1
|
Kephart J, Zhou DY, Sandwisch J, Cajiao N, Krajewski SM, Malinowski P, Chu JH, Neidig ML, Kaminsky W, Velian A. Caught in the Act of Substitution: Interadsorbate Effects on an Atomically Precise Fe/Co/Se Nanocluster. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2024; 10:1276-1282. [PMID: 38947197 PMCID: PMC11212139 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.4c00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Directing groups guide substitution patterns in organic synthetic schemes, but little is known about pathways to control reactivity patterns, such as regioselectivity, in complex inorganic systems such as bioinorganic cofactors or extended surfaces. Interadsorbate effects are known to encode surface reactivity patterns in inorganic materials, modulating the location and binding strength of ligands. However, owing to limited experimental resolution into complex inorganic structures, there is little opportunity to resolve these effects on the atomic scale. Here, we utilize an atomically precise Fe/Co/Se nanocluster platform, [Fe3(L)2Co6Se8L'6]+ ([1(L)2]+; L = CN t Bu, THF; L' = Ph2PN(-)Tol), in which allosteric interadsorbate effects give rise to pronounced site-differentiation. Using a combination of spectroscopic techniques and single-crystal X-ray diffractometry, we discover that coordination of THF at the ligand-free Fe site in [1(CN t Bu)2]+ sets off a domino effect wherein allosteric through-cluster interactions promote the regioselective dissociation of CN t Bu at a neighboring Fe site. Computational analysis reveals that this active site correlation is a result of delocalized Fe···Se···Co···Se covalent interactions that intertwine edge sites on the same cluster face. This study provides an unprecedented atom-scale glimpse into how interfacial metal-support interactions mediate a collective and regiospecific path for substrate exchange across multiple active sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan
A. Kephart
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Daniel Y. Zhou
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Jason Sandwisch
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Nathalia Cajiao
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Sebastian M. Krajewski
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Paul Malinowski
- Department
of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Jiun-Haw Chu
- Department
of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Michael L. Neidig
- Inorganic
Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QR, United Kingdom
| | - Werner Kaminsky
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Alexandra Velian
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang Z, Gee W, Sautet P, Alexandrova AN. H and CO Co-Induced Roughening of Cu Surface in CO 2 Electroreduction Conditions. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:16119-16127. [PMID: 38815275 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The dynamic restructuring of Cu has been observed under electrochemical conditions, and it has been hypothesized to underlie the unique reactivity of Cu toward CO2 electroreduction. Roughening is one of the key surface phenomena for Cu activation, whereby numerous atomic vacancies and adatoms form. However, the atomic structure of such surface motifs in the presence of relevant adsorbates has remained elusive. Here, we explore the chemical space of Cu surface restructuring under coverage of CO and H in realistic electroreduction conditions, by combining grand canonical DFT and global optimization techniques, from which we construct a potential-dependent grand canonical ensemble representation. The regime of intermediate and mixed CO and H coverage─where structures exhibit some elevated surface Cu─is thermodynamically unfavorable yet kinetically inevitable. Therefore, we develop a quasi-kinetic Monte Carlo simulation to track the system's evolution during a simulated cathodic scan. We reveal the evolution path of the system across coverage space and identify the accessible metastable structures formed along the way. Chemical bonding analysis is performed on the metastable structures with elevated Cu*CO species to understand their formation mechanism. By molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations, the surface chemistry of the Cu*CO species is explored, and we identify plausible mechanisms via which the Cu*CO species may diffuse or dimerize. This work provides rich atomistic insights into the phenomenon of surface roughening and the structure of involved species. It also features generalizable methods to explore the chemical space of restructuring surfaces with mixed adsorbates and their nonequilibrium evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zisheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90094, United States
| | - Winston Gee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90094, United States
| | - Philippe Sautet
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90094, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90094, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90094, United States
| | - Anastassia N Alexandrova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90094, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90094, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90094, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang M, Pártay LB, Wexler RB. Surface phase diagrams from nested sampling. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:13862-13874. [PMID: 38659377 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp00050a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Studies in atomic-scale modeling of surface phase equilibria often focus on temperatures near zero Kelvin due to the challenges in calculating the free energy of surfaces at finite temperatures. The Bayesian-inference-based nested sampling (NS) algorithm allows for modeling phase equilibria at arbitrary temperatures by directly and efficiently calculating the partition function, whose relationship with free energy is well known. This work extends NS to calculate adsorbate phase diagrams, incorporating all relevant configurational contributions to the free energy. We apply NS to the adsorption of Lennard-Jones (LJ) gas particles on low-index and vicinal LJ solid surfaces and construct the canonical partition function from these recorded energies to calculate ensemble averages of thermodynamic properties, such as the constant-volume heat capacity and order parameters that characterize the structure of adsorbate phases. Key results include determining the nature of phase transitions of adsorbed LJ particles on flat and stepped LJ surfaces, which typically feature an enthalpy-driven condensation at higher temperatures and an entropy-driven reordering process at lower temperatures, and the effect of surface geometry on the presence of triple points in the phase diagrams. Overall, we demonstrate the ability and potential of NS for surface modeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingrui Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
