the past years, as it has various functional applications. Extensive research into TiO₂ and industrial interest in this material have been triggered by its high abundance, excellent corrosion resistance, and low cost. To improve the activity of TiO₂ in heterogeneous catalytic reactions, noble metals are used to accelerate the reactions. However, in the case of nanoparticles supported on TiO₂, the active sites are usually limited to the peripheral sites of the noble metal particles or at the interface between the particle and the support. Thus, highly dispersed single metal atoms are desired for the effective utilization of precious noble metals. The study of oxide-supported isolated atoms, the so-called single-atom catalysts (SACs), was pioneered by Zhang's group. The high dispersion of precious noble metals results helps reduce the cost associated with catalyst preparation. Because of the presence of active centers as single atoms, the deactivation of metal atoms during the reaction, e.g., by coking for large agglomerates, is retarded. The unique coordination environment of the noble metal center provides special sites for the reaction, consequently increasing the selectivity of the reaction, including the enantioselectivity and stereoselectivity. Hence, supported SACs can bridge homogenous and heterogeneous reactions in solution as they provide selective reaction sites and are recyclable. Moreover, owing to the high site homogeneity of the isolated metal atoms, SACs are ideal models for establishing the structure-activity relationships. The present review provides an overview of recent works on the synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic applications of SACs (Pt₁, Pd₁, Ir₁, Rh₁, Cu₁, Ru₁) supported on TiO₂. The preparation of single atoms on TiO₂ includes the creation of surface defective sites, surface modification, stabilization by high-temperature shockwave treatment, and metal-ligand self-assembly. Conventional characterization methods are categorized as microscopic imaging and spectroscopic methods, such as aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis (EXAFS), and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). We attempted to address the critical factors that lead to the stabilization of single-metal atoms on TiO₂, and elucidate the mechanism underlying the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and CO₂ reduction. Although many fascinating applications of TiO₂-supported SACs in photocatalysis could only be addressed superficially and in a referencing manner, we hope to provide interested readers with guidelines based on the wide literature, and more specifically, to provide a comprehensive overview of TiO₂-supported SACs.     

Surface Atomic Regulation of Core–Shell Noble Metal Catalysts

Core–shell noble metal catalysts have gained significant attention in the past few decades, as they not only reduce the use of noble metals effectively but also exhibit unique properties derived from the synergistic effect between core and shell metals. In particular, regulating the surface structure of shells to maximize the atomic utilization efficiency of noble metals is critically important. Controlling the shell thickness of noble metal catalysts at the atomic level as an efficient approach to realize this goal has been attracting growing attention; this approach involves the formation of ultrathin shells (typically 2–6 atomic layers), monolayers, or even atomically dispersed noble metals embedded in the host metal. These strategies drive the core/support metals to improve the number of active sites and the intrinsic activity of the deposited noble metals remarkably, meanwhile minimizing the usage of noble metals. Herein, recent advances regarding atomic control of the core–shell noble metal catalysts is reviewed, with focus on the surface regulation. First, synthesis methods and surface structures are summarized, and then catalytic applications of these architectures are highlighted.     

Phosphorene Supported Single-Atom Catalysts for CO Oxidation: A Computational Study

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted extensive attention owing to their high catalytic activity. The development of efficient SACs is crucial for applications in heterogeneous catalysis. In this article, the geometric configuration, electronic structure, stabilitiy and catalytic performance of phosphorene (Pn) supported single metal atoms (M=Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt, and Au) have been systematically investigated using density functional theory calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The single atoms are found to occupy the hollow site of phosphorene. Among the catalysts studied, Ru-decorated phosphorene is determined to be a potential catalyst by evaluating adsorption energies of gaseous molecules. Various mechanisms including the Eley-Rideal (ER), Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) and trimolecular Eley-Rideal (TER) mechanisms are considered to validate the most favourable reaction pathway. Our results reveal that Ru−Pn exhibits outstanding catalytic activity toward CO oxidation reaction via TER mechanism with the corresponding rate-determining energy barrier of 0.44 eV, making it a very promising SAC for CO oxidation under mild conditions. Overall, this work may provide a new avenue for the design and fabrication of two-dimensional materials supported SACs for low-temperature CO oxidation.     

Subsurface Carbon: A General Feature of Noble Metals

Carbon moieties on late transition metals are regarded as poisoning agents in heterogeneous catalysis. Recent studies show the promoting catalytic role of subsurface C atoms in Pd surfaces and their existence in Ni and Pt surfaces. Here energetic and kinetic evidence obtained by accurate simulations on surface and nanoparticle models shows that such subsurface C species are a general issue to consider even in coinage noble‐metal systems. Subsurface C is the most stable situation in densely packed (111) surfaces of Cu and Ag, with sinking barriers low enough to be overcome at catalytic working temperatures. Low‐coordinated sites at nanoparticle edges and corners further stabilize them, even in Au, with negligible subsurface sinking barriers. The malleability of low‐coordinated sites is key in the subsurface C accommodation. The incorporation of C species decreases the electron density of the surrounding metal atoms, thus affecting their chemical and catalytic activity.     

Alkene Hydrogenations by Soluble Iron Nanocluster Catalysts

The replacement of noble metal technologies and the realization of new reactivities with earth‐abundant metals is at the heart of sustainable synthesis. Alkene hydrogenations have so far been most effectively performed by noble metal catalysts. This study reports an iron‐catalyzed hydrogenation protocol for tri‐ and tetra‐substituted alkenes of unprecedented activity and scope under mild conditions (1–4 bar H₂, 20 °C). Instructive snapshots at the interface of homogeneous and heterogeneous iron catalysis were recorded by the isolation of novel Fe nanocluster architectures that act as catalyst reservoirs and soluble seeds of particle growth.     

非贵金属催化剂上CO氧化的研究与进展

非贵金属催化剂催化CO氧化反应研究,不仅拓展了非贵金属的应用,而且为探求可替代贵金属催化CO氧化反应的催化剂提供了新机遇,成为当前催化研究中的热点课题之一。本文综述了近年来铜、钴等非贵金属催化剂体系催化CO氧化反应的研究进展。     

基于石墨烯基材料的非金属液相催化反应

非金属碳基催化剂因其具有合成简单、结构稳定、比表面积大、可调控性强等特点受到了研究者的关注,已成为最活跃的研究领域之一。以二维、单原子层、六方结构的碳为基础的石墨烯和其高度氧化形态——氧化石墨烯是一类新兴的碳基材料。这类材料在催化领域的应用在近五年内才刚刚兴起。此类材料可用于烃类转化、有机化学合成、能源转化等多种催化反应,本文主要综述了采用化学氧化还原法制备的石墨烯和氧化石墨材料为催化剂的各类催化反应的最新研究进展。     

非贵金属催化剂上CO氧化的研究与进展

非贵金属催化剂催化CO氧化反应研究,不仅拓展了非贵金属的应用,而且为探求可替代贵金属催化CO氧化反应的催化剂提供了新机遇,成为当前催化研究中的热点课题之一。本文综述了近年来铜、钴等非贵金属催化剂体系催化CO氧化反应的研究进展。     

Diesel soot combustion catalysts: review of active phases

The most relevant information about the different active phases that have been studied for the catalytic combustion of soot is reviewed and discussed in this article. Many catalysts have been reported to accelerate soot combustion, including formulations with noble metals, alkaline metals and alkaline earth metals, transition metals that can accomplish redox cycles (V, Mn, Co, Cu, Fe, etc.), and internal transition metals. Platinum catalysts are among those of most interest for practical applications, and an important feature of these catalysts is that sulphur-resistant platinum formulations have been prepared. Some metal oxide-based catalysts also appear to be promising candidates for soot combustion in practical applications, including ceria-based formulations and mixed oxides with perovskite and spinel structures. Some of these metal oxide catalysts produce highly reactive active oxygen species that promote efficient soot combustion. Thermal stability is an important requirement for a soot combustion catalyst, which precludes the practical utilisation of several potential catalysts such as most alkaline metal catalysts, molten salts, and metal chlorides. Some noble metal catalysts are also unstable due to the formation of volatile oxides (ruthenium, iridium, and osmium).