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Ye T, Wang Y, Yao X, Li H, Xiao T, Ba K, Tang Y, Zheng C, Yang X, Sun Z. Synthesis of Rhenium-Doped Copper Twin Boundary for High-Turnover-Frequency Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024. [PMID: 38706440 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c02259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
The precise design and synthesis of active sites to improve catalyst's performance has emerged as a promising tactic for electrochemistry. However, it is challenging to combine different types of active sites and manipulate them simultaneously at atomic resolution. Here, we present a strategy to synthesize Re atom-doped Cu twin boundaries (TBs), through pulsed electrodeposition and boundary segregation. The Re-doped Cu TBs demonstrate a highly efficient nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) performance. Re-doped Cu TBs showed a turnover frequency of ∼5889 s-1, ∼800 times higher than the pure Cu TB active centers (∼7 s-1). In addition to the "acceptance-donation" activation of N2 molecules, theoretical calculations also reveal that the Re-Re dimer on TB can boost the NRR and impede the hydrogen evolution reaction synchronously, rendering Re-doped Cu TB catalysts with high NRR activity and selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Ye
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
- School of Microelectronics and State Key Laboratory of ASIC and System, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Yajie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Yao
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Hongbin Li
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Taishi Xiao
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Kun Ba
- School of Microelectronics and State Key Laboratory of ASIC and System, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Yi Tang
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
| | - Changlin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyong Yang
- School of National Defense Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory for Environment Friendly Energy Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
- Condensed Matter Theory Group, Materials Theory Division, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Box 516, Uppsala 75120, Sweden
| | - Zhengzong Sun
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
- School of Microelectronics and State Key Laboratory of ASIC and System, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
- Yiwu Research Institute of Fudan University, Yiwu, Zhejiang 322000, P. R. China
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2
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Yu Y, Wei X, Chen W, Qian G, Chen C, Wang S, Min D. Design of Single-Atom Catalysts for E lectrocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation. ChemSusChem 2024; 17:e202301105. [PMID: 37985420 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202301105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) can be used to solve environmental problems as well as energy shortage. However, ENRR still faces the problems of low NH3 yield and low selectivity. The NH3 yield and selectivity in ENRR are affected by multiple factors such as electrolytic cells, electrolytes, and catalysts, etc. Among these catalysts are at the core of ENRR research. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) with intrinsic activity have become an emerging technology for numerous energy regeneration, including ENRR. In particular, regulating the microenvironment of SACs (hydrogen evolution reaction inhibition, carrier engineering, metal-carrier interaction, etc.) can break through the limitation of intrinsic activity of SACs. Therefore, this Review first introduces the basic principles of NRR and outlines the key factors affecting ENRR. Then a comprehensive summary is given of the progress of SACs (precious metals, non-precious metals, non-metallic) and diatomic catalysts (DACs) in ENRR. The impact of SACs microenvironmental regulation on ENRR is highlighted. Finally, further research directions for SACs in ENRR are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Yu
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxsi University, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Clean Pulp & Papermaking and Pollution Control, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wei
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxsi University, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Clean Pulp & Papermaking and Pollution Control, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
| | - Wangqian Chen
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxsi University, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Clean Pulp & Papermaking and Pollution Control, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
| | - Guangfu Qian
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxsi University, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Clean Pulp & Papermaking and Pollution Control, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
| | - Changzhou Chen
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxsi University, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Clean Pulp & Papermaking and Pollution Control, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
| | - Shuangfei Wang
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxsi University, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Clean Pulp & Papermaking and Pollution Control, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
| | - Douyong Min
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxsi University, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Clean Pulp & Papermaking and Pollution Control, Nanning, 530004, P. R. China
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3
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Zhang Y, Wang Y, Ma N, Liang B, Xiong Y, Fan J. Revealing the Adsorption Behavior of Nitrogen Reduction Reaction on Strained Ti 2 CO 2 by a Spin-Polarized d-band Center Model. Small 2024; 20:e2306840. [PMID: 37863825 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia has attracted significant research interest. Herein, it reports the boosting performance of electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction on Ti2 CO2 MXene with an oxygen vacancy through biaxial tensile strain engineering. Specifically, tensile strain modified electronic structures and formation energy of oxygen vacancy are evaluated. The exposed Ti atoms with additional electron states near the Fermi level serve as active site for intermediate adsorption, leading to superior catalytic performance (Ulimit = -0.44 V) under 2.5% biaxial tensile strain through a distal mechanism. However, the two sides of the "Sabatier optimum" in volcano plot are not limited by two different electronic steps, but are induced by the diverse adsorption behaviors of intermediates. Crucially, the "Sabatier optimum" results from the different response speeds of the adsorption energy for *N2 and *NNH to strains. Moreover, the authors observe conventional d-band adsorption for *N2 and *NNH, non-linear adsorption for *NNH2 , and abnormal d-band adsorption for *N, *NH, *NH2 , and *NH3 , which can be explained by the competition between attractive orbital hybridization and repulsive orbital orthogonalization with the spin-polarized d-band model, which further clarifies the contributions of 3σ → dz2 and dxz /dyz → 2π* to the overall population of bonding and anti-bonding states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqin Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yuhang Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Ninggui Ma
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Bochun Liang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yu Xiong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jun Fan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Center for Advanced Nuclear Safety and Sustainable Development, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
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4
