1
|
Burwell T, Thangamuthu M, Aliev GN, Ghaderzadeh S, Kohlrausch EC, Chen Y, Theis W, Norman LT, Fernandes JA, Besley E, Licence P, Khlobystov AN. Direct formation of copper nanoparticles from atoms at graphitic step edges lowers overpotential and improves selectivity of electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction. Commun Chem 2024; 7:140. [PMID: 38902511 PMCID: PMC11190262 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01218-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
A key strategy for minimizing our reliance on precious metals is to increase the fraction of surface atoms and improve the metal-support interface. In this work, we employ a solvent/ligand/counterion-free method to deposit copper in the atomic form directly onto a nanotextured surface of graphitized carbon nanofibers (GNFs). Our results demonstrate that under these conditions, copper atoms coalesce into nanoparticles securely anchored to the graphitic step edges, limiting their growth to 2-5 nm. The resultant hybrid Cu/GNF material displays high selectivity in the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) for formate production with a faradaic efficiency of ~94% at -0.38 V vs RHE and a high turnover frequency of 2.78 × 106 h-1. The Cu nanoparticles adhered to the graphitic step edges significantly enhance electron transfer to CO2. Long-term CO2RR tests coupled with atomic-scale elucidation of changes in Cu/GNF reveal nanoparticles coarsening, and a simultaneous increase in the fraction of single Cu atoms. These changes in the catalyst structure make the onset of the CO2 reduction potential more negative, leading to less formate production at -0.38 V vs RHE, correlating with a less efficient competition of CO2 with H2O for adsorption on single Cu atoms on the graphitic surfaces, revealed by density functional theory calculations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tom Burwell
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Gazi N Aliev
- School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | | | - Yifan Chen
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Wolfgang Theis
- School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Luke T Norman
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Elena Besley
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Pete Licence
- School of Chemistry, Carbon Neutral Laboratory, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Park J, Lee S, Jafter OF, Cheon J, Lungerich D. Electron beam-induced demetallation of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd, and Pt metalloporphyrins: insights in e-beam chemistry and metal cluster formations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:8051-8061. [PMID: 38314818 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp05848d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Electron beams are versatile tools for nanoscale fabrication processes, however, the underlying e-beam chemistry remains in its infancy. Through operando transmission electron microscopy investigations, we elucidate a redox-driven cargo release of individual metal atoms triggered by electron beams. The chosen organic delivery molecule, tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), proves highly versatile, forming complexes with nearly all metals from the periodic table and being easily processed in solution. A comprehensive cinematographic analysis of the dynamics of single metal atoms confirms the nearly instantaneous ejection of complexed metal atoms under an 80 kV electron beam, underscoring the system's broad versatility. Providing mechanistic insights, we employ density functional theory to support the proposed reductive demetallation pathway facilitated by secondary electrons, contributing novel perspectives to electron beam-mediated chemical reaction mechanisms. Lastly, our findings demonstrate that all seven metals investigated form nanoclusters once ejected from TPP, highlighting the method's potential for studying and developing sustainable single-atom and nanocluster catalysts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jongseong Park
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nano Biomedical Engineering (NanoBME), Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sol Lee
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Orein Francis Jafter
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nano Biomedical Engineering (NanoBME), Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jinwoo Cheon
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nano Biomedical Engineering (NanoBME), Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Chemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Dominik Lungerich
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nano Biomedical Engineering (NanoBME), Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|