1
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Purohit SV, Mohanty RI, Dash B, Bhanja P, Jena BK. Selective electrochemical nitrogen fixation to ammonia catalyzed by a novel microporous vanadium phosphonate via the distal pathway. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:7463-7466. [PMID: 38932678 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc01045k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Herein, a microporous organic-inorganic hybrid, vanadium phosphonate (VPn) material has been developed. With the combined advantages of the periodic organic-inorganic skeleton, a regular microporous channel with a crystalline pore wall, and good surface area, VPn displays electrocatalytic NRR activity with a selective NH3 yield (11.84 μg h-1 mgcat-1), faradaic efficiency of 26.29% at -0.6 V and high stability up to 15 h. The isotopic labeling experiment also verifies the electrosynthesis of NH3 both qualitatively and quantitatively. The theoretical simulation reveals that the associative distal route serves as the most favourable pathway during the NRR, with the first protonation step of *N2 leading to *NNH as the potential determining step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smruti Vardhan Purohit
- CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar-751013, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Rupali Ipsita Mohanty
- CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar-751013, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Bibek Dash
- CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar-751013, India.
| | - Piyali Bhanja
- CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar-751013, India.
| | - Bikash Kumar Jena
- CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar-751013, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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2
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Yuan L, Fang Q, Zhang B. Theoretical exploration of the nitrogen fixation mechanism of two-dimensional dual-metal FeTM@GY (TM = Fe, Mo, Co, and V) electrocatalysts. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:8443-8453. [PMID: 38686440 DOI: 10.1039/d3dt04384c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
In contrast to the energy-consuming Haber-Bosch process, ammonia synthesis by electrocatalysis under ambient conditions is an efficient and environmentally friendly method. In this work, through first principles calculations, the potential of four dual-atom FeTM (TM = Fe, Mo, Co, and V) anchored graphyne (FeTM@GY) as efficient nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) catalysts is systematically investigated. Among them, FeMo@GY is the most promising, with excellent NRR catalytic activity, high ability to suppress the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and good stability. Moreover, NRR prefers the maximum pathway with the calculated onset potentials of -0.27 V for FeMo@GY. This work not only suggests that FeMo@GY holds great promise as an efficient, low-cost, and stable dual-atom catalyst for NRR but also further provides a guiding idea for the design of efficient NRR catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yuan
- School of Science, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Flexible Radiation Protection Technology, University of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Nuclear Protection Textile Equipment Technology, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qinglong Fang
- School of Science, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Flexible Radiation Protection Technology, University of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Nuclear Protection Textile Equipment Technology, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Baiyu Zhang
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5050, USA
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3
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Zafari M, Anand R, Nissimagoudar AS, Ha M, Lee G, Kim KS. Single-atom catalysts supported on a hybrid structure of boron nitride/graphene for efficient nitrogen fixation via synergistic interfacial interactions. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:555-563. [PMID: 38088120 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05295h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Hexagonal boron nitride (BN) shows significant chemical stability and promising thermal nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) activity but suffers from low conductivity in electrolysis with a wide band gap. To overcome this problem, two-dimensional (2D) BN and graphene (G) are designed as a heterostructure, namely BN/G. According to density functional theory (DFT), the higher conductivity of G narrows the band gap of BN by inducing some electronic states near the Fermi energy level (Ef). Once transition metals (TMs) are anchored in the BN/G structure as single atom catalysts (SACs), the NRR activity improves as the inert BN basal layer activates with moderate *NH2 binding energy and further the band gap is reduced to zero. V (vanadium) and W (tungsten) SACs exhibit the best performance with limiting potentials of -0.22 and -0.41 V, respectively. This study helps in understanding the improvement of the NRR activity of BN, providing physical insights into the adsorbate-TM interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zafari
- Center for Superfunctional Materials, Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Rohit Anand
- Center for Superfunctional Materials, Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
| | - Arun S Nissimagoudar
- Center for Superfunctional Materials, Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
| | - Miran Ha
- Center for Superfunctional Materials, Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
| | - Geunsik Lee
- Center for Superfunctional Materials, Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang S Kim
- Center for Superfunctional Materials, Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
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Ellingsson V, Iqbal A, Skúlason E, Abghoui Y. Nitrogen Reduction Reaction to Ammonia on Transition Metal Carbide Catalysts. CHEMSUSCHEM 2023; 16:e202300947. [PMID: 37702376 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202300947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
The development of a low-cost, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to the currently utilized Haber-Bosch process to produce ammonia is of great importance. Ammonia is an essential chemical used in fertilizers and a promising high-density fuel source. The nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has been explored intensively as a potential avenue for ammonia production using water as proton source, but to this day a catalyst capable of producing this chemical at high Faradaic efficiency (FE) and commercial yield and rates has not been reported. Here, we investigate the activity of transition metal carbide (TMC) surfaces in the (100) facets of the rocksalt (RS) structure as potential catalysts for the NRR. In this study, we use density functional theory (DFT) to model reaction pathways, estimate stability, assess kinetic barriers, and compare adsorbate energies to determine the overall performance of each TMC surface. For pristine TMC surfaces (with no defects) we find that none of the studied TMCs possess both exergonic adsorption of nitrogen and the capability to selectively protonate nitrogen to form ammonia in the desired aqueous solution. ZrC, however, is shown to be a potential catalyst if used in a non-aqueous electrolyte. To circumvent the endergonic adsorption of nitrogen onto the surface, a carbon vacancy was introduced. This provides a well-defined high coordination active site on the surface. In the presence of a vacancy VC, NbC, and WC showed efficient nitrogen adsorption, selectivity towards ammonia, and a low overpotential (OP). NbC did, however, display an unfeasible kinetic barrier to nitrogen dissociation for ambient-condition purposes, and thus it is suggested for high tempearture/pressure ammonia synthesis. Both WC and VC in their RS (100) structure are promising materials for experimental investigations in aqueous electrolytes, and ZrC could potentially be interesting for non-aqueous electrolytic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Ellingsson
- Science Institute of the University of Iceland, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Atef Iqbal
- Science Institute of the University of Iceland, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Egill Skúlason
- Science Institute of the University of Iceland, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Iceland, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Younes Abghoui
- Science Institute of the University of Iceland, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland
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Zhou J, Chen X, Guo M, Hu W, Huang B, Yuan D. Enhanced Catalytic Activity of Bimetallic Ordered Catalysts for Nitrogen Reduction Reaction by Perturbation of Scaling Relations. ACS Catal 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c05877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhou
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan410082, China
| | - Xiayong Chen
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan410082, China
| | - Meng Guo
- Shandong Computer Science Center (National Supercomputing Center in Jinan), Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong250101, China
| | - Wangyu Hu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan410082, China
| | - Bowen Huang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan410082, China
| | - Dingwang Yuan
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan410082, China
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Zhang L, Hou S, Wang T, Liu S, Gao X, Wang C, Wang G. Recent Advances in Application of Graphitic Carbon Nitride-Based Catalysts for Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2202252. [PMID: 35710700 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia, the second most-produced chemical, is widely used in agricultural and industrial applications. However, traditional industrial ammonia production dominated by the Haber-Bosch process presents huge resource and environment issues due to the massive energy consumption and CO2 emission. The newly emerged nitrogen fixation technology, photocatalytic N2 reduction reaction (p-NRR), uses clean solar energy with zero-emission, holding great prospect to achieve sustainable ammonia synthesis. Although great efforts are made, the p-NRR catalysts still suffer from poor N2 adsorption and activation, inferior light absorption, and fast recombination of photocarriers. Due to the tunable electronic structure of the metal-free polymeric graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ), the above-mentioned issues can be significantly alleviated, making it the most promising p-NRR photocatalyst. This review summarizes the recent development of g-C3 N4 -based catalysts for p-NRR, including the working principle of p-NRR catalysts, the challenges of developing p-NRR catalysts, and corresponding solutions. Particularly, the roles of defect engineering and heterojunction construction on g-C3 N4 to the enhancement of photocatalytic performances are emphasized. In addition, computational studies are introduced to deepen the understanding of reaction pathways. At last, perspectives are provided on the development of p-NRR catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- The College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002, China
| | - Shaoqi Hou
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Tianyi Wang
- The College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002, China
| | - Sixiao Liu
- The College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002, China
| | - Xiaochun Gao
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Ludong University, Yantai, 264000, China
| | - Chengyin Wang
- The College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002, China
| | - Guoxiu Wang
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
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7
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Bacha RUS, Su DM, Pan QJ. Nitrogen reduction to ammonia triggered by heterobimetallic uranium-group 10 metal complexes of phosphinoaryl oxides: A relativistic DFT study. MOLECULAR CATALYSIS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcat.2022.112345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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8
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Gurti JI, Ding X, Wang YY, Chen Y, Li W, Wang X. Comparison of Nitrogen Activation on Trinuclear Niobium and Tungsten Sulfide Clusters Nb3Sn and W3Sn (n = 0-3): A DFT Study. Chemphyschem 2022; 23:e202200124. [PMID: 35478374 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202200124] [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: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The reaction of N 2 with trinuclear niobium and tungsten sulfide clusters Nb 3 S n and W 3 S n ( n = 0-3) was systematically studied by density functional theory calculations . Dissociations of N-N bonds on these clusters are all thermodynamically allowed but with different reactivity in kinetics. The reactivity of Nb 3 S n is generally higher than that of W 3 S n . In the favorite reaction pathways, the adsorbed N 2 changes the adsorption sites from one metal atom to the bridge site of two metal atoms, then on the hollow site of three metal atoms, and at that place, the N-N bond dissociates. As the number of ligand S atoms increases, the reactivity of Nb 3 S n decreases because of the hindering effect of S atoms, while W 3 S and W 3 S 2 have the highest reactivity among four W 3 S n clusters. The Mayer bond order, bond length, vibrational frequency, and electronic charges of the adsorbed N 2 are analyzed along the reaction pathways to show the activation process of the N-N bond in reactions. The charge transfer from the clusters to the N 2 antibonding orbitals plays an essential role in N-N bond activation, which is more significant in Nb 3 S n than in W 3 S n , leading to the higher reactivity of Nb 3 S n . The reaction mechanisms found in this work may provide important theoretical guidance for the further rational design of related catalytic systems for nitrogen reduction reactions (NRR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Israel Gurti
- North China Electric Power University - Beijing Campus: North China Electric Power University, School of Mathematics and Physics, TANZANIA, UNITED REPUBLIC OF
| | - Xunlei Ding
- North China Electric Power University, School of Mathematics and Physics, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, Beijing, CHINA
| | - Ya-Ya Wang
- North China Electric Power University - Beijing Campus: North China Electric Power University, School of New Energy, CHINA
| | - Yan Chen
- North China Electric Power University - Beijing Campus: North China Electric Power University, School of New Energy, CHINA
| | - Wei Li
- North China Electric Power University - Beijing Campus: North China Electric Power University, School of Mathematics and Physics, CHINA
| | - Xin Wang
- North China Electric Power University - Beijing Campus: North China Electric Power University, School of Mathematics and Physics, CHINA
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9
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Liu L, Li W, He X, Yang J, Liu N. In Situ/Operando Insights into the Stability and Degradation Mechanisms of Heterogeneous Electrocatalysts. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2104205. [PMID: 34741400 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202104205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The further commercialization of renewable energy conversion and storage technologies requires heterogeneous electrocatalysts that meet the exacting durability target. Studies of the stability and degradation mechanisms of electrocatalysts are expected to provide important breakthroughs in stability issues. Accessible in situ/operando techniques performed under realistic reaction conditions are therefore urgently needed to reveal the nature of active center structures and establish links between the structural motifs in a catalyst and its stability properties. This review highlights recent research advances regarding in situ/operando techniques and improves the understanding of the stabilities of advanced heterogeneous electrocatalysts used in a diverse range of electrochemical reactions; it also proposes some degradation mechanisms. The review concludes by offering suggestions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindong Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, College of Sericulture,Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Clean Dyeing and Finishing Technology of Zhejiang Province, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang, 312000, China
| | - Wanting Li
- College of Resources and Environment, College of Sericulture,Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xianbo He
- College of Resources and Environment, College of Sericulture,Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jiao Yang
- College of Resources and Environment, College of Sericulture,Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Nian Liu
