Computational prediction of Mo2@g-C6N6 monolayer as an efficient electrocatalyst for N2 reduction

Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is an environmentally friendly method for sustainable ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions. Searching for efficient NRR electrocatalysts with high activity and selectivity is currently urgent but remains great challenge. Herein, we systematically investigate the NRR catalytic activities of single and double transition metal atoms (TM = Fe, Co, Ni and Mo) anchored on g-C₆N₆ monolayers by performing first-principles calculation. Based on the stability, activity, and selectivity analysis, Mo₂@g-C₆N₆ monolayer is screened out as the most promising candidate for NRR. Further exploration of the reaction mechanism demonstrates that the Mo dimer anchored on g-C₆N₆ can sufficiently activate and efficiently reduce the inert nitrogen molecule to ammonia through a preferred distal pathway with a particularly low limiting potential of -0.06 V. In addition, we find that Mo₂@g-C₆N₆ has excellent NRR selectivity over the competing hydrogen evolution reaction, with the Faradaic efficiency being 100%. Our work not only predicts a kind of ideal NRR electrocatalyst but also encouraging more experimental and theoretical efforts to develop novel double-atom catalysts (DACs) for NRR.     

Modulation effect in adjacent dual metal single atom catalysts for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction

Nitrogen reduction reaction（NRR） is a clean mode of energy conversion and the development of highly efficient NRR electrocatalysts under ambient conditions for industrial application is still a big challenge.Metal-nitrogen-carbon（M-N-C） has emerged as a class of single atom catalyst due to the unique geometric structure, high catalytic activity, and clear selectivity. Herein, we designed a series of dual metal single atom catalysts containing adjacent M-N-C dual active centers（MN₄/M’N...     

Enzyme Mimetic Active Intermediates for Nitrate Reduction in Neutral Aqueous Media

Nitrate is a pervasive aquatic contaminant of global environmental concern. In nature, the most effective nitrate reduction reaction (NRR) is catalyzed by nitrate reductase enzymes at neutral pH, using a highly‐conserved Mo center ligated mainly by oxo and thiolate groups. Mo‐based NRR catalysts mostly function in organic solvents with a low water stability. Recently, an oxo‐containing molybdenum sulfide nanoparticle that serves as an NRR catalyst at neutral pH was first reported. Herein, in a nanoparticle‐catalyzed NRR system a pentavalent Mo^V(=O)S₄ species, an enzyme mimetic, served as an active intermediate for the NRR. Potentiometric titration analysis revealed that a redox synergy among Mo^V?S, S radicals, and Mo^V(=O)S₄ likely play a key role in stabilizing Mo^V(=O)S₄, showing the importance of secondary interactions in facilitating NRR. The first identification and characterization of an oxo‐ and thiolate‐ligated Mo intermediates pave the way to the molecular design of efficient enzyme mimetic NRR catalysts in aqueous solution.     

Effects of Mo2C loading and H2S concentration on Mo2C/Al2O3 catalyst applied in sulfur‐resistant methanation

Mo₂C/Al₂O₃ catalyst was prepared by the impregnation method with urotropine and ammonium paramolybdate. The catalytic effect of Mo₂C as a typical transition‐metal carbide in sulfur‐resistant methanation was studied. The catalysts prepared were characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, H₂‐temperature‐programmed reduction, and Raman spectra, with the results confirming the formation of β‐molybdenum carbide on the surface of the catalysts. Studies on catalysts with different loading doses indicate that the optimal loading of Mo₂C/Al₂O₃ is about 15 wt.%, which enables CO conversion rate of up to 47%, with methane selectivity of up to 53%. This work further explored the effect of different concentrations of H₂S in the raw gas on the performance of the catalyst, with the results showing that high concentration of H₂S (>1500 ppm) can lead to sulfuration of active species on the catalyst, while resulting in a decrease in the catalytic activity.     

Catalytic synthesis of isoprenol from fatty acid ester over bimetallic Cu–Fe catalysts

Supported bimetallic Cu–Fe catalysts revealed high activity and selectivity in isoprenyl acetate hydrogenation to isoprenol under mild reaction conditions (2 MPa H₂ and 170 °C). The nature of the carrier has a significant impact on the catalytic properties of Cu–Fe catalysts. The best catalytic properties were found for the 5% Cu–5% Fe/Al₂O₃ bimetallic catalyst, which provides a 98% isoprenyl acetate conversion in 4 h with the isoprenol selectivity of 82%.     

