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Yan Y, Liu K, Yang C, Chen Y, Lv X, Hu C, Zhang L, Zheng G. Electrokinetic Analysis-Driven Promotion of Electrocatalytic CO Reduction to n-Propanol. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2406345. [PMID: 39358961 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202406345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2024] [Revised: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
The electrocatalytic carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide reduction reaction (CO2RR or CORR) features a sustainable method for reducing carbon emissions and producing value-added chemicals. However, the generation of C3 products with higher energy density and market values, such as n-propanol, remains highly challenging, which is attributed to the unclear formation mechanism of C3+ versus C2 products. In this work, by the Tafel slope analysis, electrolyte pH correlation exploration, and the kinetic analysis of CO partial pressure fitting, it is identified that both n-propanol and C2 products share the same rate-determining step, which is the coupling of two C1 intermediates via the derivation of the Butler-Volmer equation. In addition, inspired by the mechanistic study, it is proposed that a high OH─ concentration and a water-limited environment are beneficial for promoting the subsequent *C2-*C1 coupling to n-propanol. At 5.0 m [OH-], the partial current density of producing n-propanol (jn-propanol) reached 45 mA cm-2, which is 35 and 1.3 times higher than that at 0.01 m [OH-] and 1.0 m [OH-], respectively. This study provides a comprehensive kinetic analysis of n-propanol production and suggests opportunities for designing new catalytic systems for promoting the C3 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqin Yan
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Kunhao Liu
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yangshen Chen
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Ximeng Lv
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Cejun Hu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Gengfeng Zheng
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
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2
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Li S, Zhang G, Ma X, Gao H, Fu D, Wang T, Zeng J, Zhao ZJ, Zhang P, Gong J. Atomically Isolated Pd Sites Promote Electrochemical CO Reduction to Acetate through a Protonation-Regulated Mechanism. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 39324833 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c11276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR) offers a promising approach for sustainable acetate production, the promotion of which requires the control of multiple protonation steps. This paper describes the synthesis of atomically isolated Pd sites onto Cu nanoflakes to regulate the protonation of key intermediates. The Pd sites with moderate water activation capability are found to enhance the protonation of *CO at the neighboring Cu site to *COH, which is confirmed to be the rate-determining step through kinetic isotope effect studies. The formation of *COH-*CO is therefore promoted. Additionally, the Pd sites would preferentially protonate the C-OH group in *COH-*CO due to the spatial approximability and electronic modulation effects, generating *CCO for the selective formation of acetate. An acetate Faradaic efficiency of 59.5% is achieved at -0.78 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), with a maximum partial current density of 286 mA cm-2 at -0.86 V vs RHE. The optimized catalyst also exhibits long-term stability for 500 h at 100 mA cm-2 in a membrane electrode assembly. This work reveals a new promoting mechanism for selective CORR with simultaneous tuning of the structural and electronic properties of the proton-supplying sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuying Li
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Gong Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Hui Gao
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Donglong Fu
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Tuo Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou 350207, China
- International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300350, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
- National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jianrong Zeng
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Zhi-Jian Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300350, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou 350207, China
- International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300350, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
- National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jinlong Gong
- School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou 350207, China
- International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300350, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
- Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
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3
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Wang X, Lu R, Pan B, Yang C, Zhuansun M, Li J, Xu Y, Hung SF, Zheng G, Li Y, Wang Z, Wang Y. Enhanced Carbon-Carbon Coupling at Interfaces with Abrupt Coordination Number Changes. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202400150. [PMID: 38472126 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202400150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Cu-catalyzed electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) produces multi-carbon (C2+) chemicals with considerable selectivities and activities, yet required high overpotentials impede its practical application. Here, we design interfaces with abrupt coordination number (CN) changes that greatly reduce the applied potential for achieving high C2+ Faradaic efficiency (FE). Encouraged by the mechanistic finding that the coupling between *CO and *CO(H) is the most probable C-C bond formation path, we use Cu2O- and Cu-phthalocyanine-derived Cu (OD-Cu and PD-Cu) to build the interface. Using operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), we find that the Cu CN of OD-Cu is ~11, favoring CO* adsorption, while the PD-Cu has a COH*-favorable CN of ~4. Operando Raman spectroscopy revealed that the interfaces with abrupt CN changes promote *OCCOH formation. As a result, the designed catalyst achieves a C2+ FE of 85±2 % at 220 mA cm-2 in a zero-gap CO2 electrolyzer. An improvement of C2+ FE by 3 times is confirmed at the low potential regime where the current density is 60-140 mA cm-2, compared to bare OD-Cu. We report a 45-h stable CO2RR operation at 220 mA cm-2, producing a C2+ product FE of ~80 %.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Advanced Negative Carbon Technologies, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Ruihu Lu
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Binbin Pan
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Advanced Negative Carbon Technologies, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Mengjiao Zhuansun
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Advanced Negative Carbon Technologies, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Jun Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Sung-Fu Hung
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
| | - Gengfeng Zheng
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yanguang Li
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Advanced Negative Carbon Technologies, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Ziyun Wang
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Yuhang Wang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Advanced Negative Carbon Technologies, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
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4
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Wu H, Yu H, Chow YL, Webley PA, Zhang J. Toward Durable CO 2 Electroreduction with Cu-Based Catalysts via Understanding Their Deactivation Modes. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2403217. [PMID: 38845132 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202403217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The technology of CO2 electrochemical reduction (CO2ER) provides a means to convert CO2, a waste greenhouse gas, into value-added chemicals. Copper is the most studied element that is capable of catalyzing CO2ER to obtain multicarbon products, such as ethylene, ethanol, acetate, etc., at an appreciable rate. Under the operating condition of CO2ER, the catalytic performance of Cu decays because of several factors that alters the surface properties of Cu. In this review, these factors that cause the degradation of Cu-based CO2ER catalysts are categorized into generalized deactivation modes, that are applicable to all electrocatalytic systems. The fundamental principles of each deactivation mode and the associated effects of each on Cu-based catalysts are discussed in detail. Structure- and composition-activity relationship developed from recent in situ/operando characterization studies are presented as evidence of related deactivation modes in operation. With the aim to address these deactivation modes, catalyst design and reaction environment engineering rationales are suggested. Finally, perspectives and remarks built upon the recent advances in CO2ER are provided in attempts to improve the durability of CO2ER catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiwen Wu
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Haoming Yu
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yuen-Leong Chow
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Paul A Webley
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
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5
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Zhang YC, Zhang XL, Wu ZZ, Niu ZZ, Chi LP, Gao FY, Yang PP, Wang YH, Yu PC, Duanmu JW, Sun SP, Gao MR. Facet-switching of rate-determining step on copper in CO 2-to-ethylene electroreduction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2400546121. [PMID: 38857407 PMCID: PMC11194607 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2400546121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) by renewable electricity to produce multicarbon chemicals, such as ethylene (C2H4), continues to be a challenge because of insufficient Faradaic efficiency, low production rates, and complex mechanistic pathways. Here, we report that the rate-determining steps (RDS) on common copper (Cu) surfaces diverge in CO2 electroreduction, leading to distinct catalytic performances. Through a combination of experimental and computational studies, we reveal that C─C bond-making is the RDS on Cu(100), whereas the protonation of *CO with adsorbed water becomes rate-limiting on Cu(111) with a higher energy barrier. On an oxide-derived Cu(100)-dominant Cu catalyst, we reach a high C2H4 Faradaic efficiency of 72%, partial current density of 359 mA cm-2, and long-term stability exceeding 100 h at 500 mA cm-2, greatly outperforming its Cu(111)-rich counterpart. We further demonstrate constant C2H4 selectivity of >60% over 70 h in a membrane electrode assembly electrolyzer with a full-cell energy efficiency of 23.4%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Cai Zhang
- Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Xiao-Long Zhang
- Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Zhi-Zheng Wu
- Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Zhuang-Zhuang Niu
- Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Li-Ping Chi
- Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Fei-Yue Gao
- Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Peng-Peng Yang
- Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Ye-Hua Wang
- Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Peng-Cheng Yu
- Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Jing-Wen Duanmu
- Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Shu-Ping Sun
- Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Min-Rui Gao
- Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
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6
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Liu S, Li Y, Wang D, Xi S, Xu H, Wang Y, Li X, Zang W, Liu W, Su M, Yan K, Nielander AC, Wong AB, Lu J, Jaramillo TF, Wang L, Canepa P, He Q. Alkali cation-induced cathodic corrosion in Cu electrocatalysts. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5080. [PMID: 38871724 PMCID: PMC11176167 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49492-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The reconstruction of Cu catalysts during electrochemical reduction of CO2 is a widely known but poorly understood phenomenon. Herein, we examine the structural evolution of Cu nanocubes under CO2 reduction reaction and its relevant reaction conditions using identical location transmission electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, in situ X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. Our results suggest that Cu catalysts reconstruct via a hitherto unexplored yet critical pathway - alkali cation-induced cathodic corrosion, when the electrode potential is more negative than an onset value (e.g., -0.4 VRHE when using 0.1 M KHCO3). Having alkali cations in the electrolyte is critical for such a process. Consequently, Cu catalysts will inevitably undergo surface reconstructions during a typical process of CO2 reduction reaction, resulting in dynamic catalyst morphologies. While having these reconstructions does not necessarily preclude stable electrocatalytic reactions, they will indeed prohibit long-term selectivity and activity enhancement by controlling the morphology of Cu pre-catalysts. Alternatively, by operating Cu catalysts at less negative potentials in the CO electrochemical reduction, we show that Cu nanocubes can provide a much more stable selectivity advantage over spherical Cu nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikai Liu
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Yuheng Li
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, E5 #02-29, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
| | - Shibo Xi
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Pesek Road Jurong Island, Singapore, 627833, Singapore.
| | - Haoming Xu
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Yulin Wang
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Xinzhe Li
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Wenjie Zang
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Weidong Liu
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Mengyao Su
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Katherine Yan
- SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Adam C Nielander
- SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Andrew B Wong
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, E5 #02-29, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
- Centre for Hydrogen Innovations, National University of Singapore, E8, 1 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117580, Singapore
| | - Jiong Lu
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- Centre for Hydrogen Innovations, National University of Singapore, E8, 1 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117580, Singapore
| | - Thomas F Jaramillo
- SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, E5 #02-29, Singapore, 117585, Singapore.
