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Biswas A, Sharma MD, Kapse S, Samui S, Thapa R, Gupta S, Sudarshan K, Dey RS. Coordination Structure Modulation in Group-VIB Metal Doped Ag 3PO 4 Augments Active Site Density for Electrocatalytic Conversion of N 2 to NH 3. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2402006. [PMID: 38898725 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202402006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Doping is considered a promising material engineering strategy in electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), provided the role of the active site is rightly identified. This work concerns the doping of group VIB metal in Ag3PO4 to enhance the active site density, accompanied by d-p orbital mixing at the active site/N2 interface. Doping induces compressive strain in the Ag3PO4 lattice and inherently accompanies vacancy generation, the latter is quantified with positron annihilation lifetime studies (PALS). This eventually alters the metal d-electronic states relative to Fermi level and manipulate the active sites for NRR resulting into side-on N2 adsorption at the interface. The charge density deployment reveals Mo as the most efficient dopant, attaining a minimum NRR overpotential, as confirmed by the detailed kinetic study with the rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) technique. In fact, the Pt ring of RRDE fails to detect N2H4, which is formed as a stable intermediate on the electrode surface, as identified from in-situ attenuated total reflectance-infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy. This advocates the complete conversion of N2 to NH3 on Mo/Ag3PO4-10 and the so-formed oxygen vacancies formed during doping act as proton scavengers suppressing hydrogen evolution reaction resulting into a Faradaic efficiency of 54.8% for NRR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashmita Biswas
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Mamta Devi Sharma
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Samadhan Kapse
- Department of Physics, SRM University, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522240, India
| | - Surajit Samui
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Ranjit Thapa
- Department of Physics, SRM University, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522240, India
- Centre for Computational and Integrative Sciences, SRM University, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522240, India
| | - Santosh Gupta
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Kathi Sudarshan
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Ramendra Sundar Dey
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
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Biswas A, Barman N, Nambron A, Thapa R, Sudarshan K, Dey RS. Deciphering the bridge oxygen vacancy-induced cascading charge effect for electrochemical ammonia synthesis. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024; 11:2217-2229. [PMID: 38416145 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh02141f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Oxygen vacancy engineering has recently been gaining much interest as the charging effect it induces in a material can be used for varied applications. Usually, semiconductor materials act poorly in electrocatalysis, particularly in the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), owing to their inherent charge deficit and huge band gap. Vacancy introduction can be a viable material engineering route to make use of these materials for the NRR. However, a detailed investigation of the vacancy-type and its role for the structural reorientation and charge redistribution of a material is lagging in the field of NRRs. This work thus focuses on the synthesis of oxygen vacancy-engineered SnO2 with a gradual structural transformation from in-plane (iov) to bridge-type oxygen vacancy (bov) density. Consequently, the electron occupancy of the sp3d hybrid orbital changes, leading to an upshifted valence band maxima towards the Fermi level. This has a profound effect on the nature of N2 adsorption and the extent of NN bond polarization. Sn atoms adjacent to the bov are found to have a fair density of dangling charges that accomplish the NRR process at a comparatively low overpotential and determine the binding strength of the intermediates on the active site. The obscured yet stable reaction intermediates are thereby identified with in situ ATR-IR studies. A restricted hydrogen evolution reaction Faradaic on the Sn-site (favored over O-atoms) results in a Faradaic efficiency of 48.5%, which is better than that reported in all the literature reports on SnO2 for the NRR. This study thus unveils sufficient insights into the role of oxygen vacancies in a crystal as well as electronic structural alteration of SnO2 and the effect of active sites on the rate kinetics of the NRR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashmita Biswas
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Sector-81, Mohali-140306, Punjab, India.
| | - Narad Barman
- Department of Physics, SRM University, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh 522240, India
| | - Avinash Nambron
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Sector-81, Mohali-140306, Punjab, India.
| | - Ranjit Thapa
- Department of Physics, SRM University, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh 522240, India
- Centre for Computational and Integrative Sciences, SRM University, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh 522240, India
| | - Kathi Sudarshan
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai-400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai-400094, India
| | - Ramendra Sundar Dey
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Sector-81, Mohali-140306, Punjab, India.
