Strong coupled spinel oxide with N-rGO for high-efficiency ORR/OER bifunctional electrocatalyst of Zn-air batteries

The high cost,scarcity,and poor stability of precious-metal-based catalysts have hindered their extensive application in energy conversion and storage.This stim...     

Computational investigation of MnIr and FeIr electrocatalyst for nitrogen reduction reaction

NH₃ is not only an important component of agricultural and industrial production, but also an extremely promising energy carrier and storage intermediate. Currently, the Haber-Bosch process used in industry for NH₃ production has shortcomings such as high energy consumption and low output. The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) can improve the route and conditions of NH₃ synthesis through high-efficient electrocatalyst, and realize the production mode of high efficiency and low energy consumption. Therefore, the design and synthesis of the NRR electrocatalysts with high catalytic performance are very important. Here, the first principles calculation based on density functional theory was used to form alloy catalysts by using Mn and Fe atoms instead of nine Ir atoms on the surface of Ir(100), and the electrocatalytic performance of the NRR was systematically studied. The results showed that N₂ could be stably adsorbed on Mn₉@Ir(100) and Fe₉@Ir(100) in the side-on configuration. The possible reaction pathways were analyzed and discussed, and the enzymatic pathway was determined to be the best. Through the simulation of the entire NRR process, it was found that the limit potential was only −0.659 and −0.647 V for Mn₉@Ir(100) and Fe₉@Ir(100). In addition, the electronic properties of Mn₉@Ir(100) and Fe₉@Ir(100) were analyzed utilizing charge density difference and density of states, and the reasons for their high activity were obtained. We hope this work can not only reduce the number of noble metals and develop highly active catalysts, but also provide theoretical support and guidance for the catalytic mechanism of alloy electrocatalysts.     

CeOx-supported monodispersed MoO3 clusters for high-efficiency electrochemical nitrogen reduction under ambient condition

Developing efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts is essential for the electroreduction of N₂ to NH₃.Here,highly monodispersed MoO₃ clusters loaded on a coral-like CeO_xcompound with abundant oxygen vacancies are successfully prepared by an impregnation-reduction method.The MoO₃ clusters with small sizes of 2.6±0.5 nm are induced and anchored by the oxygen vacancies of CeO_x,resulting in excellent nitrogen reduction reaction(NRR)performance.Additionally,the synergistic effects between MoO₃ and CeO_xlead to a further improvement of the electrochemical performance.The as-prepared MoO₃-CeO_xcatalyst shows an NH₃ yield rate of 32.2 μg h^-1 mg^-1 cat and a faradaic efficiency of 7.04%at-0.75 V(vs.reversible hydrogen electrode)in 0.01 M Dulbecco’s Phosphate Buffered Saline.Moreover,it displays decent electrochemical stability over 30,000 s.Besides,the electrochemical NRR mechanism for MoO₃-CeO_xis investigated by in-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.N-H stretching,H-N-H bending,and N-N stretching are detected during the reaction,suggesting that an associative pathway is followed.This work provides an approach to designing and synthesizing potential electrocatalysts for NRR.     

Structure-activity relationship of defective electrocatalysts for nitrogen fixation

Ammonia (NH₃), as an important chemical substance and clean energy carrier, plays an indispensable role in industrial and agricultural production. The electrocatalytic synthesis of NH₃ under mild conditions has attracted worldwide attention in the energy field due to its environmental friendliness and cost efficiency, but unsatisfactory NH₃ yields and Faradaic efficiencies are restricting its development. The introduction of defect has been demonstrated as a feasible way to overcome the disadvantages of electrochemistry, as it can regulate the electronic structure and modulate coordination environment of electrocatalysts, which further create active sites and enhance nitrogen adsorption. In this regard, it is necessary to understand the effects of various types of defects on electrocatalysts based on the latest progress in the defect engineering for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). In this review, the concept, classifications, and characterization of defects as well as the approaches to create them in electrocatalysts are firstly discussed. Then, certain types of defects (vacancy, dopant, amorphism, edge/corner, and porousness) affecting the performances of various electrocatalysts are further described. Finally, the summary and challenges of electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis are proposed to design advanced electrocatalysts with high efficiency.     