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Pellows LM, Willis MA, Ruzicka JL, Jagilinki BP, Mulder DW, Yang ZY, Seefeldt LC, King PW, Dukovic G, Peters JW. High Affinity Electrostatic Interactions Support the Formation of CdS Quantum Dot:Nitrogenase MoFe Protein Complexes. Nano Lett 2023; 23:10466-10472. [PMID: 37930772 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogenase MoFe protein can be coupled with CdS nanocrystals (NCs) to enable photocatalytic N2 reduction. The nature of interactions that support complex formation is of paramount importance in intermolecular electron transfer that supports catalysis. In this work we have employed microscale thermophoresis to examine binding interactions between 3-mercaptopropionate capped CdS quantum dots (QDs) and MoFe protein over a range of QD diameters (3.4-4.3 nm). The results indicate that the interactions are largely electrostatic, with the strength of interactions similar to that observed for the physiological electron donor. In addition, the strength of interactions is sensitive to the QD diameter, and the binding interactions are significantly stronger for QDs with smaller diameters. The ability to quantitatively assess NC protein interactions in biohybrid systems supports strategies for understanding properties and reaction parameters that are important for obtaining optimal rates of catalysis in biohybrid systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Pellows
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Mark A Willis
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, United States
| | - Jesse L Ruzicka
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Bhanu P Jagilinki
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - David W Mulder
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Zhi-Yong Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Lance C Seefeldt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Paul W King
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Gordana Dukovic
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Materials Science and Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - John W Peters
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
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5
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Barawi M, García-Tecedor M, Gomez-Mendoza M, Gorni G, Liras M, de la Peña O'Shea VA, Collado L. Light-Driven Nitrogen Fixation to Ammonia over Aqueous-Dispersed Mo-Doped TiO 2 Colloidal Nanocrystals. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:53382-53394. [PMID: 37950688 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c10396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Photocatalytic nitrogen fixation to ammonia and nitrates holds great promise as a sustainable route powered by solar energy and fed with renewable energy resources (N2 and H2O). This technology is currently under deep investigation to overcome the limited efficiency of the process. The rational design of efficient and robust photocatalysts is crucial to boost the photocatalytic performance. Widely used bulk materials generally suffer from charge recombination due to poor interfacial charge transfer and difficult surface diffusion. To overcome this limitation, this work explores the use of aqueous-dispersed colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) with precise morphological control, better carrier mobility, and stronger redox ability. Here, the TiO2 framework has been modified via aliovalent molybdenum doping, and resulting Mo-TiO2 NCs have been functionalized with charged terminating hydroxyl groups (OH-) for the simultaneous production of ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates via photocatalytic nitrogen reduction in water, which has not been previously found in the literature. Our results demonstrate the positive effect of Mo-doping and nanostructuration on the overall N2 fixation performance. Ammonia production rates are found to be dependent on the Mo-doping loading. 5Mo-TiO2 delivers the highest NH4+ yield rate (ca. 105.3 μmol g-1 L-1 h-1) with an outstanding 90% selectivity, which is almost four times higher than that obtained over bare TiO2. The wide range of advance characterization techniques used in this work reveals that Mo-doping enhances charge-transfer processes and carriers lifetime as a consequence of the creation of new intra band gap states in Mo-doped TiO2 NCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Barawi
- Photoactivated Processes Unit, IMDEA Energy Institute, Avda. Ramón de la Sagra, 3, Móstoles, Madrid 28935, Spain
| | - Miguel García-Tecedor
- Photoactivated Processes Unit, IMDEA Energy Institute, Avda. Ramón de la Sagra, 3, Móstoles, Madrid 28935, Spain
| | - Miguel Gomez-Mendoza
- Photoactivated Processes Unit, IMDEA Energy Institute, Avda. Ramón de la Sagra, 3, Móstoles, Madrid 28935, Spain
| | - Giulio Gorni
- CLÆSS Beamline, CELLS-ALBA Synchrotron, carrer de la Llum, 2-26, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08290, Spain
- Laser Processing Group, Instituto de Óptica (CSIC), c/Serrano 121, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - Marta Liras
- Photoactivated Processes Unit, IMDEA Energy Institute, Avda. Ramón de la Sagra, 3, Móstoles, Madrid 28935, Spain
| | - Víctor A de la Peña O'Shea
- Photoactivated Processes Unit, IMDEA Energy Institute, Avda. Ramón de la Sagra, 3, Móstoles, Madrid 28935, Spain
| | - Laura Collado
- Photoactivated Processes Unit, IMDEA Energy Institute, Avda. Ramón de la Sagra, 3, Móstoles, Madrid 28935, Spain
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6
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Tort R, Bagger A, Westhead O, Kondo Y, Khobnya A, Winiwarter A, Davies BJV, Walsh A, Katayama Y, Yamada Y, Ryan MP, Titirici MM, Stephens IEL. Searching for the Rules of Electrochemical Nitrogen Fixation. ACS Catal 2023; 13:14513-14522. [PMID: 38026818 PMCID: PMC10660346 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c03951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Li-mediated ammonia synthesis is, thus far, the only electrochemical method for heterogeneous decentralized ammonia production. The unique selectivity of the solid electrode provides an alternative to one of the largest heterogeneous thermal catalytic processes. However, it is burdened with intrinsic energy losses, operating at a Li plating potential. In this work, we survey the periodic table to understand the fundamental features that make Li stand out. Through density functional theory calculations and experimentation on chemistries analogous to lithium (e.g., Na, Mg, Ca), we find that lithium is unique in several ways. It combines a stable nitride that readily decomposes to ammonia with an ideal solid electrolyte interphase, balancing reagents at the reactive interface. We propose descriptors based on simulated formation and binding energies of key intermediates and further on hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB principle) to generalize such features. The survey will help the community toward electrochemical systems beyond Li for nitrogen fixation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Tort
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Alexander Bagger
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- Department
of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Olivia Westhead
- Department
of Materials, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Yasuyuki Kondo
- Osaka
University, SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research),
Mihogaoka, Osaka, Ibaraki 567-0047, Japan
| | - Artem Khobnya
- Department
of Materials, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Anna Winiwarter
- Department
of Materials, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | | | - Aron Walsh
- Department
of Materials, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Yu Katayama
- Osaka
University, SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research),
Mihogaoka, Osaka, Ibaraki 567-0047, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamada
- Osaka
University, SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research),
Mihogaoka, Osaka, Ibaraki 567-0047, Japan
| | - Mary P. Ryan
- Department
of Materials, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
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7
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Zhong X, Yuan E, Yang F, Liu Y, Lu H, Yang J, Gao F, Zhou Y, Pan J, Zhu J, Yu C, Zhu C, Yuan A, Ang EH. Optimizing oxygen vacancies through grain boundary engineering to enhance electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306673120. [PMID: 37748073 PMCID: PMC10556631 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306673120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction is a challenging process that requires achieving high ammonia yield rate and reasonable faradaic efficiency. To address this issue, this study developed a catalyst by in situ anchoring interfacial intergrown ultrafine MoO2 nanograins on N-doped carbon fibers. By optimizing the thermal treatment conditions, an abundant number of grain boundaries were generated between MoO2 nanograins, which led to an increased fraction of oxygen vacancies. This, in turn, improved the transfer of electrons, resulting in the creation of highly active reactive sites and efficient nitrogen trapping. The resulting optimal catalyst, MoO2/C700, outperformed commercial MoO2 and state-of-the-art N2 reduction catalysts, with NH3 yield and Faradic efficiency of 173.7 μg h-1 mg-1cat and 27.6%, respectively, under - 0.7 V vs. RHE in 1 M KOH electrolyte. In situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization and density functional theory calculation validated the electronic structure effect and advantage of N2 adsorption over oxygen vacancy, revealing the dominant interplay of N2 and oxygen vacancy and generating electronic transfer between nitrogen and Mo(IV). The study also unveiled the origin of improved activity by correlating with the interfacial effect, demonstrating the big potential for practical N2 reduction applications as the obtained optimal catalyst exhibited appreciable catalytic stability during 60 h of continuous electrolysis. This work demonstrates the feasibility of enhancing electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction by engineering grain boundaries to promote oxygen vacancies, offering a promising avenue for efficient and sustainable ammonia production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu Zhong
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu212100, China
| | - Enxian Yuan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou225002, China
| | - Fu Yang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu212100, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu212100, China
| | - Hao Lu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu212100, China
| | - Jun Yang
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang212100, China
| | - Fei Gao
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu212100, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing211816, China
| | - Jianming Pan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang212013, China
| | - Jiawei Zhu
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao266101, China
| | - Chao Yu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu212100, China
| | - Chengzhang Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing211816, China
| | - Aihua Yuan
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu212100, China
| | - Edison Huixiang Ang
- Natural Sciences and Science Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore637616, Singapore
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8
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Han B, Liu J, Lee C, Lv C, Yan Q. Recent Advances in Metal-Organic Framework-Based Nanomaterials for Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction. Small Methods 2023; 7:e2300277. [PMID: 37203249 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The production of ammonia under moderate conditions is of environmental and sustainable importance. The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (E-NRR) method has been intensively investigated in the recent decades. Nowadays, the further development of E-NRR is largely hindered by the lack of competent electrocatalysts. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered as the next-generation catalysts for E-NRR, featuring their tailorable structures, abundant active sites and favorable porosity. To present a comprehensive review on both the fundamental and advanced development in MOFs catalyst-based E-NRR field, this paper first introduces the basic principles of E-NRR, including the reaction mechanism, major apparatus components, performance criteria, and ammonia detection protocols. Next, the synthesis and characterization methods for MOFs and their derivatives are discussed. In addition, a reaction mechanism study via density functional theory calculations is also presented. After that, the recent advancement of MOF-based catalysts in the E-NRR field as well as the modification approaches on MOFs for E-NRR optimization is elaborated. Finally, the current challenges and outlook of MOF catalyst-based E-NRR field are emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Han
- SCARCE Laboratory, Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637459, Singapore
| | - Jiawei Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Carmen Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Chade Lv
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Qingyu Yan
- SCARCE Laboratory, Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637459, Singapore
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
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9
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Wang S, Qian C, Zhou S. Machine Learning Design of Single-Atom Catalysts for Nitrogen Fixation. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:40656-40664. [PMID: 37587686 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c08535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
First-principles calculations have been combined with machine learning in the design of transition-metal single-atom catalysts. Readily available descriptors are selected to describe the nitrogen activation capability of metals and coordinating atoms. Thus, a series of V/Nb/Ta-Nx single-atom catalysts are screened out as promising structures upon considering the stability, activity, and selectivity investigated computationally. Furthermore, by using the gradient boosting regression algorithm, an accurate prediction of the hydrogenation barriers for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is achievable, with a root-mean-squared error of 0.07 eV. The integration of high-throughput computation and machine learning constitutes a powerful strategy for the acceleration of catalyst design. This approach facilitates the rapid and accurate prediction of the NRR performance of more than 1000 single-atom catalyst structures. Moreover, the current work provides further insights by elaborately correlating the structure and performance, which may be instructive for both the design and application of vanadium-group catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyue Wang
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center of Advanced Chemicals Technology, Institute of Zhejiang University─Quzhou, Quzhou 324000, P. R. China
| | - Chao Qian
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center of Advanced Chemicals Technology, Institute of Zhejiang University─Quzhou, Quzhou 324000, P. R. China
| | - Shaodong Zhou
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center of Advanced Chemicals Technology, Institute of Zhejiang University─Quzhou, Quzhou 324000, P. R. China
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10
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Kumar Ray A, Paul A. Inept N 2 Activation of Tri-Nuclear Nickel Complex with Labile Sulfur Ligands Facilitates Selective N 2 H 4 Formation in Electrocatalytic Conversion of N 2. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202301435. [PMID: 37267469 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202301435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Conversion of N2 to the energy vector N2 H4 under benign conditions is highly desirable. However, such N2 fixation processes are extremely rare. It has been recently reported that N2 to N2 H4 conversion can be achieved electrochemically by using a trinuclear [Ni3 (S2 C3 H6 )4 ]2- complex (named as [Ni3 S8 ]2- ). There are hardly any precedents of Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR) by molecular catalysts having Ni and the highly unusual selectivity for N2 H4 over NH3 makes this electrochemical reduction unique. A systematic theoretical study employing calibrated Density Functional Theory to unearth the mechanisms of NRR (4e- /4H+ ) and Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (2e- /2H+ ) was conducted for the aforementioned trinuclear Ni complex. Our findings unravel a curious case of ligand lability working in tandem with metal centers in facilitating this unprecedented electrocatalytic activity. Furthermore, it is shown that the poor N-N bond activation property of Ni is responsible for this unusual selectivity. Additionally, the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) mechanistic pathways have also been delineated in this report. The mechanistic intricacies thus unearthed in this study may assist in developing more efficient electrocatalysts for N2 H4 production through NRR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuj Kumar Ray
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A&2B, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Ankan Paul
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A&2B, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India
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11
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Zhou W, Yan L, Fu Z, Guo H, Zhang W, Liu W, Ye Y, Long P. Increasing Planting Density and Reducing N Application Improves Yield and Grain Filling at Two Sowing Dates in Double-Cropping Rice Systems. Plants (Basel) 2023; 12:2298. [PMID: 37375923 DOI: 10.3390/plants12122298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Grain filling plays an important role in achieving high grain yield. Manipulating planting densities is recognized as a viable approach to compensate for the reduced yield caused by nitrogen reduction. Understanding the effects of nitrogen fertilization and planting density on superior and inferior grain filling is crucial to ensure grain security. Hence, double-cropping paddy field trials were conducted to investigate the effect of three nitrogen levels (N1, conventional nitrogen application; N2, 10% nitrogen reduction; N3, 20% nitrogen reduction) and three planting densities (D1, conventional planting density; D2, 20% density increase; D3, 40% density increase) on grain yield, yield formation, and grain-filling characteristics at two sowing dates (S1, a conventional sowing date, and S2, a date postponed by ten days) in 2019-2020. The results revealed that the annual yield of S1 was 8.5-14% higher than that of S2. Reducing nitrogen from N2 to N3 decreased the annual yield by 2.8-7.6%, but increasing planting densities from D1 to D3 significantly improved yield, by 6.2-19.4%. Furthermore, N2D3 had the highest yield, which was 8.7-23.8% higher than the plants that had received the other treatments. The rice yield increase was attributed to higher numbers of panicles per m2 and spikelets per panicle on the primary branches, influenced by superior grain filling. Increasing planting density and reducing nitrogen application significantly affected grain-filling weight, with the 40% density increase significantly facilitating superior and inferior grain filling with the same nitrogen level. Increasing density can improve superior grains while reducing nitrogen will decrease superior grains. These results suggest that N2D3 is an optimal strategy to increase yield and grain filling for double-cropping rice grown under two sowing-date conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Molecular Biology Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Lingling Yan
- Yiyang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yiyang 413499, China
| | - Zhiqiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Molecular Biology Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Huijuan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Molecular Biology Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Molecular Biology Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Molecular Biology Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yumeng Ye
- Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Molecular Biology Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Pan Long
- Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Molecular Biology Ministry of Education, College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
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12
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Wang S, Qian C, Zhou S. Theory-Guided Construction of the Unsaturated V-N 2 Site with Carbon Defects for Highly Selective Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023. [PMID: 37290063 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c06739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Renewable energy-driven, electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a promising strategy for ammonia synthesis. However, improving catalyst activity and selectivity under ambient conditions has long been challenging. In this work, we obtained the potential active V-N center through theoretical prediction and successfully constructed the associated V-N2/N3 structure on N-doped carbon materials. Surprisingly, such a catalyst exhibits excellent electrocatalytic NRR performance. The V-N2 catalyst affords a remarkably high faradaic efficiency of 76.53% and an NH3 yield rate of 31.41 μgNH3 h-1 mgCat.-1 at -0.3 V vs RHE. The structural characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations verified that the high performance of the catalyst originates from the tuned d-band upon coordination with nitrogen, in line with the original design intention as derived theoretically. Indeed, the V-N2 center with carbon defects enhances dinitrogen adsorption and charge transfer, thereby lowering the energy barriers to form the *NNH intermediates. Such a strategy as a rational design─controllable synthesis─theoretical verification may prove effective as well for other chemical processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyue Wang
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, Zhejiang University, 310027 Hangzhou, P. R. China
- Institute of Zhejiang University Quzhou, Zheda Road #99, 324000 Quzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chao Qian
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, Zhejiang University, 310027 Hangzhou, P. R. China
- Institute of Zhejiang University Quzhou, Zheda Road #99, 324000 Quzhou, P. R. China
| | - Shaodong Zhou
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, Zhejiang University, 310027 Hangzhou, P. R. China
- Institute of Zhejiang University Quzhou, Zheda Road #99, 324000 Quzhou, P. R. China
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13
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Chai H, Chen W, Feng Z, Li Y, Zhao M, Shi J, Tang Y, Dai X. Single-Atom Anchored g-C 3N 4 Monolayer as Efficient Catalysts for Nitrogen Reduction Reaction. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2023; 13:1433. [PMID: 37111017 PMCID: PMC10142710 DOI: 10.3390/nano13081433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical N2 reduction reaction (NRR) is a promising approach for NH3 production under mild conditions. Herein, the catalytic performance of 3d transition metal (TM) atoms anchored on s-triazine-based g-C3N4 (TM@g-C3N4) in NRR is systematically investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Among these TM@g-C3N4 systems, the V@g-C3N4, Cr@g-C3N4, Mn@g-C3N4, Fe@g-C3N4, and Co@g-C3N4 monolayers have lower ΔG(*NNH) values, especially the V@g-C3N4 monolayer has the lowest limiting potential of -0.60 V and the corresponding limiting-potential steps are *N2+H++e-=*NNH for both alternating and distal mechanisms. For V@g-C3N4, the transferred charge and spin moment contributed by the anchored V atom activate N2 molecule. The metal conductivity of V@g-C3N4 provides an effective guarantee for charge transfer between adsorbates and V atom during N2 reduction reaction. After N2 adsorption, the p-d orbital hybridization of *N2 and V atoms can provide or receive electrons for the intermediate products, which makes the reduction process follow acceptance-donation mechanism. The results provide an important reference to design high efficiency single atom catalysts (SACs) for N2 reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huadou Chai
- School of Physics, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China;
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, China
| | - Weiguang Chen
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, China
| | - Zhen Feng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Institute of Technology, Xinxiang 453000, China
| | - Yi Li
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, China
| | - Mingyu Zhao
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, China
| | - Jinlei Shi
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, China
| | - Yanan Tang
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, China
| | - Xianqi Dai
- School of Physics, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China;
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14
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Ma X, Li J, Zhou H, Zhao J, Sun H. Li-N 2 Battery for Ammonia Synthesis and Computational Insight. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:19032-19042. [PMID: 37026992 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c01929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical synthesis of ammonia is deemed as an alternative to the fossil-fuel-driven Haber-Bosch (HB) process, in which Li-mediated nitrogen reduction (LiNR) is the most promising scheme. Continuous lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction for ammonia synthesis (C-LiNR) has recently been reported in high-level journals with many foggy internal reactions. Synthesizing ammonia in a separate way may be profitable for understanding the mechanism of LiNR. Herein, an intermittent lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction for ammonia synthesis (I-LiNR) was proposed, three steps required for I-LiNR were achieved in the cathode chamber of a Li-N2 battery. Discharge, stand, and charge in the Li-N2 battery correspond to N2 lithification, protonation, and lithium regeneration, respectively. It can also realize the quasi-continuous process with practical significance because it could be carried out through identical batteries. Products such as Li3N, LiOH, and NH3 are detected experimentally, which demonstrate a definite reaction pathway. The mechanism of the Li-N2 battery, the Li-mediated synthesis of ammonia, and LiOH decomposition are explored through density functional theory calculations. The role of Li in dinitrogen activation is highlighted. It expands the range of LiOH-based Li-air batteries and may guide the study from Li-air to Li-N2; attention has been given to the reaction mechanism of Li-mediated nitrogen reduction. The challenges and opportunities of the procedure are discussed in the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biogas Upgrading Utilization, College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Fuxue Road No. 18, Changping, Beijing 102249, P. R. China
| | - Jiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biogas Upgrading Utilization, College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Fuxue Road No. 18, Changping, Beijing 102249, P. R. China
| | - Hongjun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biogas Upgrading Utilization, College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Fuxue Road No. 18, Changping, Beijing 102249, P. R. China
| | - Jianwei Zhao
- Shenzhen HUASUAN Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biogas Upgrading Utilization, College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Fuxue Road No. 18, Changping, Beijing 102249, P. R. China
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15
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Ning CC, Chen YG, Liu R, Li TX, Chen HL, Tian JH, Cai KZ. Effects of N fertilizer reduction combined with straw biochar application on the yield, Si, and N nutrition of double-cropping rice. Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao 2023; 34:993-1001. [PMID: 37078318 DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202304.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) and silicon (Si) are important nutritional elements for rice. However, excessive N fertili-zer application and the ignorance of Si fertilizer are common in practice. Straw biochar is rich in Si, which can be used as a potential Si fertilizer. In this study, we conducted a consecutive 3-year field experiment to explore the effects of N fertilizer reduction combined with straw biochar application on rice yield, Si and N nutrition. There were five treatments: conventional N application (180 kg·hm-2, N100), 20% N reduction (N80), 20% N reduction with 15 t·hm-2 biochar (N80+BC), 40% N reduction (N60), and 40% N reduction with 15 t·hm-2 biochar (N60+BC). The results showed that compared with N100, 20% N reduction did not affect the accumulation of Si and N in rice; 40% N reduction reduced foliar N absorption, but significantly increased foliar Si concentration by 14.0%-18.8%; while combined application of biochar significantly increased foliar Si accumulation, with an increase of Si concentration by 38.0%-63.3% and Si absorption by 32.3%-49.9%, but further reduced foliar N concentration. There was a significant negative correlation between Si and N concentration in mature rice leaves, but no correlation between Si and N absorption. Compared with N100, N reduction or combined application of biochar did not affect soil ammonium N and nitrate N, but increased soil pH. Nitrogen reduction combined application of biochar significantly increased soil organic matter by 28.8%-41.9% and available Si content by 21.1%-26.9%, with a significant positive correlation between them. Compared with N100, 40% N reduction reduced rice yield and grain setting rate, while 20% N reduction and combined application of biochar did not influence rice yield and yield components. In summary, appropriate N reduction and combined with straw biochar can not only reduce N fertilizer input, but also improve soil fertility and Si supply, which is a promising fertilization method in double-cropping rice fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-Chuan Ning
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Tropical Agro-Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yue-Gui Chen
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Tropical Agro-Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Rui Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Tropical Agro-Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Tong-Xin Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Tropical Agro-Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hai-Lang Chen
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Tropical Agro-Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ji-Hui Tian
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Tropical Agro-Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Kun-Zheng Cai
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Tropical Agro-Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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16
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Qi Y, Zhao S, Pang Y, Yang Y. Hydrophobic Nanoporous Silver with ZIF Encapsulation for Nitrogen Reduction Electrocatalysis. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062781. [PMID: 36985753 PMCID: PMC10051616 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) offers a sustainable alternative to the environmentally hazardous Haber-Bosch process for producing ammonia. However, it suffers from an unsatisfactory performance due to its limited active sites and competitive hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, we design a hydrophobic oleylamine-modified zeolitic imidazolate framework-coated nanoporous silver composite structure (NPS@O-ZIF). The composite achieves a high ammonia yield of (41.3 ± 0.9) μg·h-1·cm-2 and great Faradaic efficiency of (31.7 ± 1.2)%, overcoming the performances of NPS@ZIF and traditional silver nanoparticles@O-ZIF. Our strategy affords more active sites and accessible channels for reactant species due to the porous structure of NPS cores and restrains the evolution of hydrogen by introducing the hydrophobic molecule coated on the ZIF surfaces. Hence, the design of the hydrophobic core-shell composite catalyst provides a valuably practical strategy for ENRR as well as other water-sensitive reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Qi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Structure and Performance for Functional Molecules, College of Chemistry, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Shulin Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Structure and Performance for Functional Molecules, College of Chemistry, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Yue Pang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Structure and Performance for Functional Molecules, College of Chemistry, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Yijie Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Structure and Performance for Functional Molecules, College of Chemistry, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
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17
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Han Z, Huang S, Zhang J, Wang F, Han S, Wu P, He M, Zhuang X. Single Ru-N 4 Site-Embedded Porous Carbons for Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:13025-13032. [PMID: 36857306 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c21744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia is an effective feedstock for chemicals, fertilizers, and energy storage. The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is an alternative, efficient, and clean technology for ammonia production, relative to the traditional Haber-Bosch method. Single-metal catalysts are widely studied in the field of NRR. However, very limited conclusions have been made on how to precisely modulate the coordination environment of the single-metal-atom sites to boost catalytic NRR performance. Herein, we report a 5,7-membered carbon ring-involved porous carbon (PC) preparation toward single-atom Ru-embedded PCs. As electrocatalysts, such materials exhibit surprisingly promising catalytic NRR properties with an NH3 yield rate of up to 67.8 ± 4.9 μg h-1 mgcat-1 and a Faradaic efficiency of 19.5 ± 0.6%, exceeding those of most of the reported single-atom NRR catalysts. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure demonstrates that the presence of topological defects increases the Ru-N bond from 1.48 to 1.56 Å, modulating the coordination environment of the single-atom Ru active sites. Density functional theory-calculated results demonstrate that the adsorption of N2 onto single-atom Ru surrounded by topological defects extends the N≡N bond to 1.146 Å, weakening the strength of N≡N and making it susceptible to the NRR. All in all, this work provides a new design strategy by involving topological defects and corresponding large polarization around the Ru single atom to boost the catalytic NRR performance. Such a concept can also be applied to many other kinds of catalysts for energy storage and conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiya Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Process, Department of Chemistry, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules & Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai 200203, China
| | - Senhe Huang
- The Meso-Entropy Matter Lab, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Ageing, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules & Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai 200203, China
| | - Jichao Zhang
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Fu Wang
- Med-X Research Institute and School of Biomedical Engineering, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
| | - Sheng Han
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Process, Department of Chemistry, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Mingyuan He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Process, Department of Chemistry, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhuang
- The Meso-Entropy Matter Lab, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Ageing, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules & Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai 200203, China
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18
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Yang X, Xu B, Chen JG, Yang X. Recent Progress in Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction on Transition Metal Nitrides. ChemSusChem 2023; 16:e202201715. [PMID: 36522288 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202201715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Distributed electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) powered by renewable energy for the on-site production of ammonia is an attractive alternative to the industrial Haber-Bosch process, which is responsible for roughly 2 % of global energy consumption. In this Review, we summarize recent progress in the ENRR catalyzed by transition metal nitrides (TMNs). The unique electronic structures of TMNs make them promising ENRR catalysts for active and selective ammonia production, which have been predicted theoretically and demonstrated experimentally. Reaction pathways and deactivation mechanisms of the ENRR on different TMNs are surveyed, and current understanding of structure-activity relations is discussed. To develop highly active, selective, and stable TMN catalysts for industrial-scale ENRR, membrane electrode assembly configuration is recommended in catalyst evaluation. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of developing mechanistic understanding on ENRR with different operando spectroscopic techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoju Yang
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Bingjun Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jingguang G Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 10027, New York, NY, USA
- Chemistry Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 11973, Upton, NY, USA
| | - Xuan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan, P. R. China
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 10027, New York, NY, USA
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19
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Yang X, Mukherjee S, O'Carroll T, Hou Y, Singh MR, Gauthier JA, Wu G. Achievements, Challenges, and Perspectives on Nitrogen Electrochemistry for Carbon-Neutral Energy Technologies. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202215938. [PMID: 36507657 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202215938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Unrestrained anthropogenic activities have severely disrupted the global natural nitrogen cycle, causing numerous energy and environmental issues. Electrocatalytic nitrogen transformation is a feasible and promising strategy for achieving a sustainable nitrogen economy. Synergistically combining multiple nitrogen reactions can realize efficient renewable energy storage and conversion, restore the global nitrogen balance, and remediate environmental crises. Here, we provide a unique aspect to discuss the intriguing nitrogen electrochemistry by linking three essential nitrogen-containing compounds (i.e., N2 , NH3 , and NO3 - ) and integrating four essential electrochemical reactions, i.e., the nitrogen reduction reaction (N2 RR), nitrogen oxidation reaction (N2 OR), nitrate reduction reaction (NO3 RR), and ammonia oxidation reaction (NH3 OR). This minireview also summarizes the acquired knowledge of rational catalyst design and underlying reaction mechanisms for these interlinked nitrogen reactions. We further underscore the associated clean energy technologies and a sustainable nitrogen-based economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Yang
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Shreya Mukherjee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Thomas O'Carroll
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Yang Hou
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China.,Institute of Zhejiang University - Quzhou, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, China.,Donghai Laboratory, Zhoushan, 316021, China
| | - Meenesh R Singh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
| | - Joseph A Gauthier
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Gang Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
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20
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Ji Y, Liu P, Fan T. Unifying the Nitrogen Reduction Activity of Anatase and Rutile TiO 2 Surfaces. Chemphyschem 2023; 24:e202200653. [PMID: 36195557 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202200653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
TiO2 is a model transition metal oxide that has been applied frequently in both photocatalytic and electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reactions (NRR). However, the phase which is more NRR active still remains a puzzle. This work presents a theoretical study on the NRR activity of the (001), (100), (101), and (110) surfaces of both anatase and rutile TiO2 . We found that perfect surfaces are not active for NRR, while the oxygen vacancy can promote the reaction by providing excess electrons and low-coordinated Ti atoms that enhance the binding of the key intermediate (HNN*). The NRR activity of the eight facets can be unified into a single scaling line. The anatase TiO2 (101) and rutile TiO2 (101) surfaces were found to be the most and the second most active surfaces with a limiting potential of -0.91 V and -0.95 V respectively, suggesting that the TiO2 NRR activity is not very phase-sensitive. For photocatalytic NRR, the results suggest that the anatase TiO2 (101) surface is still the most active facet. We further found that the binding strength of key intermediates scale well with the formation energy of oxygen vacancy, which is determined by the oxygen coordination number and the degree of relaxation of the surface after the creation of oxygen vacancy. This work provides a comprehensive understanding of the activity of TiO2 surfaces. The results should be helpful for the design of more efficient TiO2 -based NRR catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfei Ji
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, 230 Waihuanxi Road, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Paiyong Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, 230 Waihuanxi Road, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Ting Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Guangzhou, 510641, Guangdong, P. R. China
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21
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Ibrahim AF, Garrido-Barros P, Peters JC. Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction on a Molybdenum Complex Bearing a PNP Pincer Ligand. ACS Catal 2023; 13:72-78. [PMID: 38487038 PMCID: PMC10939127 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c04769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction (N2R) mediated by well-defined molecular catalysts is poorly developed by comparison with other reductive electrocatalytic transformations. Herein, we explore the viability of electrocatalytic N2R mediated by a molecular Mo-PNP complex. A careful choice of acid, electrode material, and electrolyte mitigates electrode-mediated HER under direct electrolysis and affords up to 11.7 equiv of NH3 (Faradaic efficiency < 43%) at -1.89 V versus Fc+/Fc. The addition of a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) mediator has no effect. The data presented are rationalized by an initial electron transfer (ET) that sets the applied bias needed and further reveal an important impact of [Mo] concentration, thereby pointing to potential bimolecular steps (e.g., N2 splitting) as previously proposed during chemically driven N2R catalysis. Finally, facile reductive protonation of [Mo(N)Br(HPNP)] with pyridinium acids is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammar F Ibrahim
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Pablo Garrido-Barros
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Jonas C Peters
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, California 91125, United States
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22
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Yang H, Zhang R, Li Y, Meng F, Ma J. Impact of Drip Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization on Soil Microbial Diversity of Spring Maize. Plants (Basel) 2022; 11:3206. [PMID: 36501245 PMCID: PMC9736923 DOI: 10.3390/plants11233206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Given the shortage of water resources and excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers in irrigated areas, we explored the effect of water−nitrogen coupling on soil microbial diversity in maize fields irrigated using shallow buried droppers. A field experiment (split-plot design) was used with irrigation amounts set at 40%, 50%, and 60% of the conventional amount; furthermore, 13 water and nitrogen coupling treatments were designed. The secondary area was the nitrogen application level, corresponding to 50%, 70%, and the original conventional application amounts. The results showed that the effect of irrigation amount on bacterial community composition was greater than that of nitrogen, whereas the effect of nitrogen on fungi was greater than that on bacteria. No significant difference was detected in the α diversity index or species richness of bacteria and fungi. Available phosphorus and organic carbon contents significantly correlated with the community structure of soil bacteria (p < 0.05). The relative abundances of bacteria and fungi were stable with the decrease of nitrogen application rate at the irrigation rate of 2000 m3 ha−1. With the decrease of irrigation amount, the relative abundance of bacteria and fungi was stable under the treatment of 210 kg ha−1 nitrogen fertilizer. Moreover, the relative abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria related to the nitrogen cycle was increased by irrigation of 2000 m3 ha−1 and nitrogen application of 210 kg ha−1. Moderate reduction of subsequent N supply should be as a prior soil management option in a high N input agroecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengshan Yang
- College of Agronomy, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China
- Research Center of Forage Crop Engineering Technology, Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Ruifu Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China
- Research Center of Forage Crop Engineering Technology, Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- College of Agronomy, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China
- Research Center of Forage Crop Engineering Technology, Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Fanhao Meng
- College of Agronomy, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China
- Research Center of Forage Crop Engineering Technology, Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Jinhui Ma
- College of Agronomy, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China
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23
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Xie HQ, Zheng X, Feng QY, Chen XP, Zou ZH, Wang QX, Tang J, Li Y, Ling Y. Single-Step Synthesis of Fe-Fe 3 O 4 Catalyst for Highly Efficient and Selective Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction. ChemSusChem 2022; 15:e202200919. [PMID: 35906181 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202200919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen reduction electrocatalysts are highly attractive for catalytic science. However, most electrocatalysts are limited by their low faradaic efficiency, poor ammonia yield, and tedious and costly catalyst synthesis process. In this work, Fe-based oxide composite nanoparticles with steady chemical states are prepared by a single-step green procedure under ambient conditions. The resulting Fe-Fe3 O4 demonstrates remarkable activity and selectivity for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) with the highest faradaic efficiency of 53.2±1.8 % and NH3 yield rate of 24.6±0.8 μg h-1 mgcat. -1 at -0.4 V (vs. RHE) in 0.1 m Na2 SO4 electrolyte. Characterization experiments and theoretical calculation reveal that Fe-Fe3 O4 exhibits significantly enhanced charge transfer capability and suppresses the competitive HER process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Qi Xie
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Modern Analytical Science and Separation Technology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Pollution Monitoring and Control, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, 363000, Zhangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xuan Zheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Modern Analytical Science and Separation Technology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Pollution Monitoring and Control, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, 363000, Zhangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Qing-Yun Feng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Modern Analytical Science and Separation Technology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Pollution Monitoring and Control, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, 363000, Zhangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Ping Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Modern Analytical Science and Separation Technology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Pollution Monitoring and Control, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, 363000, Zhangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ze-Hua Zou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Modern Analytical Science and Separation Technology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Pollution Monitoring and Control, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, 363000, Zhangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Qing-Xiang Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Modern Analytical Science and Separation Technology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Pollution Monitoring and Control, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, 363000, Zhangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jing Tang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, 350116, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yi Li
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, 350116, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yun Ling
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Modern Analytical Science and Separation Technology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Pollution Monitoring and Control, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, 363000, Zhangzhou, P. R. China
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24
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Shahid M, Javed HMA, Ahmad MI, Qureshi AA, Khan MI, Alnuwaiser MA, Ahmed A, Khan MA, Tag-ElDin ESM, Shahid A, Rafique A. A Brief Assessment on Recent Developments in Efficient Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction with 2D Non-Metallic Nanomaterials. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2022; 12:3413. [PMID: 36234541 PMCID: PMC9565502 DOI: 10.3390/nano12193413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the synthesis of ammonia (NH3) has been developed by electrocatalytic technology that is a potential way to effectively replace the Haber-Bosch process, which is an industrial synthesis of NH3. Industrial ammonia has caused a series of problems for the population and environment. In the face of sustainable green synthesis methods, the advantages of electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction for synthesis of NH3 in aqueous media have attracted a great amount of attention from researchers. This review summarizes the recent progress on the highly efficient electrocatalysts based on 2D non-metallic nanomaterial and provides a brief overview of the synthesis principle of electrocatalysis and the performance measurement indicators of electrocatalysts. Moreover, the current development of N2 reduction reaction (NRR) electrocatalyst is discussed and prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahid
- Nanomaterials and Solar Energy Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Hafiz Muhammad Asif Javed
- Nanomaterials and Solar Energy Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Irfan Ahmad
- Nanomaterials and Solar Energy Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Akbar Ali Qureshi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ijaz Khan
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lebanese American University, Beirut P.O. Box 13-5053, Lebanon
| | - Maha Abdallah Alnuwaiser
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princes Nourah Bin Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arslan Ahmed
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad, Wah Campus, Rawalpindi 47010, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Azhar Khan
- Department of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
| | | | - Arslan Shahid
- Nanomaterials and Solar Energy Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Aiman Rafique
- Nanomaterials and Solar Energy Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
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25
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Sun YB, Liu YQ, Zhao X, Wang WW, Dang JS. Nitrogen Electroreduction on Borophene-Supported Atomic and Diatomic Transition Metals: Stability, Activity and Selectivity Improvements via Defect-Engineering. ChemSusChem 2022; 15:e202200930. [PMID: 35906775 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202200930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The present work investigated the binding of atomically dispersed transition metals to the perfect and single/double vacancy (SV/DV)-containing defective β12 -borophenes and the catalytic performance of those corresponding single-atom catalysts (SACs) and diatomic catalysts (DACs) for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) by means of density functional theory calculations. Although previous theoretical studies proposed that the inherent hexagon hole of the defect-free β12 -borophene is capable of anchoring single metal atom for NRR, calculations suggested that the interaction between borophene and doped metal is not strong enough to avoid metal aggregation. For the defective β12 -borophene with SV, even though the single metal could be stabilized in an 8-membered ring, it was found that the SAC was still ineffective for NRR because of the competitive hydrogen evolution process. Regarding the DV-containing β12 -borophene, a defective configuration with an unexpected 11-membered hole was proved as the most stable structure, which possessed a very similar average atomic energy (6.25 eV atom-1 ) compared to that of the pristine β12 sheet (6.26 eV atom-1 ). Two metal atoms could be encapsulated into the confined space of the B11 ring. Compared to SACs, those corresponding DACs were more active for N2 fixation and hydrogenation, and the hydrogen evolution reaction could be passivated, attributing to the synergistic effect of dual metal centres. Among all candidates, the V2 /β12 -DV was predicted as the most promising catalyst for NRR, with the limiting potential of as low as -0.15 V.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Bing Sun
- Key Laboratory for Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Qing Liu
- Key Laboratory for Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Zhao
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Wei Wang
- School of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710126, P. R. China
| | - Jing-Shuang Dang
- Key Laboratory for Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
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26
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Young MN, Boltz J, Rittmann BE, Al-Omari A, Jimenez JA, Takacs I, Marcus AK. Thermodynamic Analysis of Intermediary Metabolic Steps and Nitrous Oxide Production by Ammonium-Oxidizing Bacteria. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:12532-12541. [PMID: 35993695 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a greenhouse gas emitted from wastewater treatment, soils, and agriculture largely by ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). While AOB are characterized by being aerobes that oxidize ammonium (NH4+) to nitrite (NO2-), fundamental studies in microbiology are revealing the importance of metabolic intermediates and reactions that can lead to the production of N2O. These findings about the metabolic pathways for AOB were integrated with thermodynamic electron-equivalents modeling (TEEM) to estimate kinetic and stoichiometric parameters for each of the AOB's nitrogen (N)-oxidation and -reduction reactions. The TEEM analysis shows that hydroxylamine (NH2OH) oxidation to nitroxyl (HNO) is the most energetically efficient means for the AOB to provide electrons for ammonium monooxygenation, while oxidations of HNO to nitric oxide (NO) and NO to NO2- are energetically favorable for respiration and biomass synthesis. The respiratory electron acceptor can be O2 or NO, and both have similar energetics. The TEEM-predicted value for biomass yield, maximum-specific rate of NH4+ utilization, and maximum specific growth rate are consistent with empirical observations. NO reduction to N2O is thermodynamically favorable for respiration and biomass synthesis, but the need for O2 as a reactant in ammonium monooxygenation likely precludes NO reduction to N2O from becoming the major pathway for respiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle N Young
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, 1001 South McAllister Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5701, United States
| | - Joshua Boltz
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, 1001 South McAllister Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5701, United States
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, 1001 South McAllister Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5701, United States
| | - Ahmed Al-Omari
- Brown and Caldwell, 1725 Duke Street Suite 250, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, United States
| | - Jose A Jimenez
- Brown and Caldwell, 351 Lucien Way, Suite 250, Maitland, Florida 32751, United States
| | - Imre Takacs
- Dynamita, 2015 route d'Aiglun, 06910 Sigale, France
| | - Andrew K Marcus
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, 1001 South McAllister Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5701, United States
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27
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Bian S, Liu Q, Zhang X, Ma C, Zhang Y, Cheng Z, Kang Y, Lu W, Chu PK, Yu XF, Wang J. Fabricating Black-Phosphorus/Iron-Tetraphosphide Heterostructure via a Solid-Phase Solution-Precipitation Method for High-Performance Nitrogen Reduction. Small 2022; 18:e2203284. [PMID: 35971184 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202203284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although constructing heterostructures is considered as one of the most successful strategies to improve the activity of a catalyst, the heterostructures usually suffer from the cumbersome preparation treatments and low-yield. Inspired by a solid-phase solution-precipitation (SPSP) process, an approach for interface intensive heterostructures with high yield is developed. