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Li Y, Li Y, Sun H, Gao L, Jin X, Li Y, Lv Z, Xu L, Liu W, Sun X. Current Status and Perspectives of Dual-Atom Catalysts Towards Sustainable Energy Utilization. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2024; 16:139. [PMID: 38421549 PMCID: PMC10904713 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-024-01347-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The exploration of sustainable energy utilization requires the implementation of advanced electrochemical devices for efficient energy conversion and storage, which are enabled by the usage of cost-effective, high-performance electrocatalysts. Currently, heterogeneous atomically dispersed catalysts are considered as potential candidates for a wide range of applications. Compared to conventional catalysts, atomically dispersed metal atoms in carbon-based catalysts have more unsaturated coordination sites, quantum size effect, and strong metal-support interactions, resulting in exceptional catalytic activity. Of these, dual-atomic catalysts (DACs) have attracted extensive attention due to the additional synergistic effect between two adjacent metal atoms. DACs have the advantages of full active site exposure, high selectivity, theoretical 100% atom utilization, and the ability to break the scaling relationship of adsorption free energy on active sites. In this review, we summarize recent research advancement of DACs, which includes (1) the comprehensive understanding of the synergy between atomic pairs; (2) the synthesis of DACs; (3) characterization methods, especially aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron spectroscopy; and (4) electrochemical energy-related applications. The last part focuses on great potential for the electrochemical catalysis of energy-related small molecules, such as oxygen reduction reaction, CO2 reduction reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and N2 reduction reaction. The future research challenges and opportunities are also raised in prospective section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yajie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyao Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangrong Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijun Xu
- Xinjiang Coal Mine Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology Research Center, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Ürümqi, 830023, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaoming Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
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Dong H, Sun H, Xing G, Liu S, Duan X, Liu J. First-Principles Study of Bimetallic Pairs Embedded on Graphene Co-Doped with N and O for N 2 Electroreduction. Molecules 2024; 29:779. [PMID: 38398531 PMCID: PMC10891683 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29040779] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is considered a viable alternative to the Haber-Bosch process for ammonia synthesis, and the design of highly active and selective catalysts is crucial for the industrialization of the NRR. Dual-atom catalysts (DACs) with dual active sites offer flexible active sites and synergistic effects between atoms, providing more possibilities for the tuning of catalytic performance. In this study, we designed 48 graphene-based DACs with N4O2 coordination (MM'@N4O2-G) using density functional theory. Through a series of screening strategies, we explored the reaction mechanisms of the NRR for eight catalysts in depth and revealed the "acceptance-donation" mechanism between the active sites and the N2 molecules through electronic structure analysis. The study found that the limiting potential of the catalysts exhibited a volcano-shaped relationship with the d-band center of the active sites, indicating that the synergistic effect between the bimetallic components can regulate the d-band center position of the active metal M, thereby controlling the reaction activity. Furthermore, we investigated the selectivity of the eight DACs and identified five potential NRR catalysts. Among them, MoCo@N4O2-G showed the best NRR performance, with a limiting potential of -0.20 V. This study provides theoretical insights for the design and development of efficient NRR electrocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Xuemei Duan
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, China; (H.D.); (H.S.); (G.X.); (S.L.)
| | - Jingyao Liu
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, China; (H.D.); (H.S.); (G.X.); (S.L.)
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Liu J, Lv X, Ma Y, Smith SC, Gu Y, Kou L. Electrocatalytic Urea Synthesis via N 2 Dimerization and Universal Descriptor. ACS NANO 2023; 17:25667-25678. [PMID: 38095313 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c10451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic urea synthesis through N2 + CO2 coreduction and C-N coupling is a promising and sustainable alternative to harsh industrial processes. Despite considerable efforts, limited progress has been made due to the challenges of breaking inert N≡N bonds for C-N coupling, competing side reactions, and the absence of theoretical principles guiding catalyst design. In this study, we propose a mechanism for highly electrocatalytic urea synthesis using two adsorbed N2 molecules and CO as nitrogen and carbon sources, respectively. This mechanism circumvents the challenging step of N≡N bond breaking and selective CO2 to CO reduction, as the free CO molecule inserts into dimerized *N2 and binds concurrently with two N atoms, forming a specific urea precursor *NNCONN* with both thermodynamic and kinetic feasibility. Through the proposed mechanism, Ti2@C4N3 and V2@C4N3 are identified as highly active catalysts for electrocatalytic urea formation, exhibiting low onset potentials of -0.741 and -0.738 V, respectively. Importantly, taking transition metal atoms anchored on porous graphite-like carbonitride (TM2@C4N3) as prototypes, we introduce a simple descriptor, namely, effective d electron number (Φ), to quantitatively describe the structure-activity relationships for urea formation. This descriptor incorporates inherent atomic properties of the catalyst, such as the number of d electrons, the electronegativity of the metal atoms, and the generalized electronegativity of the substrate atoms, making it potentially applicable to other urea catalysts. Our work advances the comprehension of mechanisms and provides a universal guiding principle for catalyst design in urea electrochemical synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxian Liu
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Xingshuai Lv
- Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR 999078, People's Republic of China
| | - Yandong Ma
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Shandanan Street 27, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
| | - Sean C Smith
- Integrated Materials Design Laboratory, Department of Materials Physics, Research School of Physics, The Australian National University,Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - YuanTong Gu
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Liangzhi Kou
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
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Guan X, Song E, Gao W. Modulating the Catalytic Properties of Bimetallic Atomic Catalysts: Role of Dangling Bonds and Charging. CHEMSUSCHEM 2023; 16:e202202267. [PMID: 36792532 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202202267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Bimetallic atomic catalysts (BACs) exhibit great potential in CO2 electroreduction. However, modulation and improvement of their catalytic performance are still challenging. To address these issues, an intrinsic descriptor ψ based on the valence properties of active centers was used. The role of the dangling bonds and charging in modulating the catalytic properties of BACs called M1 M2 -N6 -G (M1 =Ru and Fe) was studied. It was shown that linear relationships between the adsorption energy of the C-species are broken under the effect of the dangling bonds and that they are restored with charging. However, charging has minor effects on the adsorption of the O-species. These findings enable screening promising BACs for CH3 OH production. This research provides effective schemes for modulating the properties of catalysts, which is beneficial to enriching high-performance catalysts for various reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Guan
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 130022, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Erhong Song
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Wang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 130022, Changchun, P. R. China
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Yang X, An P, Wang R, Jia J. Tuning the Site-to-Site Interaction of Heteronuclear Diatom Catalysts MoTM/C 2N (TM = 3d Transition Metal) for Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28104003. [PMID: 37241745 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28104003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3) synthesis is one of the most important catalytic reactions in energy and chemical fertilizer production, which is of great significance to the sustainable development of society and the economy. The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR), especially when driven by renewable energy, is generally regarded as an energy-efficient and sustainable process to synthesize NH3 in ambient conditions. However, the performance of the electrocatalyst is far below expectations, with the lack of a high-efficiency catalyst being the main obstacle. Herein, by means of comprehensive spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) computations, the catalytic performance of MoTM/C2N (TM = 3d transition metal) for use in eNRR was systematically evaluated. Among the results, MoFe/C2N can be considered the most promising catalyst due to its having the lowest limiting potential (-0.26 V) and high selectivity in the context of eNRR. Compared with its homonuclear counterparts, MoMo/C2N and FeFe/C2N, MoFe/C2N can balance the first protonation step and the sixth protonation step synergistically, showing outstanding activity regarding eNRR. Our work not only opens a new door to advancing sustainable NH3 production by tailoring the active sites of heteronuclear diatom catalysts but also promotes the design and production of novel low-cost and efficient nanocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Yang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Molecules and Magnetic Information Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Material Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, China
| | - Ping An
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Molecules and Magnetic Information Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Material Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China
| | - Ruiying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Molecules and Magnetic Information Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Material Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China
| | - Jianfeng Jia
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Molecules and Magnetic Information Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Material Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China
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6
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Han J, Guan J. Heteronuclear dual-metal atom catalysts for nanocatalytic tumor therapy. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2067(22)64207-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
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Zhang ZN, Hong QL, Wang XH, Huang H, Li SN, Chen Y. Au Nanowires Decorated Ultrathin Co 3 O 4 Nanosheets toward Light-Enhanced Nitrate Electroreduction. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2300530. [PMID: 36971299 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202300530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate is a reasonable alternative instead of nitrogen for ammonia production due to the low bond energy, large water-solubility, and high chemical polarity for good absorption. Nitrate electroreduction reaction (NO3 RR) is an effective and green strategy for both nitrate treatment and ammonia production. As an electrochemical reaction, the NO3 RR requires an efficient electrocatalyst for achieving high activity and selectivity. Inspired by the enhancement effect of heterostructure on electrocatalysis, Au nanowires decorated ultrathin Co3 O4 nanosheets (Co3 O4 -NS/Au-NWs) nanohybrids are proposed for improving the efficiency of nitrate-to-ammonia electroreduction. Theoretical calculation reveals that Au heteroatoms can effectively adjust the electron structure of Co active centers and reduce the energy barrier of the determining step (*NO → *NOH) during NO3 RR. As the result, the Co3 O4 -NS/Au-NWs nanohybrids achieve an outstanding catalytic performance with high yield rate (2.661 mg h-1 mgcat -1 ) toward nitrate-to-ammonia. Importantly, the Co3 O4 -NS/Au-NWs nanohybrids show an obviously plasmon-promoted activity for NO3 RR due to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) property of Au-NWs, which can achieve an enhanced NH3 yield rate of 4.045 mg h-1 mgcat -1 . This study reveals the structure-activity relationship of heterostructure and LSPR-promotion effect toward NO3 RR, which provide an efficient nitrate-to-ammonia reduction with high efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Nong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, P. R. China
| | - Qing-Ling Hong
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, P. R. China
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Microsystems, University of South-Eastern Norway, Borre, 3184, Norway
| | - Shu-Ni Li
- Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, P. R. China
| | - Yu Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, P. R. China
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8
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Ying Y, Fan K, Qiao J, Huang H. Rational Design of Atomic Site Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Reaction: One Step Closer to Optimum Activity and Selectivity. ELECTROCHEM ENERGY R 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s41918-022-00164-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has been one of the most intriguing catalytic reactions in recent years, providing an energy-saving and environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional Haber–Bosch process for ammonia production. However, the activity and selectivity issues originating from the activation barrier of the NRR intermediates and the competing hydrogen evolution reaction result in the unsatisfactory NH3 yield rate and Faradaic efficiency of current NRR catalysts. Atomic site catalysts (ASCs), an emerging group of heterogeneous catalysts with a high atomic utilization rate, selectivity, and stability, may provide a solution. This article undertakes an exploration and systematic review of a highly significant research area: the principles of designing ASCs for the NRR. Both the theoretical and experimental progress and state-of-the-art techniques in the rational design of ASCs for the NRR are summarized, and the topic is extended to double-atom catalysts and boron-based metal-free ASCs. This review provides guidelines for the rational design of ASCs for the optimum activity and selectivity for the electrocatalytic NRR.
Graphical Abstract
Rational design of atomic site catalysts (ASCs) for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has both scientific and industrial significance. In this review, the recent experimental and theoretical breakthroughs in the design principles of transition metal ASCs for NRR are comprehensively discussed, and the topic is also extended to double-atom catalysts and boron-based metal-free ASCs.
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9
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Le Y, Wei C, Xue W, Li Y, Zhang Y, Lin W. Nitrogen reduction on crystalline carbon nitride supported by homonuclear bimetallic atoms. J Chem Phys 2022; 157:114704. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0107095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) is a new method for sustainable NH3 production, which has attracted much attention in recent years. However, the low Faradic efficiency (FE) due to competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and inert N≡N triple bond activation hinders its practical application. To find highly efficient electrocatalysts with excellent activity, stability and selectivity, we have studied a series of transition metal dimers (TM2) loaded on poly triazine imide (PTI), a crystalline carbon nitride, by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results show that most of the metal dimers have a good stability. Finally, among 26 homonuclear diatomic catalysts, Mo2@PTI, Re2@PTI and Pt2@PTI exhibit a strong capability of suppressing HER with favorable limiting potential of -0.53 V, -0.36 V and -0.63 V, respectively, which can be used as efficient electrocatalysts for NRR. In this study, a homonuclear diatomic eNRR catalyst was designed and screened to provide not only a theoretical basis for the experiments, but also an alternative approach for the sustainable synthesis of ammonia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Wei Lin
- Chemistry, Fuzhou University, China
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10
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Cao N, Zhang N, Qiu YQ, Liu CG. Electroreduction of N 2 to NH 3 catalyzed by a Mn/Re(111) single-atom alloy catalyst with high activity and selectivity: a new insight from a first-principles study. Catal Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2cy00435f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Periodic density functional theory calculations show that a Mn/Re(111) single-atom alloy may be an excellent catalyst with high activity and selectivity for the electrocatalytic N2 reduction reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Cao
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Beihua University, Jilin City, 132013, P. R. China
- College of Chemical Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin City, 132012, P. R. China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Beihua University, Jilin City, 132013, P. R. China
- College of Chemical Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin City, 132012, P. R. China
| | - Yong-Qing Qiu
- Institute of Functional Material Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, P. R. China
| | - Chun-Guang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Beihua University, Jilin City, 132013, P. R. China
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Sun L, Reddu V, Wang X. Multi-atom cluster catalysts for efficient electrocatalysis. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:8923-8956. [DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00233g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This review presents recent developments in the synthesis, modulation and characterization of multi-atom cluster catalysts for electrochemical energy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libo Sun
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637459, Singapore
- Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore Ltd (Cambridge CARES), CREATE Tower, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Vikas Reddu
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637459, Singapore
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637459, Singapore
- Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore Ltd (Cambridge CARES), CREATE Tower, Singapore 138602, Singapore
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12
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Luo Y, Li M, Dai Y, Zhao R, Jiang F, Wang S, Huang Y. Transition Metal-Modified Co 4 Clusters Supported on Graphdiyne as an Effective Nitrogen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalyst. Inorg Chem 2021; 60:18251-18259. [PMID: 34787415 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c02880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Conversion of N2 into NH3 through the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions represents a novel green ammonia synthesis method. The main obstacle for NRR is lack of efficient, stable, and cost-effective catalysts. In this work, by using density functional theory calculations, 16 transition metal-modified Co4 clusters supported on graphdiyne (GDY) as potential NRR catalysts were systematically screened. Through the examinations of stability, N2 activation, selectivity, and activity, Ti-, V-, Cr-, Mn-, and Zr-Co3@GDY were identified as the promising candidates toward NRR. Further explorations on the NRR mechanisms and the Pourbaix diagrams suggest that Ti-Co3@GDY was the most promising candidate catalyst, as it has the lowest limiting potential and high stability under the working conditions. The high activities originate from the synergy effect, where the Co3 cluster acts as the electron donor and the heteroatom serves as the single active site throughout the NRR process. Our results offer a new perspective for advancing sustainable NH3 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Luo
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Clean Energy of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, The Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Ministry of Education, Anhui Laboratory of Molecule-Based Materials, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Clean Energy of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, The Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Ministry of Education, Anhui Laboratory of Molecule-Based Materials, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Yuxin Dai
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Clean Energy of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, The Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Ministry of Education, Anhui Laboratory of Molecule-Based Materials, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Renqiang Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Clean Energy of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, The Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Ministry of Education, Anhui Laboratory of Molecule-Based Materials, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Fan Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Clean Energy of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, The Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Ministry of Education, Anhui Laboratory of Molecule-Based Materials, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Sufan Wang
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Clean Energy of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, The Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Ministry of Education, Anhui Laboratory of Molecule-Based Materials, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Yucheng Huang
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Clean Energy of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, The Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Ministry of Education, Anhui Laboratory of Molecule-Based Materials, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
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13
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Wu Y, He C, Zhang W. Novel Design Strategy of High Activity Electrocatalysts toward Nitrogen Reduction Reaction via Boron-Transition-Metal Hybrid Double-Atom Catalysts. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:47520-47529. [PMID: 34585912 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c11889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a promising method for sustainable production of NH3, which provides an alternative to the traditional Haber-Bosch process. However, the poor Faraday efficiency caused by N≡N triple bond activation and competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) have seriously hindered the application of NRR. In this work, a novel strategy to promote NRR through boron-transition-metal (TM) hybrid double-atom catalysts (HDACs) has been proposed. The excellent catalytic activity of HDACs is attributed to a significant difference of valence electron distribution between boron and TMs, which could better activate N≡N bonds and promote the conversion of NH2 to NH3 compared with boron or metal single-atom catalysts and traditional double-atom catalysts (DACs). Hence, by means of DFT computations, the stability, activity, and selectivity of 29 HDACs are systematically investigated to evaluate their catalytic performance. B-Ti@g-CN and B-Ta@g-CN are screened as excellent nitrogen-fixing catalysts with particularly low limiting potentials of 0.13 and 0.11 V for NRR and rather high potentials of 0.54 and 0.82 V for HER, respectively. This work provides a new idea for the rational design of efficient nitrogen-fixing catalysts and could also be widely used in other catalytic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Cheng He
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Wenxue Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710064, China
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14
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Zhang Z, Huang X, Xu H. Anchoring an Fe Dimer on Nitrogen-Doped Graphene toward Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:43632-43640. [PMID: 34460221 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c11585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical reduction of N2 to NH3 based on sustainable energy is a green technique to produce decentralized and on-demand ammonia. In this work, taking graphene as a design platform, we explore the dual-atom catalysts (DACs) via embedding two homonuclear transition metal (TM) atoms into graphene decorated with four neighboring pyrrolic nitrogen atoms (TM2N4@graphene) to computationally screen the qualified nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) catalysts. On the basis of the activity, selectivity, and stability of 15 homonuclear DACs of TM2N4@graphene, Fe2N4@graphene is identified as the most efficient NRR catalyst with a limiting potential of only -0.32 V. Electronic structure analysis demonstrates that the low oxidation state of Fe (+1) remarkably activates the molecular N2, which contributes to its excellent NRR catalytic activity. Moreover, the kinetic studies reveal all of the NRR elementary steps exhibiting barriers smaller than that of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), showing that HER is effectively suppressed. In addition, we find that the integral crystal orbital Hamilton population (ICOHP) can be used as a descriptor to describe the Gibbs free energy of each step for its NRR performance. This work not only provides theoretical guidance for designing DACs for NRR but also promotes the understanding of DACs for N2 fixation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhang
- Department of Physics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
- Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiang Huang
- Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hu Xu
- Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Computational Science and Material Design, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Advanced Quantum Functional Materials and Devices, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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15
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Abstract
The discussion concerning cooperativity in supported single-atom (SA) catalysis is often limited to the metal-support interaction, which is certainly important, but which is not the only lever for modifying the catalytic performance. Indeed, if the interaction between the SA and the support, which can be seen as a solid ligand presenting its own specificities that fix the first coordination sphere of the metal, plays a central role as in homogeneous catalysis, other factors can strongly contribute to modification of the activity, selectivity and stability of SAs. Therefore, in this mini-review, we briefly summarize the importance of the support (oxide, carbon or a second metal) in SA photo- electro- and thermal-catalysis (support-assisted operation), and concentrate on other types of cooperativities that in some cases enable previously impossible reaction pathways on supported metal SAs. This includes topics that are not specific to SA catalysis, such as metal-ligand or heterobimetallic cooperativity, and cooperativity which is SA-specific such as nanoparticle-SA or mixed-valence SA cooperativity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Serp
- LCC, CNRS-UPR 8241, ENSIACET, Université de Toulouse, 31030 Toulouse, France.
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16
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Wang S, Shi L, Bai X, Li Q, Ling C, Wang J. Highly Efficient Photo-/Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrogen into Ammonia by Dual-Metal Sites. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2020; 6:1762-1771. [PMID: 33145413 PMCID: PMC7596869 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c00552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The photo-/electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is an up and coming method for sustainable NH3 production; however, its practical application is impeded by poor Faradaic efficiency originating from the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the inert N≡N triple bond activation. In this work, we put forth a method to boost NRR through construction of donor-acceptor couples of dual-metal sites. The synergistic effect of dual active sites can potentially break the metal-based activity benchmark toward efficient NRR. By systematically evaluating the stability, activity, and selectivity of 28 heteronuclear dual-atom catalysts (DACs) of M1M2/g-C3N4 candidates, FeMo/g-C3N4 is screened out as an effective electrocatalyst for NRR with a particularly low limiting potential of -0.23 V for NRR and a rather high potential of -0.79 V for HER. Meanwhile, TiMo/g-C3N4, NiMo/g-C3N4, and MoW/g-C3N4 with suitable band edge positions and visible light absorption can be applied to NRR as photocatalysts. The excellent catalytic activity is attributed to the tunable composition of metal dimers, which play an important role in modulating the binding strength of the target intermediates. This work may pave a new way for the rational design of heteronuclear DACs with high activity and stability for NRR, which may also apply to other reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyan Wang
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Li Shi
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Xiaowan Bai
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Qiang Li
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Chongyi Ling
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Jinlan Wang
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
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17
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Hu R, Li Y, Wang F, Shang J. Rational prediction of multifunctional bilayer single atom catalysts for the hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:20413-20424. [PMID: 33026034 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr05202g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bimetallic atom catalysts (BACs), which can exhibit remarkable catalytic performance compared with single atom catalysts (SACs) due to their higher metal loading and the synergy between two metal atoms, have attracted great attention in research. Herein, by means of density functional theory calculations, novel BACs with a bilayer structure composed of monolayers FeN4 (Fe and nitrogen co-doped graphene) and MN4 (Fe/M, M represents transition metal atoms) as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are investigated. Among these bilayer SACs, a series of highly efficient monofunctional, bifunctional, and even trifunctional electrocatalysts have been screened. For example, the overpotentials for the HER, ORR, and OER can reach -0.02 (Fe/Cu), 0.31 (Fe/Hg), and 0.27 V (Fe/Hf), respectively; Fe/Hf and Ir/Fe can serve as promising bifunctional catalysts for the ORR/OER and HER/OER, respectively and Fe/Rh is considered as an excellent trifunctional catalyst for the HER, OER, and ORR. This work not only provides a new idea for understanding and optimizing the active sites of BACs, but also proposes a new strategy for designing high-performance multifunctional electrocatalysts for fuel cells and metal-air batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riming Hu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Yongcheng Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Fuhe Wang
- Center for Condensed Matter Physics, Department of Physics, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Jiaxiang Shang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China.
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