Control of the metal-support interface of NiO-loaded photocatalysts via cold plasma treatment

Plasma-assisted manipulation of vanadia nanoclusters for efficient selective catalytic reduction of NOx

Supported nanoclusters (SNCs) with distinct geometric and electronic structures have garnered significant attention in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. However, their directed synthesis remains a challenge due to limited efficient approaches. This study presents a plasma-assisted treatment strategy to achieve supported metal oxide nanoclusters from a rapid transformation of monomeric dispersed metal oxides. As a case study, oligomeric vanadia-dominated surface sites were derived from the classic supported V2O5-WO3/TiO2 (VWT) catalyst and showed nearly an order of magnitude increase in turnover frequency (TOF) value via an H2-plasma treatment for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3. Such oligomeric surface VOx sites were not only successfully observed and firstly distinguished from WOx and TiO2 by advanced electron microscopy, but also facilitated the generation of surface amide and nitrates intermediates that enable barrier-less steps in the SCR reaction as observed by modulation excitation spectroscopy technologies and predicted DFT calculations.

The Modulatory Effects of Non-Thermal Plasma on Seed’s Morphology, Germination and Genetics—A Review

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a novel and promising technique in the agricultural field that has the potential to improve vegetal material by modulating the expression of various genes involved in seed germination, plant immune response to abiotic stress, resistance to pathogens, and growth. Seeds are most frequently treated, in order to improve their ability to growth and evolve, but the whole plant can also be treated for a fast adaptive response to stress factors (heat, cold, pathogens). This review focuses mainly on the application of NTP on seeds. Non-thermal plasma treated seeds present both external and internal changes. The external ones include the alterations of seed coat to improve hydrophilicity and the internal ones refer to interfere with cellular processes that are later visible in metabolic and plant biology modifications. The usage of plasma aims to decrease the usage of fertilizers and pesticides in order to reduce the negative impact on natural ecosystem and to reduce the costs of production.

Harnessing Strong Metal-Support Interaction to Proliferate the Dry Reforming of Methane Performance by In Situ Reduction

The strong bonding at the interface between the metal and the support, which can inhibit the undesirable aggregation of metal nanoparticles and carbon deposition from reforming of hydrocarbon, is well known as the classical strong metal-support interaction (SMSI). SMSI of nanocatalysts was significantly affected by heat treatment and reducing conditions during catalyst preparation.the heat treatment and reduction conditions during catalyst preparation. SMSI can be weakened by the decrement of metal-doped sites in the supporting oxide and can often deactivate catalysts by the encapsulation of active sites through these processes. To retain SMSI near the active sites and to enhance the catalytic activity of the nanocatalyst, it is essential to increase the number of surficial metal-doped sites between nanometal and the support. Herein, we propose a mild reduction process using dry methane (CH₄/CO₂) gas that suppresses the aggregation of nanoparticles and increases the exposed interface between the metal and support, Ni and cerium oxide. The effects of mild reduction on the chemical state of Ni-cerium oxide nanocatalysts were specifically investigated in this study. As a result, mild reduction led to form large amounts of the Ni³⁺ phase at the catalyst surface of which SMSI was significantly enhanced. It can be easily fabricated while the dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction is on stream. The superior performance of the catalyst achieved a considerably high CH₄ conversion rate of approximately 60% and stable operation up to 550 h at a low temperature, 600 °C.

Understanding the performance and mechanism of Mg-containing oxides as support catalysts in the thermal dry reforming of methane

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is one of the more promising methods for syngas (synthetic gas) production and co-utilization of methane and carbon dioxide, which are the main greenhouse gases. Magnesium is commonly applied in a Ni-based catalyst in DRM to improve catalyst performance and inhibit carbon deposition. The aim of this review is to gain better insight into recent developments on the use of Mg as a support or promoter for DRM catalysts. Its high basicity and high thermal stability make Mg suitable for introduction into the highly endothermic reaction of DRM. The introduction of Mg as a support or promoter for Ni-based catalysts allows for good metal dispersion on the catalyst surface, which consequently facilitates high catalytic activity and low catalyst deactivation. The mechanism of DRM and carbon formation and reduction are reviewed. This work further explores how different constraints, such as the synthesis method, metal loading, pretreatment, and operating conditions, influence the dry reforming reactions and product yields. In this review, different strategies for enhancing catalytic activity and the effect of metal dispersion on Mg-containing oxide catalysts are highlighted.

