1
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Mallick L, Annadata HV, Chakraborty B. Vacancy-Rich SnO 2 Quantum Dot Stabilized by Polyoxomolybdate as Electrocatalyst for Selective NH 3 Production. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024. [PMID: 38873812 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c04466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
The pronounced conductivity of tin dioxide (SnO2) nanoparticles makes it an ideal multifunctional electrode material, while the challenge is to stabilize the quantum dot (QD) SnO2 nanocore in water. An Anderson-type polyoxomolybdate, (NH4)6[Mo7O24], is employed as an inorganic ligand to stabilize a ca. 6 nm SnO2 QD (Mox@SnO2). X-ray scattering and diffraction studies confirm the tetragonal SnO2 nanocore in Mox@SnO2. Elemental analyses are in good agreement with the mass spectrometric detection of the [Mo7O24]6- cluster present in Mox@SnO2. The ionic POMs attached to the SnO2 surface through [Mo-O-Sn] covalent linkages have been established by surface zeta potential, shift of the [Mo = O]t Raman vibration, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analyses. The presence of the [Mo7O24]6- cluster in the Mox@SnO2 is responsible for the remarkable aqueous stability of Mox@SnO2 in the pH range of 3-9. Dominant oxygen vacancy in the SnO2 core, identified by EXAFS data and the anisotropic electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals (g ∼ 2.4 and 1.9), results in facile electronic conduction in Mox@SnO2 while being deposited on the electrode surface. Mox@SnO2 acts as an active catalyst for the electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (eNOR) to ammonia with 94% faradaic efficiency (FE) at -0.2 V vs RHE and a yield rate of 28.9 mg h-1 cm-2. The stability of Mox@SnO2 in acidic pH provides scope to reuse the Mox@SnO2 electrode at least four times with notable NH3 selectivity and a superior production rate (239.06 mmol g-1(cat) h-1). This study demonstrates the essential role of POM in stabilizing SnO2 QD, harnessing its electrochemical activity toward electrocatalytic ammonia production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laxmikanta Mallick
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Harshini V Annadata
- Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Trombay Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Biswarup Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas New Delhi 110016, India
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2
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Xiong Y, Wang Y, Zhou J, Liu F, Hao F, Fan Z. Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction: Ammonia Synthesis and the Beyond. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2304021. [PMID: 37294062 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202304021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Natural nitrogen cycle has been severely disrupted by anthropogenic activities. The overuse of N-containing fertilizers induces the increase of nitrate level in surface and ground waters, and substantial emission of nitrogen oxides causes heavy air pollution. Nitrogen gas, as the main component of air, has been used for mass ammonia production for over a century, providing enough nutrition for agriculture to support world population increase. In the last decade, researchers have made great efforts to develop ammonia processes under ambient conditions to combat the intensive energy consumption and high carbon emission associated with the Haber-Bosch process. Among different techniques, electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) can achieve nitrate removal and ammonia generation simultaneously using renewable electricity as the power, and there is an exponential growth of studies in this research direction. Here, a timely and comprehensive review on the important progresses of electrochemical NO3RR, covering the rational design of electrocatalysts, emerging CN coupling reactions, and advanced energy conversion and storage systems is provided. Moreover, future perspectives are proposed to accelerate the industrialized NH3 production and green synthesis of chemicals, leading to a sustainable nitrogen cycle via prosperous N-based electrochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuecheng Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Yunhao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Fu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Fengkun Hao
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Zhanxi Fan
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
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3
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Xue Y, Yu Q, Fang J, Jia Y, Wang R, Fan J. A Wetting and Capture Strategy Overcoming Electrostatic Repulsion for Electroreduction of Nitrate to Ammonia from Low-Concentration Sewage. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2400505. [PMID: 38477685 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Ammonia production by electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3 RR) in water streams is anticipated as a zero-carbon route. Limited by dilute nitrate in natural sewage and the electrostatic repulsion between NO3 - and cathode, NO3 RR can hardly be achieved energy-efficiently. The hydrophilic Cu@CuCoO2 nano-island dispersed on support can enrich NO3 - and produce a sensitive current response, followed by electrosynthesis of ammonia through atomic hydrogen (*H) is reported. The accumulated NO3 - can be partially converted to NO2 - without external electric field input, confirming that the Cu@CuCoO2 nano-island can strongly bind NO3 - and then trigger the reduction via dynamic evolution between Cu-Co redox sites. Through the identification of intermediates and theoretical computation. it is found that the N-side hydrogenation of *NO is the optimal reaction step, and the formation of N─N dimer may be prevented. An NH3 product selectivity of 93.5%, a nitrate conversion of 96.1%, and an energy consumption of 0.079 kWh gNH3 -1 is obtained in 48.9 mg-N L-1 naturally nitrate-polluted streams, which outperforms many works using such dilute nitrate influent. Conclusively, the electrocatalytic system provides a platform to guarantee the self-sufficiency of dispersed ammonia production in agricultural regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghao Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Qihui Yu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, School of Materials Sciences and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Junhua Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Yan Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Rongchang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Jianwei Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
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4
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Hu Q, Qi S, Huo Q, Zhao Y, Sun J, Chen X, Lv M, Zhou W, Feng C, Chai X, Yang H, He C. Designing Efficient Nitrate Reduction Electrocatalysts by Identifying and Optimizing Active Sites of Co-Based Spinels. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:2967-2976. [PMID: 38155548 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c06904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Cobalt-based spinel oxides (i.e., Co3O4) are emerging as low-cost and selective electrocatalysts for the electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3-RR) to ammonia (NH3), although their activity is still unsatisfactory and the genuine active site is unclear. Here, we discover that the NO3-RR activity of Co3O4 is highly dependent on the geometric location of the Co site, and the NO3-RR prefers to occur at octahedral Co (CoOh) rather than tetrahedral Co (CoTd) sites. Moreover, CoOhO6 is electrochemically transformed to CoOhO5 along with the formation of O vacancies (Ov) during the process of NO3-RR. Both experimental and theoretic results reveal that in situ generated CoOhO5-Ov configuration is the genuine active site for the NO3-RR. To further enhance the activity of CoOh sites, we replace inert CoTd with different contents of Cu2+ cations, and a volcano-shape correlation between NO3-RR activity and electronic structures of CoOh is observed. Impressively, in 1.0 M KOH, (Cu0.6Co0.4)Co2O4 with optimized CoOh sites achieves a maximum NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 96.5% with an ultrahigh NH3 rate of 1.09 mmol h-1 cm-2 at -0.45 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode, outperforming most of other reported nonprecious metal-based electrocatalysts. Clearly, this work paves new pathways for boosting the NO3-RR activity of Co-based spinels by tuning local electronic structures of CoOh sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Hu
- College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Qi
- College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Qihua Huo
- College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxin Zhao
- College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianju Sun
- College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinbao Chen
- College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Miaoyuan Lv
- College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiliang Zhou
- College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Feng
- College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Chai
- College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Hengpan Yang
- College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuanxin He
- College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People's Republic of China
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5
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Zheng H, Ma Z, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Ye J, Debroye E, Zhang L, Liu T, Xie Y. Perovskite Oxide as A New Platform for Efficient Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Oxidation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202316097. [PMID: 37985423 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202316097] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrogen oxidation reaction (NOR) offers an efficient and sustainable approach for conversion of widespread nitrogen (N2 ) into high-value-added nitrate (NO3 - ) under mild conditions, representing a promising alternative to the traditional approach that involves harsh Haber-Bosch and Ostwald oxidation processes. Unfortunately, due to the weak absorption/activation of N2 and the competitive oxygen evolution reaction, the kinetics of NOR process is extremely sluggish accompanied with low Faradaic efficiencies and NO3 - yield rates. In this work, an oxygen-vacancy-enriched perovskite oxide with nonstoichiometric ratio of strontium and ruthenium (denoted as Sr0.9 RuO3 ) was synthesized and explored as NOR electrocatalyst, which can exhibit a high Faradaic efficiency (38.6 %) with a high NO3 - yield rate (17.9 μmol mg-1 h-1 ). The experimental results show that the amount of oxygen vacancies in Sr0.9 RuO3 is greatly higher than that of SrRuO3 , following the same trend as their NOR performance. Theoretical simulations unravel that the presence of oxygen vacancies in the Sr0.9 RuO3 can render a decreased thermodynamic barrier toward the oxidation of *N2 to *N2 OH at the rate-determining step, leading to its enhanced NOR performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, International Joint Research Laboratory for Nano Energy Composites, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Ziwei Ma
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, International Joint Research Laboratory for Nano Energy Composites, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Yunxia Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Yizhe Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, International Joint Research Laboratory for Nano Energy Composites, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Jinyu Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Elke Debroye
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Longsheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, International Joint Research Laboratory for Nano Energy Composites, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Tianxi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, International Joint Research Laboratory for Nano Energy Composites, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Yi Xie
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
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6
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Liu Y, Zhu W, Zhang W, An Z, Liu J, Liu L. Thermally Inducing Viscous Fluids to Generate Co-Based Perovskites Enriched with Active Species for the Removal of VOCs. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:19366-19374. [PMID: 37948416 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c03385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Various Co-based perovskites are synthesized through thermally driving viscous fluids. In this process, rare earth salts, cobalt salts, and citric acid do not require homogeneous mixing but only need to be heated until they melt into a molten viscous slurry. The physicochemical properties of cobalt-based perovskites were examined using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-Mapping-EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), oxygen temperature-programmed desorption (O2-TPD), and N2 adsorption-desorption. The results indicate that the surface-active species can be controlled by altering the A-site elements of cobalt-based perovskites. All catalysts synthesized through the thermal treatment of viscous mixtures exhibited a low activation temperature and a low apparent activation energy for the catalytic oxidation of toluene. Among all cobalt-based perovskites, LaCoO3 demonstrated the most outstanding catalytic activity, primarily attributed to its capacity to expose a larger number of surface-active sites and oxygen species, as well as its superior reducibility. Furthermore, the formation process of optimal LaCoO3 was monitored using thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), and the byproducts of the low-temperature catalytic oxidation of toluene by the catalyst were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The possible mechanism of toluene oxidation was inferred by in situ diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). Moreover, LaCoO3 exhibits a predominant resistance to high-temperature hydrothermal conditions. This work provides a scalable and innovative approach to fabricating exceptionally effective catalysts for the efficient purification of VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Weili Zhu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Zeyao An
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Jingyin Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Lizhong Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, P. R. China
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7
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Wang G, Ma R, Zhang N, Guo Y, Chu K. Single-atom Cu anchored on Mo 2C boosts nitrite electroreduction to ammonia. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:13887-13890. [PMID: 37933626 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc03993e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
We design single-atom Cu anchored on Mo2C (Cu1/Mo2C) as an effective electrocatalyst towards electrochemical nitrite reduction to ammonia (NO2RR), exhibiting an NH3-faradaic efficiency of 91.5% with a corresponding NH3 yield rate of 472.9 μmol h-1 cm-2 at -0.6 V vs. RHE. Theoretical computations unravel that single-atomic Cu couples with the surface Mo atom of Mo2C to enable the construction of Cu-Mo dual-active centers, which can synergistically activate NO2- and minimize the NO2--to-NH3 reaction energy barrier, whilst suppressing the competing hydrogen evolution reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohui Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Ruiyuan Ma
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Nana Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Yali Guo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Ke Chu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
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8
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Song M, Xing Y, Li Y, Liu D, Han E, Gao Y, Yang Z, Yang X, He Y. Fe and Cu Double-Doped Co 3O 4 Nanorod with Abundant Oxygen Vacancies: A High-Rate Electrocatalyst for Tandem Electroreduction of Nitrate to Ammonia. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:16641-16651. [PMID: 37738294 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c02834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) is an attractive green alternative to the conventional Haber-Bosch method for the synthesis of NH3. However, this reaction is a tandem process that involves multiple steps of electrons and protons, posing a significant challenge to the efficient synthesis of NH3. Herein, we report a high-rate NO3RR electrocatalyst of Fe and Cu double-doped Co3O4 nanorod (Fe1/Cu2-Co3O4) with abundant oxygen vacancies, where the Cu preferentially catalyzes the rapid conversion of NO3- to NO2- and the oxygen vacancy in the Co3O4 substrate can accelerate NO2- reduction to NH3. In addition, the introduction of Fe can efficiently capture atomic H* that promotes the dynamics of NO2- to NH3, improving Faradaic efficiency of the produced NH3. Controlled experimental results show that the optimal electrocatalyst of Fe1/Cu2-Co3O4 exhibits good performance with high conversion (93.39%), Faradaic efficiency (98.15%), and ammonia selectivity (98.19%), which is significantly better than other Co-based materials. This work provides guidance for the rational design of high-performance NO3RR catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maosen Song
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Yuxuan Xing
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Yudong Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Enshan Han
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Yang Gao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Ziyi Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Xiaohui Yang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Yanzhen He
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
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9
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Mai H, Wang Q, Sun L, Meng X, Chen S, Zhou J, Jia Y, Wang M, Han X, Zhou X, Gong W, Zhu G, Li J, Bielawski CW, Geng J. Nonstoichiometric Scandium Oxide Hybridized in N-Doped Porous Graphitic Carbon Promotes the Rate Capability of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:41426-41437. [PMID: 37612260 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c03929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Nonstoichiometric compounds are widely used in contemporary energy technologies due to their high surface polarity, tailored electronic structure, high electrical conductivity, and other enhanced properties. However, the preparation of such nonstoichiometric compounds can be complicated and, in some cases, uncontrollable and dangerous. Here, we report a "one-pot" strategy for synthesizing N-doped porous graphitic carbon that is hybridized with nonstoichiometric scandium oxide (denoted as ScO0.95@N-PGC) and show that the composite significantly promotes sulfur cathode kinetics in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The synthesis of the ScO0.95@N-PGC composite entails heating a porous dry gel that consists of a C source (glucose), a N source (dicyandiamide), and a Sc source (Sc(NO3)3·H2O). Thermally decomposing the dicyandiamide creates a highly reductive atmosphere that simultaneously affords the hypoxic state of the ScO0.95 and dopes the carbon matrix with nitrogen. Density functional theory reveals the presence of oxygen vacancies that enable the ScO0.95 crystals to function as excellent electrical conductors, exhibit enhanced adsorption toward polysulfides, and accelerate the cathode reactions by lowering the corresponding activation energies. Moreover, Li-S cells prepared from the ScO0.95@N-PGC composite display a high specific capacity (1046 mA h g-1 at 0.5 C), an outstanding cycling stability (641 mA h g-1 after 1000 charge-discharge cycles at 0.5 C, a capacity decay of 0.038% per cycle), and a particularly outstanding rate capability (438 mA h g-1 at 8 C). The methodology described establishes a sustainable approach for synthesizing nonstoichiometric compounds while broadening their potential utility in a broad range of energy technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairong Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Fibers and Energy Storage, School of Material Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, No. 399 BinShuiXi Road, XiQing District, Tianjin 300387, China
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, No. 15 North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Qianchen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Fibers and Energy Storage, School of Material Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, No. 399 BinShuiXi Road, XiQing District, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Longhua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, No. 15 North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaodong Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Fibers and Energy Storage, School of Material Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, No. 399 BinShuiXi Road, XiQing District, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Shang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, No. 15 North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ji Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, No. 15 North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yuncan Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, No. 15 North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Manyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, No. 15 North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xinyi Han
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, No. 15 North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xueqin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, No. 15 North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Wenbin Gong
- School of Physics and Energy, Xuzhou University of Technology, Xuzhou 221018, China
| | - Guangxu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Fibers and Energy Storage, School of Material Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, No. 399 BinShuiXi Road, XiQing District, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Jingyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Fibers and Energy Storage, School of Material Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, No. 399 BinShuiXi Road, XiQing District, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Christopher W Bielawski
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jianxin Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Fibers and Energy Storage, School of Material Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, No. 399 BinShuiXi Road, XiQing District, Tianjin 300387, China
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10
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Hu P, Hu S, Du H, Liu Q, Guo H, Ma K, Li T. Efficient electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to ammonia over fibrous SmCoO 3 under ambient conditions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:5697-5700. [PMID: 37083021 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc00889d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
We report SmCoO3 nanofibers as an efficient catalyst for nitrate reduction to ammonia. This catalyst achieves a large NH3 yield of 14.4 mg h-1 mgcat.-1 and a high faradaic efficiency of 81.3% at -1.0 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M PBS with 0.1 M NaNO3, and it also displays excellent electrochemical durability and structural stability. Theoretical calculations indicate that Sm-O and Co-O bonds have an incredibly low adsorption energy of -0.1 eV, which can significantly reduce the applied potential and hence enhance the catalytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiji Hu
- School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, Sichuan, China.
| | - Songjie Hu
- School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, Sichuan, China.
| | - Hongting Du
- School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, Sichuan, China.
| | - Qian Liu
- Institute for Advanced Study, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, Sichuan, China
| | - Haoran Guo
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Ke Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, China.
| | - Tingshuai Li
- School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, Sichuan, China.
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