| | - Livia B Pártay
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Robert B Wexler
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Choi C, Kwon S, Gao Y, Cheon S, Li J, Menges F, Goddard WA, Wang H. CO 2-Promoted Electrocatalytic Reduction of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:8486-8491. [PMID: 38483834 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c14564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Electrochemical reactions and their catalysis are important for energy and environmental applications, such as carbon neutralization and water purification. However, the synergy in electrocatalysis between CO2 utilization and wastewater treatment has not been explored. In this study, we find that the electrochemical reduction of chlorinated organic compounds such as 1,2-dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene into ethylene in aqueous media, which is a category of challenging reactions due to the competition of H2 evolution, can be substantially enhanced by simultaneously carrying out the reduction of CO2 on an easily prepared and cost-effective Cu metal catalyst. In the case of 1,2-dichloroethane dechlorination, a 6-fold improvement in Faradaic efficiency and a 19-fold increase in partial current density are demonstrated. Through electrochemical kinetic studies, in situ Raman spectroscopy, and computational simulations, we further find that CO2 reduction reduces hydrogen coverage on the Cu catalyst, which not only exposes more active sites for the dechlorination reaction but also enhances the effective reductive potential on the catalyst surface and reduces the kinetic barrier of the rate-determining step.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chungseok Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Soonho Kwon
- Materials and Process Simulation Center, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Yuanzuo Gao
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Seonjeong Cheon
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Fabian Menges
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - William A Goddard
- Materials and Process Simulation Center, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Hailiang Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Weng G, Laderer W, Alexandrova AN. Understanding the Adiabatic Evolution of Surface States in Tetradymite Topological Insulators under Electrochemical Conditions. J Phys Chem Lett 2024:2732-2739. [PMID: 38436223 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Nontrivial surface states in topological materials have emerged as exciting targets for surface chemistry research. In particular, topological insulators have been used as electrodes in electrocatalytic reactions. Herein, we investigate the robustness of the topological surface states and band topology under electrochemical conditions, specifically in the presence of an electric double layer. First-principles band structure calculations are performed on the electrified (111) surfaces of Bi2Te3, Bi2Se3, and Sb2Te3 using an implicit electrolyte model. Our results demonstrate the adiabatic evolution of the surface states upon surface charging. Under oxidizing potentials, the surface states are shifted upward in energy, preserving the Dirac point on the surface and the band inversion in the bulk. Conversely, under reduced potentials, hybridization is observed between the surface and bulk states, suggesting a likely breakdown of topological protection. The position of the Fermi level, which dictates the working states in catalytic reactions, should ideally be confined within the bulk bandgap. This requirement defines a potential window for the effective application of topological electrocatalysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guorong Weng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - William Laderer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Anastassia N Alexandrova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Center for Quantum Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xiao B, Yu X, Li W, Li Q, Watanabe S. Hydrogen-triggered metal filament rupture in Cu-based resistance switches. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF ADVANCED MATERIALS 2024; 25:2318213. [PMID: 38414574 PMCID: PMC10898265 DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2024.2318213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Cation-based resistance switches have been considered as promising candidates for memory cells and other novel devices. So far, the most accepted switching processes of such devices are based on the formation/rupture of metallic filaments between two electrodes. Although many recent studies have identified the existence of H2O (and resulting -OH groups) in such devices, their effects on the switching process are still unclear. In the present work, by taking Cu/Ta2O5/Pt device as an example, we have theoretically revealed that H ions may dissociate from -OH groups and accumulate onto the Cu filament in amorphous Ta2O5. After that, the adsorbed H ions will induce a series of changes, such as the elongation of the adjacent Cu-Cu bonds, the weakening of the Cu-Cu bonds, the increase of charge on Cu cations, and the enhancement of diffusivities of Cu cations, all of which eventually lead to the rupture of the Cu filament. Interestingly, our proposed 'H-triggered metal filament rupture' model is similar to the widely studied 'hydrogen embrittlement phenomenon'. The crucial point of this model is the high catalytic activity of Cu towards the splitting of -OH group. Consequently, it is expected that this model could be applicable to other Cu-cation based resistance switches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Xiao
- The Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Xuefang Yu
- The Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Wenzuo Li
- The Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Qingzhong Li
- The Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Satoshi Watanabe
- Department of Materials Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cheng D, Alexandrova AN, Sautet P. H-Induced Restructuring on Cu(111) Triggers CO Electroreduction in an Acidic Electrolyte. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:1056-1061. [PMID: 38254259 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c03202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
In acidic conditions, the electroreduction of CO or CO2 (noted CO(2)RR) on metal surfaces is conventionally hindered by intense competition with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, we present first-principles calculations of a mechanism wherein the formation of H-induced Cu adatoms on Cu(111) serves as a pivotal trigger for CORR in acidic environments. Through an analysis of the grand canonical surface state population, we elucidate that these newly formed adatoms create an array of active sites essential for both CO adsorption and subsequent reduction. Our ensemble-based kinetic models unveil the role of adatoms, enhancing the HER while simultaneously initiating CORR. Notably, the cumulative activity of the HER and CORR is contingent upon the combination of various surface states, with their individual contributions varying based on the electrode potential and pH. The interplay between surface state dynamics and electrochemical activity sheds new light on the potential-dependent nature of the active site and reaction kinetics governing CORR on Cu(111) in acidic media.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongfang Cheng
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Anastassia N Alexandrova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Philippe Sautet
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Raciti D, Cockayne E, Vinson J, Schwarz K, Hight Walker AR, Moffat TP. SHINERS Study of Chloride Order-Disorder Phase Transition and Solvation of Cu(100). J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:1588-1602. [PMID: 38170994 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Shell-isolated nanoparticle enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) and density functional theory (DFT) are used to probe Cl- adsorption and the order-disorder phase transition associated with the c(2 × 2) Cl- adlayer on Cu(100) in acid media. A two-component ν(Cu-Cl) vibrational band centered near 260 ± 1 cm-1 is used to track the potential dependence of Cl- adsorption. The potential dependence of the dominant 260 cm-1 component tracks the coverage of the fluctional c(2 × 2) Cl- phase on terraces in good agreement with the normalized intensity of the c(2 × 2) superstructure rods in prior surface X-ray diffraction (SXRD) studies. As the c(2 × 2) Cl- coverage approaches saturation, a second ν(Cu-Cl) component mode emerges between 290 and 300 cm-1 that coincides with the onset and stiffening of step faceting where Cl- occupies the threefold hollow sites to stabilize the metal kink saturated Cu <100> step edge. The formation of the c(2 × 2) Cl- adlayer is accompanied by the strengthening of ν(O-H) stretching modes in the adjacent non-hydrogen-bonded water at 3600 cm-1 and an increase in hydronium concentration evident in the flanking H2O modes at 3100 cm-1. The polarization of the water molecules and enrichment of hydronium arise from the combination of Cl- anionic character and lateral templating provided by the c(2 × 2) adlayer, consistent with SXRD studies. At negative potentials, Cl- desorption occurs followed by development of a sulfate νs(S═O) band. Below -1.1 V vs Hg/HgSO4, a new 200 cm-1 mode emerges congruent with hydride formation and surface reconstruction reported in electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Raciti
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Eric Cockayne
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - John Vinson
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Kathleen Schwarz
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Angela R Hight Walker
- Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Thomas P Moffat
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Du X, Damewood JK, Lunger JR, Millan R, Yildiz B, Li L, Gómez-Bombarelli R. Machine-learning-accelerated simulations to enable automatic surface reconstruction. NATURE COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 3:1034-1044. [PMID: 38177720 DOI: 10.1038/s43588-023-00571-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Understanding material surfaces and interfaces is vital in applications such as catalysis or electronics. By combining energies from electronic structure with statistical mechanics, ab initio simulations can, in principle, predict the structure of material surfaces as a function of thermodynamic variables. However, accurate energy simulations are prohibitive when coupled to the vast phase space that must be statistically sampled. Here we present a bi-faceted computational loop to predict surface phase diagrams of multicomponent materials that accelerates both the energy scoring and statistical sampling methods. Fast, scalable and data-efficient machine learning interatomic potentials are trained on high-throughput density-functional-theory calculations through closed-loop active learning. Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling in the semigrand canonical ensemble is enabled by using virtual surface sites. The predicted surfaces for GaN(0001), Si(111) and SrTiO3(001) are in agreement with past work and indicate that the proposed strategy can model complex material surfaces and discover previously unreported surface terminations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Du
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Computational Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - James K Damewood
- Center for Computational Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jaclyn R Lunger
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Reisel Millan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bilge Yildiz
