Aluminum and Nitrogen Codoped Graphene: Highly Active and Durable Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Bismuth Nanoparticles and Single Iron Atoms on Carbon Derived from a Covalent Organic Framework Synergistically Catalyze the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The utilization of catalysts comprising metal nanoparticle has been beneficial for enhancing the performance of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, the inadequate intrinsic activity of these catalysts still presents a significant challenge, limiting their overall effectiveness. This issue can be addressed by introducing single atoms, which can create a synergistic effect with the nanoparticles to catalyse and thereby improve performance. Nevertheless, the synergistic catalysis of nanoparticles and single atoms is still under investigation. In this study, we fabricated a core-shell structured carbon framework incorporating Fe single atoms and Bi nanoparticles through the pyrolysis of COF and MOF core-shell structures. Introducing Fe single atoms into ZIF-8, with Fe-ZIF-8 as the core and Bi-containing COF as the shell, resulted in higher ORR activity. The catalyst exhibited a half-wave potential of 0.867 V and a high current density of 6.68 mA cm-2 in 0.1 M KOH, which were comparable to those of Pt/C equivalent. This study provides new research concepts for exploring the application of single atoms and nanoparticles in catalytic oxygen reduction reactions through synergistic effects.

Aluminium, Nitrogen-Dual-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Co-Existing with Cobalt-Encapsulated Graphitic Carbon Nanotube as an Activity Modulated Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Electrochemistry Applications

There is a rising need to create high-performing, affordable electrocatalysts in the new field of oxygen electrochemistry. Here, a cost-effective, activity-modulated electrocatalyst with the capacity to trigger both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in an alkaline environment is presented. The catalyst (Al, Co/N-rGCNT) is made up of aluminium, nitrogen-dual-doped reduced graphene oxide sheets co-existing with cobalt-encapsulated carbon nanotube units. Based on X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) studies, it is established that the superior reaction kinetics in Al, Co/N-rGCNT over their bulk counterparts can be attributed to their electronic regulation. The Al, Co/N-rGCNT performs as a versatile bifunctional electrocatalyst for zinc-air battery (ZAB), delivering an open circuit potential ≈1.35 V and peak power density of 106.3 mW cm-2, which are comparable to the system based on Pt/C. The Al, Co/N-rGCNT-based system showed a specific capacity of 737 mAh gZn -1 compared to 696 mAh gZn -1 delivered by the system based on Pt/C. The DFT calculations indicate that the adsorption of Co in the presence of Al doping in NGr improves the electronic properties favoring ORR. Thus, the Al, Co/N-rGCNT-based rechargeable ZAB (RZAB) emerges as a highly viable and affordable option for the development of RZAB for practical applications.

Synergistic Al-Al Dual-Atomic Site for Efficient Artificial Nitrogen Fixation

Synthesis of ammonia by electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a promising alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. However, it is commonly obstructed by the high activation energy. Here, we report the design and synthesis of an Al-Al bonded dual atomic catalyst stabilized within an amorphous nitrogen-doped porous carbon matrix (Al2NC) with high NRR performance. The dual atomic Al2-sites act synergistically to catalyze the complex multiple steps of NRR through adsorption and activation, enhancing the proton-coupled electron transfer. This Al2NC catalyst exhibits a high Faradaic efficiency of 16.56±0.3 % with a yield rate of 29.22±1.2 μg h-1 mgcat -1. The dual atomic Al2NC catalyst shows long-term repeatable, and stable NRR performance. This work presents an insight into the identification of synergistic dual atomic catalytic site and mechanistic pathway for the electrochemical conversion of N2 to NH3.

Atomically Dispersed Aluminum Sites in Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanofibers for Boosting Adsorptive Desulfurization Performance

The exploitation of highly efficient and cost-effective selective adsorbents for adsorptive desulfurization (ADS) remains a challenge. Fortunately, single-atom adsorbents (SAAs) characterized by maximized atom utilization and atomically dispersed adsorption sites have great potential to solve this problem as an emerging class of adsorption materials. Herein, aiming at improving the efficiency of ADS performance via the economical and feasible strategy, the desirable SAAs have been fabricated by uniformly anchoring aluminum (Al) atoms on hexagonal boron nitride nanofibers (BNNF) via an in situ pyrolysis method. Remarkably, Al-BN-1.0 exhibited a superior adsorption capacity of 46.1 mg S/g adsorbent for dibenzothiophene, with a 45% increase in adsorption capacity compared to the pristine BNNF. Additionally, it demonstrated excellent adsorption of other thiophene sulfides. Moreover, the ADS mechanisms have been investigated through special adsorption experiments combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was demonstrated that the superior ADS performance and selectivity of Al-BN-1.0 originate from the sulfur-aluminum (S-Al) and π-π interactions cooperating synergistically. This work would cast light on a novel fabrication strategy for the SAAs based on the two-dimensional material with a tunable metal site configurations and densities for varied selective adsorption and separation.