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.     

Ternary non-noble metal chalcogenide (W–Co–Se) as electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

In this study, a catalyst based on a novel ternary non-noble metal chalcogenide, W–Co–Se, was synthesized for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic medium. The non-noble metal chalcogenide catalyst was electrochemically stable in the potential range of 0.05–0.8 V versus NHE in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ aqueous solution. This catalyst demonstrated significant catalytic activity towards the ORR, showing the ORR onset potential at 0.755 V versus NHE in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ at 25 °C. Such high activity might be attributed to the electronic structure of non-noble metals modified by chalcogen.     

Molecular orbital study of molecular nitrogen fixation

The model systems of molecular nitrogen fixation [N₂ + H]?, [N₂ + H]⁺, [N₂ + H]^?, [N₂ + H₂], [N₂ + H₂]⁺, and [N₂ + H₂]^? were studied by the semiempirical INDO method. The study was based on the formal analogy between the catalytic reactions and the photochemical, radical, and ionic reactions on the other side. Symmetrical and donor-acceptor properties of necessary catalytic systems were proposed using the dependence of energy characteristics and electron structure on reaction coordinate. On the basis of this MO study we have proposed the appropriate symmetry types of catalysts for each of acceptable models of nitrogen fixation. For one of the proposed systems there was realised a model MO computation with explicit inclusion of atoms of transition metals (Fe, V).     

Highly efficient AuPd–WC/C electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation

A composite material of AuPd–WC/C has been rapidly prepared by the intermittent microwave heating (IMH) method. The material is nanostructured and well dispersed on carbon according to the SEM and TEM measurements. The activity of the AuPd–WC/C electrocatalyst for the oxidation of ethanol in alkaline solution is significantly higher than that of Pt/C at the same total electrocatalyst loadings. The onset potential shifts towards negative side for 200 mV and the peak current density increases ∼3 times for the ethanol oxidation reaction on AuPd–WC/C electrocatalysts as compared to that on Pt/C. In addition, the AuPd–WC/C electrocatalyst is more stable under constant current density polarization than that of Pt/C. It indicates that no strongly adsorbed species formed during the oxidation of ethanol on AuPd–WC/C because the cleavage of the C–C bond of the ethanol is difficult on this Pt-free electrocatalyst. The high activity makes AuPd–WC/C electrocatalyst a potential candidate for the application in direct ethanol fuel cells and ethanol sensors.     

Dual modulation of morphology and electronic structures of VN@C electrocatalyst by W doping for boosting hydrogen evolution reaction

Developing high-efficiency and robust durability electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water electrolysis functions as a crucial role for the construction of green hydrogen economy, herein, ultrafine W-doped vanadium nitride nanoparticles anchored on N-doped graphitic carbon framework (WVN@NGC) are synthesized through a one-step simple pyrolysis protocol. Owing to the enlarged catalytically active sites, enhanced electrical conductivity and optimized electronic structure, the resultant VN/WN@NGC delivered the prominent HER performance with overpotentials of 143 mV and 158 mV at 10 mA/cm² in acid and alkaline media, respectively, accompanied by the long-term stability for at least 50 h. This work highlights a novel strategy for a metal-triggered modulation of nitride-based HER electrocatalyst for sustainable energy conversion device.     

Polarography of intermediates in the fixation of nitrogen by p-quinone-aqueous ammonia systems

Air oxidation of aqueous p-quinone, as a model humic acid precursor, develops precipitates of different character in the presence and absence of ammonia. Polarographic analyses of the p-quinone-ammonia systems at different ammonia concentrations, pH levels, and reaction times reveal two reducible intermediates in the reaction leading to fixation of nitrogen. The intermediates give half-wave potentials, at pH 8.3, of — 0.25 and — 0.55 V vs. S.C.E. The waves are interpreted as resulting from the reduction of mono- and disubstituted aminoquinones. A mechanism and structure are proposed for the nitrogen-containing polymerization product.     

Pt单层修饰Pd/C氧还原催化剂

分别利用液相热解法和浸渍还原法制备了碳载钯纳米催化剂（Pd/C）,并研究了其对氧还原反应的电催化活性。与浸渍还原法相比,液相热解法得到的Pd/C催化剂虽然粒径较大,但表现出较好的氧还原反应（ORR）活性和稳定性.在所制备的Pd/C催化剂基础上,通过置换欠电势沉积的Cu原子单层,获得了Pt单层修饰的Pd/C催化剂,其ORR活性较Pd/C催化剂有显著提高,且与纯Pt/C催化剂接近,而其耐久性则较纯Pt/C催化剂有显著提升,显示出Pt单层催化剂的潜在优势.     

Highly stable PtRuTiOx/C anode electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cells

In the present investigation, PtRuTiO_x/C electrocatalyst was prepared by a modified polyol synthesis method and the as-prepared electrocatalyst was treated under the reductive atmosphere (30 vol% H₂ in Ar) at 500 °C for 2 h (denoted as PtRuTiO_x/C-500) to enhance the interaction between the metal particles and the support. For comparison, the commercial PtRu/C electrocatalyst was also treated by the same procedure as PtRuTiO_x/C (denoted as PtRu/C-500). Transmission electron microscopy results indicated that PtRuTiO_x/C electrocatalyst exhibited not only a uniform dispersion and narrow size distribution with a smaller particle size, but also excellent stability during the thermal treatment. In contrast, the commercial PtRu/C electrocatalyst is not stable during the thermal treatment and the metal particles greatly agglomerated. The results of CO-stripping voltammetry, single direct methanol fuel cell tests and life-time test jointly showed that PtRuTiO_x/C-500 had better durability than commercial PtRu/C while keeping a desirable activity toward methanol electro-oxidation, which may be attributed to the addition of titanium oxide that improved the interaction between noble metal particles and the support.     

Paper-derived cobalt and nitrogen co-doped carbon nanotube@porous carbon as a nonprecious metal electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a vitally important process in fuel cells. The development of high-performance and low-cost ORR electrocatalysts with outstanding stability is essential for the commercialization of the electrochemical energy technology. Herein, we report a facile synthesis of cobalt (Co) and nitrogen (N) co-doped carbon nanotube@porous carbon (Co/N/CNT@PC-800) electrocatalyst through a one-step pyrolysis of waste paper, dicyandiamide, and cobalt(II) acetylacetonate. The surface of the hierarchical porous carbon supported a large number of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which were derived from dicyandiamide through the catalysis of Co. The addition of Co resulted in the formation of a hierarchical micro/mesoporous structure, which was beneficial for the exposure of active sites and rapid transportation of ORR-relevant species (O₂, H⁺, OH^?, and H₂O). The doped N and Co formed more active sites to enhance the ORR activity of the electrocatalyst. The Co/N/CNT@PC-800 material exhibited optimal ORR performance with an onset potential of 0.005 V vs. Ag/AgCl and a half-wave potential of –0.173 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Meanwhile, the electrocatalyst showed an excellent methanol tolerance and a long-term operational durability than that of Pt/C, as well as a quasi-four-electron reaction pathway. The low-cost and simple synthesis approach makes the Co/N/CNT@PC-800 a prospective electrocatalyst for the ORR. Furthermore, this work provides an alternative approach for exploring the use of biomass-derived electrocatalysts for renewable energy applications.     

FeTe2 as an earth-abundant metal telluride catalyst for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation

Design of cost-effective,yet highly active electrocatalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction(NRR)is of vital significance for sustainable electrochemical NH₃ synthesis.Herein,we have demonstrated,from both computational and experimental perspectives,that FeTe₂ can be an efficient and durable NRR catalyst.Theoretical computations unveil that FeTe₂ possesses abundant surface-terminated and low-coordinate Fe sites that can activate the NRR with a low limiting potential(-0.84 V)and currently impede the competing hydrogen evolution reaction.As a proof-of-concept prototype,we synthesized FeTe₂ nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide(FeTe₂/RGO),which exhibited a high NRR activity with the exceptional combination of NH₃ yield(39.2 lg h^-1 mg^-1)and Faradaic efficiency(18.1%),thus demonstrating the feasibility of using FeTe₂ and other earth-abundant metal tellurides for electrocatalytic N₂ fixation.     

Flexible transparent PES/silver nanowires/PET sandwich-structured film for high-efficiency electromagnetic interference shielding

We have developed a kind of high-yield synthesis strategy for silver nanowires by a two-step injection polyol method. Silver nanowires and polyethylene oxide (PEO) (M(w) = 900,000) were prepared in a homogeneous-coating ink. Wet composite films with different thicknesses were fabricated on a PET substrate by drawn-down rod-coating technology. Silver nanowires on PET substrates present a homogeneous distribution under the assistance of PEO. Then PEO was thermally removed in situ at a relatively low temperature attributed to its special thermal behavior under atmospheric conditions. As-prepared metallic nanowire films on PET substrates show excellent stability and a good combination of conductivity and light transmission. A layer of transparent poly(ethersulfones) (PESs) was further coated on silver nanowire networks by the same coating method to prevent the shedding and corrosion of silver nanowires. Sandwich-structured flexible transparent films were obtained and displayed excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness.     

Fe/N/C氧还原催化剂的热稳定性及活性位结构

研制高活性的Fe/N/C氧还原催化剂对于降低燃料电池成本、实现商业化应用有重要意义. 为了实现Fe/N/C催化剂的理性设计,需要深入研究其活性位结构. 本文我们发展一种研究活性位结构的新策略,即以预先合成好的聚间苯二胺基Fe/N/C催化剂(PmPDA-FeNx/C)为起始物,对其在1000~1500 ^oC高温下再次进行热处理并使其失活,通过关联催化剂热处理前后的结构变化与氧还原催化性能来揭示活性位结构. 实验结果表明,随着热处理温度升高,活性中心结构被破坏,铁原子析出团聚并形成纳米颗粒,氮元素挥发损失,导致催化剂失活. XPS分析显示,低结合能含氮物种的含量与催化剂的ORR活性呈良好的正相关性,表明活性中心很可能是由吡啶N和Fe-N物种构成的.     

Polypyrimidine/SWCNTS composite comprising Pt nanoparticles: Possible electrocatalyst for fuel cell

The poly(9,9-dioctyl fluorine-alt-2-amino-4,6-pyrimidine) (oligomer) is used as an effective dispersant for single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and generates stable SWCNTs hybrid after elimination of the excess polymer. The covered polymers immobilized Pt nanoparticles onto the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by coordination between Pt and polymer and the amount of the loaded Pt on the hybrid was calculated to be 38.5 wt %. The average diameter of the Pt nanoparticles on the SWCNTs were about ～4–5 nm and have a moderate electrochemically active surface area of 40.5 m²/g. These studies strongly imply the possible application of novel pyrimidine/carbon materials as catalyst supports in the electrodes of fuel cells.     

On the coupled oxidation-reduction mechanism of molecular nitrogen fixation

A new mechanism for the catalytic reduction of N₂ was proposed. According to the mechanism, reduction is preceded by the oxidation step with the formation of N₂O. The mechanism allows the participation of weaker reducing agents than those in purely reductive processes. Probable individual steps are considered, in particular, the oxygen atom transfer from the superoxide radical anion O₂ ^–· in a cyclic complex containing the N₂ molecule in the coordination sphere of a metal. The proposed mechanism can explain N₂ reduction involving recently discovered nitrogenase in which O₂ ^–· acts as an electron donor and N₂ reduction in purely chemical systems including the air nitrogen and relatively weak reducing agents.