Decay of Iron(V) Nitride Complexes By a NN Bond‐Coupling Reaction in Solution: A Combined Spectroscopic and Theoretical Analysis

Cryogenically trapped Fe^V nitride complexes with cyclam‐based ligands were found to decay by bimolecular reactions, forming exclusively Fe^II compounds. Characterization of educts and products by Mössbauer spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and spectroscopy‐oriented DFT calculations showed that the reaction mechanism is reductive nitride coupling and release of dinitrogen (2 Fe^V?N→Fe^II‐N?N‐Fe^II→2 Fe^II+N₂). The reaction pathways, representing an “inverse” of the Haber–Bosch reaction, were computationally explored in detail, also to judge the feasibility of yielding catalytically competent Fe^V(N). Implications for the photolytic cleavage of Fe^III azides used to generate high‐valent Fe nitrides are discussed.     

Pentacoordinate Phosphorus in a High‐Pressure Polymorph of Phosphorus Nitride Imide P4N6(NH)

Coordination numbers higher than usual are often associated with superior mechanical properties. In this contribution we report on the synthesis of the high‐pressure polymorph of highly condensed phosphorus nitride imide P₄N₆(NH) representing a new framework topology. This is the first example of phosphorus in trigonal‐bipyramidal coordination being observed in an inorganic network structure. We were able to obtain single crystals and bulk samples of the compound employing the multi‐anvil technique. γ‐P₄N₆(NH) has been thoroughly characterized using X‐ray diffraction, solid‐state NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. The synthesis of γ‐P₄N₆(NH) gives new insights into the coordination chemistry of phosphorus at high pressures. The synthesis of further high‐pressure phases with higher coordination numbers exhibiting intriguing physical properties seems within reach.     

Porous Tantalum Nitride Single Crystal at Two-Centimeter Scale with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance

Porous tantalum nitride (Ta₃N₅) single crystals, combining structural coherence and porous microstructure, would substantially improve the photoelectrochemical performance. The structural coherence would reduce the recombination of charge carriers and maintain excellent transport properties while the porous microstructure would not only reduce photon scattering but also facilitate surface reactions. Here, we grow bulk-porous Ta₃N₅ single crystals on a two-centimeter scale with (002), (023), and (041) facets, respectively, and show significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. We show the preferential facet growth of porous crystals in a lattice reconstruction strategy in relation to lattice match and lattice channel. We present the facet engineering to enhance light absorption, exciton lifetime and transport properties. The porous Ta₃N₅ single crystal boosts photoelectrochemical oxidation of alcohols with the (002) facet showing the highest performance of >99 % alcohol conversion and >99 % aldehyde/ketone selectivity.     

N−H Bond Formation at a Diiron Bridging Nitride

Despite their connection to ammonia synthesis, little is known about the ability of iron-bound, bridging nitrides to form N−H bonds. Herein we report a linear diiron bridging nitride complex supported by a redox-active macrocycle. The unique ability of the ligand scaffold to adapt to the geometric preference of the bridging species was found to facilitate the formation of N−H bonds via proton-coupled electron transfer to generate a μ-amide product. The structurally analogous μ-silyl- and μ-borylamide complexes were shown to form from the net insertion of the nitride into the E−H bonds (E=B, Si). Protonation of the parent bridging amide produced ammonia in high yield, and treatment of the nitride with PhSH was found to liberate NH₃ in high yield through a reaction that engages the redox-activity of the ligand during PCET.     

双金属氮化物Co3W3N/CNTs纳米复合材料的制备及其室温常压氮还原性能

采用水热法并经氨气保护热处理制备了双过渡金属氮化物Co3W3N/CNTs复合材料,得到了价格低廉且拥有良好氮电化学还原性能(NRR)的催化剂。通过调节已经预氧化的CNTs与过渡金属氮化物前驱体CoWO4的比例以及氨气热处理温度,实现了Co3W3N在CNTs表面的均匀负载。扫描电子显微镜(SEM)及透射电子显微镜(TEM)测试结果显示该电化学活性纳米微粒均匀地分散于CNTs表面,表明经预氧化的CNTs由于表面富集了较多的活性基团,有利于双过渡金属氮化物的分散生长。热处理后CNTs表面的Co3W3N微粒尺寸约为20 nm,相较于无载体的Co3W3N尺寸(100 nm)有明显减小。室温条件下,在N2饱和的0.01 mol·L^-1 H2SO4溶液中测试了该纳米复合材料在不同过电位下的NRR,该材料在-0.3 V(vs RHE)时的产氨率及法拉第效率分别可达12.73μg·h^-1·cm-2和13.59%,对比同样条件下,纯相Co3W3N的产氨率及法拉第效率仅为1.08μg·h^-1·cm^-2和1.76%。结果表明,通过水热反应和氨气保护热处理的Co3W3N/CNTs纳米复合材料具有良好的NRR性能。     

Molecular engineering of CxNy: Topologies,electronic structures and multidisciplinary applications

As a class of metal-free two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials, polymeric carbon nitrides have attracted wide attention recently due to its facile regulation of the molecular and electronic structures, availability in abundance and high stability. According to the different ratios of C and N atoms in the framework, a series of C_xN_y materials have been successfully synthesized by virtue of various precursors, which further triggers extensive investigations of broad applications ranging from sustainable photocatalytic reactions and highly sensitive optoelectronic biosensing. In view of topological structures on their electronic structures and material properties, the as-reported C_xN_y could be generally classified into two main categories with three- or six-bond-extending frameworks. Owing to the effective n→π* transition in most C_xN_y materials, the relative energy level of the lone-pair electrons on N atoms is high, which thus endows the materials with the capability of visible light absorption. Meanwhile, the different repeating units, bridging groups and defect sites of these two kinds of C_xN_y allow them to effectively drive a diverse of promising applications that require specific electronic, interfacial and geometric properties. This review paper aims to summarize the recent progress in topological structure design and the relevant electronic band structures and striking properties of C_xN_y materials. In the final part, we also discuss the existing challenges of C_xN_y and outlook the prospect possibilities.     

Nitride Spinel: An Ultraincompressible High‐Pressure Form of BeP2N4

Owing to its outstanding elastic properties, the nitride spinel γ‐Si₃N₄ is of considered interest for materials scientists and chemists. DFT calculations suggest that Si₃N₄‐analog beryllium phosphorus nitride BeP₂N₄ adopts the spinel structure at elevated pressures as well and shows outstanding elastic properties. Herein, we investigate phenakite‐type BeP₂N₄ by single‐crystal synchrotron X‐ray diffraction and report the phase transition into the spinel‐type phase at 47 GPa and 1800 K in a laser‐heated diamond anvil cell. The structure of spinel‐type BeP₂N₄ was refined from pressure‐dependent in situ synchrotron powder X‐ray diffraction measurements down to ambient pressure, which proves spinel‐type BeP₂N₄ a quenchable and metastable phase at ambient conditions. Its isothermal bulk modulus was determined to 325(8) GPa from equation of state, which indicates that spinel‐type BeP₂N₄ is an ultraincompressible material.     

加氢脱氮催化研究的新进展

化石燃料的加氢脱氮有利于改善油品质量及其稳定性,同时避免燃烧时NO_x的排放。本文介绍了不同化石燃料中有机氮化物的含量及类型,对不同加氢脱氮催化剂及其催化活性位的本质进行了探讨,同时论述了C—N键断裂机理及燃料中主要有机氮化物的HDN反应网络。着重概述了传统金属硫化物催化剂的改性方法,新型的金属碳化物、金属氮化物和金属磷化物催化剂的研究现状。     

Superhard monoclinic BN allotrope in M-carbon structure

Superhard materials have always attracted people's interesting due to their extensive industrial applications. In this work, two reasonable superhard monoclinic allotropes of boron nitrides with space group of Cm have been designed based on previously proposed M-carbon structure using first-principles calculations. Our results show that Cm-BN-1 and Cm-BN-2 are dynamically stable, and they are direct semiconductors with bandgap of 2.69 and 3.90 eV, respectively. Moreover, they could be potential superhard materials with Vickers hardness of 58.0 and 60.4 GPa, respectively. This work provides insights for exploring new superhard boron nitrides materials.     

Polymer/boron nitride nanocomposite materials for superior thermal transport performance

Boron nitride nanosheets were dispersed in polymers to give composite films with excellent thermal transport performances approaching the record values found in polymer/graphene nanocomposites. Similarly high performance at lower BN loadings was achieved by aligning the nanosheets in poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix by simple mechanical stretching (see picture).