Cr掺杂的丙烷选择氧化制丙烯酸高效催化剂

在丙烷选择氧化制丙烯酸催化剂MoVTeNbOx的活性相M1基础上掺杂一定量的Cr,当Cr/Nb摩尔比为0.002时,催化剂具有很高的丙烯酸选择性(78.3%)和收率(50.7%);并采用X射线衍射、X射线光电子能谱、程序升温还原、O2程序升温脱附、NH3程序升温脱附和异丙醇氧化等手段对催化剂的构效关系进行了探讨.结果表明,适量Cr的添加可调节催化剂表面Mo6+,V5+和Te4+等物种含量,提高催化剂的氧化能力,使丙烷转化率增加.同时,适量Cr的添加使得催化剂表面酸强度下降,酸性位点数量减少,从而抑制丙烯酸的深度氧化,提高了丙烯酸选择性.     

Collaboration of Ni,polyoxometalates and layered double hydroxides: synthesis,characterization, electrochemical and mechanism investigations as nano-catalyst in the Heck coupling reaction

Nickel (Ni) nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of magnetic MgAl layered double hydroxide intercalated 10-molybdo-2-vanadophosphate (Fe–MgAl/Mo₁₀V₂–Ni) for the first time. The presence of Ni nanoparticles onthe high-surface area Fe–MgAl LDH structure in the presence of Mo₁₀V₂ makes this catalyst an ideal option in terms of efficiency and selectivity for Heck coupling reaction. Synergic effects of Mo₁₀V₂ and Ni were investigated by an electrochemical technique. Increasing of the ECSA of the catalyst compared to Fe–Mg–Al–Ni leads to enhancement of the catalytic activity and proves the synergic effect. A new catalytic mechanism was introduced for this kind of reaction. The resulting structure and its catalytic behavior were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, ICP-AES, TEM, SEM, EDX, EBSD, XPS, BET, VSM, CV, LSV and zeta potential analyses. More importantly, Fe–MgAl/Mo₁₀V₂–Ni can easily be separated from the reaction mixture using an external magnet and reused for at least four successive runs without any substantial reduction in its catalytic activity.     

Cobalt salts of decamolybdodicobaltic acid as precursors of the highly reactive type II CoMoS phase in hydrorefining catalysts

Catalysts have been synthesized using the Anderson polyoxometalates (POMs) (NH₄)₄[Ni(OH)₆Mo₆O₁₈] (NiMo₆POM), (NH₄)₆[Co₂Mo₁₀O₃₈H₄] · 7H₂O (Co₂Mo₁₀POM), and H₆[Co₂Mo₁₀O₃₈H₄] (Co₂Mo₁₀HPA) as the precursors and hydrogen peroxide as the solvent. The catalysts have been characterized by low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, XPS, and HRTEM. Their catalytic properties have been tested in thiophene hydrodesulfurization and in the hydrodesulfurization and hydrogenation of components of diesel oil. The active phase of the catalysts synthesized using the POMs is the type II CoMoS phase in which the mean plate length is 3.6–3.9 nm and the mean number of MoS₂ plate per plate packet is 1.8–2.0. Use of hydrogen peroxide provides an efficient means to reduce the proportion of Co²⁺ promoter atoms surrounded by oxygen in the case of an impregnating solution containing both an ammonium salt of a heteropoly acid and a Co²⁺ salt. In the catalysts synthesized using cobalt salts of Co₂Mo₁₀HPA, the support surface contains the multilayer type II CoMoS phase and cobalt sulfides. These catalyst show high catalytic properties in thiophene hydrogenolysis and diesel oil hydrorefining. Models are suggested for the catalysts synthesized using Anderson POMs.     

A key to progress: Identification of the state of catalysts during the catalytic reaction

We stress the importance of identifying the state in which catalysts are during the catalytic reaction. Catalysts as prepared do not correspond to the real working catalyst. Several examples will be recalled, and a new one (Mo-Te-O catalyst) will be mentioned. In a more detailed way, it will be shown that the working state of MoO₃ is Mo_xO_3x-2 with 8 ≤x≤18. The pitfalls encountered when focusing on catalysts as prepared (as opposed to catalysts “as they work”) is illustrated in the case of mixed Sb_xMo_yO_z oxides which decompose spontaneously during the reaction.     

