1
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Zhou S, Bi W, Zhang J, He L, Yu Y, Wang M, Yu X, Xie Y, Wu C. Strong Interaction between Titanium Carbonitride Embedded in Mesoporous Carbon Nanofibers and Pt Enables Durable Oxygen Reduction. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2400808. [PMID: 38687819 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202400808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Platinum (Pt) supported on high surface area carbon has been the most widely used electrocatalyst in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). However, conventional carbon supports are susceptible to corrosion at high potentials, leading to severe degradation of electrochemical performance. In this work, titanium carbonitride embedded in mesoporous carbon nanofibers (m-TiCN NFs) are reported as a promising alternative to address this issue. Benefiting from the interpenetrating conductive pathways inside the one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures and the embedded TiCN nanoparticles (NPs), m-TiCN NFs exhibit excellent stability at high potentials and interact strongly with Pt NPs. Subsequently, m-TiCN NFs-supported Pt NPs deliver remarkably enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and durability, with negligible activity decay and less than 5% loss of electrochemical surface area(ECSA) after 50 000 cycles. Moreover, the fuel cell assembled by this catalyst delivers a maximum power density of 1.22 W cm-2 and merely 3% loss after 30 000 cycles of accelerated durability tests under U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) protocols. The improved ORR activity and durability are attributed to the superior corrosion resistance of the m-TiCN NF support and the strong interaction between Pt and m-TiCN NFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwen Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, P. R. China
| | - Wentuan Bi
- Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, P. R. China
| | - Jujia Zhang
- Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, P. R. China
| | - Lijuan He
- Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, P. R. China
| | - Yanghong Yu
- Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, P. R. China
| | - Minghao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - XinXin Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, P. R. China
| | - Yi Xie
- Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Changzheng Wu
- Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
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2
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Díaz-Coello S, Winkler D, Griesser C, Moser T, Rodríguez J, Kunze-Liebhäuser J, García G, Pastor E. Highly Active W 2C-Based Composites for the HER in Alkaline Solution: the Role of Surface Oxide Species. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:21877-21884. [PMID: 38648335 PMCID: PMC11071040 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c01612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a crucial electrochemical process for the proposed hydrogen economy since it has the potential to provide pure hydrogen for fuel cells. Nowadays, hydrogen electroproduction is considerably expensive, so promoting the development of new non-noble catalysts for the cathode of alkaline electrolyzers appears as a suitable way to reduce the costs of this technology. In this sense, a series of tungsten-based carbide materials have been synthesized by the urea-glass route as candidates to improve the HER in alkaline media. Moreover, two different pyridinium-based ionic liquids were employed to modify the surface of the carbide grains and control the amount and nature of their surface species. The main results indicate that the catalyst surface composition is modified in the hybrid materials, which are then distinguished by the appearance of tungsten suboxide structures. This implies the action of ionic liquids as reducing agents. Consequently, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) is used to precisely determine the onset potentials and rate-determining steps (RDS) for the HER in alkaline media. Remarkably, the modified surfaces show high catalytic performance (overpotentials between 45 and 60 mV) and RDS changes from Heyrovsky-Volmer to Heyrovsky as the surface oxide structures get reduced. H2O molecule reduction is then faster at tungsten suboxide, which allows the formation of the adsorbed hydrogen at the surface, boosting the catalytic activity and the kinetics of the alkaline HER.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Díaz-Coello
- Institute
of Materials and Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of La Laguna, PO Box 456, 38200 La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - D. Winkler
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - C. Griesser
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - T. Moser
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - J.L. Rodríguez
- Institute
of Materials and Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of La Laguna, PO Box 456, 38200 La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - J. Kunze-Liebhäuser
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - G. García
- Institute
of Materials and Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of La Laguna, PO Box 456, 38200 La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - E. Pastor
- Institute
of Materials and Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of La Laguna, PO Box 456, 38200 La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
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3
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Zhang J, Deng W, Weng Y, Jiang J, Mao H, Zhang W, Lu T, Long D, Jiang F. Intercalated PtCo Electrocatalyst of Vanadium Metal Oxide Increases Charge Density to Facilitate Hydrogen Evolution. Molecules 2024; 29:1518. [PMID: 38611798 PMCID: PMC11013459 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071518] [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: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Efforts to develop high-performance electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are of utmost importance in ensuring sustainable hydrogen production. The controllable fabrication of inexpensive, durable, and high-efficient HER catalysts still remains a great challenge. Herein, we introduce a universal strategy aiming to achieve rapid synthesis of highly active hydrogen evolution catalysts using a controllable hydrogen insertion method and solvothermal process. Hydrogen vanadium bronze HxV2O5 was obtained through controlling the ethanol reaction rate in the oxidization process of hydrogen peroxide. Subsequently, the intermetallic PtCoVO supported on two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets was prepared by a solvothermal method at the oil/water interface. In terms of HER performance, PtCoVO/g-C3N4 demonstrates superior characteristics compared to PtCo/g-C3N4 and PtCoV/g-C3N4. This superiority can be attributed to the notable influence of oxygen vacancies in HxV2O5 on the electrical properties of the catalyst. By adjusting the relative proportions of metal atoms in the PtCoVO/g-C3N4 nanomaterials, the PtCoVO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites show significant HER overpotential of η10 = 92 mV, a Tafel slope of 65.21 mV dec-1, and outstanding stability (a continuous test lasting 48 h). The nanoarchitecture of a g-C3N4-supported PtCoVO nanoalloy catalyst exhibits exceptional resistance to nanoparticle migration and corrosion, owing to the strong interaction between the metal nanoparticles and the g-C3N4 support. Pt, Co, and V simultaneous doping has been shown by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to enhance the density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level. This augmentation leads to a higher charge density and a reduction in the adsorption energy of intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China; (J.Z.); (J.J.); (H.M.); (W.Z.); (T.L.)
| | - Wei Deng
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China; (J.Z.); (J.J.); (H.M.); (W.Z.); (T.L.)
| | - Yun Weng
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textile, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China;
| | - Jingxian Jiang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China; (J.Z.); (J.J.); (H.M.); (W.Z.); (T.L.)
| | - Haifang Mao
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China; (J.Z.); (J.J.); (H.M.); (W.Z.); (T.L.)
| | - Wenqian Zhang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China; (J.Z.); (J.J.); (H.M.); (W.Z.); (T.L.)
| | - Tiandong Lu
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China; (J.Z.); (J.J.); (H.M.); (W.Z.); (T.L.)
| | - Dewu Long
- Key Laboratory in Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China;
| | - Fei Jiang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China; (J.Z.); (J.J.); (H.M.); (W.Z.); (T.L.)
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4
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Winkler D, Leitner M, Auer A, Kunze-Liebhäuser J. The Relevance of the Interfacial Water Reactivity for Electrochemical CO Reduction on Copper Single Crystals. ACS Catal 2024; 14:1098-1106. [PMID: 38269043 PMCID: PMC10806897 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c02700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The electrochemical reduction of CO2 is an important electrolysis reaction that enables the conversion of a waste gas to fuels or value-added chemicals. To make this reaction viable, a profound understanding of central intermediate steps, such as the CO electroreduction, is required. On Cu, the CO reduction reaction (CORR) is intimately linked to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) that proceeds via the reduction of water in alkaline or neutral electrolytes. Here, we demonstrate that the interaction of water or more specifically the water reduction kinetics on differently smooth Cu(100) and Cu(111) surfaces during the CORR in alkaline media significantly governs the CORR. On Cu(111), faster HER kinetics and the highest CORR activity are observed, even though HER and CORR onsets are more negative. While on Cu(100) small Cu ad-island clusters form in the cathodic potential range only when CO is present, structural changes appear on a larger length scale on Cu(111) both under CORR conditions and when no CO is present. These differences in the reconstruction characteristics may be attributed to the dominance of either the CORR and its intermediates or the HER on the different Cu surfaces. Therefore, the interfacial water reactivity is considered an essential activity descriptor for the CORR on Cu in alkaline media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Winkler
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Matthias Leitner
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrea Auer
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Julia Kunze-Liebhäuser
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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5
