1
|
Li D, Wu Z, Li Y, Fan X, Hasan SMN, Arafin S, Rahman MA, Li J, Wang Z, Yu T, Kong X, Zhu L, Sadaf SM, Zhou B. A semiconducting hybrid of RhO x/GaN@InGaN for simultaneous activation of methane and water toward syngas by photocatalysis. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad347. [PMID: 38024421 PMCID: PMC10662453 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Prior to the eventual arrival of carbon neutrality, solar-driven syngas production from methane steam reforming presents a promising approach to produce transportation fuels and chemicals. Simultaneous activation of the two reactants, i.e. methane and water, with notable geometric and polar discrepancy is at the crux of this important subject yet greatly challenging. This work explores an exceptional semiconducting hybrid of RhOx/GaN@InGaN nanowires for overcoming this critical challenge to achieve efficient syngas generation from methane steam reforming by photocatalysis. By coordinating density functional theoretical calculations and microscopic characterizations, with in situ spectroscopic measurements, it is found that the multifunctional RhOx/GaN interface is effective for simultaneously activating both CH4 and H2O by stretching the C-H and O-H bonds because of its unique Lewis acid/base attribute. With the aid of energetic charge carriers, the stretched C-H and O-H bonds of reactants are favorably cleaved, resulting in the key intermediates, i.e. *CH3, *OH, and *H, to sit on Rh sites, Rh sites, and N sites, respectively. Syngas is subsequently produced via energetically favored pathway without additional energy inputs except for light. As a result, a benchmarking syngas formation rate of 8.1 mol·gcat-1·h-1 is achieved with varied H2/CO ratios from 2.4 to 0.8 under concentrated light illumination of 6.3 W·cm-2, enabling the achievement of a superior turnover number of 10,493 mol syngas per mol Rh species over 300 min of long-term operation. This work presents a promising strategy for green syngas production from methane steam reforming by utilizing unlimited solar energy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongke Li
- Key Laboratory for Power Machinery and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Research Center for Renewable Synthetic Fuel, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
- School of Physics, Liaoning University, No. 66 Chongshan Middle Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang City 110036, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Zewen Wu
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, 3688 Nanhai Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518061, China
| | - Yixin Li
- Key Laboratory for Power Machinery and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Research Center for Renewable Synthetic Fuel, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaoxing Fan
- School of Physics, Liaoning University, No. 66 Chongshan Middle Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang City 110036, Liaoning Province, China
| | - S M Najib Hasan
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Shamsul Arafin
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Md Afjalur Rahman
- Centre Energie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS)-Université du Québec, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec J3X1S2, Canada
| | - Jinglin Li
- Key Laboratory for Power Machinery and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Research Center for Renewable Synthetic Fuel, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhouzhou Wang
- Key Laboratory for Power Machinery and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Research Center for Renewable Synthetic Fuel, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Tianqi Yu
- Key Laboratory for Power Machinery and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Research Center for Renewable Synthetic Fuel, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xianghua Kong
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, 3688 Nanhai Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518061, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Power Machinery and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Research Center for Renewable Synthetic Fuel, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Sharif Md Sadaf
- Centre Energie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS)-Université du Québec, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec J3X1S2, Canada
| | - Baowen Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Power Machinery and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Research Center for Renewable Synthetic Fuel, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nkinahamira F, Yang R, Zhu R, Zhang J, Ren Z, Sun S, Xiong H, Zeng Z. Current Progress on Methods and Technologies for Catalytic Methane Activation at Low Temperatures. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2204566. [PMID: 36504369 PMCID: PMC9929156 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Methane (CH4 ) is an attractive energy source and important greenhouse gas. Therefore, from the economic and environmental point of view, scientists are working hard to activate and convert CH4 into various products or less harmful gas at low-temperature. Although the inert nature of CH bonds requires high dissociation energy at high temperatures, the efforts of researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of catalysts to activate CH4 at low temperatures. In this review, the efficient catalysts designed to reduce the CH4 oxidation temperature and improve conversion efficiencies are described. First, noble metals and transition metal-based catalysts are summarized for activating CH4 in temperatures ranging from 50 to 500 °C. After that, the partial oxidation of CH4 at relatively low temperatures, including thermocatalysis in the liquid phase, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and nonthermal plasma technologies, is briefly discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are presented to provide a systematic guideline for designing and synthesizing the highly efficient catalysts in the complete/partial oxidation of CH4 at low temperatures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- François Nkinahamira
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and EnvironmentShenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and ControlSchool of Civil and Environmental EngineeringHarbin Institute of Technology ShenzhenShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Ruijie Yang
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringCity University of Hong Kong83 Tat Chee AvenueKowloonHong Kong999077P. R. China
| | - Rongshu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and EnvironmentShenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and ControlSchool of Civil and Environmental EngineeringHarbin Institute of Technology ShenzhenShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and EnvironmentShenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and ControlSchool of Civil and Environmental EngineeringHarbin Institute of Technology ShenzhenShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Zhaoyong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and EnvironmentShenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and ControlSchool of Civil and Environmental EngineeringHarbin Institute of Technology ShenzhenShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Senlin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and EnvironmentShenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and ControlSchool of Civil and Environmental EngineeringHarbin Institute of Technology ShenzhenShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Haifeng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid SurfacesCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringXiamen UniversityXiamen361005P. R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Zeng
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringCity University of Hong Kong83 Tat Chee AvenueKowloonHong Kong999077P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Martín-Espejo JL, Gandara-Loe J, Odriozola JA, Reina TR, Pastor-Pérez L. Sustainable routes for acetic acid production: Traditional processes vs a low-carbon, biogas-based strategy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 840:156663. [PMID: 35710010 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The conversion of biogas, mainly formed of CO2 and CH4, into high-value platform chemicals is increasing attention in a context of low-carbon societies. In this new paradigm, acetic acid (AA) is deemed as an interesting product for the chemical industry. Herein we present a fresh overview of the current manufacturing approaches, compared to potential low-carbon alternatives. The use of biogas as primary feedstock to produce acetic acid is an auspicious alternative, representing a step-ahead on carbon-neutral industrial processes. Within the spirit of a circular economy, we propose and analyse a new BIO-strategy with two noteworthy pathways to potentially lower the environmental impact. The generation of syngas via dry reforming (DRM) combined with CO2 utilisation offers a way to produce acetic acid in a two-step approach (BIO-Indirect route), replacing the conventional, petroleum-derived steam reforming process. The most recent advances on catalyst design and technology are discussed. On the other hand, the BIO-Direct route offers a ground-breaking, atom-efficient way to directly generate acetic acid from biogas. Nevertheless, due to thermodynamic restrictions, the use of plasma technology is needed to directly produce acetic acid. This very promising approach is still in an early stage. Particularly, progress in catalyst design is mandatory to enable low-carbon routes for acetic acid production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Luis Martín-Espejo
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Material Sciences Institute of Seville, University of Seville-CSIC, Seville 41092, Spain
| | - Jesús Gandara-Loe
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Material Sciences Institute of Seville, University of Seville-CSIC, Seville 41092, Spain
| | - José Antonio Odriozola
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Material Sciences Institute of Seville, University of Seville-CSIC, Seville 41092, Spain; Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - T R Reina
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Material Sciences Institute of Seville, University of Seville-CSIC, Seville 41092, Spain; Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Pastor-Pérez
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Material Sciences Institute of Seville, University of Seville-CSIC, Seville 41092, Spain; Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zeng Y, Luo X, Li F, Huang A, Wu H, Xu GQ, Wang SL. Noble Metal-Free FeOOH/Li 0.1WO 3 Core-Shell Nanorods for Selective Oxidation of Methane to Methanol with Visible-NIR Light. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:7711-7720. [PMID: 34003010 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Hydroxyl radicals (•OH) generated in the photocatalytic process are crucial to the conversion of methane (CH4) to value-added methanol (CH3OH) at room temperature. However, utilizing noble metal-free catalysts and low-energy photons of solar light, such as visible and near-infrared light (vis-NIR), is difficult to provide more electron states to form •OH radicals. Here, we developed FeOOH/Li0.1WO3 core-shell nanorods via a two-step in/out co-modification of hexagonal tungsten oxide (h-WO3): (1) lithium ions intercalating into the hexagonal tunnels of h-WO3 to form Li0.1WO3 nanorods and (2) using FeOOH-wrapped Li0.1WO3 to obtain FeOOH/Li0.1WO3 core-shell nanorods. Introduction of lithium induces polaron transition in Li0.1WO3, enabling the absorption of vis-NIR light. Interestingly, FeOOH-based Fenton-like reaction when H2O2 is selected as an oxidant favors the generation of more •OH radicals available for CH4 oxidation to CH3OH. Meanwhile, FeOOH with FeIII as an "electron sink" highly improves the separation of photoinduced electrons and holes in Li0.1WO3. Eventually, efficient selective formation of CH4OH is achieved with remarkable generation rates up to ∼342 and ∼160 μmol g-1 at visible light (420-700 nm) and NIR light (≥800 nm), respectively. Our finding opens up new possibilities for developing noble metal-free catalysts for solar energy-driven CH4 conversion to CH3OH under ambient conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zeng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240 Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Centre for Physical Mechanics and Biophysics, School of Physics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Feng Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Anhua Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240 Shanghai, China
| | - Hongmei Wu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Guo Qin Xu
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, 117543, Singapore
| | - Song Ling Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240 Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| |
Collapse
|