P-Orbital Bismuth Single-Atom Catalyst for Highly Effective Oxygen Electroreduction in Quasi-Solid Zinc-Air Batteries

P-block metals have gradually been utilized to synthesize non-noble-metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) due to the easily tunable localized p-orbitals and resulted versatile electronic structures. The high-density single-atom bismuth sites (Bi-NC) anchored onto nitrogen-doped three-dimensional porous carbon are proved to possess significant electrocatalytic ORR performance. Theoretical calculations unveil positively charged bismuth centers prominently improved the adsorption capacity of N-doped carbon to O₂ . The p orbitals of Bi sites within Bi-NC easily generate hybrid states with p orbitals of O₂ , thus promoting charge transfer and ultimately reducing the energy barrier of ORR. Benefiting from p-orbital electrons regulation of bismuth atoms, Bi-NC exhibit ORR half-wave potential of 0.86 V (vs RHE). Additionally, both liquid and quasi-solid zinc-air batteries with Bi-NC as air-cathodes achieve higher power density and specific capacity than 20 wt% Pt/C, and comparable stability and round-trip efficiency with 20 wt% Pt/C. The discovery sheds light on the theoretical and practical guidance for p-block metallic single-atom catalysts.

Research Progress on Graphite-Derived Materials for Electrocatalysis in Energy Conversion and Storage

High-performance electrocatalysts are critical to support emerging electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies. Graphite-derived materials, including fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, have been recognized as promising electrocatalysts and electrocatalyst supports for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR). Effective modification/functionalization of graphite-derived materials can promote higher electrocatalytic activity, stability, and durability. In this review, the mechanisms and evaluation parameters for the above-outlined electrochemical reactions are introduced first. Then, we emphasize the preparation methods for graphite-derived materials and modification strategies. We further highlight the importance of the structural changes of modified graphite-derived materials on electrocatalytic activity and stability. Finally, future directions and perspectives towards new and better graphite-derived materials are presented.

Rational Design of Main Group Metal-Embedded Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Materials as Frustrated Lewis Pair Catalysts for CO2 Hydrogenation to Formic Acid

Developing efficient and inexpensive main group catalysts for CO₂ conversion and utilization has attracted increasing attention, as the conversion process would be both economical and environmentally benign. Here, based on the main group element Al, we designed several heterogeneous frustrated Lewis acid/base pair (FLP) catalysts and performed extensive first-principles calculations for the hydrogenation of CO₂. These catalysts, including Al@N-Gr-1, Al@N-Gr-2, and Al@C₂N, are composed of a single Al atom and two-dimensional (2D) N-doped carbon-based materials to form frustrated Al/C or Al/N Lewis acid/base pairs, which are all predicted to have high reactivity to absorb and activate hydrogen (H₂). Compared with Al@N-Gr-1, both Al@N-Gr-2 and Al@C₂N, especially Al@N-Gr-2, containing Al/N Lewis pairs exhibit better catalytic activity for CO₂ hydrogenation with lower activation energies. CO₂ hydrogenation on the three catalysts prefers to go through a three-step mechanism, i.e., the heterolytic dissociation of H₂, followed by the transfer of the hydride near Al to CO₂, and finally the activation of a second H₂ molecule. Other IIIA group element (B and Ga)-embedded N-Gr-2 materials (B@N-Gr-2 and Ga@N-Gr-2) were also explored and compared. Both Al@N-Gr-2 and Ga@N-Gr-2 show higher catalytic activity for CO₂ hydrogenation to HCOOH than B@N-Gr-2. However, the CO₂ hydrogenation path on Ga@N-Gr-2 tends to follow a two-step mechanism, including H₂ dissociation and subsequent hydrogen transfer. The present study provides a potential solution for CO₂ hydrogenation by designing novel and effective FLP catalysts based on main group elements.

First Principle Studies to Tailor Graphene Through Synergistic Effect as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

The Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) is one of the major roadblocks for electrocatalytic oxidation of water (water splitting) and for designing efficient metal-air batteries. Herein, we present a comprehensive study to design graphene based efficient electrocatalyst, modified by doping with main group elements Al, Si, P, S and co-doping with B and N, for OER using DFT computations. Four elementary steps in the OER reaction have been traced, free energy change for each elementary step was calculated considering thermodynamic corrections. Out of all the doped models, S doped graphene shows maximum efficiency that was further enhanced by adjusting the concentration of codopants B and N around the active dopant site. Our results show that synergy between codopants B and N and dopant S atom leads to high electrocatalytic efficiency of modified graphene towards OER and brings down the overpotential to as low as 0.44 V.

Fe, Al-co-doped NiSe2 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting

Developing low-cost and highly efficient electrocatalysts for overall water splitting is of far-reaching significance for new energy conversion. Herein, dual-cation Fe, Al-co-doped NiSe2 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide (Fe, Al-NiSe2/rGO) were prepared as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting. The dual-cation doping can induce a stronger electronic interaction between the foreign atoms and host catalyst, for optimizing the adsorption energy of reaction intermediates. Meanwhile, the leaching out of Al from the crystal structure of the target product during the alkaline wash creates more defects and increases the active site exposure. As a result, the Fe, Al-NiSe2/rGO catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activities for both the OER and HER with an overpotential of 272 mV @η10 for the OER in 1.0 M KOH and 197 mV @η10 for the HER in 0.5 M H2SO4, respectively. A two-electrode electrolyzer using Fe, Al-NiSe2/rGO as the anode and cathode shows a low voltage of 1.70 V at the current density of 10 mA cm-2. This study emphasizes the synergistic contribution of the dual-cation co-doping effect and more defects created by Al leaching to boost the performance of water splitting.

Tailoring the Electronic Structure of Transition Metals by the V2C MXene Support: Excellent Oxygen Reduction Performance Triggered by Metal-Support Interactions

The enhancement of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity can significantly boost the performance of fuel cells. MXene-supported transition metals with strong metal-support interactions (SMSI) are an effective strategy to increase the catalytic activity and durability while decreasing the usage of noble metals. Herein, a series of composites of transition-metal atoms (Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, and Au) deposited on V₂C MXene are designed as potential catalysts for ORR using density functional theory. The calculation results demonstrate that all the transition metals prefer to form a monolayer on V₂C (TM_ML/V₂C) with high thermodynamic stability because of SMSI, in which the Pd, Pt, Ag, and Au monolayers exhibit high chemical stability during the ORR process. Pt_ML/V₂C exhibits the highest activity toward ORR with the overpotential down to 0.38 V and the largest energy barrier of 0.48 eV. The excellent catalytic performance originates from the modification of the electronic structure by the V₂C support because of SMSI. Our studies elucidate the SMSI between transition-metal atoms and V₂C MXene from the atomic level and thus rationally design the ORR catalyst at the cathode of fuel cells to enhance the activity while possessing high stability and less Pt usage.

Structurally Modulated Graphitic Carbon Nanofiber and Heteroatom (N,F) Engineering toward Metal-Free ORR Electrocatalysts for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

The present study designates the heteroatom (N,F)-doped various graphitic carbon nanofibers (GNFs) viz. GNF-linear segmented platelets, antlers, herringbone type, and their structural deformations from pristine fiber with many open-edge active centers as metal-free, cost-effective electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Introduction of heteroatoms to GNF frameworks enlarges the lattice spacing between graphene platelets and leads to structural modulation. The developed GNF/N-F catalysts show excellent ORR activity with insensitivity to CH₃OH and demonstrated outstanding electrochemical potential cycling stability of 10,000 cycles with well-retained ORR kinetics without much loss in the activity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation of GNF/N-F catalysts explicitly shows the highly active forms of N (pyridinic, pyrrolic, and graphitic-N) and semi-ionic, ionic C-F of F in the catalysts. The deep-rooted synergistic effect among N and F atoms creates more active centers entrenched with extensive C-C bond polarization and larger charge delocalization with larger spin density differences accomplished in GNF/N-F catalysts. Wide open-edge cavities, opened tips, and many extensively accessible facets collectively enhance the ORR activity of the GNF-H/N-F catalyst. The present study provides a deep insight into the understanding of advanced metal-free electrocatalysts for efficient ORR in PEMFCs and metal-air batteries.