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
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Kang X, Huang J, Duan X. Computational Screening of Single Transition−metal Atoms Anchored to g−C9N4 as Catalysts for N2 Reduction to NH3. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:17155-17162. [DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01107g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is considered to be the most desirable strategy for ammonia production, but still faces many challenges in terms of high activity and high selectivity. Based...
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11
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Höskuldsson ÁB, Tayyebi E, Skúlason E. Computational examination of the kinetics of electrochemical nitrogen reduction and hydrogen evolution on a tungsten electrode. J Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2021.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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12
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Shen H, Choi C, Masa J, Li X, Qiu J, Jung Y, Sun Z. Electrochemical ammonia synthesis: Mechanistic understanding and catalyst design. Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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13
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Li H, Liu Y, Chen K, Margraf JT, Li Y, Reuter K. Subgroup Discovery Points to the Prominent Role of Charge Transfer in Breaking Nitrogen Scaling Relations at Single-Atom Catalysts on VS 2. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c01324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Haobo Li
- Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Yunxia Liu
- Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Ke Chen
- Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes T. Margraf
- Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Youyong Li
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Karsten Reuter
- Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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14
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Banitaba SN, Ehrmann A. Application of Electrospun Nanofibers for Fabrication of Versatile and Highly Efficient Electrochemical Devices: A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:1741. [PMID: 34073391 PMCID: PMC8197972 DOI: 10.3390/polym13111741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrochemical devices convert chemical reactions into electrical energy or, vice versa, electricity into a chemical reaction. While batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, solar cells, and sensors belong to the galvanic cells based on the first reaction, electrolytic cells are based on the reversed process and used to decompose chemical compounds by electrolysis. Especially fuel cells, using an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen with an oxidizing agent to produce electricity, and electrolytic cells, e.g., used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, are of high interest in the ongoing search for production and storage of renewable energies. This review sheds light on recent developments in the area of electrospun electrochemical devices, new materials, techniques, and applications. Starting with a brief introduction into electrospinning, recent research dealing with electrolytic cells, batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, electrochemical solar cells, and electrochemical sensors is presented. The paper concentrates on the advantages of electrospun nanofiber mats for these applications which are mostly based on their high specific surface area and the possibility to tailor morphology and material properties during the spinning and post-treatment processes. It is shown that several research areas dealing with electrospun parts of electrochemical devices have already reached a broad state-of-the-art, while other research areas have large space for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Ehrmann
- Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, 33619 Bielefeld, Germany
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15
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Lee J, Tan LL, Chai SP. Heterojunction photocatalysts for artificial nitrogen fixation: fundamentals, latest advances and future perspectives. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:7011-7033. [PMID: 33889914 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr00783a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
As an indispensable energy source, ammonia plays an essential role in agriculture and various industries. Given that the current ammonia production is still dominated by the energy-intensive and high carbon footprint Haber-Bosch process, photocatalytic nitrogen fixation represents a low-energy consuming and sustainable approach to generate ammonia. Heterostructured photocatalysts are hybrid materials composed of semiconductor materials containing interfaces that make full use of the unique superiorities of the constituents and synergistic effects between them. These promising photocatalysts have superior performances and substantial potential in photocatalytic reduction of nitrogen. In this review, a wide spectrum of recently developed heterostructured photocatalysts for nitrogen fixation to ammonia are evaluated. The fundamentals of solar-to-ammonia conversion, basic principles of various heterojunction photocatalysts and modification strategies are systematically reviewed. Finally, a brief summary and perspectives on the ongoing challenges and directions for future development of nitrogen photofixation catalysts are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Lee
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia.
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16
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Dražević E, Skúlason E. Are There Any Overlooked Catalysts for Electrochemical NH 3 Synthesis-New Insights from Analysis of Thermochemical Data. iScience 2020; 23:101803. [PMID: 34095781 PMCID: PMC8164173 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We report relations between nitrogen-binding-energy descriptors obtained from experimental thermochemical data and limiting potentials from density functional theory data. We use the relations to build the largest volcano plot for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). We found that (1) Mn, Ga, and In are overlooked catalysts and (2) there are unidentified materials on the top of the volcano. Using experimental exchange current densities of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and Pourbaix diagrams we have identified conditions at which Mn, Ga, and In remain stable in water and selectively catalyze NRR over HER. We found that Fe, Au, Cu, Bi, and Pd, on contrary to what was reported earlier, need smaller applied potentials to start the onset of HER than NRR in water. We make a critical discussion about them and other candidates and we believe our results can be used to identify false positive measurements in the research field. New descriptors for NRR from experimental thermochemical data established Largest NRR volcano plot to date with a gap of unidentified materials at the top Mn, Ga, and In are overlooked catalysts that can selectively catalyze NRR Our results can be used to identify false-positives in the literature
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Dražević
- Aarhus University, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aabogade 40, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Egill Skúlason
- Egill Skúlason, University of Iceland, Science Institute and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, Hjarðarhagi 2, VR-III, 107 Reykjavík, Iceland
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17
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Yang K, Koepf M, Artero V. Revisiting amorphous molybdenum sulfide's activity for the electro-driven reduction of dinitrogen and N-containing substrates. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:13975-13978. [PMID: 33084630 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc05078d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3) is a major feedstock of the chemical industry. The imperious need to decarbonize its production has stimulated a quest for efficient catalysts able to drive the direct electro-reduction of dinitrogen (N2) into NH3. A large number of materials have now been proposed for this reaction, including bioinspired molybdenum sulfide derivatives. Here, we revisit the potential of amorphous molybdenum sulfide to drive the electrocatalytic reduction of N2 and other substrates of nitrogenase. We find that this material exhibits negligible activity towards N2 but achieves efficient reduction of inorganic azides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Yang
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IRIG, Laboratoire de Chimie et Biologie des Métaux, Grenoble 38000, France.
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Kim MC, Nam H, Choi J, Kim HS, Lee HW, Kim D, Kong J, Han SS, Lee SY, Park HS. Hydrogen Bonding-Mediated Enhancement of Bioinspired Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction on Cu2–xS Catalysts. ACS Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c01730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Min-Cheol Kim
- Computational Science Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunji Nam
- Materials Architecturing Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Choi
- Center for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Soo Kim
- Center for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Woo Lee
- Computational Science Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghun Kim
- Computational Science Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Jimin Kong
- Center for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Soo Han
- Computational Science Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Yong Lee
- Materials Architecturing Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun S. Park
- Center for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
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19
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Liu Y, Chen X, Yu J, Ding B. Carbon‐Nanoplated CoS@TiO
2
Nanofibrous Membrane: An Interface‐Engineered Heterojunction for High‐Efficiency Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:18903-18907. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201912733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yi‐Tao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Textile Science & Technology (Donghua University)Ministry of EducationInnovation Center for Textile Science and TechnologyDonghua University Shanghai 200051 China
| | - Xingxing Chen
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyDonghua University Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Jianyong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Textile Science & Technology (Donghua University)Ministry of EducationInnovation Center for Textile Science and TechnologyDonghua University Shanghai 200051 China
| | - Bin Ding
- Key Laboratory of Textile Science & Technology (Donghua University)Ministry of EducationInnovation Center for Textile Science and TechnologyDonghua University Shanghai 200051 China
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyDonghua University Shanghai 201620 China
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20
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Di Li, Chen X, Liu YT, Yu J, Ding B. Sb 2S 3 nanoparticles anchored on SnO 2 nanofibers: a high-performance hybrid electrocatalyst toward ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:13892-13895. [PMID: 31675030 DOI: 10.1039/c9cc07847a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we report a novel transition-metal-based electrocatalyst, Sb2S3 nanoparticles, which exhibits electrocatalytic activity toward ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions. These Sb2S3 nanoparticles are further anchored on SnO2 nanofibers, which act as an active substrate to prevent them from aggregation while enhancing the electrocatalytic activity. The obtained Sb2S3@SnO2 nanofibers deliver excellent ammonia yield (22.0 μg h-1 mgcat-1) and faradaic efficiency (15.1%) at -0.4 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M Na2SO4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Li
- Key Laboratory of Textile Science & Technology (Donghua University), Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Xingxing Chen
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yi-Tao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Textile Science & Technology (Donghua University), Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China. and Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China
| | - Jianyong Yu
- Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China
| | - Bin Ding
- Key Laboratory of Textile Science & Technology (Donghua University), Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China. and Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China
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21
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Liu Y, Chen X, Yu J, Ding B. Carbon‐Nanoplated CoS@TiO
2
Nanofibrous Membrane: An Interface‐Engineered Heterojunction for High‐Efficiency Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201912733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yi‐Tao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Textile Science & Technology (Donghua University)Ministry of EducationInnovation Center for Textile Science and TechnologyDonghua University Shanghai 200051 China
| | - Xingxing Chen
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyDonghua University Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Jianyong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Textile Science & Technology (Donghua University)Ministry of EducationInnovation Center for Textile Science and TechnologyDonghua University Shanghai 200051 China
| | - Bin Ding
- Key Laboratory of Textile Science & Technology (Donghua University)Ministry of EducationInnovation Center for Textile Science and TechnologyDonghua University Shanghai 200051 China
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyDonghua University Shanghai 201620 China
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22
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Gíslason PM, Skúlason E. Catalytic trends of nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes for oxygen reduction reaction. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:18683-18690. [PMID: 31588951 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr03195b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Replacing the state-of-the-art fuel cell catalyst platinum for a cheaper and abundant alternative would make the hydrogen economy viable. Both nitrogen-doped graphene and nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNT) have been shown to be capable of acting as a metal-free catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Until now, most of the research has been focused on the nitrogen doping and less on the structure of the nanotubes. Here, density functional theory calculations are used to calculate trends in ORR catalytic activity of graphitic-N-doped CNTs of different sizes and chirality of selected tubes between (4,0) and (20,10). This includes 13 armchair tubes, 17 zig-zag tubes and 42 chiral tubes, or 72 N-CNTs in total. 22 tubes are predicted to have a lower overpotential than the platinum catalyst and 46 tubes have lower overpotential than nitrogen doped graphene. The most active tubes are (14,7), (12,6), and (8,8), and display an overpotential of around 0.35 V, or 0.1 V lower overpotential than predicted on Pt(111) with the same level of theory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Egill Skúlason
- Science Institute and Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Iceland VR-III, 107 Reykjavík, Iceland.
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23
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Tayyebi E, Abghoui Y, Skúlason E. Elucidating the Mechanism of Electrochemical N2 Reduction at the Ru(0001) Electrode. ACS Catal 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.9b03903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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