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Xie X, Xu L, Zeng Q, Zhang Z, Xu Z, Yin C, Wang X. A NiMOF integrated with conductive materials for efficient bifunctional electrocatalysis of urea oxidation and oxygen evolution reactions. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:2565-2574. [PMID: 38221875 DOI: 10.1039/d3dt03456a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The development of urea oxidation reaction (UOR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) bifunctional electrocatalysts has dual significance in promoting hydrogen energy production and urea-rich wastewater treatment. Herein, a carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT-COOH)-ferrocene carboxylic acid (Fc-COOH) modulated NiMOF hybrid material (MWCNT-NiMOF(Fc)) has been synthesized for dual electrocatalysis of the UOR and OER. The material characterization results indicated that MWCNT-COOH and Fc-COOH were integrated into the framework structure of the NiMOF. The direct interaction between the NiMOF and MWCNT/Fc facilitated electron transfer in the hybrid material and led to lattice strain, which improved the charge transfer kinetics, promoted the exposure of more unsaturated Ni sites, and increased the electrochemically active surface area. These factors together enhanced the electrocatalytic activity of MWCNT-NiMOF(Fc) towards the UOR and OER. Using a glassy carbon electrode as the substrate, MWCNT-NiMOF(Fc) exhibited low potential requirements, low Tafel slopes, and high stability. In overall urea and water splitting electrolysis cells, the excellent UOR and OER dual functional catalytic ability and enormous practical application potential of the MWCNT-NiMOF(Fc) modified foam nickel electrode were further demonstrated. On the basis of the above research, the influence of a KOH environment on urea electrolysis was further studied, and the urea electrolysis products were analyzed, promoting a more comprehensive understanding of the catalytic performance of MWCNT-NiMOF(Fc) for urea oxidation. This study provides a new approach for developing high-performance NiMOF-based electrocatalysts for challenging bifunctional UOR/OER applications, and has potential application value in hydrogen production from urea-containing wastewater electrolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopei Xie
- Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, Shandong Key Laboratory of Biochemical Analysis, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.
| | - Liqiang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, Shandong Key Laboratory of Biochemical Analysis, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.
- Shandong Tianyi Chemical Co., Ltd, Weifang 262737, China
| | - Qingsheng Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, Shandong Key Laboratory of Biochemical Analysis, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.
| | - Zhaona Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, Shandong Key Laboratory of Biochemical Analysis, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.
| | - Zhiqi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, Shandong Key Laboratory of Biochemical Analysis, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.
| | - Chuanxia Yin
- Marine Development and Fisheries Bureau of Kenli Distinct, Dongying 257500, China
| | - Xinxing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, Shandong Key Laboratory of Biochemical Analysis, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.
- Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe Degradable Materials Co., Ltd, Changji 831100, China
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Li C, Wang Y, Xu S, Wang X, Yang Y, Wang H, Gong M, Yang X. Regulating the Innocuity of Urea Electro-Oxidation via Cation-mediated Adsorption. CHEMSUSCHEM 2023; 16:e202300766. [PMID: 37602526 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202300766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Urea electrolysis is an emerging technology that bridges efficient wastewater treatment and hydrogen production with lower electricity costs. However, conventional Ni-based catalysts could easily overoxidize urea into the secondary contaminant NOx - , and enhancing the innocuity of urea electrolysis remains a grand challenge to be achieved. Herein, we tailored the electrode-electrolyte interface of an unconventional cation effect on the anodic oxidation of urea to regulate its activity and selectivity. Smaller cations of Li+ were discovered to increase the Faradaic efficiency (FE) of the innocuous N2 product from the standard value of ~15 % to 45 %, while decreasing the FEs of the over-oxidized NOx - product from ~80 % to 46 %, pointing to a more sustainable process. The kinetic and computational analysis revealed the dominant residence of cations on the outer Helmholtz layer, which forms the interactions with the surface adsorbates. The Li+ hydration shells and rigid hydrogen bonding network interact strongly with the adsorbed urea to decrease its adsorption energy and subjection to C-N cleavage, thereby directing it toward the N2 pathway. This work emphasizes the tuning of the interactions within the electrode-electrolyte interface for enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of electrocatalytic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Yongjie Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Shengshuo Xu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Xue Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Yizhou Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Hualing Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Ming Gong
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, 200438, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Xuejing Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, P. R. China
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