Nanostructured Ternary Metal Tungstate-Based Photocatalysts for Environmental Purification and Solar Water Splitting: A Review

Visible-light-responsive ternary metal tungstate (MWO₄) photocatalysts are being increasingly investigated for energy conversion and environmental purification applications owing to their striking features, including low cost, eco-friendliness, and high stability under acidic and oxidative conditions. However, rapid recombination of photoinduced electron-hole pairs and a narrow light response range to the solar spectrum lead to low photocatalytic activity of MWO₄-based materials, thus significantly hampering their wide usage in practice. To enable their widespread practical usage, significant efforts have been devoted, by developing new concepts and innovative strategies. In this review, we aim to provide an integrated overview of the fundamentals and recent progress of MWO₄-based photocatalysts. Furthermore, different strategies, including morphological control, surface modification, heteroatom doping, and heterojunction fabrication, which are employed to promote the photocatalytic activities of MWO₄-based materials, are systematically summarized and discussed. Finally, existing challenges and a future perspective are also provided to shed light on the development of highly efficient MWO₄-based photocatalysts.

A Ni-based catalyst with enhanced Ni–support interaction for highly efficient CO methanation

A Ni/NiAl₂O₄ catalyst with an enhanced Ni–support interaction was successfully fabricated for highly efficient CO methanation.

Methane dry reforming over Ni catalysts supported on Ce–Zr oxides prepared by a route involving supercritical fluids

Ce0.5Zr0.5O2mixed oxides were prepared in a flow reactor in supercritical isopropanol with acetylacetone as a complexing agent. Variation of the nature of the Zr salt and the temperature of synthesis affected the phase composition, morphology and specific surface area of oxides. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy studies revealed formation of metastable t” and t’ phases. Oxides are comprised of agglomerates with sizes depending on the synthesis parameters. Loading NiO decreases the specific surface area without affecting X-ray particle sizes of supports. Such sintering was the most pronounced for a support with the highest specific surface area, which resulted in the lowest surface content of Ni as estimated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and in the formation of flattened NiO particles partially embedded into the support. The catalytic activity and stability of these samples in the dry reforming of methane were determined by the surface concentration of Ni and the morphology of its particle controlled by the metal-support interaction, which also depends on the type of catalyst pretreatment. Samples based on ceria-zirconia oxides prepared under these conditions provide a higher specific catalytic activity as compared with the traditional Pechini route, which makes them promising for the practical application.

Highly selective plasma-activated copper catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction to ethylene

There is an urgent need to develop technologies that use renewable energy to convert waste products such as carbon dioxide into hydrocarbon fuels. Carbon dioxide can be electrochemically reduced to hydrocarbons over copper catalysts, although higher efficiency is required. We have developed oxidized copper catalysts displaying lower overpotentials for carbon dioxide electroreduction and record selectivity towards ethylene (60%) through facile and tunable plasma treatments. Herein we provide insight into the improved performance of these catalysts by combining electrochemical measurements with microscopic and spectroscopic characterization techniques. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy and cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy show that copper oxides are surprisingly resistant to reduction and copper(+) species remain on the surface during the reaction. Our results demonstrate that the roughness of oxide-derived copper catalysts plays only a partial role in determining the catalytic performance, while the presence of copper(+) is key for lowering the onset potential and enhancing ethylene selectivity.

Gray Ta2O5 Nanowires with Greatly Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

Black TiO2, with enhanced solar absorption and photocatalytic activity, has gained extensive attention, inspiring us to investigate the reduction of other wide-bandgap semiconductors for improved performance. Herein, we report the preparation of gray Ta2O5 nanowires with disordered shells and abundant defects via aluminum reduction. Its water decontamination is 2.5 times faster and hydrogen production is 2.3-fold higher over pristine Ta2O5. The reduced Ta2O5 also delivers significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical performance compared with the pristine Ta2O5 nanowires, including much higher carrier concentration, easier electron-hole separation and 11 times larger photocurrent. Our results demonstrate that Ta2O5 will have great potentials in photocatalysis and solar energy utilization after proper modification.

Progress in Synthesis of Highly Active and Stable Nickel-Based Catalysts for Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane

In recent decades, rising anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (mainly CO2 and CH4 ) have increased alarm due to escalating effects of global warming. The dry carbon dioxide reforming of methane (DRM) reaction is a sustainable way to utilize these notorious greenhouse gases. This paper presents a review of recent progress in the development of nickel-based catalysts for the DRM reaction. The enviable low cost and wide availability of nickel compared with noble metals is the main reason for persistent research efforts in optimizing the synthesis of nickel-based catalysts. Important catalyst features for the rational design of a coke-resistant nickel-based nanocatalyst for the DRM reaction are also discussed. In addition, several innovative developments based on salient features for the stabilization of nickel nanocatalysts through various means (which include functionalization with precursors, synthesis by plasma treatment, stabilization/confinement on mesoporous/microporous/carbon supports, and the formation of metal oxides) are highlighted. The final part of this review covers major issues and proposed improvement strategies pertaining to the rational design of nickel-based catalysts with high activity and stability for the DRM reaction.

An overview on visible light responsive metal oxide based photocatalysts for hydrogen energy production

The present review summarizes the recent development and challenges in visible light responsive metal oxide based photocatalysts for water splitting.

Glow discharge plasma-assisted template removal of SBA-15 at ambient temperature for high surface area, high silanol density, and enhanced CO₂ adsorption capacity

Glow discharge plasma was successfully applied for effective removal of the organic template P-123 from SBA-15 ordered mesoporous silica at near-room-temperature (below 50 °C) and in a short operation time (2 h). The as-made SBA-15 treated with glow discharge exhibited a larger surface area of 1025 m(2) g(-1) with larger pores and microspore volume as compared with that of conventional calcination (550 °C and 5 h, 827 m(2) g(-1)). In addition to less structural shrinkage, the plasma-prepared SBA-15 showed significantly increased silanol density from 5.4 to 6.6-7.6 mmol g(-1), which led directly to higher amine loading from 1.8 to 3.0 mmol g(-1). Consequently, the plasma-treated sample showed 77% more CO2 capacity and 60% higher CO2/N2 selectivity than the conventionally treated sample at 0.15 bar and 25 °C. The advantage of using glow discharge plasma for low-temperature template removal for achieving enhanced performance for CO2 adsorption is clearly demonstrated.

Graphene-NiO nanohybrid prepared by dry plasma reduction as a low-cost counter electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells

NiO nanoparticles (NPs) were hybridized on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) by dry plasma reduction (DPR) at atmospheric pressure without any toxic chemicals and at a low temperature. NiO-NPs of 0.5-3 nm size, with a typical size of 1.5 nm, were uniformly hybridized on the surface of RGO. An XPS analysis and the Raman spectra also revealed the repair of some structural damage on the basal plane of the graphene. The material when applied to the counter electrode (CE) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 7.42% (± 0.10%), which is comparable to a conventional Pt-sputtered CE (8.18% (± 0.08%)). This material outperformed CEs produced using NiO-NPs (1.53% (± 0.15%)), GO (4.48% (± 0.12%)) and RGO (5.18% (± 0.11)) due to its high electrochemical catalytic activity and high conductivity. The charge transfer resistance for NiO-NP-RGO was as low as 1.93 Ω cm(2), while those of a NiO-NP-immobilized electrode and a GO-coated electrode were 44.39 Ω cm(2) and 12.19 Ω cm(2), respectively, due to a synergistic effect.

Tantalum-based semiconductors for solar water splitting

This review describes the current status of the design, synthesis, and applications of tantalum-based semiconductors, including tantalum oxides, tantalates and tantalum (oxy)nitrides, for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting.