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Wang Z, Xu L, Zhou Y, Liang Y, Yang J, Wu D, Zhang S, Han X, Shi X, Li J, Yuan Y, Deng P, Tian X. Stabilizing the oxidation state of catalysts for effective electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:6295-6321. [PMID: 38722208 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00887h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
In the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), metal catalysts with an oxidation state generally demonstrate more favorable catalytic activity and selectivity than their corresponding metallic counterparts. However, the persistence of oxidative metal sites under reductive potentials is challenging since the transition to metallic states inevitably leads to catalytic degradation. Herein, a thorough review of research on oxidation-state stabilization in the CO2RR is presented, starting from fundamental concepts and highlighting the importance of oxidation state stabilization while revealing the relevance of dynamic oxidation states in product distribution. Subsequently, the functional mechanisms of various oxidation-state protection strategies are explained in detail, and in situ detection techniques are discussed. Finally, the prevailing and prospective challenges associated with oxidation-state protection research are discussed, identifying innovative opportunities for mechanistic insights, technology upgrades, and industrial platforms to enable the commercialization of the CO2RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhitong Wang
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan Provincial Key Lab of Fine Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Lizhi Xu
- Hainan Provincial Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Centre, Haikou 571126, China
| | - Yansong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Science and Technology, Institute for Electric Light Sources, School of Information Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Ying Liang
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan Provincial Key Lab of Fine Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Jinlin Yang
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan Provincial Key Lab of Fine Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Daoxiong Wu
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan Provincial Key Lab of Fine Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Shuyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Science and Technology, Institute for Electric Light Sources, School of Information Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xingqi Han
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan Provincial Key Lab of Fine Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Xiaodong Shi
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan Provincial Key Lab of Fine Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Jing Li
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan Provincial Key Lab of Fine Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Yuliang Yuan
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan Provincial Key Lab of Fine Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Peilin Deng
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan Provincial Key Lab of Fine Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Xinlong Tian
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan Provincial Key Lab of Fine Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
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Wu H, Yu H, Chow YL, Webley PA, Zhang J. Toward Durable CO 2 Electroreduction with Cu-Based Catalysts via Understanding Their Deactivation Modes. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2403217. [PMID: 38845132 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202403217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The technology of CO2 electrochemical reduction (CO2ER) provides a means to convert CO2, a waste greenhouse gas, into value-added chemicals. Copper is the most studied element that is capable of catalyzing CO2ER to obtain multicarbon products, such as ethylene, ethanol, acetate, etc., at an appreciable rate. Under the operating condition of CO2ER, the catalytic performance of Cu decays because of several factors that alters the surface properties of Cu. In this review, these factors that cause the degradation of Cu-based CO2ER catalysts are categorized into generalized deactivation modes, that are applicable to all electrocatalytic systems. The fundamental principles of each deactivation mode and the associated effects of each on Cu-based catalysts are discussed in detail. Structure- and composition-activity relationship developed from recent in situ/operando characterization studies are presented as evidence of related deactivation modes in operation. With the aim to address these deactivation modes, catalyst design and reaction environment engineering rationales are suggested. Finally, perspectives and remarks built upon the recent advances in CO2ER are provided in attempts to improve the durability of CO2ER catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiwen Wu
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Haoming Yu
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yuen-Leong Chow
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Paul A Webley
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
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Medvedev JJ, Delva NH, Klinkova A. Mechanistic Analysis of Urea Electrooxidation Pathways: Key to Rational Catalyst Design. Chempluschem 2024; 89:e202300739. [PMID: 38346095 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202300739] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Urea electrolysis is an emerging approach to treating urea-enriched wastewater and an attractive alternative anodic process to the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in electrochemical clean energy conversion and storage technologies (e. g., hydrogen production and CO2 electroreduction). While the thermodynamic potential for urea oxidation to dinitrogen is quite low compared to that of the OER, the catalysts reported to date require high overpotentials that far exceed those for the OER. Consequently, there is much room for improvement and rational catalyst design for the urea oxidation reaction (UOR). At the same time, due to the urea molecule having a more complex structure than water, UOR can lead to the formation of various products beyond the commonly assumed N2 and CO2. This concept article will critically assess recent efforts of the research community to decipher the formation mechanisms of UOR products focusing on the systematic analysis of the reaction selectivity. This work aims to analyze the current state of the art and identify existing gaps, providing an outlook for the future design of UOR catalysts with superior activity and selectivity by applying the knowledge of the molecular transformation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jury J Medvedev
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3G1
| | - Nyhenflore H Delva
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3G1
| | - Anna Klinkova
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3G1
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Jia S, Wu L, Liu H, Wang R, Sun X, Han B. Nitrogenous Intermediates in NO x-involved Electrocatalytic Reactions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400033. [PMID: 38225207 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400033] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Chemical manufacturing utilizing renewable sources and energy emerges as a promising path towards sustainability and carbon neutrality. The electrocatalytic reactions involving nitrogen oxides (NOx) offered a potential strategy for synthesizing various nitrogenous chemicals. However, it is currently hindered by low selectivity/efficiency and limited reaction pathways, mainly due to the difficulties in controllable generation and utilization of nitrogenous intermediates. In this minireview, focusing on nitrogenous intermediates in NOx-involved electrocatalytic reactions, we discuss newly developed methodologies for studying and controlling the generation, conversion, and utilizing of nitrogenous intermediates, which enable recent developments in NOx-involved electrocatalytic reactions that yield various products, including ammonia (NH3), organonitrogen molecules, and nitrogenous compounds exhibiting unconventional oxidation states. Furthermore, we also make an outlook to highlight future directions in the emerging field of NOx-involved electrocatalytic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunhan Jia
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Limin Wu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hanle Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Ruhan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaofu Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Buxing Han
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
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Zhang C, Eraky H, Tan S, Hitchcock A, Higgins D. In Situ Studies of Copper-Based CO 2 Reduction Electrocatalysts by Scanning Transmission Soft X-ray Microscopy. ACS NANO 2023; 17:21337-21348. [PMID: 37906612 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c05964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
A microfluidic-enabled electrochemical device has been developed to investigate electrochemically active nanomaterials under reaction conditions using in situ scanning transmission soft X-ray microscopy (STXM). In situ STXM measurements were conducted on electrodeposited Cu catalysts under electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2R) conditions. The study provides detailed, quantitative results about the changes in the morphology and chemical structure of the catalytic nanoparticles as a function of applied potentials. The deposited Cu nanoparticles initially contain both Cu(0) and Cu(I). As an increasingly cathodic potential is applied, the Cu(I) species gradually convert to Cu(0) over the potential range of +0.4 to 0 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE). During this process, Cu(I) particles of various sizes are converted to metallic Cu at different reaction rates and at slightly different potentials, indicating a degree of heterogeneity in the electrochemical response of discrete particles. At CO2R relevant potentials, only metallic Cu is observed, and the morphology of the particles is fairly stable within the spatial resolution limits of STXM (∼40 nm). We also report in situ STXM studies of a working electrode with relatively thick Cu-based electrodeposits. The spatially resolved chemical analysis identifies that Cu-oxide species can persist under CO2R conditions, but only when the catalytic nanoparticles are electronically isolated from the working electrode and therefore are catalytically irrelevant. In summary, in situ STXM is presented as a technique to gain advanced morphological and spatially resolved chemical structure insights into electrochemically active nanomaterials, which was used to provide improved understanding regarding Cu nanomaterial catalysts under CO2 reduction conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyang Zhang
- Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 4M1
- Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 4M1
| | - Haytham Eraky
- Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 4M1
| | - Shunquan Tan
- Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 4M1
| | - Adam Hitchcock
- Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 4M1
| | - Drew Higgins
- Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 4M1
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Yanagi R, Zhao T, Cheng M, Liu B, Su H, He C, Heinlein J, Mukhopadhyay S, Tan H, Solanki D, Hu S. Photocatalytic CO 2 Reduction with Dissolved Carbonates and Near-Zero CO 2(aq) by Employing Long-Range Proton Transport. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37399530 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Photocatalytic CO2 reduction (CO2R) in ∼0 mM CO2(aq) concentration is challenging but is relevant for capturing CO2 and achieving a circular carbon economy. Despite recent advances, the interplay between the CO2 catalytic reduction and the oxidative redox processes that are arranged on photocatalyst surfaces with nanometer-scale distances is less studied. Specifically, mechanistic investigation on interdependent processes, including CO2 adsorption, charge separation, long-range chemical transport (∼100 nm distance), and bicarbonate buffer speciation, involved in photocatalysis is urgently needed. Photocatalytic CO2R in ∼0 mM CO2(aq), which has important applications in integrated carbon capture and utilization (CCU), has rarely been studied. Using 0.1 M KHCO3 (aq) of pH 7 but without continuously bubbling CO2, we achieved ∼0.1% solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency for CO production using Ag@CrOx nanoparticles that are supported on a coating-protected GaInP2 photocatalytic panel. CO is produced at ∼100% selectivity with no detectable H2, even with copious protons co-generated nearby. CO2 flux to the Ag@CrOx CO2R sites enhances CO2 adsorption, probed by in situ Raman spectroscopy. CO is produced with local protonation of dissolved inorganic carbon species in a pH as high as 11.5 when using fast electron donors such as ethanol. Isotopic labeling using KH13CO3 was used to confirm the origin of CO from the bicarbonate solution. We then employed COMSOL Multiphysics modeling to simulate the spatial and temporal pH variation and the local concentrations of bicarbonates and CO2(aq). We found that light-driven CO2R and CO2 reactive transport are mutually dependent, which is important for further understanding and manipulating CO2R activity and selectivity. This study enables direct bicarbonate utilization as the source of CO2, thereby achieving CO2 capture and conversion without purifying and feeding gaseous CO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rito Yanagi
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Tianshuo Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Matthew Cheng
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Haoqing Su
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Chengxing He
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Jake Heinlein
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Shomeek Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Haiyan Tan
- Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Devan Solanki
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Shu Hu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
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Joshi PB, Wilson AJ. Potential-Dependent Temporal Dynamics of CO Surface Concentration in Electrocatalytic CO 2 Reduction. J Phys Chem Lett 2023:5754-5759. [PMID: 37319405 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Beyond the identity and structure of an intermediate, changes in its concentration on and near the electrode surface with time are a critical component to understand and improve selectivity and reactivity in electrochemical transformations. We apply pulsed-potential electrochemical Raman scattering microscopy to measure the potential-dependent temporal evolution of CO formed during electrocatalytic CO2 reduction in acetonitrile on Ag electrodes. At driving potentials positive of the onset potential as determined by cyclic voltammetry, CO accumulates on the electrode surface at time scales longer than 1 s. Near the ensemble onset potential, CO resides on the electrode surface for approximately 100 ms. At potentials known to evolve CO from the electrode surface, CO remains adsorbed on the electrode for less than 10 ms. The time scales accessible in our strategy are nearly 3 orders of magnitude faster than transient Raman or infrared measurements, allowing direct measurement of the temporal evolution of intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padmanabh B Joshi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, United States
| | - Andrew J Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, United States
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