1
|
Long X, Huang F, Yao Z, Li P, Zhong T, Zhao H, Tian S, Shu D, He C. Advancements in Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction: A Comprehensive Review of Single-Atom Catalysts for Sustainable Ammonia Synthesis. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2400551. [PMID: 38516940 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction technology seamlessly aligns with the principles of environmentally friendly chemical production. In this paper, a comprehensive review of recent advancements in electrocatalytic NH3 synthesis utilizing single-atom catalysts (SACs) is offered. Into the research and applications of three categories of SACs: noble metals (Ru, Au, Rh, Ag), transition metals (Fe, Mo, Cr, Co, Sn, Y, Nb), and nonmetallic catalysts (B) in the context of electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis is delved. In-depth insights into the material preparation methods, single-atom coordination patterns, and the characteristics of the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) are provided. The systematic comparison of the nitrogen reduction capabilities of various SAC types offers a comprehensive research framework for their integration into electrocatalytic NRR. Additionally, the challenges, potential solutions, and future prospects of incorporating SACs into electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction endeavors are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianhu Long
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Fan Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Zhangnan Yao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Ping Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Tao Zhong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Huinan Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Shuanghong Tian
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Dong Shu
- School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Chun He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Salerno G, Bettucci O, Manfredi N, Stendardo L, Veronese E, Metrangolo P, Abbotto A. Tailored Metal-Porphyrin Based Molecular Electrocatalysts for Enhanced Artificial Nitrogen Fixation to Green Ammonia. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2024; 8:2300345. [PMID: 39006055 PMCID: PMC11237181 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202300345] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Electrochemical nitrogen reduction (E-NRR) is one of the most promising approaches to generate green NH3. However, scarce ammonia yields and Faradaic efficiencies (FE) still limit their use on a large scale. Thus, efforts are focusing on different E-NRR catalyst structures and formulations. Among present strategies, molecular electrocatalysts such as metal-porphyrins emerge as an encouraging option due to their planar structures which favor the interaction involving the metal center, responsible for adsorption and activation of nitrogen. Nevertheless, the high hydrophobicity of porphyrins limits the aqueous electrolyte-catalyst interaction lowering yields. This work introduces a new class of metal-porphyrin based catalysts, bearing hydrophilic tris(ethyleneglycol) monomethyl ether chains (metal = Cu(II) and CoII)). Experimental results show that the presence of hydrophilic chains significantly increases ammonia yields and FE, supporting the relevance of fruitful catalyst-electrolyte interactions. This study also investigates the use of hydrophobic branched alkyl chains for comparison, resulting in similar performances with respect to the unsubstituted metal-porphyrin, taken as a reference, further confirming that the appropriate design of electrocatalysts carrying peripheral hydrophilic substituents is able to improve device performances in the generation of green ammonia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Salerno
- Department of Materials Science and Milano‐Bicocca Solar Energy Research Center (MIB‐SOLAR)University of Milano‐BicoccaVia Cozzi 55MilanoI‐20125Italy
- Department of Information and Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics (DIEM)University of SalernoInvariante 12/B, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132Fisciano (SA)I‐84084Italy
| | - Ottavia Bettucci
- Department of Materials Science and Milano‐Bicocca Solar Energy Research Center (MIB‐SOLAR)University of Milano‐BicoccaVia Cozzi 55MilanoI‐20125Italy
| | - Norberto Manfredi
- Department of Materials Science and Milano‐Bicocca Solar Energy Research Center (MIB‐SOLAR)University of Milano‐BicoccaVia Cozzi 55MilanoI‐20125Italy
| | - Luca Stendardo
- Department of Materials Science and Milano‐Bicocca Solar Energy Research Center (MIB‐SOLAR)University of Milano‐BicoccaVia Cozzi 55MilanoI‐20125Italy
| | - Eleonora Veronese
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”Politecnico di MilanoVia L. MancinelliMilano20131Italy
| | - Pierangelo Metrangolo
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”Politecnico di MilanoVia L. MancinelliMilano20131Italy
| | - Alessandro Abbotto
- Department of Materials Science and Milano‐Bicocca Solar Energy Research Center (MIB‐SOLAR)University of Milano‐BicoccaVia Cozzi 55MilanoI‐20125Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang R, Gao D, Li W, Lu F, Yi D, Yang Y, Wang X. Iron Monomers or Trimers on Nitrogen-Doped Carbon: Which Is Better for the Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Reaction? ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:28452-28460. [PMID: 38775640 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c02716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) presents an alternative method for the Haber-Bosch process, and single-atom catalysts (SACs) to achieve efficient NRR have attracted considerable attention in the past decades. However, whether SACs are more suitable for NRR compared to atomic-cluster catalysts (ACCs) remains to be studied. Herein, we have successfully synthesized both the Fe monomers (Fe1) and trimers (Fe3) on nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts. Both the experiments and DFT calculations indicate that compared to the end-on adsorption of N2 on Fe1 catalysts, N2 activation is enhanced via the side-on adsorption on Fe3 catalysts, and the reaction follows the enzymatic pathway with a reduced free energy barrier for NRR. As a result, the Fe3 catalysts achieved better NRR performance (NH3 yield rate of 27.89 μg h-1 mg-1cat. and Faradaic efficiency of 45.13%) than Fe1 catalysts (10.98 μg h-1 mg-1cat. and 20.98%). Therefore, our research presents guidance to prepare more efficient NRR catalysts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, P. R. China
| | - Denglei Gao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, P. R. China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Physics, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, P. R. China
| | - Fei Lu
- College of Physical Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225002, P. R. China
| | - Ding Yi
- Department of Physics, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, P. R. China
| | - Yongan Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, P. R. China
- Institute of Molecular Plus, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Physics, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|