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Wang P, Xi B, Xiong S. Insights into the Optimization of Catalytic Active Sites in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries. Acc Chem Res 2024. [PMID: 38926150 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
ConspectusLithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs), recognized for their high energy density and cost-effectiveness, offer significant potential for advancement in energy storage. However, their widespread deployment remains hindered by challenges such as sluggish reaction kinetics and the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). By the introduction of catalytic materials, the effective adsorption of LiPSs, smooth surface migration behavior, and significantly reduced conversion energy barriers are expected to be achieved, thereby sharpening electrochemical reaction kinetics and fundamentally addressing the aforementioned challenges. However, driven by practical application targets, the demand for higher loadings and reduced electrolyte parameters inevitably exacerbates the burden on catalytic materials during their service. Additionally, given that catalytic materials contribute negligible electrochemical capacity, their incorporation inevitably increases the mass of nonactive components for reducing the energy density of LSBs. A meticulous insight into the lithium-sulfur catalytic reaction reveals that the conversion of LiPSs is dominated by active sites on the surfaces of catalytic materials. These microregions provide the necessary electron and ion transport for the conversion reaction of LiPSs, with their efficacy and quantity directly impacting the conversion efficiency. In light of these considerations, the strategic optimization of active sites emerges as a paramount pathway toward promoting the performance of LSBs while concurrently mitigating unnecessary mass. Here, we outline three strategies developed by our group to optimize active sites of catalytic materials: (1) Augmenting active sites by customizing structural modulation and precise dimensional control to maximize exposure. Emphasis has been placed on the approaches for material synthesis and the essence of reactions for achieving this strategy. (2) Regulating the microenvironment of active sites by integrating the coordination refinement, long-range atomic interactions, metal-support interactions, and other electronic regulation strategies, thereby providing an elevation in the intrinsic catalytic performance. (3) Implementing a self-cleaning mechanism for active sites to counteract deactivation by designing a tandem adsorption-migration-transformation pathway of sulfur contained within the molecular domain. Throughout this process, the intrinsic mechanisms driving performance enhancement through active site optimization strategies have been prominently emphasized, which encompass aspects such as electronic structure, atomic composition, and molecular configuration and significantly expand the comprehension of Li-S catalytic chemistry. Subsequently, considerations demanding heightened attention in future processes of active site optimization for catalytic materials have been delineated, including the in situ evolution patterns and resistance to the poisoning of active sites. It is noteworthy that given the similarity between Li-S catalysis chemistry and traditional electrocatalytic processes, this Account elucidates the concept of active site optimization by drawing insights from representative works and our own works in the field of electrocatalysis, which is relatively rare in previous reviews of LSBs. The proposed insights contribute to uncovering the intrinsic mechanisms of Li-S catalysis chemistry and introducing innovative ideas into active site optimization, ultimately advancing energy density and stability in LSBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Baojuan Xi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Shenglin Xiong
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
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Fang SY, Chen YJ, Chen WX, Zhuang GL. Magnetic Order Transition of a Two-Dimensional Square-Lattice Electrocatalyst Assembled by Fe-N 4 Units: Crucial Role on Oxygen Reduction. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:5887-5895. [PMID: 38804881 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Herein, we theoretically investigate the effect of magnetic orders on electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) properties on the Fe-N4 site-embedded two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic framework (Fe-N4@COF-C3N2) under realistic environments. The Fe-N4@COF-C3N2 shows a 2D square-lattice (sql) topology with three magnetic order states: one ferromagnetic state (FM) and two antiferromagnetic states (AFM1 and AFM2). Specially, the electrocatalyst in the AFM2 state shows a remarkable onset potential of 0.80 V/reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) at pH 1, superior to the existing most excellent noble-metal catalysts. Thermodynamically, the onset potential for the 4e- ORR is 0.64 V/RHE at pH 1, with a magnetic state transition process of FM → AFM1 → FM → FM → FM, while at pH 13, the onset potential for the 4e- ORR is 0.54 V/RHE, with the magnetic transition process of FM → FM → AFM1 → FM → FM. Generally, this finding will provide new avenues to rationally design the Fe-N4 electrocatalyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shui-Yang Fang
- H-PSI Computational Chemistry Lab, Institute of Industrial Catalysis, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi-Jie Chen
- H-PSI Computational Chemistry Lab, Institute of Industrial Catalysis, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Xian Chen
- H-PSI Computational Chemistry Lab, Institute of Industrial Catalysis, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, People's Republic of China
| | - Gui-Lin Zhuang