- Centre for Hydrogen Innovations, National University of Singapore, E8, 1 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117580, Singapore.
| | - Pieremanuele Canepa
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore.
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, E5 #02-29, Singapore, 117585, Singapore.
| | - Qian He
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore.
- Centre for Hydrogen Innovations, National University of Singapore, E8, 1 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117580, Singapore.
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7
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Wang X, Ju W, Liang L, Riyaz M, Bagger A, Filippi M, Rossmeisl J, Strasser P. Electrochemical CO 2 Activation and Valorization on Metallic Copper and Carbon-Embedded N-Coordinated Single Metal MNC Catalysts. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202401821. [PMID: 38467562 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202401821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The electrochemical reductive valorization of CO2, referred to as the CO2RR, is an emerging approach for the conversion of CO2-containing feeds into valuable carbonaceous fuels and chemicals, with potential contributions to carbon capture and use (CCU) for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Copper surfaces and graphene-embedded, N-coordinated single metal atom (MNC) catalysts exhibit distinctive reactivity, attracting attention as efficient electrocatalysts for CO2RR. This review offers a comparative analysis of CO2RR on copper surfaces and MNC catalysts, highlighting their unique characteristics in terms of CO2 activation, C1/C2(+) product formation, and the competing hydrogen evolution pathway. The assessment underscores the significance of understanding structure-activity relationships to optimize catalyst design for efficient and selective CO2RR. Examining detailed reaction mechanisms and structure-selectivity patterns, the analysis explores recent insights into changes in the chemical catalyst states, atomic motif rearrangements, and fractal agglomeration, providing essential kinetic information from advanced in/ex situ microscopy/spectroscopy techniques. At the end, this review addresses future challenges and solutions related to today's disconnect between our current molecular understanding of structure-activity-selectivity relations in CO2RR and the relevant factors controlling the performance of CO2 electrolyzers over longer times, with larger electrode sizes, and at higher current densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingli Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University of Berlin, Straße des 17. June 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wen Ju
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University of Berlin, Straße des 17. June 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Electrochemistry and Catalysis, Leibniz Institute for Catalysis, 18059, Rostock
| | - Liang Liang
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University of Berlin, Straße des 17. June 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mohd Riyaz
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Alexander Bagger
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Michael Filippi
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University of Berlin, Straße des 17. June 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Rossmeisl
- Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Strasser
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University of Berlin, Straße des 17. June 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
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8
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Meng N, Wu Z, Huang Y, Zhang J, Chen M, Ma H, Li H, Xi S, Lin M, Wu W, Han S, Yu Y, Yang QH, Zhang B, Loh KP. High yield electrosynthesis of oxygenates from CO using a relay Cu-Ag co-catalyst system. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3892. [PMID: 38719816 PMCID: PMC11078980 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48083-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
As a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based manufacture of bulk oxygenates, electrochemical synthesis using CO and H2O as raw materials at ambient conditions offers immense appeal. However, the upscaling of the electrosynthesis of oxygenates encounters kinetic bottlenecks arising from the competing hydrogen evolution reaction with the selective production of ethylene. Herein, a catalytic relay system that can perform in tandem CO capture, activation, intermediate transfer and enrichment on a Cu-Ag composite catalyst is used for attaining high yield CO-to-oxygenates electrosynthesis at high current densities. The composite catalyst Cu/30Ag (molar ratio of Cu to Ag is 7:3) enables high efficiency CO-to-oxygenates conversion, attaining a maximum partial current density for oxygenates of 800 mA cm-2 at an applied current density of 1200 mA cm-2, and with 67 % selectivity. The ability to finely control the production of ethylene and oxygenates highlights the principle of efficient catalyst design based on the relay mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Meng
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Zhitan Wu
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China
| | - Yanmei Huang
- Institute of Molecular Plus, Department of Chemistry, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Maoxin Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China
| | - Haibin Ma
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Hongjiao Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, China.
| | - Shibo Xi
- Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences, Agency of Science Technology and Research, 1 Pesek Road, Jurong Island, Singapore, 627833, Singapore
| | - Ming Lin
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency of Science Technology and Research, 2 Fusionopolis Way, #0-03, Imnovis, Singapore, 138634, Singapore
| | - Wenya Wu
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency of Science Technology and Research, 2 Fusionopolis Way, #0-03, Imnovis, Singapore, 138634, Singapore
| | - Shuhe Han
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Yifu Yu
- Institute of Molecular Plus, Department of Chemistry, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Quan-Hong Yang
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Plus, Department of Chemistry, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
| | - Kian Ping Loh
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China.
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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9
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Guo L, Zhou J, Liu F, Meng X, Ma Y, Hao F, Xiong Y, Fan Z. Electronic Structure Design of Transition Metal-Based Catalysts for Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction. ACS NANO 2024; 18:9823-9851. [PMID: 38546130 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c01456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
With the increasingly serious greenhouse effect, the electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) has garnered widespread attention as it is capable of leveraging renewable energy to convert CO2 into value-added chemicals and fuels. However, the performance of CO2RR can hardly meet expectations because of the diverse intermediates and complicated reaction processes, necessitating the exploitation of highly efficient catalysts. In recent years, with advanced characterization technologies and theoretical simulations, the exploration of catalytic mechanisms has gradually deepened into the electronic structure of catalysts and their interactions with intermediates, which serve as a bridge to facilitate the deeper comprehension of structure-performance relationships. Transition metal-based catalysts (TMCs), extensively applied in electrochemical CO2RR, demonstrate substantial potential for further electronic structure modulation, given their abundance of d electrons. Herein, we discuss the representative feasible strategies to modulate the electronic structure of catalysts, including doping, vacancy, alloying, heterostructure, strain, and phase engineering. These approaches profoundly alter the inherent properties of TMCs and their interaction with intermediates, thereby greatly affecting the reaction rate and pathway of CO2RR. It is believed that the rational electronic structure design and modulation can fundamentally provide viable directions and strategies for the development of advanced catalysts toward efficient electrochemical conversion of CO2 and many other small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Guo
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Fu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Xiang Meng
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Yangbo Ma
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Fengkun Hao
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Yuecheng Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Zhanxi Fan
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy (HKICE), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
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10
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Zhou D, Chen C, Zhang Y, Wang M, Han S, Dong X, Yao T, Jia S, He M, Wu H, Han B. Cooperation of Different Active Sites to Promote CO 2 Electroreduction to Multi-carbon Products at Ampere-Level. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400439. [PMID: 38345401 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Electroreduction of CO2 to C2+ products provides a promising strategy for reaching the goal of carbon neutrality. However, achieving high selectivity of C2+ products at high current density remains a challenge. In this work, we designed and prepared a multi-sites catalyst, in which Pd was atomically dispersed in Cu (Pd-Cu). It was found that the Pd-Cu catalyst had excellent performance for producing C2+ products from CO2 electroreduction. The Faradaic efficiency (FE) of C2+ products could be maintained at approximately 80.8 %, even at a high current density of 0.8 A cm-2 for at least 20 hours. In addition, the FE of C2+ products was above 70 % at 1.4 A cm-2. Experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the catalyst had three distinct catalytic sites. These three active sites allowed for efficient conversion of CO2, water dissociation, and CO conversion, ultimately leading to high yields of C2+ products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Chunjun Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular and Process engineering, SKLPMPE, Sinopec research institute of petroleum processing Co., LTD., Beijing, 100083, China
- East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yichi Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Min Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Shitao Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xue Dong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Ting Yao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Shuaiqiang Jia
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Mingyuan He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular and Process engineering, SKLPMPE, Sinopec research institute of petroleum processing Co., LTD., Beijing, 100083, China
- East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Haihong Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular and Process engineering, SKLPMPE, Sinopec research institute of petroleum processing Co., LTD., Beijing, 100083, China
- East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Buxing Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular and Process engineering, SKLPMPE, Sinopec research institute of petroleum processing Co., LTD., Beijing, 100083, China
- East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
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11
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Kim C, Govindarajan N, Hemenway S, Park J, Zoraster A, Kong CJ, Prabhakar RR, Varley JB, Jung HT, Hahn C, Ager JW. Importance of Site Diversity and Connectivity in Electrochemical CO Reduction on Cu. ACS Catal 2024; 14:3128-3138. [PMID: 38449526 PMCID: PMC10913037 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c05904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Electrochemical CO2 reduction on Cu is a promising approach to produce value-added chemicals using renewable feedstocks, yet various Cu preparations have led to differences in activity and selectivity toward single and multicarbon products. Here, we find, surprisingly, that the effective catalytic activity toward ethylene improves when there is a larger fraction of less active sites acting as reservoirs of *CO on the surface of Cu nanoparticle electrocatalysts. In an adaptation of chemical transient kinetics to electrocatalysis, we measure the dynamic response of a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) cell when the feed gas is abruptly switched between Ar (inert) and CO. When switching from Ar to CO, CO reduction (COR) begins promptly, but when switching from CO to Ar, COR can be maintained for several seconds (delay time) despite the absence of the CO reactant in the gas phase. A three-site microkinetic model captures the observed dynamic behavior and shows that Cu catalysts exhibiting delay times have a less active *CO reservoir that exhibits fast diffusion to active sites. The observed delay times and the estimated *CO reservoir sizes are affected by catalyst preparation, applied potential, and microenvironment (electrolyte cation identity, electrolyte pH, and CO partial pressure). Notably, we estimate that the *CO reservoir surface coverage can be as high as 88 ± 7% on oxide-derived Cu (OD-Cu) at high overpotentials (-1.52 V vs SHE) and this increases in reservoir coverage coincide with increased turnover frequencies to ethylene. We also estimate that *CO can travel substantial distances (up to 10s of nm) prior to desorption or reaction. It appears that active C-C coupling sites by themselves do not control selectivity to C2+ products in electrochemical COR; the supply of CO to those sites is also a crucial factor. More generally, the overall activity of Cu electrocatalysts cannot be approximated from linear combinations of individual site activities. Future designs must consider the diversity of the catalyst network and account for intersite transportation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chansol Kim
- Chemical
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro,
Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
- Clean
Energy Research Center, Korea Institute
of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Nitish Govindarajan
- Materials
Science Division, Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Sydney Hemenway
- Chemical
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Junho Park
- Chemical
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Anya Zoraster
- Chemical
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Calton J. Kong
- Chemical
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Rajiv Ramanujam Prabhakar
- Chemical
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Joel B. Varley
- Materials
Science Division, Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Hee-Tae Jung
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro,
Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Christopher Hahn
- Materials
Science Division, Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Joel W. Ager
- Chemical
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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12
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Li J, Chen Y, Yao B, Yang W, Cui X, Liu H, Dai S, Xi S, Sun Z, Chen W, Qin Y, Wang J, He Q, Ling C, Wang D, Zhang Z. Cascade Dual Sites Modulate Local CO Coverage and Hydrogen-Binding Strength to Boost CO 2 Electroreduction to Ethylene. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:5693-5701. [PMID: 38335459 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Rationally modulating the binding strength of reaction intermediates on surface sites of copper-based catalysts could facilitate C-C coupling to generate multicarbon products in an electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction. Herein, theoretical calculations reveal that cascade Ag-Cu dual sites could synergistically increase local CO coverage and lower the kinetic barrier for CO protonation, leading to enhanced asymmetric C-C coupling to generate C2H4. As a proof of concept, the Cu3N-Ag nanocubes (NCs) with Ag located in partial Cu sites and a Cu3N unit center are successfully synthesized. The Faraday efficiency and partial current density of C2H4 over Cu3N-Ag NCs are 7.8 and 9.0 times those of Cu3N NCs, respectively. In situ spectroscopies combined with theoretical calculations confirm that Ag sites produce CO and Cu sites promote asymmetric C-C coupling to *COCHO, significantly enhancing the generation of C2H4. Our work provides new insights into the cascade catalysis strategy at the atomic scale for boosting CO2 to multicarbon products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Li
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Quantum Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Bingqing Yao
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore 117575, Singapore
| | - Wenjuan Yang
- Julong College, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Xiaoya Cui
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Huiling Liu
- Institute for New Energy Materials and Low-Carbon Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Porous Materials, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Sheng Dai
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shibo Xi
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Pesek Road Jurong Island, Singapore 627833, Republic of Singapore
| | - Zhiyi Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wenxing Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yuchen Qin
- College of Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, P. R. China
| | - Jinlan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Quantum Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Qian He
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore 117575, Singapore
| | - Chongyi Ling
- Key Laboratory of Quantum Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Dingsheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Zhicheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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13
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Deng W, Zhang P, Qiao Y, Kastlunger G, Govindarajan N, Xu A, Chorkendorff I, Seger B, Gong J. Unraveling the rate-determining step of C 2+ products during electrochemical CO reduction. Nat Commun 2024; 15:892. [PMID: 38291057 PMCID: PMC10828390 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45230-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The electrochemical reduction of CO has drawn a large amount of attention due to its potential to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals by using renewable energy. However, the reaction's mechanism is not yet well understood. A major debate is whether the rate-determining step for the generation of multi-carbon products is C-C coupling or CO hydrogenation. This paper conducts an experimental analysis of the rate-determining step, exploring pH dependency, kinetic isotope effects, and the impact of CO partial pressure on multi-carbon product activity. Results reveal constant multi-carbon product activity with pH or electrolyte deuteration changes, and CO partial pressure data aligns with the theoretical formula derived from *CO-*CO coupling as the rate-determining step. These findings establish the dimerization of two *CO as the rate-determining step for multi-carbon product formation. Extending the study to commercial copper nanoparticles and oxide-derived copper catalysts shows their rate-determining step also involves *CO-*CO coupling. This investigation provides vital kinetic data and a theoretical foundation for enhancing multi-carbon product production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanyu Deng
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, China
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Peng Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, China
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China
| | - Yu Qiao
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Georg Kastlunger
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nitish Govindarajan
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Aoni Xu
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ib Chorkendorff
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Brian Seger
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Jinlong Gong
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, China.
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China.
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14
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Delmo EP, Wang Y, Song Y, Zhu S, Zhang H, Xu H, Li T, Jang J, Kwon Y, Wang Y, Shao M. In Situ Infrared Spectroscopic Evidence of Enhanced Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction and C-C Coupling on Oxide-Derived Copper. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:1935-1945. [PMID: 38191290 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The reaction mechanism of CO2 electroreduction on oxide-derived copper has not yet been unraveled even though high C2+ Faradaic efficiencies are commonly observed on these surfaces. In this study, we aim to explore the effects of copper anodization on the adsorption of various CO2RR intermediates using in situ surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) on metallic and mildly anodized copper thin films. The in situ SEIRAS results show that the preoxidation process can significantly improve the overall CO2 reduction activity by (1) enhancing CO2 activation, (2) increasing CO uptake, and (3) promoting C-C coupling. First, the strong *COO- redshift indicates that the preoxidation process significantly enhances the first elementary step of CO2 adsorption and activation. The rapid uptake of adsorbed *COatop also illustrates how a high *CO coverage can be achieved in oxide-derived copper electrocatalysts. Finally, for the first time, we observed the formation of the *COCHO dimer on the anodized copper thin film. Using DFT calculations, we show how the presence of subsurface oxygen within the Cu lattice can improve the thermodynamics of C2 product formation via the coupling of adsorbed *CO and *CHO intermediates. This study advances our understanding of the role of surface and subsurface conditions in improving the catalytic reaction kinetics and product selectivity of CO2 reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Pahuyo Delmo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Yian Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Yihua Song
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Shangqian Zhu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Haichuan Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Hongming Xu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Tiehuai Li
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Juhee Jang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Yongjun Kwon
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Yinuo Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Minhua Shao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Energy Institute and Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
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15
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Chang X, Xiong H, Lu Q, Xu B. Mechanistic Implications of Low CO Coverage on Cu in the Electrochemical CO and CO 2 Reduction Reactions. JACS AU 2023; 3:2948-2963. [PMID: 38034971 PMCID: PMC10685414 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical CO or CO2 reduction reactions (CO(2)RR), powered by renewable energy, represent one of the promising strategies for upgrading CO2 to valuable products. To design efficient and selective catalysts for the CO(2)RR, a comprehensive mechanistic understanding is necessary, including a comprehensive understanding of the reaction network and the identity of kinetically relevant steps. Surface-adsorbed CO (COad) is the most commonly reported reaction intermediate in the CO(2)RR, and its surface coverage (θCO) and binding energy are proposed to be key to the catalytic performance. Recent experimental evidence sugguests that θCO on Cu electrode at electrochemical conditions is quite low (∼0.05 monolayer), while relatively high θCO is often assumed in literature mechanistic discussion. This Perspective briefly summarizes existing efforts in determining θCO on Cu surfaces, analyzes mechanistic impacts of low θCO on the reaction pathway and catalytic performance, and discusses potential fruitful future directions in advancing our understanding of the Cu-catalyzed CO(2)RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Chang
- College
of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Haocheng Xiong
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qi Lu
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bingjun Xu
- College
of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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16
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Gao W, Xu Y, Xiong H, Chang X, Lu Q, Xu B. CO Binding Energy is an Incomplete Descriptor of Cu-Based Catalysts for the Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction Reaction. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202313798. [PMID: 37837328 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202313798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
CO binding energy has been employed as a descriptor in the catalyst design for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reactions (CO2 RR). The reliability of the descriptor has yet been experimentally verified due to the lack of suitable methods to determine CO binding energies. In this work, we determined the standard CO adsorption enthalpies (Δ H C O ∘ ${\Delta {H}_{CO}^{^\circ{}}}$ ) of undoped and doped oxide-derived Cu (OD-Cu) samples, and for the first time established the correlation ofΔ H C O ∘ ${\Delta {H}_{CO}^{^\circ{}}}$ with the Faradaic efficiencies (FE) for C2+ products. A clear volcano shaped dependence of the FE for C2+ products onΔ H C O ∘ ${\Delta {H}_{CO}^{^\circ{}}}$ is observed on OD-Cu catalysts prepared with the same hydrothermal durations, however, the trend becomes less clear when all catalysts investigated are taken into account. The relative abundance of Cu sites active for the CO2 -to-CO conversion and the further reduction of CO is identified as another key descriptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiang Gao
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yifei Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Haocheng Xiong
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiaoxia Chang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qi Lu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Bingjun Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100871, China
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17
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Lee SY, Kim J, Bak G, Lee E, Kim D, Yoo S, Kim J, Yun H, Hwang YJ. Probing Cation Effects on *CO Intermediates from Electroreduction of CO 2 through Operando Raman Spectroscopy. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:23068-23075. [PMID: 37807716 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c05799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Cations in an electrolyte modulate microenvironments near the catalyst surface and affect product distribution from an electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction, and thus, their interaction with intermediate states has been tried to be probed. Herein, we directly observed the cation effect on *CO intermediates on the Cu(OH)2-derived catalyst in real time through operando surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy at high overpotentials (-1.0 VRHE). Atop *CO peaks are composed of low-frequency binding *CO (*COLFB) and high-frequency binding *CO (*COHFB) because of their adsorption sites. These two *CO intermediates are found to have different sensitivities to the cation-induced field, and each *CO is proposed to be suitably stabilized for efficient C-C coupling. The proportions between *COHFB and *COLFB are dependent on the type of alkali cations, and the increases in the *COHFB ratio have a high correlation with selective C2H4 production under K+ and Cs+, indicating that *COHFB is the dominant and fast active species. In addition, as the hydrated cation size decreases, *COLFB is more sensitively red-shifted than *COHFB, which promotes C-C coupling and suppresses C1 products. Through time-resolved operando measurements, dynamic changes between the two *CO species are observed, showing the rapid initial adsorption of *COHFB and subsequently reaching a steady ratio between *COLFB and *COHFB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Young Lee
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jimin Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwangsu Bak
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunchong Lee
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayeon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Suhwan Yoo
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei-KIST Convergence Research Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyewon Yun
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Jeong Hwang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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18
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Kastlunger G, Heenen HH, Govindarajan N. Combining First-Principles Kinetics and Experimental Data to Establish Guidelines for Product Selectivity in Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction. ACS Catal 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
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19
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Xiong H, Sun Q, Chen K, Xu Y, Chang X, Lu Q, Xu B. Correlating the Experimentally Determined CO Adsorption Enthalpy with the Electrochemical CO Reduction Performance on Cu Surfaces. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202218447. [PMID: 36655721 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202218447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
CO binding energy has been widely employed as a descriptor for effective catalysts in the electrochemical CO2 and CO reduction reactions (CO(2) RR), however, it has yet to be determined experimentally at electrochemical interfaces due to the lack of suitable techniques. In this work, we developed a method to determine the standard adsorption enthalpy of CO on Cu surfaces with quantitative surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy. On dendritic Cu at -0.75 V vs. SHE, the standard adsorption enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy were determined to 1.5±0.5 kJ mol-1 , ≈37.9±13.4 J/(mol K), and ≈-9.8±4.0 kJ mol-1 , respectively. Comparison of the standard adsorption enthalpy of oxide-derived Cu and dendritic Cu, as well as their CORR activities, suggests the presence of stronger binding sites on OD Cu, which could favor multicarbon products. The method developed in this work will help establish the correlation between the CO binding energy and the CO(2) RR activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haocheng Xiong
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qiwen Sun
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Kedang Chen
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yifei Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xiaoxia Chang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Bingjun Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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20
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Lu X, Shinagawa T, Takanabe K. Product Distribution Control Guided by a Microkinetic Analysis for CO Reduction at High-Flux Electrocatalysis Using Gas-Diffusion Cu Electrodes. ACS Catal 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c04802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Lu
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo113-8656, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Shinagawa
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo113-8656, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Takanabe
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo113-8656, Japan
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21
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Yu J, Zhang P, Li L, Li K, Zhang G, Liu J, Wang T, Zhao ZJ, Gong J. Electroreductive coupling of benzaldehyde by balancing the formation and dimerization of the ketyl intermediate. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7909. [PMID: 36564379 PMCID: PMC9789095 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35463-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroreductive coupling of biomass-derived benzaldehyde offers a sustainable approach to producing value-added hydrobenzoin. The low efficiency of the reaction mainly ascribes to the mismatch of initial formation and subsequent dimerization of ketyl intermediates (Ph-CH = O → Ph-C·-OH → Ph-C(OH)-C(OH)-Ph). This paper describes a strategy to balance the active sites for the generation and dimerization of ketyl intermediates by constructing bimetallic Pd/Cu electrocatalysts with tunable surface coverage of Pd. A Faradaic efficiency of 63.2% and a hydrobenzoin production rate of up to 1.27 mmol mg-1 h-1 (0.43 mmol cm-2 h-1) are achieved at -0.40 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode. Experimental results and theoretical calculations reveal that Pd promotes the generation of the ketyl intermediate, and Cu enhances their dimerization. Moreover, the balance between these two sites facilitates the coupling of benzaldehyde towards hydrobenzoin. This work offers a rational strategy to design efficient electrocatalysts for complex reactions through the optimization of specified active sites for different reaction steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Lulu Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Kailang Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Gong Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Tuo Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), 300072, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, 300192, Tianjin, China
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, 350207, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Jian Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Jinlong Gong
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), 300072, Tianjin, China.
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, 300192, Tianjin, China.
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22
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Hou J, Chang X, Li J, Xu B, Lu Q. Correlating CO Coverage and CO Electroreduction on Cu via High-Pressure in Situ Spectroscopic and Reactivity Investigations. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:22202-22211. [PMID: 36404600 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c09956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The absolute coverage of CO has been a missing piece in the mechanistic puzzle of the CO reduction reaction (CORR) on Cu. For the first time, we revealed the upper bound of the CO coverage under electrocatalytic conditions to be 0.05 monolayer at atmospheric pressure and the saturation CO coverage to be ∼0.25 monolayer by conducting surface enhanced infrared spectroscopy at CO pressures up to 60 barg in a custom-designed spectroelectrochemical cell. CORR activities on Cu were also determined in the same pressure range. Calculated reaction orders of C2+ products with respect to adsorbed CO are substantially less than unity, clearly indicating that the coupling of adsorbed CO is not the rate-determining step leading to multicarbon products. The increase in CO coverage can reduce the C affinity on the Cu surface and favor the selectivity towards oxygenates, especially acetate, over ethylene. Uncommon products, including ethane, glycolaldehyde, and ethylene glycol, were detected in appreciable amounts, likely due to a new C-C coupling mechanism taking place at elevated CO pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajie Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Xiaoxia Chang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Bingjun Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Qi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
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23
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Wang X, Hu Q, Li G, Yang H, He C. Recent Advances and Perspectives of Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Toward C2+ Products on Cu-Based Catalysts. ELECTROCHEM ENERGY R 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s41918-022-00171-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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24
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Charting C–C coupling pathways in electrochemical CO
2
reduction on Cu(111) using embedded correlated wavefunction theory. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2202931119. [PMID: 36306330 PMCID: PMC9636923 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2202931119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The electrochemical CO
2
reduction reaction (CO
2
RR) powered by excess zero-carbon-emission electricity to produce especially multicarbon (C
2+
) products could contribute to a carbon-neutral to carbon-negative economy. Foundational to the rational design of efficient, selective CO
2
RR electrocatalysts is mechanistic analysis of the best metal catalyst thus far identified, namely, copper (Cu), via quantum mechanical computations to complement experiments. Here, we apply embedded correlated wavefunction (ECW) theory, which regionally corrects the electron exchange-correlation error in density functional theory (DFT) approximations, to examine multiple C–C coupling steps involving adsorbed CO (*CO) and its hydrogenated derivatives on the most ubiquitous facet, Cu(111). We predict that two adsorbed hydrogenated CO species, either *COH or *CHO, are necessary precursors for C–C bond formation. The three kinetically feasible pathways involving these species yield all three possible products: *COH–CHO, *COH–*COH, and *OCH–*OCH. The most kinetically favorable path forms *COH–CHO. In contrast, standard DFT approximations arrive at qualitatively different conclusions, namely, that only *CO and *COH will prevail on the surface and their C–C coupling paths produce only *COH–*COH and *CO–*CO, with a preference for the first product. This work demonstrates the importance of applying qualitatively and quantitatively accurate quantum mechanical method to simulate electrochemistry in order ultimately to shed light on ways to enhance selectivity toward C
2+
product formation via CO
2
RR electrocatalysts.
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25
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Li J, Li C, Hou J, Gao W, Chang X, Lu Q, Xu B. Intercepting Elusive Intermediates in Cu-Mediated CO Electrochemical Reduction with Alkyl Species. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:20495-20506. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c09378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chunsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jiajie Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wenqiang Gao
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaoxia Chang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bingjun Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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26
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Song M, Jiao Z, Jing W, Liu Y, Guo L. Revealing the Nature of C-C Coupling Sites on a Cu Surface for CO 2 Reduction. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:4434-4440. [PMID: 35549269 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c01010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical CO2 reduction technology plays an important role in reducing CO2 into valuable chemical fuels. Therein, Cu-based catalysts show superior performance for producing high-value C2+ products. Here, we illustrate the ascendency of high-index facets of Cu catalysts in producing C2+ products and find that two kinds of sites favor C-C coupling on the surface. One is prone to adsorb the C-C coupling structure by spanning stepped coppers with different coordination numbers. The other is to embed the structure along two columns of Cu with similar characteristics through O and C adsorbed simultaneously. Within all research surfaces, the coupling energy barrier is lowest on the Cu(911) facet, which is consistent with the experiment. The less charged sites promote the stabilization of the CO-CO structure as determined by charge analysis. Furthermore, our results suggest that the high selectivity for C2+ products on a Cu surface could significantly come from the contribution of the high-index facet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Song
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Zihao Jiao
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Wenhao Jing
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Ya Liu
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Liejin Guo
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China
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27
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Dattila F, Seemakurthi RR, Zhou Y, López N. Modeling Operando Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction. Chem Rev 2022; 122:11085-11130. [PMID: 35476402 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Since the seminal works on the application of density functional theory and the computational hydrogen electrode to electrochemical CO2 reduction (eCO2R) and hydrogen evolution (HER), the modeling of both reactions has quickly evolved for the last two decades. Formulation of thermodynamic and kinetic linear scaling relationships for key intermediates on crystalline materials have led to the definition of activity volcano plots, overpotential diagrams, and full exploitation of these theoretical outcomes at laboratory scale. However, recent studies hint at the role of morphological changes and short-lived intermediates in ruling the catalytic performance under operating conditions, further raising the bar for the modeling of electrocatalytic systems. Here, we highlight some novel methodological approaches employed to address eCO2R and HER reactions. Moving from the atomic scale to the bulk electrolyte, we first show how ab initio and machine learning methodologies can partially reproduce surface reconstruction under operation, thus identifying active sites and reaction mechanisms if coupled with microkinetic modeling. Later, we introduce the potential of density functional theory and machine learning to interpret data from Operando spectroelectrochemical techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure characterization. Next, we review the role of electrolyte and mass transport effects. Finally, we suggest further challenges for computational modeling in the near future as well as our perspective on the directions to follow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Dattila
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Av. Països Catalans 16, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Ranga Rohit Seemakurthi
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Av. Països Catalans 16, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Yecheng Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Núria López
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Av. Països Catalans 16, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
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28
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Kastlunger G, Wang L, Govindarajan N, Heenen HH, Ringe S, Jaramillo T, Hahn C, Chan K. Using pH Dependence to Understand Mechanisms in Electrochemical CO Reduction. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c05520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Georg Kastlunger
- Catalysis Theory Center, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lei Wang
- SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117585, Singapore
| | - Nitish Govindarajan
- Catalysis Theory Center, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Hendrik H. Heenen
- Catalysis Theory Center, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Stefan Ringe
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
- Energy Science and Engineering Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Center for Molecular Spectroscopy and Dynamics, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Thomas Jaramillo
- SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Christopher Hahn
- SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
- Materials Science Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Karen Chan
- Catalysis Theory Center, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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