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Mu J, Gao X, Yu T, Zhao L, Luo W, Yang H, Liu Z, Sun Z, Gu Q, Li F. Ambient Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis: From Theoretical Guidance to Catalyst Design. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2308979. [PMID: 38345238 PMCID: PMC11022736 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Ammonia, a vital component in the synthesis of fertilizers, plastics, and explosives, is traditionally produced via the energy-intensive and environmentally detrimental Haber-Bosch process. Given its considerable energy consumption and significant greenhouse gas emissions, there is a growing shift toward electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis as an eco-friendly alternative. However, developing efficient electrocatalysts capable of achieving high selectivity, Faraday efficiency, and yield under ambient conditions remains a significant challenge. This review delves into the decades-long research into electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis, highlighting the evolution of fundamental principles, theoretical descriptors, and reaction mechanisms. An in-depth analysis of the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) and nitrate reduction reaction (NitRR) is provided, with a focus on their electrocatalysts. Additionally, the theories behind electrocatalyst design for ammonia synthesis are examined, including the Gibbs free energy approach, Sabatier principle, d-band center theory, and orbital spin states. The review culminates in a comprehensive overview of the current challenges and prospective future directions in electrocatalyst development for NRR and NitRR, paving the way for more sustainable methods of ammonia production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjia Mu
- Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines MetallurgySchool of MetallurgyNortheastern UniversityShenyangLiaoning110819China
| | - Xuan‐Wen Gao
- Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines MetallurgySchool of MetallurgyNortheastern UniversityShenyangLiaoning110819China
| | - Tong Yu
- Institute of Metal ResearchChinese Academy of SciencesShenyangLiaoning110016China
| | - Lu‐Kang Zhao
- Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines MetallurgySchool of MetallurgyNortheastern UniversityShenyangLiaoning110819China
| | - Wen‐Bin Luo
- Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines MetallurgySchool of MetallurgyNortheastern UniversityShenyangLiaoning110819China
| | - Huicong Yang
- Institute of Metal ResearchChinese Academy of SciencesShenyangLiaoning110016China
| | - Zhao‐Meng Liu
- Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines MetallurgySchool of MetallurgyNortheastern UniversityShenyangLiaoning110819China
| | - Zhenhua Sun
- Institute of Metal ResearchChinese Academy of SciencesShenyangLiaoning110016China
| | - Qin‐Fen Gu
- Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines MetallurgySchool of MetallurgyNortheastern UniversityShenyangLiaoning110819China
- Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO)800 Blackburn RdClaytonVIC3168Australia
| | - Feng Li
- Institute of Metal ResearchChinese Academy of SciencesShenyangLiaoning110016China
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Paul S, Sarkar S, Dolui D, Sarkar D, Robert M, Ghorai UK. 1D/2D interface engineering of a CoPc-C 3N 4 heterostructure for boosting the nitrogen reduction reaction to NH 3. Dalton Trans 2023; 52:15360-15364. [PMID: 37740280 DOI: 10.1039/d3dt01790g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we demonstrate the construction of a 1D/2D heterostructure of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc)-carbon nitride (C3N4) for electrochemical N2 reduction to NH3. Improved performance originates from the higher exposure of active surface sites. The electrochemical NRR performance showed an NH3 formation rate of 423.8 μg h-1 mgcat-1, a high faradaic efficiency (FE) of 33%, and stability for 20 h. This study provides a new strategy for designing a highly efficient 1D/2D electrocatalytic system for ammonia synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Paul
- Department of Industrial Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, Swami Vivekananda Research Center, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah-711202, West Bengal, India.
| | - Sougata Sarkar
- Department of Industrial Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, Swami Vivekananda Research Center, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah-711202, West Bengal, India.
| | - Dependu Dolui
- Université Paris Cité, Laboratoire d'Electrochimie Moléculaire, CNRS, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Debashrita Sarkar
- Université Paris Cité, Laboratoire d'Electrochimie Moléculaire, CNRS, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Marc Robert
- Université Paris Cité, Laboratoire d'Electrochimie Moléculaire, CNRS, F-75006 Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Uttam Kumar Ghorai
- Department of Industrial Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, Swami Vivekananda Research Center, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah-711202, West Bengal, India.