- H-PSI Computational Chemistry Lab, Institute of Industrial Catalysis, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, People's Republic of China
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Gao F, Wu YP, Wu XQ, Li DS, Yang G, Wang YY. Transition-Metal Porphyrin-Based MOFs In Situ-Derived Hybrid Catalysts for Electrocatalytic CO 2 Reduction. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:8948-8957. [PMID: 38687980 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c01049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Excellent electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction activity has been demonstrated by transition metals and nitrogen-codoped carbon (M-N-C) catalysts, especially for transition-metal porphyrin (MTPP)-based catalysts. In this work, we propose to use one-step low-temperature pyrolysis of the isostructural MTPP-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and electrochemical in situ reduction strategies to obtain a series of hybrid catalysts of Co nanoparticles (Co NPs) and MTPP, named Co NPs/MTPP (M = Fe, Co, and Ni). The in situ introduction of Co NPs can efficiently enhance the electrocatalytic ability of MTPP (M = Fe, Co, and Ni) to convert CO2 to CO, particularly for FeTPP. Co NPs/FeTPP endowed a high CO faradaic efficiency (FECOmax = 95.5%) in the H cell, and the FECO > 90.0% is in the broad potential range of -0.72 to -1.22 VRHE. In addition, the Co NPs/FeTPP achieved 145.4 mA cm-2 at a lower potential of -0.70 VRHE with an FECO of 94.7%, and the CO partial currents increased quickly to reach 202.2 mA cm-2 at -0.80 VRHE with an FECO of 91.6% in the flow cell. It is confirmed that Co NPs are necessary for hybrid catalysts to get superior electrocatalytic activity; Co NPs also can accelerate H2O dissociation and boost the proton supply capacity to hasten the proton-coupled electron-transfer process, effectively adjusting the adsorption strength of the reaction intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Physico-Inorganic Chemistry, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Pan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Physico-Inorganic Chemistry, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, P. R. China
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, P. R. China
| | - Xue-Qian Wu
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Sheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Physico-Inorganic Chemistry, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, P. R. China
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, P. R. China
| | - Guoping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Physico-Inorganic Chemistry, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, P. R. China
| | - Yao-Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Physico-Inorganic Chemistry, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, P. R. China
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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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Pei MJ, Shuai YK, Gao X, Chen JC, Liu Y, Yan W, Zhang J. Ni and Co Active Site Transition and Competition in Fluorine-Doped NiCo(OH) 2 LDH Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2400139. [PMID: 38497843 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance of NiCo LDH electrocatalysts can be improved through fluorine doping. The roles of Ni and Co active sites in such catalysts remain ambiguous and controversial. In addressing the issue, this study draws upon the molecular orbital theory and proposes the active center competitive mechanism between Ni and Co. The doped F-atoms can directly impact the valence state of metal atoms or exert an indirect influence through the dehydrogenation, thereby modulating the active center. As the F-atoms are progressively aggregate, the eg orbitals of Ni and Co transition from e2 g to e1 g , and subsequently to e0 g . The corresponding valence state elevates from +2 to +3, and then to +4, signifying an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease in the electrocatalytic performance. Furthermore, a series of F-NiCo LDH catalysts are synthesized to verify the eg orbital occupancy analysis, and the catalytic OER overpotentials are 303, 243, 240, and 246 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm-2 , respectively, which coincides well with the theoretical prediction. This investigation not only provides novel mechanistic insights into the transition and competition of Ni and Co in F-NiCo LDH catalysts but also establishes a foundation for the design of high-performance catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao-Jun Pei
- Institute for New Energy Materials and Engineering, College of Materials Science & Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Yan-Kang Shuai
- Institute for New Energy Materials and Engineering, College of Materials Science & Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Institute for New Energy Materials and Engineering, College of Materials Science & Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Jia-Cheng Chen
- Institute for New Energy Materials and Engineering, College of Materials Science & Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Yao Liu
- Institute for New Energy Materials and Engineering, College of Materials Science & Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Institute for New Energy Materials and Engineering, College of Materials Science & Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Jiujun Zhang
- Institute for New Energy Materials and Engineering, College of Materials Science & Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
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Zhu Y, Jiang Y, Li H, Zhang D, Tao L, Fu XZ, Liu M, Wang S. Tip-like Fe-N 4 Sites Induced Surface Microenvironments Regulation Boosts the Oxygen Reduction Reaction. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202319370. [PMID: 38224011 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202319370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Single atom catalysts with defined local structures and favorable surface microenvironments are significant for overcoming slow kinetics and accelerating O2 electroreduction. Here, enriched tip-like FeN4 sites (T-Fe SAC) on spherical carbon surfaces were developed to investigate the change in surface microenvironments and catalysis behavior. Finite element method (FEM) simulations, together with experiments, indicate the strong local electric field of the tip-like FeN4 and the more denser interfacial water layer, thereby enhancing the kinetics of the proton-coupled electron transfer process. In situ spectroelectrochemical studies and the density functional theory (DFT) calculation results indicate the pathway transition on the tip-like FeN4 sites, promoting the dissociation of O-O bond via side-on adsorption model. The adsorbed OH* can be facilely released on the curved surface and accelerate the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics. The obtained T-Fe SAC nanoreactor exhibits excellent ORR activities (E1/2 =0.91 V vs. RHE) and remarkable stability, exceeding those of flat FeN4 and Pt/C. This work clarified the in-depth insights into the origin of catalytic activity of tip-like FeN4 sites and held great promise in industrial catalysis, electrochemical energy storage, and many other fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Advanced Catalytic Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Yimin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Advanced Catalytic Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - HuangJingWei Li
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, Changsha, 410083, China
- Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P. R. China
| | - Dongcai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Advanced Catalytic Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Li Tao
- Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Advanced Catalytic Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Xian-Zhu Fu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Min Liu
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, Changsha, 410083, China
- Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P. R. China
| | - Shuangyin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Advanced Catalytic Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
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Zhang Z, Li J, Wang YG. Modeling Interfacial Dynamics on Single Atom Electrocatalysts: Explicit Solvation and Potential Dependence. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:198-207. [PMID: 38166366 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
ConspectusSingle atom electrocatalysts, with noble metal-free composition, maximal atom efficiency, and exceptional reactivity toward various energy and environmental applications, have become a research hot spot in the recent decade. Their simplicity and the isolated nature of the atomic structure of their active site have also made them an ideal model catalyst system for studying reaction mechanisms and activity trends. However, the state of the single atom active sites during electrochemical reactions may not be as simple as is usually assumed. To the contrary, the single atom electrocatalysts have been reported to be under greater influence from interfacial dynamics, with solvent and electrolyte ions perpetually interacting with the electrified active center under an applied electrode potential. These complexities render the activity trends and reaction mechanisms derived from simplistic models dubious.In this Account, with a few popular single atom electrocatalysis systems, we show how the change in electrochemical potential induces nontrivial variation in the free energy profile of elemental electrochemical reaction steps, demonstrate how the active centers with different electronic structure features can induce different solvation structures at the interface even for the same reaction intermediate of the simplest electrochemical reaction, and discuss the implication of the complexities on the kinetics and thermodynamics of the reaction system to better address the activity and selectivity trends. We also venture into more intriguing interfacial phenomena, such as alternative reaction pathways and intermediates that are favored and stabilized by solvation and polarization effects, long-range interfacial dynamics across the region far beyond the contact layer, and the dynamic activation or deactivation of single atom sites under operation conditions. We show the necessity of including realistic aspects (explicit solvent, electrolyte, and electrode potential) into the model to correctly capture the physics and chemistry at the electrochemical interface and to understand the reaction mechanisms and reactivity trends. We also demonstrate how the popular simplistic design principles fail and how they can be revised by including the kinetics and interfacial factors in the model. All of these rich dynamics and chemistry would remain hidden or overlooked otherwise. We believe that the complexity at an electrochemical interface is not a curse but a blessing in that it enables deeper understanding and finer control of the potential-dependent free energy landscape of electrochemical reactions, which opens up new dimensions for further design and optimization of single atom electrocatalysts and beyond. Limitations of current methods and challenges faced by the theoretical and experimental communities are discussed, along with the possible solutions awaiting development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zisheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Chemistry and Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics & Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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