Ammoxidation of ethane on V-Mo-Nb oxide catalysts

Summary Catalytic and physicochemical properties of V-Mo-Nb oxide catalysts (V_0.3Mo₁Nb_x, where x = 0.05, 0.15, 0.22, and 0.27) have been studied in the ammoxidation of ethane. An increase in the Nb content in the samples is accompanied by an increase in the catalytic activity and selectivity to acetonitrile. It was established that a triple Mo₅O₁₄-like phase with a variable composition (V_{0.23 ±0.3}Mo₁Nb_x, where х = 0.2?0.37) acts as an active component in the catalyst.</o:p>     

Production of 1,3-Butadiene From C4 Raffinate-3 Through Oxidative Dehydrogenation of n-Butene Over Bismuth Molybdate Catalysts

Recent progress on the bismuth molybdate catalysts for oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butene to 1,3-butadiene was reported in this review. A number of bismuth molybdate catalysts, including pure bismuth molybdates (α-Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂, β-Bi₂Mo₂O₉, and γ-Bi₂MoO₆) and multicomponent bismuth molybdates, were prepared by a co-precipitation method for use in the production of 1,3-butadiene from C₄ raffinate-3 through oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butene. It was observed that multicomponent bismuth molybdate catalyst was more efficient than pure bismuth molybdate catalyst in the oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butene. Various experimental measurements such as temperature-programmed reoxidation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and O₂-temperature-programmed desorption analyses were carried out to elucidate the different catalytic activity of bismuth molybdate catalysts. It was revealed that a bismuth molybdate catalyst with a higher oxygen mobility showed a better catalytic performance in terms of conversion of n-butene and yield for 1,3-butadiene. We have successfully demonstrated from experimental findings that oxygen mobility of bismuth molybdate catalyst played a key role in determining the catalytic performance in the oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butene to 1,3-butadiene.     

双核烷基咪唑过氧磷钨酸盐相转移催化剂合成及催化烯烃环氧化性能

合成并表征了一类双核长链烷基咪唑阳离子修饰的过氧磷钨杂多酸盐催化剂[Dnmin]1.5PW4O24,考察了催化剂在过氧化氢为氧源的烯烃环氧化反应中的催化活性.研究表明,这类催化剂在反应过程中表现出相转移催化现象,并具有较高的催化活性和选择性.其中,双核十二烷基咪唑杂多酸盐催化剂[D12min]1.5PW4O24的活性最佳,其环己烯转化率和环氧环己烷选择性分别达到97.7%和96.3%.催化剂在经过简单离心分离后可重复使用,重复使用4次后环己烯转化率和环氧环己烷选择性仍可分别达到72.4%和97.2%.催化剂[D12min]1.5PW4O24在其它几种烯烃的环氧化反应中均表现出相转移催化特性,且具有较高的催化活性.     

Action of Co-Mo-Bi-Fe-Sb-K Catalysts in the Partial Oxidation of Propylene to Acrolein: 1. The Composition Dependence of Activity and Selectivity

The role of various components of a multiphase oxide catalytic system in the partial oxidation of propylene to acrolein is investigated. Catalytic activity is studied for the Co_6–8Mo₁₂Fe_2–3Bi_0.5–0.75Sb_0.1K_0.1O_x catalyst, which is taken to be the reference, and for catalysts in which the amount of some component is progressively reduced down to zero. The results obtained provide insights into the role of the components of the catalyst.CoMoO₄ forms the structural framework of the catalyst. Iron molybdate can be stabilized on CoMoO₄ as β-phase. As its content is increased, the catalyst gains activity but its selectivity declines. Bismuth molybdate is responsible for the selectivity of the process. When present in small amounts, MoO₃ raises the selectivity, binds free oxides, and converts reduced molybdates into their oxidized forms. Excess molybdenum trioxide causes a dramatic fall in the catalytic activity. Potassium and antimony decrease the catalytic activity, but even small amounts of these elements raise the selectivity of the catalyst. Chromium can substitute for iron atoms in the multicomponent catalyst. Ni, Mn, and Mg substitute for Fe in iron molybdate to decrease the catalytic activity.__________Translated from Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 46, No. 4, 2005, pp. 569–579.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Udalova, Shashkin, Shibanova, Krylov.     

Boron-iron nanochains for selective electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate

The electrocatalysis of nitrate reduction reaction(NRR) has been considered to be a promising nitrate removal technology.Developing a highly effective iron-based electrocatalyst is an essential challenge for NRR.Herein,boron-iron nanochains(B-Fe NCs) as efficient NRR catalysts were prepared via a facile lowcost and scalable method.The Fe/B ratio of the B-Fe NCs-x can be elaborately adjusted to optimize the NRR catalytic performance.Due to the electron transfer from boron to metal,the metal-metal bonds are weakened and the electron density near the metal atom centers are rearranged,which are favor of the conversion from NO_3~-into N_2.Moreover,the well-crosslinked chain-like architectures benefit the mass/electron transport to boost the exposure of abundant catalytic active sites.Laboratory experiments demonstrated that the optimized B-Fe NCs catalyst exhibits superior intrinsic electrocatalytic NRR activity of high nitrate conversion(～80%),ultrahigh nitrogen selectivity(～99%) and excellent long-term reactivity in the mixed electrolyte system(0.02 mol/L NaCl and 0.02 mol/L Na_2 SO_4 mixed electrolyte),and the electrocatalytic activity of the material shows poor performance at low chloride ion concentration(Nitrate conversion of ～61 % and nitrogen selectivity of ～57% in 0.005 mol/L NaCl and 0.035 mol/L Na_2 SO_4 mixed electrolyte).This study provides a broad application prospect for further exploring the highefficiency and low-cost iron-based functional nanostructures for electrocatalytic nitrate reduction.     

W/Mo-polyoxometalate-derived electrocatalyst for high-efficiency nitrogen fixation

Ammonia is the feedstock chemical for most fertilizers and the alternative of renewable energy carriers. Environmentally benign electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) under mild conditions has been recognized as one of the most attractive strategies for N₂ fixation. Herein, inspired by Mo-based nitrogenase, W/Mo-doping electrocatalysts were developed with mixed-metal polyoxometalate H₃PW₆Mo₆O₄₀ as the precursor for high performance electrocatalytic NRR. Trace amount of Pt was transplanted on the surface of W/Mo@rGO via in situ electroplating treatment to further improve the NRR performance. The resulting Pt-W/Mo@rGO-6 achieves excellent performance for NRR with a high NH₃ yield of 79.2 µg h^?1 mg_cat^?1 due to the multicomponent synergistic effect in the composite catalyst. The Pt-W/Mo@rGO-6 represents the first example of highly efficient NRR electraocatalyst derived from mixed-metal polyoxometalate, which exhibits outstanding stability confirmed by the constant catalytic performance over 24 h chronoamperometric test. This finding opens a new avenue to construct highly efficient NRR electrocatalyst by employing mixed metal polyoxometalate as the precursor under ambient conditions.     

The effect of the nature of the support on catalytic properties of ruthenium supported catalysts in partial oxidation of methane to syn-gas

The effect of the carrier on catalytic properties of ruthenium supported catalysts in partial oxidation of methane (POM) was investigated. A variety of supports differed in texture and reducibility (Al₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂, Cr₂O₃, CeO₂ and Fe₂O₃) were used. The catalyst activity is governed by ruthenium phase formation (RuO₂ → Ru⁰), and it depends on redox properties of the support as well as support-ruthenium phase interaction. The activity of Ru supported catalysts decreases in the order Al₂O₃ ≈ SiO₂ > Cr₂O₃ > TiO₂ > CeO₂ > Fe₂O₃. No significant effects of the specific surface area and porosity of catalysts on the methane conversion and selectivity of CO formation were found. The selectivity of CO₂ formation (total oxidation of CH₄) under conditions of POM (a ratio of CH₄/O₂ = 2) is associated with the contribution of reducible support oxides into the catalytic performance.     

Influence of the composition and morphology of nanosized transition metal sulfides prepared using the Anderson-type heteropoly compounds [X(OH)6Mo6O18]n? (X = Co, Ni, Mn, Zn) and [Co2Mo10O38H4]6? on their catalytic properties

Using the Anderson-type heteropoly compounds (HPCs) [X(OH)₆Mo₆O₁₈] _n− (X = Co, Ni, Mn, Zn) and [Co₂Mo₁₀O₃₈H₄]₆₋ and cobalt (or nickel) nitrate, XMo/Al₂O₃ and Co(Ni)-XMo/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared. The catalysts were studied by low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The average length of the active-phase particles of the catalysts was 3.5 to 3.9 nm, and the average number of MoS₂ layers in a packet was 1.4 to 2.1. The catalytic properties of the samples, which were estimated in dibenzothiophene (DBT) hydrodesulfurization and in the hydrotreating of the diesel fraction, are considerably dependent upon both the type and composition of the HPC, and the nature of the applied promoter (Ni or Co). As compared to the Ni-promoted catalysts, the Co-promoted samples exhibit a higher desulfurization activity, whereas the hydrogenation ability of the Ni-XMo/Al₂O₃ catalysts surpasses that of the Co-XMo/Al₂O₃ ones. The catalytic properties depend on the morphology of the nanostructured active phase. With a growing number of MoS₂ layers in the packet of the catalysts’ active phase, the DBT hydrodesulfurization rate constants for both the direct desulfurization route and the preliminary hydrogenation rote rise linearly and the selectivity falls linearly for the hydrogenation route. The selectivity of Ni-XMo/Al₂O₃ decreases to a greater extent than that of Co-XMo/Al₂O₃. The dependences of the catalytic properties on the morphology of the catalysts’ active phase are consistent with the “dynamic” model of the functioning of the active sites of transition metal sulfides.     

Keggin型钼钒磷杂多酸催化剂上丙烷选择氧化性能的研究

系统研究了不同数目V⁵⁺取代的钼钒磷杂多酸H_3+nPMo_12－nV_nO₄₀ (n＝0～4)催化剂上丙烷选择氧化反应性能. 通过BET, IR, TPR, 紫外-可见光谱等表征手段对催化剂的理化性质进行了考察, 并对催化剂的结构-性能关系进行了初步关联. 在杂多酸的一级结构中, V⁵⁺对Mo⁶⁺的取代不仅改变了杂多阴离子金属-氧桥的键强以及晶格氧的插入能力, 而且也相应地调变了样品的酸量. 催化剂活性随V⁵⁺取代数量的递增而增强; 适宜数量的V⁵⁺取代提高了含氧酸产物的选择性, 而过量的V⁵⁺取代则导致部分氧化产物的深度氧化. 考察了在Keggin型杂多酸二级结构上引入钒物种的影响, 也即将钒物种(VO)²⁺作为抗衡离子取代部分质子以调变催化剂的结构与性质. 实验表明, 处于一级结构和二级结构[(VO)²⁺抗衡离子]中的V在反应中均可离析出少量V₂O₅物种. 适宜量的(VO)²⁺物种以及离析出来的少量V₂O₅物种可能均对催化剂的性能有贡献. 显然, 钒在不同位置的价态变化以及形态的不同, 会导致催化性能的相应改变.     

Influence of Support Type and Metal Loading in Methane Decomposition over Iron Catalyst for Hydrogen Production

Natural gas resources, stimulate the method of catalytic methane decomposition. Hydrogen is a superb energy carrier and integral component of the present energy systems, while carbon nanotubes exhibit remarkable chemical and physical properties. The reaction was run at 700 °C in a fixed bed reactor. Catalyst calcination and reduction were done at 500 °C. MgO, TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ supported catalysts were prepared using a co‐precipitation method. Catalysts of different iron loadings were characterized with BET, TGA, XRD, H₂‐TPR and TEM. The catalyst characterization revealed the formation of multi‐walled nanotubes. Alternatively, time on stream tests of supported catalyst at 700 °C revealed the relative profiles of methane conversions increased as the %Fe loading was increased. Higher %Fe loadings decreased surface area of the catalyst. Iron catalyst supported with Al₂O₃ exhibited somewhat higher catalytic activity compared with MgO and TiO₂ supported catalysts when above 35% Fe loading was used. CH₄ conversion of 69% was obtained utilizing 60% Fe/Al₂O₃ catalyst. Alternatively, Fe/MgO catalysts gave the highest initial conversions when iron loading below 30% was employed. Indeed, catalysts with 15% Fe/MgO gave 63% conversion and good stability for 1 h time on stream. Inappropriateness of Fe/TiO₂ catalysts in the catalytic methane decomposition was observed.     

MoS2-Based Catalysts for N2 Electroreduction to NH3 – An Overview of MoS2 Optimization Strategies

The nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has become an ideal alternative to the Haber-Bosch process, as NRR possesses, among others, the advantage of operating under ambient conditions and saving energy consumption. The key to efficient NRR is to find a suitable electrocatalyst, which helps to break the strong N≡N bond and improves the reaction selectivity. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) as an emerging layered two-dimensional material has attracted a mass of attention in various fields. In this minireview, we summarize the optimization strategies of MoS₂-based catalysts which have been developed to improve the weak NRR activity of primitive MoS₂. Some theoretical predictions have also been summarized, which can provide direction for optimizing NRR activity of future MoS₂-based materials. Finally, an outlook about the optimization of MoS₂-based catalysts used in electrochemical N₂ fixation are given.