Hatted 1T/2H-Phase MoS2 on Ni3 S2 Nanorods for Efficient Overall Water Splitting in Alkaline Media

A new hatted 1T/2H-phase MoS₂ on Ni₃ S₂ nanorods, as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting in alkaline media, is prepared through a simple one-pot hydrothermal synthesis. The hat-rod structure is composed mainly of Ni₃ S₂ , with 1T/2H-MoS₂ adhered to the top of the growth. Aqueous ammonia plays an important role in forming the 1T-phase MoS₂ by twisting the 2H-phase transition and expanding the interlayer spacing through the intercalation of NH₃ /NH₄ ⁺ . Owing to the special "hat-like" structure, the electrons conduct easily from Ni foam along Ni₃ S₂ to MoS₂ , and the catalyst particles maintain sufficient contact with the electrolyte, with gaseous molecules produced by water splitting easily removed from the surface of the catalyst. Thus, the electrocatalytic performance is enhanced, with an overpotential of 73 mV, a Tafel slope of 79 mV dec^-1 , and excellent stability, and the OER demonstrates an overpotential of 190 mV and Tafel slope of 166 mV dec^-1 .

Perspective on theoretical methods and modeling relating to electro-catalysis processes

Theoretical methods and models for the description of thermodynamics and kinetics in electro-catalysis, including solvent effects, externally applied potentials, and many-body interactions, are discussed.

Boosting the hydrogen evolution activity of a Co-N-C electrocatalyst by codoping with Al

Co, Al and N tri-doped graphene (CANG) was successfully fabricated via annealing N-doped graphene with Co and Al precursors. The material was characterized by scaning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, physical adsorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that the as-prepared CANG features a robust three-dimensional hierarchically porous structure. The contents of Co and Al can achieve the maximum value of 2.18 at% and 0.51 at% at the annealing temperature of 950 °C. Upon using the electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the CANG exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic performance in both acidic (η 10 = 105 mV) and alkaline media (η 10 = 270 mV), and outperforms Co,N-codoped graphene and Al,N-codoped graphene, respectively. In combination with the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, it was revealed that the introduction of the Al heteroatom can decrease the absolute value of hydrogen adsorption free energy (ΔG(H*)) of Co-N-C catalysts, thus greatly enhancing the HER activity. This discovery will provide new guidance to the design of advanced and inexpensive carbon materials for fuel cell, water-splitting and other electrochemical devices.

Directly transforming copper (I) oxide bulk into isolated single-atom copper sites catalyst through gas-transport approach

Single-atom metal catalysts have sparked tremendous attention, but direct transformation of cheap and easily obtainable bulk metal oxide into single atoms is still a great challenge. Here we report a facile and versatile gas-transport strategy to synthesize isolated single-atom copper sites (Cu ISAS/NC) catalyst at gram levels. Commercial copper (I) oxide powder is sublimated as mobile vapor at nearly melting temperature (1500 K) and subsequently can be trapped and reduced by the defect-rich nitrogen-doped carbon (NC), forming the isolated copper sites catalyst. Strikingly, this thermally stable Cu ISAS/NC, which is obtained above 1270 K, delivers excellent oxygen reduction performance possessing a recorded half-wave potential of 0.92 V vs RHE among other Cu-based electrocatalysts. By varying metal oxide precursors, we demonstrate the universal synthesis of different metal single atoms anchored on NC materials (M ISAS/NC, where M refers to Mo and Sn). This strategy is readily scalable and the as-prepared sintering-resistant M ISAS/NC catalysts hold great potential in high-temperature applications.

Single-atom catalysts attract lots of attention, but direct transformation of bulk metal oxide into single atoms remains challenging. Here the authors report a gas-transport route to transform monolithic copper (I) oxide into copper single-atoms catalyst with a high activity for oxygen reduction.

A pyrolysis-free path toward superiorly catalytic nitrogen-coordinated single atom

Nitrogen-coordinated single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as a frontier for electrocatalysis (such as oxygen reduction) with maximized atom utilization and highly catalytic activity. The precise design and operable synthesis of SACs are vital for practical applications but remain challenging because the commonly used high-temperature treatments always result in unpredictable structural changes and randomly created single atoms. Here, we develop a pyrolysis-free synthetic approach to prepare SACs with a high electrocatalytic activity using a fully π-conjugated iron phthalocyanine (FePc)-rich covalent organic framework (COF). Instead of randomly creating Fe-nitrogen moieties on a carbon matrix (Fe-N-C) through pyrolysis, we rivet the atomically well-designed Fe-N-C centers via intermolecular interactions between the COF network and the graphene matrix. The as-synthesized catalysts demonstrate exceptional kinetic current density in oxygen reduction catalysis (four times higher than the benchmark Pt/C) and superior power density and cycling stability in Zn-air batteries compared with Pt/C as air electrodes.