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Microsystems Technology Laboratories, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lin Li
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Rafael Gómez-Bombarelli
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhao H, Lv X, Wang Y. Realistic Modeling of the Electrocatalytic Process at Complex Solid-Liquid Interface. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2303677. [PMID: 37749877 PMCID: PMC10646274 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The rational design of electrocatalysis has emerged as one of the most thriving means for mitigating energy and environmental crises. The key to this effort is the understanding of the complex electrochemical interface, wherein the electrode potential as well as various internal factors such as H-bond network, adsorbate coverage, and dynamic behavior of the interface collectively contribute to the electrocatalytic activity and selectivity. In this context, the authors have reviewed recent theoretical advances, and especially, the contributions to modeling the realistic electrocatalytic processes at complex electrochemical interfaces, and illustrated the challenges and fundamental problems in this field. Specifically, the significance of the inclusion of explicit solvation and electrode potential as well as the strategies toward the design of highly efficient electrocatalysts are discussed. The structure-activity relationships and their dynamic responses to the environment and catalytic functionality under working conditions are illustrated to be crucial factors for understanding the complexed interface and the electrocatalytic activities. It is hoped that this review can help spark new research passion and ultimately bring a step closer to a realistic and systematic modeling method for electrocatalysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of CatalysisSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenGuangdong518055China
| | - Xinmao Lv
- Department of Chemistry and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of CatalysisSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenGuangdong518055China
| | - Yang‐Gang Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of CatalysisSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenGuangdong518055China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tan JZY, Virdee AK, Andresen JM, Maroto-Valer MM. Core-shell nanostructured Cu-based bi-metallic electrocatalysts for co-production of ethylene and acetate. Faraday Discuss 2023; 247:216-226. [PMID: 37466097 DOI: 10.1039/d3fd00058c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Direct electrocatalytic CCU routes to produce a myriad of valuable chemicals (e.g., methanol, acetic acid, ethylene, propanol, among others) will allow the chemical industry to shift away from the conventional fossil-based production. Electrofuels need to go beyond the current electroreduction of CO2 to CO, and we will here demonstrate the continuous flow electroreduction of syngas (i.e., CO and H2), which are the products from CO2-to-CO, with enhanced product selectivity (∼90% towards ethylene). To overcome current drawbacks, including bicarbonate formation that resulted in low CO2 utilisation and low C2+ product selectivity, the development of nanostructured core-shell bi-metallic electrocatalysts for direct electrochemical reduction of syngas to C2+ is proposed. Electrosynthesis of ethylene is performed in a state-of-the-art continuous flow three-compartment cell to produce ethylene (cathodic gas phase product) and acetate (cathodic liquid phase product), simultaneously.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeannie Z Y Tan
- Research Centre for Carbon Solutions (RCCS), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK.
| | - Ashween Kaur Virdee
- Research Centre for Carbon Solutions (RCCS), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK.
| | - John M Andresen
- Research Centre for Carbon Solutions (RCCS), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK.
| | - M Mercedes Maroto-Valer
- Research Centre for Carbon Solutions (RCCS), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Beamer AW, Buss JA. Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and CO 2 Reactivity of a Constitutionally Analogous Series of Tricopper Mono-, Di-, and Trihydrides. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37276588 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c04170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The formation of hydrides at heterogeneous copper surfaces results in dramatic structural and reactivity changes, yet the morphologies of these materials and their respective roles in catalysis are not well understood. Of particular interest is the reactivity of heterogeneous copper hydrides with carbon dioxide (CO2), an early mechanistic branching point in the CO2 reduction reaction. Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of tricopper compounds supported by a facially biased, chelating tris(carbene) ligand scaffold. This sterically bulky environment affords access to an isolable series of tricopper hydrides: [LCu3H]2+ (4), [LCu3H2]+ (3), and LCu3H3 (6). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction and solution NMR spectroscopy studies reveal both geometric flexibility within the Cu3 core and fluxionality of hydride ligands across the Cu3 cluster, providing both atomically precise experimental analogues of static surface species and emulating dynamic ligand behavior proposed for surfaces. Electronic structure calculations serve as a predictor of hydricity, which was likewise benchmarked experimentally via both protonolysis and hydride abstraction reactions. Increased hydride number (and commensurately lower cluster charge) results in more hydridic complexes, with a thermodynamic hydricity range spanning >30 kcal/mol. These thermochemical studies serve as an accurate predictor of CO2 reactivity. Together, this Cu3Hx series exhibits the structure/reactivity relationships proposed for catalytically active copper surfaces, validating the application of carefully designed molecular clusters toward elucidating mechanisms in surface science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Beamer
- Willard Henry Dow Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Joshua A Buss
- Willard Henry Dow Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| |
Collapse
|