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Yan T, Chen X, Kumari L, Lin J, Li M, Fan Q, Chi H, Meyer TJ, Zhang S, Ma X. Multiscale CO 2 Electrocatalysis to C 2+ Products: Reaction Mechanisms, Catalyst Design, and Device Fabrication. Chem Rev 2023; 123:10530-10583. [PMID: 37589482 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Electrosynthesis of value-added chemicals, directly from CO2, could foster achievement of carbon neutral through an alternative electrical approach to the energy-intensive thermochemical industry for carbon utilization. Progress in this area, based on electrogeneration of multicarbon products through CO2 electroreduction, however, lags far behind that for C1 products. Reaction routes are complicated and kinetics are slow with scale up to the high levels required for commercialization, posing significant problems. In this review, we identify and summarize state-of-art progress in multicarbon synthesis with a multiscale perspective and discuss current hurdles to be resolved for multicarbon generation from CO2 reduction including atomistic mechanisms, nanoscale electrocatalysts, microscale electrodes, and macroscale electrolyzers with guidelines for future research. The review ends with a cross-scale perspective that links discrepancies between different approaches with extensions to performance and stability issues that arise from extensions to an industrial environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxiang Yan
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xiaoyi Chen
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Lata Kumari
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jianlong Lin
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Minglu Li
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Qun Fan
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Haoyuan Chi
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Thomas J Meyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Xinbin Ma
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
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6
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Haug L, Griesser C, Thurner CW, Winkler D, Moser T, Thaler M, Bartl P, Rainer M, Portenkirchner E, Schumacher D, Dierschke K, Köpfle N, Penner S, Beyer MK, Loerting T, Kunze-Liebhäuser J, Klötzer B. A laboratory-based multifunctional near ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy system for electrochemical, catalytic, and cryogenic studies. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2023; 94:065104. [PMID: 37862508 DOI: 10.1063/5.0151755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
A versatile multifunctional laboratory-based near ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) instrument is presented. The entire device is highly customized regarding geometry, exchangeable manipulators and sample stages for liquid- and solid-state electrochemistry, cryochemistry, and heterogeneous catalysis. It therefore delivers novel and unique access to a variety of experimental approaches toward a broad choice of functional materials and their specific surface processes. The high-temperature (electro)catalysis manipulator is designed for probing solid state/gas phase interactions for heterogeneous catalysts including solid electrolyzer/fuel cell electrocatalysts at pressures up to 15 mbar and temperatures from room temperature to 1000 °C. The liquid electrochemistry manipulator is specifically designed for in situ spectroscopic investigations of polarized solid/liquid interfaces using aqueous electrolytes and the third one for experiments for ice and ice-like materials at cryogenic temperatures to approximately -190 °C. The flexible and modular combination of these setups provides the opportunity to address a broad spectrum of in situ and operando XPS experiments on a laboratory-based system, circumventing the limited accessibility of experiments at synchrotron facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leander Haug
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Griesser
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph W Thurner
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniel Winkler
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Toni Moser
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marco Thaler
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Pit Bartl
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Manuel Rainer
- Institut für Ionenphysik und Angewandte Physik, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - David Schumacher
- SPECS Surface Nano Analysis GmbH, Voltastraße 5, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Dierschke
- SPECS Surface Nano Analysis GmbH, Voltastraße 5, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Norbert Köpfle
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Simon Penner
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Martin K Beyer
- Institut für Ionenphysik und Angewandte Physik, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas Loerting
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Julia Kunze-Liebhäuser
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bernhard Klötzer
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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7
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Mairegger T, Li H, Grießer C, Winkler D, Filser J, Hörmann NG, Reuter K, Kunze-Liebhäuser J. Electroreduction of CO 2 in a Non-aqueous Electrolyte-The Generic Role of Acetonitrile. ACS Catal 2023; 13:5780-5786. [PMID: 37180961 PMCID: PMC10167651 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c00236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Transition metal carbides, especially Mo2C, are praised to be efficient electrocatalysts to reduce CO2 to valuable hydrocarbons. However, on Mo2C in an aqueous electrolyte, exclusively the competing hydrogen evolution reaction takes place, and this discrepancy to theory was traced back to the formation of a thin oxide layer at the electrode surface. Here, we study the CO2 reduction activity at Mo2C in a non-aqueous electrolyte to avoid such passivation and to determine products and the CO2 reduction reaction pathway. We find a tendency of CO2 to reduce to carbon monoxide. This process is inevitably coupled with the decomposition of acetonitrile to a 3-aminocrotonitrile anion. Furthermore, a unique behavior of the non-aqueous acetonitrile electrolyte is found, where the electrolyte, instead of the electrocatalyst, governs the catalytic selectivity of the CO2 reduction. This is evidenced by in situ electrochemical infrared spectroscopy on different electrocatalysts as well as by density functional theory calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Mairegger
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Haobo Li
- School
of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Christoph Grießer
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Daniel Winkler
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Jakob Filser
- Theory
Department, Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Nicolas G. Hörmann
- Theory
Department, Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Karsten Reuter
- Theory
Department, Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Julia Kunze-Liebhäuser
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
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8
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Hochfilzer D, Chorkendorff I, Kibsgaard J. Catalyst Stability Considerations for Electrochemical Energy Conversion with Non-Noble Metals: Do We Measure on What We Synthesized? ACS ENERGY LETTERS 2023; 8:1607-1612. [PMID: 36937791 PMCID: PMC10012258 DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.3c00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Working with non-noble electrocatalysts poses significant experimental challenges to unambiguously evaluate their intrinsic activity and characterize their working state and possible structural and compositional changes before, during, and after activity testing. Despite the vast number of studies on non-noble catalysts, these issues are still not addressed sufficiently-hindering significant progress in the field. In this Perspective, we present pitfalls and challenges when working with non-noble-metal-based electrocatalysts from catalyst synthesis, over electrochemical testing, to post-reaction characterization, and suggest potential solutions to overcome these difficulties. We believe that reliable measurements of the intrinsic activity of non-noble-metal-based electrocatalysts will greatly enhance our understanding of electrocatalysis in general and is a prerequisite for developing more active and selective electrocatalysts.
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9
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Li H, Jiao Y, Davey K, Qiao SZ. Data-Driven Machine Learning for Understanding Surface Structures of Heterogeneous Catalysts. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202216383. [PMID: 36509704 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202216383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The design of heterogeneous catalysts is necessarily surface-focused, generally achieved via optimization of adsorption energy and microkinetic modelling. A prerequisite is to ensure the adsorption energy is physically meaningful is the stable existence of the conceived active-site structure on the surface. The development of improved understanding of the catalyst surface, however, is challenging practically because of the complex nature of dynamic surface formation and evolution under in-situ reactions. We propose therefore data-driven machine-learning (ML) approaches as a solution. In this Minireview we summarize recent progress in using machine-learning to search and predict (meta)stable structures, assist operando simulation under reaction conditions and micro-environments, and critically analyze experimental characterization data. We conclude that ML will become the new norm to lower costs associated with discovery and design of optimal heterogeneous catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haobo Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Yan Jiao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Kenneth Davey
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Shi-Zhang Qiao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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10
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Li L, Zhao ZJ, Zhang G, Cheng D, Chang X, Yuan X, Wang T, Gong J. Neural Network Accelerated Investigation of the Dynamic Structure-Performance Relations of Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction over SnO x Surfaces. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0067. [PMID: 36930771 PMCID: PMC10013797 DOI: 10.34133/research.0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Heterogeneous catalysts, especially metal oxides, play a curial role in improving energy conversion efficiency and production of valuable chemicals. However, the surface structure at the atomic level and the nature of active sites are still ambiguous due to the dynamism of surface structure and difficulty in structure characterization under electrochemical conditions. This paper describes a strategy of the multiscale simulation to investigate the SnO x reduction process and to build a structure-performance relation of SnO x for CO2 electroreduction. Employing high-dimensional neural network potential accelerated molecular dynamics and stochastic surface walking global optimization, coupled with density functional theory calculations, we propose that SnO2 reduction is accompanied by surface reconstruction and charge density redistribution of active sites. A regulatory factor, the net charge, is identified to predict the adsorption capability for key intermediates on active sites. Systematic electronic analyses reveal the origin of the interaction between the adsorbates and the active sites. These findings uncover the quantitative correlation between electronic structure properties and the catalytic performance of SnO x so that Sn sites with moderate charge could achieve the optimally catalytic performance of the CO2 electroreduction to formate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China.,National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Zhi-Jian Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China.,National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Gong Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China.,National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Dongfang Cheng
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China.,National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Xin Chang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China.,National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Xintong Yuan
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China.,National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Tuo Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China.,National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China.,Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou 350207, China
| | - Jinlong Gong
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China.,National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
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11
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Selective CO 2 electroreduction to methanol via enhanced oxygen bonding. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7768. [PMID: 36522322 PMCID: PMC9755525 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35450-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The reduction of carbon dioxide using electrochemical cells is an appealing technology to store renewable electricity in a chemical form. The preferential adsorption of oxygen over carbon atoms of intermediates could improve the methanol selectivity due to the retention of C-O bond. However, the adsorbent-surface interaction is mainly related to the d states of transition metals in catalysts, thus it is difficult to promote the formation of oxygen-bound intermediates without affecting the carbon affinity. This paper describes the construction of a molybdenum-based metal carbide catalyst that promotes the formation and adsorption of oxygen-bound intermediates, where the sp states in catalyst are enabled to participate in the bonding of intermediates. A high Faradaic efficiency of 80.4% for methanol is achieved at -1.1 V vs. the standard hydrogen electrode.
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12
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Karuppasamy K, Nichelson A, Vikraman D, Choi JH, Hussain S, Ambika C, Bose R, Alfantazi A, Kim HS. Recent Advancements in Two-Dimensional Layered Molybdenum and Tungsten Carbide-Based Materials for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reactions. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3884. [PMID: 36364659 PMCID: PMC9656633 DOI: 10.3390/nano12213884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Green and renewable energy is the key to overcoming energy-related challenges such as fossil-fuel depletion and the worsening of environmental habituation. Among the different clean energy sources, hydrogen is considered the most impactful energy carrier and is touted as an alternate fuel for clean energy needs. Even though noble metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, and Au exhibit excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity in acid media, their earth abundance and capital costs are highly debatable. Hence, developing cost-effective, earth-abundant, and conductive electrocatalysts is crucial. In particular, various two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and their compounds are gradually emerging as potential alternatives to noble metal-based catalysts. Owing to their improved hydrophilicity, good conductivity, and large surface areas, these 2D materials show superior stability and excellent catalytic performances during the HER process. This review article is a compilation of the different synthetic protocols, their impact, effects of doping on molybdenum and tungsten carbides and their derivatives, and their application in the HER process. The paper is more focused on the detailed strategies for improving the HER activity, highlights the limits of molybdenum and tungsten carbide-based electrocatalysts in electro-catalytic process, and elaborates on the future advancements expected in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Karuppasamy
- Division of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Dongguk University-Seoul, Seoul 04620, Korea
| | - A. Nichelson
- Department of Physics, National Engineering College, K.R. Nagar, Kovilpatti, Tuticorin 628503, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dhanasekaran Vikraman
- Division of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Dongguk University-Seoul, Seoul 04620, Korea
| | - Jun-Hyeok Choi
- Division of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Dongguk University-Seoul, Seoul 04620, Korea
| | - Sajjad Hussain
- Department of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea
| | - C. Ambika
- Department of Physics, Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College, Sivakasi 626123, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ranjith Bose
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Emirates Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC), Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Akram Alfantazi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Emirates Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC), Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hyun-Seok Kim
- Division of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Dongguk University-Seoul, Seoul 04620, Korea
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13
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Li H, Reuter K. Ab Initio Thermodynamic Stability of Carbide Catalysts under Electrochemical Conditions. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c01732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Haobo Li
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Karsten Reuter
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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14
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Winkler D, Dietrich V, Griesser C, Nia NS, Wernig E, Tollinger M, Kunze‐Liebhäuser J. Formic acid reduction and CO
2
activation at Mo
2
C: The important role of surface oxide. ELECTROCHEMICAL SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/elsa.202100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Winkler
- Department of Physical Chemistry University of Innsbruck Innsbruck Austria
| | - Valentin Dietrich
- Department of Organic Chemistry University of Innsbruck Innsbruck Austria
| | - Christoph Griesser
- Department of Physical Chemistry University of Innsbruck Innsbruck Austria
| | - Niusha Shakibi Nia
- Department of Physical Chemistry University of Innsbruck Innsbruck Austria
| | - Eva‐Maria Wernig
- Department of Physical Chemistry University of Innsbruck Innsbruck Austria
| | - Martin Tollinger
- Department of Organic Chemistry University of Innsbruck Innsbruck Austria
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15
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Lee Y, Scheurer C, Reuter K. Epitaxial Core-Shell Oxide Nanoparticles: First-Principles Evidence for Increased Activity and Stability of Rutile Catalysts for Acidic Oxygen Evolution. CHEMSUSCHEM 2022; 15:e202200015. [PMID: 35293136 PMCID: PMC9321688 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202200015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Due to their high activity and favorable stability in acidic electrolytes, Ir and Ru oxides are primary catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in proton-exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. For a future large-scale application, core-shell nanoparticles are an appealing route to minimize the demand for these precious oxides. Here, we employ first-principles density-functional theory (DFT) and ab initio thermodynamics to assess the feasibility of encapsulating a cheap rutile-structured TiO2 core with coherent, monolayer-thin IrO2 or RuO2 films. Resulting from a strong directional dependence of adhesion and strain, a wetting tendency is only obtained for some low-index facets under typical gas-phase synthesis conditions. Thermodynamic stability in particular of lattice-matched RuO2 films is instead indicated for more oxidizing conditions. Intriguingly, the calculations also predict an enhanced activity and stability of such epitaxial RuO2 /TiO2 core-shell particles under OER operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghyuk Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Chair of Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße, 85747, Garching, Germany
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Scheurer
- Department of Chemistry, Chair of Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße, 85747, Garching, Germany
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Reuter
- Department of Chemistry, Chair of Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße, 85747, Garching, Germany
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195, Berlin, Germany
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16
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Shi X, Lin X, Luo R, Wu S, Li L, Zhao ZJ, Gong J. Dynamics of Heterogeneous Catalytic Processes at Operando Conditions. JACS AU 2021; 1:2100-2120. [PMID: 34977883 PMCID: PMC8715484 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The rational design of high-performance catalysts is hindered by the lack of knowledge of the structures of active sites and the reaction pathways under reaction conditions, which can be ideally addressed by an in situ/operando characterization. Besides the experimental insights, a theoretical investigation that simulates reaction conditions-so-called operando modeling-is necessary for a plausible understanding of a working catalyst system at the atomic scale. However, there is still a huge gap between the current widely used computational model and the concept of operando modeling, which should be achieved through multiscale computational modeling. This Perspective describes various modeling approaches and machine learning techniques that step toward operando modeling, followed by selected experimental examples that present an operando understanding in the thermo- and electrocatalytic processes. At last, the remaining challenges in this area are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangcheng Shi
- Key
Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education,
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative
Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, China
- Joint
School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University,
International Campus of Tianjin University, Fuzhou 350207, China
| | - Xiaoyun Lin
- Key
Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education,
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative
Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ran Luo
- Key
Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education,
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative
Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shican Wu
- Key
Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education,
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative
Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Lulu Li
- Key
Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education,
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative
Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Zhi-Jian Zhao
- Key
Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education,
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative
Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jinlong Gong
- Key
Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education,
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative
Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, China
- Joint
School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University,
International Campus of Tianjin University, Fuzhou 350207, China
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17
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Ringe S, Hörmann NG, Oberhofer H, Reuter K. Implicit Solvation Methods for Catalysis at Electrified Interfaces. Chem Rev 2021; 122:10777-10820. [PMID: 34928131 PMCID: PMC9227731 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Implicit solvation
is an effective, highly coarse-grained approach
in atomic-scale simulations to account for a surrounding liquid electrolyte
on the level of a continuous polarizable medium. Originating in molecular
chemistry with finite solutes, implicit solvation techniques are now
increasingly used in the context of first-principles modeling of electrochemistry
and electrocatalysis at extended (often metallic) electrodes. The
prevalent ansatz to model the latter electrodes and the reactive surface
chemistry at them through slabs in periodic boundary condition supercells
brings its specific challenges. Foremost this concerns the difficulty
of describing the entire double layer forming at the electrified solid–liquid
interface (SLI) within supercell sizes tractable by commonly employed
density functional theory (DFT). We review liquid solvation methodology
from this specific application angle, highlighting in particular its
use in the widespread ab initio thermodynamics approach
to surface catalysis. Notably, implicit solvation can be employed
to mimic a polarization of the electrode’s electronic density
under the applied potential and the concomitant capacitive charging
of the entire double layer beyond the limitations of the employed
DFT supercell. Most critical for continuing advances of this effective
methodology for the SLI context is the lack of pertinent (experimental
or high-level theoretical) reference data needed for parametrization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Ringe
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea.,Energy Science & Engineering Research Center, Daegu Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Nicolas G Hörmann
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, D-14195 Berlin, Germany.,Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, D-85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Harald Oberhofer
- Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, D-85747 Garching, Germany.,Chair for Theoretical Physics VII and Bavarian Center for Battery Technology (BayBatt), University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Karsten Reuter
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
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18
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Penner S. How the in situ monitoring of bulk crystalline phases during catalyst activation results in a better understanding of heterogeneous catalysis. CrystEngComm 2021; 23:6470-6480. [PMID: 34602861 PMCID: PMC8474056 DOI: 10.1039/d1ce00817j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The present Highlight article shows the importance of the in situ monitoring of bulk crystalline compounds for a more thorough understanding of heterogeneous catalysts at the intersection of catalysis, materials science, crystallography and inorganic chemistry. Although catalytic action is widely regarded as a purely surface-bound phenomenon, there is increasing evidence that bulk processes can detrimentally or beneficially influence the catalytic properties of various material classes. Such bulk processes include polymorphic transformations, formation of oxygen-deficient structures, transient phases and the formation of a metal-oxide composite. The monitoring of these processes and the subsequent establishment of structure-property relationships are most effective if carried out in situ under real operation conditions. By focusing on synchrotron-based in situ X-ray diffraction as the perfect tool to follow the evolution of crystalline species, we exemplify the strength of the concept with five examples from various areas of catalytic research. As catalyst activation studies are increasingly becoming a hot topic in heterogeneous catalysis, the (self-)activation of oxide- and intermetallic compound-based materials during methanol steam and methane dry reforming is highlighted. The perovskite LaNiO3 is selected as an example to show the complex structural dynamics before and during methane dry reforming, which is only revealed upon monitoring all intermediate crystalline species in the transformation from LaNiO3 into Ni/La2O3/La2O2CO3. ZrO2-based materials form the second group, indicating the in situ decomposition of the intermetallic compound Cu51Zr14 into an epitaxially stabilized Cu/tetragonal ZrO2 composite during methanol steam reforming, the stability of a ZrO0.31C0.69 oxycarbide and the gas-phase dependence of the tetragonal-to-monoclinic ZrO2 polymorphic transformation. The latter is the key parameter to the catalytic understanding of ZrO2 and is only appreciated in full detail once it is possible to follow the individual steps of the transformation between the crystalline polymorphic structures. A selected example is devoted to how the monitoring of crystalline reactive carbon during methane dry reforming operation aids in the mechanistic understanding of a Ni/MnO catalyst. The most important aspect is the strict use of in situ monitoring of the structural changes occurring during (self-)activation to establish meaningful structure-property relationships allowing conclusions beyond isolated surface chemical aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Penner
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck Innrain 52c A-6020 Innsbruck Austria +4351250758003
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