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Biswas A, Ghosh B, Sudarshan K, Gupta SK, Dey RS. Ample Lewis Acidic Sites in Mg 2B 2O 5 Facilitate N 2 Electroreduction through Bonding-Antibonding Interactions. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:14094-14102. [PMID: 37594321 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c02389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Extensive research on the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has put forward a sound list of potential catalyst materials with properties inducing N2 adsorption, protonation, and reduction. However, rather than a random selection of catalysts, it is essential to understand the vitals in terms of orbital orientation and charge distribution that actually manipulate the rate-determining steps of NRR. Realizing these factors, herein we have explored a main group earth-abundant Mg-based electrocatalyst Mg2B2O5 for NRR due to the abundance of Lewis acid sites in the catalyst favoring the bonding-antibonding interactions with the N2 molecules. Positron annihilation studies indicate that the electronic charge distribution within the catalyst has shallow surface oxygen vacancies. These features in the catalyst enabled a sound Faradaic efficiency of 46.4% at -0.1 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode for the selective NH3 production in neutral electrolyte. In situ Fourier transform infrared suggests a maximum N-N bond polarization at -0.1 V and detected H-N-H and -NH2 intermediates during the course of the NRR on the catalyst surface. In a broader picture, the biocompatibility of Mg2+ diversifies the utility of this catalyst material in N2/biofuel cell applications that would certainly offer a green alternative toward our goal of a sustainable society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashmita Biswas
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Bikram Ghosh
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Kathi Sudarshan
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Santosh K Gupta
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Ramendra Sundar Dey
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
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Bhardwaj S, Das SK, Biswas A, Kapse S, Thapa R, Dey RS. Engineering hydrophobic-aerophilic interfaces to boost N 2 diffusion and reduction through functionalization of fluorine in second coordination spheres. Chem Sci 2023; 14:8936-8945. [PMID: 37621433 PMCID: PMC10445478 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc03002d] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Ammonia is a crucial biochemical raw material for nitrogen containing fertilizers and a hydrogen energy carrier obtained from renewable energy sources. Electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis is a renewable and less-energy intensive way as compared to the conventional Haber-Bosch process. The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) is sluggish, primarily due to the deceleration by slow N2 diffusion, giving rise to competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we have engineered a catalyst to have hydrophobic and aerophilic nature via fluorinated copper phthalocyanine (F-CuPc) grafted with graphene to form a hybrid electrocatalyst, F-CuPc-G. The chemically functionalized fluorine moieties are present in the second coordination sphere, where it forms a three-phase interface. The hydrophobic layer of the catalyst fosters the diffusion of N2 molecules and the aerophilic characteristic helps N2 adsorption, which can effectively suppress the HER. The active metal center is present in the primary sphere available for the NRR with a viable amount of H+ to achieve a substantially high faradaic efficiency (FE) of 49.3% at -0.3 V vs. RHE. DFT calculations were performed to find out the rate determining step and to explore the full energy pathway. A DFT study indicates that the NRR process follows an alternating pathway, which was further supported by an in situ FTIR study by isolating the intermediates. This work provides insights into designing a catalyst with hydrophobic moieties in the second coordination sphere together with the aerophilic nature of the catalyst that helps to improve the overall FE of the NRR by eliminating the HER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakshi Bhardwaj
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Sector-81 Mohali 140306 Punjab India
| | - Sabuj Kanti Das
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Sector-81 Mohali 140306 Punjab India
| | - Ashmita Biswas
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Sector-81 Mohali 140306 Punjab India
| | - Samadhan Kapse
- Department of Physics, SRM University Andhra Pradesh 522240 India
| | - Ranjit Thapa
- Department of Physics, SRM University Andhra Pradesh 522240 India
| | - Ramendra Sundar Dey
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Sector-81 Mohali 140306 Punjab India
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7
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Kovačević M, Živković S, Ognjanović M, Momčilović M, Relić D, Vasić Anićijević D. In Silico Guided Design of Metal/Semiconductor Photocatalysts: A Case of Cu-Modified TiO 2 for Ciprofloxacin Degradation. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:5708. [PMID: 37629999 PMCID: PMC10456727 DOI: 10.3390/ma16165708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: An increasing use of pharmaceutics imposes a need for the permanent development of efficient strategies, including the tailoring of highly specific new materials for their removal from the environment. Photocatalytic degradation has been the subject of increasing interest of the researchers in the field. (2) Methods: This paper is focused on the investigation of the possibility to deposit a thin metal layer on a TiO2 surface and study its photocatalytic performance for the degradation of ciprofloxacin using a combination of theoretical and experimental methods. (3) Results: Based on the extensive DFT screening of 24 d-metals' adhesion on TiO2, Cu was selected for further work, due to the satisfactory expected stability and good availability. The (Cu)TiO2 was successfully synthesized and characterized with XRD, SEM+EDS and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The uniformly distributed copper on the TiO2 surface corresponds to the binding on high-affinity oxygen-rich sites, as proposed with DFT calculations. The photocatalytic degradation rate of ciprofloxacin was improved by about a factor of 1.5 compared to the bare non-modified TiO2. (4) Conclusions: The observed result was ascribed to the ability of adsorbed Cu to impede the agglomeration of TiO2 and increase the active catalytic area, and bandgap narrowing predicted with DFT calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Kovačević
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sanja Živković
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miloš Ognjanović
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miloš Momčilović
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dubravka Relić
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 12-14, 11158 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragana Vasić Anićijević
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia
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Adalder A, Paul S, Ghorai B, Kapse S, Thapa R, Nagendra A, Ghorai UK. Selective Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Nitrogen to Nitric Acid Using Manganese Phthalocyanine. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37449852 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c01847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia is produced through the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, which undergoes catalytic oxidation for the production of commercial nitric acid by the senescent Ostwald process. The two energy-intensive industrial processes demand for process sustainability. Hence, single-step electrocatalysis offers a promising approach toward a more environmentally friendly solution. Herein, we report a 10-electron pathway associated one-step electrochemical dinitrogen oxidation reaction (N2OR) to nitric acid by manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc) hollow nano-structures under ambient conditions. The catalyst delivers a nitric acid yield of 513.2 μmol h-1 gcat-1 with 33.9% Faradaic efficiency @ 2.1 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. The excellent N2OR performances are achieved due to the specific-selectivity, presence of greater number of exposed active sites, recyclability, and long period stability. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure confirms that Mn atoms are coordinated to the pyrrolic and pyridinic nitrogen via Mn-N4 coordination. Density functional theory-based theoretical calculations confirm that the Mn-N4 site of MnPc is the main active center for N2OR, which suppresses the oxygen evolution reaction. This work provides a new arena about the successful example of one step nitric acid production utilizing a Mn-N4 active site-based metal phthalocyanine electrocatalyst by dinitrogen oxidation for the development of a carbon-neutral sustainable society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashadul Adalder
- Department of Industrial Chemistry & Applied Chemistry, Swami Vivekananda Research Centre, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah 711202, India
| | - Sourav Paul
- Department of Industrial Chemistry & Applied Chemistry, Swami Vivekananda Research Centre, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah 711202, India
| | - Biswajit Ghorai
- Department of Industrial Chemistry & Applied Chemistry, Swami Vivekananda Research Centre, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah 711202, India
| | - Samadhan Kapse
- Department of Physics, SRM University─AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh 522240, India
| | - Ranjit Thapa
- Department of Physics, SRM University─AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh 522240, India
| | - Abharana Nagendra
- Atomic & Molecular Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Uttam Kumar Ghorai
- Department of Industrial Chemistry & Applied Chemistry, Swami Vivekananda Research Centre, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah 711202, India
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Rani R, Biswas A, Ahammed R, Purkait T, Kundu A, Sarkar S, Raturi M, De Sarkar A, Dey RS, Hazra KS. Engineering Catalytically Active Sites by Sculpting Artificial Edges on MoS 2 Basal Plane for Dinitrogen Reduction at a Low Overpotential. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2206357. [PMID: 36942916 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Engineering catalytically active sites have been a challenge so far and often relies on optimization of synthesis routes, which can at most provide quantitative enhancement of active facets, however, cannot provide control over choosing orientation, geometry and spatial distribution of the active sites. Artificially sculpting catalytically active sites via laser-etching technique can provide a new prospect in this field and offer a new species of nanocatalyst for achieving superior selectivity and attaining maximum yield via absolute control over defining their location and geometry of every active site at a nanoscale precision. In this work, a controlled protocol of artificial surface engineering is shown by focused laser irradiation on pristine MoS2 flakes, which are confirmed as catalytic sites by electrodeposition of AuNPs. The preferential Au deposited catalytic sites are found to be electrochemically active for nitrogen adsorption and its subsequent reduction due to the S-vacancies rather than Mo-vacancy, as advocated by DFT analysis. The catalytic performance of Au-NR/MoS2 shows a high yield rate of ammonia (11.43 × 10-8 mol s-1 cm-2 ) at a potential as low as -0.1 V versus RHE and a notable Faradaic efficiency of 13.79% during the electrochemical nitrogen reduction in 0.1 m HCl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renu Rani
