Interstitial and substitutional light elements in transition metals for heterogeneous catalysis

An Interstitial Boron Inserted Metastable Hexagonal Rh Nanocrystal for Efficient Hydrogen Oxidation Electrocatalysis

Constructing metastable phase structure plays an important role in changing the physicochemical properties and improving the catalytic performance of nanocrystals. Unfortunately, the synthesis of metastable phase metallic nanocrystals is highly challenging, mainly due to the thermodynamically unstable ground-state. Here, we report a synthesis of unconventional metastable hexagonal rhodium nanocrystal (Bint-Rhhcp/C) via interstitial boron insertion. The insertion of boron atoms into the interstitial sites of cubic Rh lattice not only induces the atomic arrangements from face-centered cubic (fcc) to hexagonal close-packed (hcp), but also stabilizes the metastable hexagonal Rh structure. Benefiting from the phase transition and interstitial boron doping, the Bint-Rhhcp/C catalyst exhibits remarkable catalytic performance toward hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) under alkaline media, with a mass activity of 1.413 mA μgPGM -1. Experimental measurements including in situ surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the strengthened adsorption of hydroxyl species on the electrode surface of Bint-Rhhcp/C is responsible for the reconstruction of interfacial water structure and increased water proportions in the gap region in the electric double layers. As a result, the increased water connectivity and hydrogen bond network facilitate high-efficiency hydrogen transfer across the interface, thereby boost the alkaline HOR performance.

Rational Design and Facile Preparation of Palladium-Based Electrocatalysts for Small Molecules Oxidation

Direct liquid fuel cells (DLFCs) can convert the chemical energy of small organic molecules directly into electrical energy, which is a promising technique and always calls for electrocatalysts with high activity, stability and selectivity. Palladium (Pd)-based catalysts for DLFCs have been widely studied with the pursuit of ultra-high performance, however, most of the preparation routes require complex agents, multi-operation steps, even extreme experimental conditions, which are high-cost, energy-consuming, and not conducive to the scalable and sustainable production of catalysts. In this review, the recent progresses on not only the rational design strategies, but also the facile preparation methods of Pd-based electrocatalysts for small molecules oxidation reaction (SMOR) are comprehensively summarized. Based on the principles of green chemistry in material synthesis, the basic rules of "facile method" have been restricted, and the fabrication processes, perks and drawbacks, as well as practical applications of the "real" facile methods have been highlighted. The landscape of this review is to facilitate the mild preparation of efficient Pd-based electrocatalysts for SMOR, that is, to achieve a balance between "facile preparation" and "outstanding performance", thereby to stimulate the huge potential of sustainable nano-electrocatalysts in various research and industrial fields.

Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te for in-line roll-to-roll patterned thin-film thermoelectrics

The Selective Metallization Technique shows promise for roll-to-roll in-line patterning of flexible electronics using evaporated metals, but challenges arise when applied to sputtering functional materials. This study overcomes these challenges with simultaneous sputtering of Bi-Sb-Te and evaporation of metal (Ag or Cu) for thermoelectric layers when using Selective Metallization Technique. Large-scale manufacturing is demonstrated through roll-to-roll processing of a 0.8 m wide polymer web at 25 m/min, achieving high-throughput production of functional thin-film patterns with nanometer thickness. The room-temperature-deposited material system exhibits significantly enhanced thermoelectric performance and facilitates an n-type-to-p-type transition in the Cu- or Ag-containing Bi-Sb-Te-based composite film. Here, we show that while applying Selective Metallization Technique, the evaporation of metal modifies the impact of residual oil on Bi-Sb-Te, which can be effectively removed with a few seconds of plasma exposure, and the fabricated thermoelectric devices are validated in wearable applications utilizing a coiled-up wristband design.

Understanding Advanced Transition Metal-Based Two Electron Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts from the Perspective of Phase Engineering

Non-noble transition metal (TM)-based compounds have recently become a focal point of extensive research interest as electrocatalysts for the two electron oxygen reduction (2e- ORR) process. To efficiently drive this reaction, these TM-based electrocatalysts must bear unique physiochemical properties, which are strongly dependent on their phase structures. Consequently, adopting engineering strategies toward the phase structure has emerged as a cutting-edge scientific pursuit, crucial for achieving high activity, selectivity, and stability in the electrocatalytic process. This comprehensive review addresses the intricate field of phase engineering applied to non-noble TM-based compounds for 2e- ORR. First, the connotation of phase engineering and fundamental concepts related to oxygen reduction kinetics and thermodynamics are succinctly elucidated. Subsequently, the focus shifts to a detailed discussion of various phase engineering approaches, including elemental doping, defect creation, heterostructure construction, coordination tuning, crystalline design, and polymorphic transformation to boost or revive the 2e- ORR performance (selectivity, activity, and stability) of TM-based catalysts, accompanied by an insightful exploration of the phase-performance correlation. Finally, the review proposes fresh perspectives on the current challenges and opportunities in this burgeoning field, together with several critical research directions for the future development of non-noble TM-based electrocatalysts.

Lattice engineering of noble metal-based nanomaterials via metal-nonmetal interactions for catalytic applications

Noble metal-based nanomaterials possess outstanding catalytic properties in various chemical reactions. However, the increasing cost of noble metals severely hinders their large-scale applications. A cost-effective strategy is incorporating noble metals with light nonmetal elements (e.g., H, B, C, N, P and S) to form noble metal-based nanocompounds, which can not only reduce the noble metal content, but also promote their catalytic performances by tuning their crystal lattices and introducing additional active sites. In this review, we present a concise overview of the recent advancements in the preparation and application of various kinds of noble metal-light nonmetal binary nanocompounds. Besides introducing synthetic strategies, we focus on the effects of introducing light nonmetal elements on the lattice structures of noble metals and highlight notable progress in the lattice strain engineering of representative core-shell nanostructures derived from these nanocompounds. In the meantime, the catalytic applications of the light element-incorporated noble metal-based nanomaterials are discussed. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future perspectives in the development of noble metal-nonmetal based nanomaterials.

A Highly-Efficient Boron Interstitially Inserted Ru Anode Catalyst for Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Developing high-performance electrocatalysts for alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) is crucial for the commercialization of anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). Here, boron interstitially inserted ruthenium (B-Ru/C) is synthesized and used as an anode catalyst for AEMFC, achieving a peak power density of 1.37 W cm-2 , close to the state-of-the-art commercial PtRu catalyst. Unexpectedly, instead of the monotonous decline of HOR kinetics with pH as generally believed, an inflection point behavior in the pH-dependent HOR kinetics on B-Ru/C is observed, showing an anomalous behavior that the HOR activity under alkaline electrolyte surpasses acidic electrolyte. Experimental results and density functional theory calculations reveal that the upshifted d-band center of Ru after the intervention of interstitial boron can lead to enhanced adsorption ability of OH and H2 O, which together with the reduced energy barrier of water formation, contributes to the outstanding alkaline HOR performance with a mass activity of 1.716 mA µgPGM -1 , which is 13.4-fold and 5.2-fold higher than that of Ru/C and commercial Pt/C, respectively.

Ligand-Free Ultrasmall Recyclable Iridium(0) Nanoparticles for Regioselective Aromatic Hydrogenation of Phosphine Oxide Scaffolds: An Easy Access to New Phosphine Ligands

Herein, we developed the recyclable ligand-free iridium (Ir)-hydride based Ir0 nanoparticles (NPs) for the first regioselective partial hydrogenation of PV -substituted naphthalenes. Both the isolated and in situ generated NPs are catalytically active. A control nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study revealed the presence of metal-surface-bound hydrides, most likely formed from Ir0 species. A control NMR study confirmed that hexafluoroisopropanol as a solvent was accountable for substrate activation via hydrogen bonding. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy of the catalyst supports the formation of ultrasmall NPs, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the dominance of Ir0 in the NPs. The catalytic activity of NPs is broad as showcased by highly regioselective aromatic ring reduction in various phosphine oxides or phosphonates. The study also showcased a novel pathway toward preparing bis(diphenylphosphino)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-binaphthyl (H8 -BINAP) and its derivatives without losing enantioselectivity during catalytic events.

Catalysis of Alloys: Classification, Principles, and Design for a Variety of Materials and Reactions

Alloying has long been used as a promising methodology to improve the catalytic performance of metallic materials. In recent years, the field of alloy catalysis has made remarkable progress with the emergence of a variety of novel alloy materials and their functions. Therefore, a comprehensive disciplinary framework for catalytic chemistry of alloys that provides a cross-sectional understanding of the broad research field is in high demand. In this review, we provide a comprehensive classification of various alloy materials based on metallurgy, thermodynamics, and inorganic chemistry and summarize the roles of alloying in catalysis and its principles with a brief introduction of the historical background of this research field. Furthermore, we explain how each type of alloy can be used as a catalyst material and how to design a functional catalyst for the target reaction by introducing representative case studies. This review includes two approaches, namely, from materials and reactions, to provide a better understanding of the catalytic chemistry of alloys. Our review offers a perspective on this research field and can be used encyclopedically according to the readers' individual interests.

Charting the Atomic C Interaction with Transition Metal Surfaces

Carbon interaction with transition metal (TM) surfaces is a relevant topic in heterogeneous catalysis, either for its poisoning capability, for the recently attributed promoter role when incorporated in the subsurface, or for the formation of early TM carbides, which are increasingly used in catalysis. Herein, we present a high-throughput systematic study, adjoining thermodynamic plus kinetic evidence obtained by extensive density functional calculations on surface models (324 diffusion barriers located on 81 TM surfaces in total), which provides a navigation map of these interactions in a holistic fashion. Correlation between previously proposed electronic descriptors and ad/absorption energies has been tested, with the d-band center being found the most suitable one, although machine learning protocols also underscore the importance of the surface energy and the site coordination number. Descriptors have also been tested for diffusion barriers, with ad/absorption energies and the difference in energy between minima being the most appropriate ones. Furthermore, multivariable, polynomial, and random forest regressions show that both thermodynamic and kinetic data are better described when using a combination of different descriptors. Therefore, looking for a single perfect descriptor may not be the best quest, while combining different ones may be a better path to follow.

d-sp orbital hybridization: a strategy for activity improvement of transition metal catalysts

Orbital hybridization to regulate the electronic structures and surface chemisorption properties of transition metals has been extensively investigated for searching high-performance catalysts toward various reactions. Unlike conventional d-d hybridization, the d-sp hybridization interaction between transition metals and p-block elements could result in surprising electronic properties and catalytic activities. This feature article highlights the recent progress in the development of high-performance transition metal-based catalysts through the extraordinary d-sp hybridization strategy, particularly for energy-related electrocatalytic applications. We start by giving an introduction of fundamental concepts associated with electronic structures of transition metal catalysts, including the Sabatier principle, d-band theory, electronic descriptor, as well as the comparison of d-d hybridization and d-sp hybridization strategies. Then, we summarize the theoretical and experimental advances in d-sp hybridization catalysts, including p-block element-doped metal catalysts, intermetallic catalysts and supported metal catalysts, with emphasis on the important roles of d-sp hybridization in tuning catalytic performances. Finally, we present existing challenges and future development prospects for the rational design of advanced d-sp hybridization catalysts.

Emerging interstitial/substitutional modification of Pd-based nanomaterials with nonmetallic elements for electrocatalytic applications

Palladium (Pd)-based nanomaterials have been identified as potential candidates for various types of electrocatalytic reaction, but most of them typically exhibit unsatisfactory performances. Recently, extensive theoretical and experimental studies have demonstrated that the interstitial/substitutional modification of Pd-based nanomaterials with nonmetallic atoms (H, B, C, N, P, S) has a significant impact on their electronic structure and thus leads to the rapid development of one kind of promising catalyst for various electrochemical reactions. Considering the remarkable progress in this area, we highlight the most recent progress regarding the innovative synthesis and advanced characterization methods of nonmetallic atom-doped Pd-based nanomaterials and provide insights into their electrochemical applications. What's more, the unique structure- and component-dependent electrochemical performance and the underlying mechanisms are also discussed. Furthermore, a brief conclusion about the recent progress achieved in this field as well as future perspectives and challenges are provided.

Direct Visualization of Substitutional Li Doping in Supported Pt Nanoparticles and Their Ultra-selective Catalytic Hydrogenation Performance

It has only recently been established that doping light elements (lithium, boron, and carbon) into supported transition metals can fill interstitial sites, which can be observed by the expanded unit cell. As an example, interstitial lithium (^int Li) can block H filling octahedral interstices of palladium metal lattice, which improves partial hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes under hydrogen. In contrast, herein, we report ^int Li is not found in the case of Pt/C. Instead, we observe for the first time a direct 'substitution' of Pt with substitutional lithium (^sub Li) in alternating atomic columns using scanning transmission electron microscopy-annular dark field (STEM-ADF). This ordered substitutional doping results in a contraction of the unit cell as shown by high-quality synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD). The electron donation of d-band of Pt without higher orbital hybridizations by ^sub Li offers an alternative way for ultra-selectivity in catalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds by suppressing the facile CO bond breakage that would form alcohols.

Intercalating lithium into the lattice of silver nanoparticles boosts catalytic hydrogenation of carbon-oxygen bonds

Coinage metal nanoparticles with high dispersion can serve as highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts. However, owing to their low melting point, poor thermal stability remains a major obstacle towards their application under reaction conditions. It is a common practice to use porous inorganic templates such as mesoporous silica SBA-15 to disperse Ag nanoparticles (NPs) against aggregation but their stability is far from satisfactory. Here, we show that the catalytic activity for hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate (DMO) to methyl glycolate (MG) over Ag NPs dispersed on SBA-15 silica can be further promoted by incorporation of alkali metal ions at small loading, which follows the inverse order of their cationic size: Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Rb+. Among these, 5Ag1-Li0.05/SBA-15 can double the MG yield compared to pristine 5Ag/SBA-15 under identical conditions with superior thermal stability. Akin to the effect of an ionic surfactant on stabilization of a micro-emulsion, the cationic charge of an alkali metal ion can maintain dispersion and modulate the surface valence of Ag NPs. Interstitial Li in the octahedral holes of the face center packed Ag lattice is for the first time confirmed by X-ray pair distribution function and electron ptychography. It is believed that this interstitial-stabilization of coinage metal nanoparticles could be broadly applicable to multi-metallic nanomaterials for a broad range of C-O bond activating catalytic reactions of esters.