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Ashmita Biswas
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Raihan Ahammed
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Taniya Purkait
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Anirban Kundu
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Subhajit Sarkar
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Mamta Raturi
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Abir De Sarkar
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Ramendra Sundar Dey
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Kiran Shankar Hazra
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
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10
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Huang Z, Rafiq M, Woldu AR, Tong QX, Astruc D, Hu L. Recent progress in electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction to ammonia (NRR). Coord Chem Rev 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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11
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Liu J, He L, Zhao S, Li S, Hu L, Tian J, Ding J, Zhang Z, Du M. Plasma-Assisted Defect Engineering on p-n Heterojunction for High-Efficiency Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2205786. [PMID: 36683249 PMCID: PMC10015844 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A defect-rich 2D p-n heterojunction, Cox Ni3- x (HITP)2 /BNSs-P (HITP: 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene), is constructed using a semiconductive metal-organic framework (MOF) and boron nanosheets (BNSs) by in situ solution plasma modification. The heterojunction is an effective catalyst for the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) under ambient conditions. Interface engineering and plasma-assisted defects on the p-n Cox Ni3-x (HITP)2 /BNSs-P heterojunction led to the formation of both Co-N3 and B…O dual-active sites. As a result, Cox Ni3-x (HITP)2 /BNSs-P has a high NH3 yield of 128.26 ± 2.27 µg h-1 mgcat. -1 and a Faradaic efficiency of 52.92 ± 1.83% in 0.1 m HCl solution. The catalytic mechanism for the eNRR is also studied by in situ FTIR spectra and DFT calculations. A Cox Ni3- x (HITP)2 /BNSs-P-based Zn-N2 battery achieved an unprecedented power output with a peak power density of 5.40 mW cm-2 and an energy density of 240 mA h gzn -1 in 0.1 m HCl. This study establishes an efficient strategy for the rational design, using defect and interfacial engineering, of advanced eNRR catalysts for ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiameng Liu
- College of Material and Chemical EngineeringInstitute of New Energy Science and TechnologySchool of Future Hydrogen Energy TechnologyZhengzhou University of Light IndustryZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Linghao He
- College of Material and Chemical EngineeringInstitute of New Energy Science and TechnologySchool of Future Hydrogen Energy TechnologyZhengzhou University of Light IndustryZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Shuangrun Zhao
- College of Material and Chemical EngineeringInstitute of New Energy Science and TechnologySchool of Future Hydrogen Energy TechnologyZhengzhou University of Light IndustryZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Sizhuan Li
- College of Material and Chemical EngineeringInstitute of New Energy Science and TechnologySchool of Future Hydrogen Energy TechnologyZhengzhou University of Light IndustryZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Lijun Hu
- College of Material and Chemical EngineeringInstitute of New Energy Science and TechnologySchool of Future Hydrogen Energy TechnologyZhengzhou University of Light IndustryZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Jia‐Yue Tian
- College of Material and Chemical EngineeringInstitute of New Energy Science and TechnologySchool of Future Hydrogen Energy TechnologyZhengzhou University of Light IndustryZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Junwei Ding
- College of Material and Chemical EngineeringInstitute of New Energy Science and TechnologySchool of Future Hydrogen Energy TechnologyZhengzhou University of Light IndustryZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Zhihong Zhang
- College of Material and Chemical EngineeringInstitute of New Energy Science and TechnologySchool of Future Hydrogen Energy TechnologyZhengzhou University of Light IndustryZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Miao Du
- College of Material and Chemical EngineeringInstitute of New Energy Science and TechnologySchool of Future Hydrogen Energy TechnologyZhengzhou University of Light IndustryZhengzhou450001P. R. China
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12
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Song ZY, Li YY, Duan W, Xiao XY, Gao ZW, Zhao YH, Liang B, Chen SH, Li PH, Yang M, Huang XJ. Decisive role of electronic structure in electroanalysis for sensing materials: Insights from density functional theory. Trends Analyt Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2023.116977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
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13
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Heliso Dolla T, Matthews T, Wendy Maxakato N, Ndungu P, Montini T. Recent advances in transition metal sulfide-based electrocatalysts and photocatalysts for nitrogen fixation. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2022.117049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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14
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Biswas A, Kapse S, Thapa R, Dey RS. Oxygen Functionalization-Induced Charging Effect on Boron Active Sites for High-Yield Electrocatalytic NH 3 Production. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2022; 14:214. [PMID: 36334149 PMCID: PMC9637079 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-022-00966-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia has been recognized as the future renewable energy fuel because of its wide-ranging applications in H2 storage and transportation sector. In order to avoid the environmentally hazardous Haber-Bosch process, recently, the third-generation ambient ammonia synthesis has drawn phenomenal attention and thus tremendous efforts are devoted to developing efficient electrocatalysts that would circumvent the bottlenecks of the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) like competitive hydrogen evolution reaction, poor selectivity of N2 on catalyst surface. Herein, we report the synthesis of an oxygen-functionalized boron carbonitride matrix via a two-step pyrolysis technique. The conductive BNCO(1000) architecture, the compatibility of B-2pz orbital with the N-2pz orbital and the charging effect over B due to the C and O edge-atoms in a pentagon altogether facilitate N2 adsorption on the B edge-active sites. The optimum electrolyte acidity with 0.1 M HCl and the lowered anion crowding effect aid the protonation steps of NRR via an associative alternating pathway, which gives a sufficiently high yield of ammonia (211.5 μg h-1 mgcat-1) on the optimized BNCO(1000) catalyst with a Faradaic efficiency of 34.7% at - 0.1 V vs RHE. This work thus offers a cost-effective electrode material and provides a contemporary idea about reinforcing the charging effect over the secured active sites for NRR by selectively choosing the electrolyte anions and functionalizing the active edges of the BNCO(1000) catalyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashmita Biswas
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Samadhan Kapse
- Department of Physics, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522240, India
| | - Ranjit Thapa
- Department of Physics, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522240, India
| | - Ramendra Sundar Dey
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector-81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India.
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15
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Mukherjee J, Adalder A, Mukherjee N, Ghorai UK. Solvothermal synthesis of α–CuPc nanostructures for electrochemical nitrogen fixation under ambient conditions. Catal Today 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2022.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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16
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Lewis acid-dominated aqueous electrolyte acting as co-catalyst and overcoming N 2 activation issues on catalyst surface. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2204638119. [PMID: 35939713 PMCID: PMC9388088 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204638119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing demands for ammonia in agriculture and transportation fuel stimulate researchers to develop sustainable electrochemical methods to synthesize ammonia ambiently, to get past the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. However, the conventionally used aqueous electrolytes limit N2 solubility, leading to insufficient reactant molecules in the vicinity of the catalyst during electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). This hampers the yield and production rate of ammonia, irrespective of how efficient the catalyst is. Herein, we introduce an aqueous electrolyte (NaBF4), which not only acts as an N2-carrier in the medium but also works as a full-fledged "co-catalyst" along with our active material MnN4 to deliver a high yield of NH3 (328.59 μg h-1 mgcat-1) at 0.0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. BF3-induced charge polarization shifts the metal d-band center of the MnN4 unit close to the Fermi level, inviting N2 adsorption facilely. The Lewis acidity of the free BF3 molecules further propagates their importance in polarizing the N≡N bond of the adsorbed N2 and its first protonation. This push-pull kind of electronic interaction has been confirmed from the change in d-band center values of the MnN4 site as well as charge density distribution over our active model units, which turned out to be effective enough to lower the energy barrier of the potential determining steps of NRR. Consequently, a high production rate of NH3 (2.45 × 10-9 mol s-1 cm-2) was achieved, approaching the industrial scale where the source of NH3 was thoroughly studied and confirmed to be chiefly from the electrochemical reduction of the purged N2 gas.
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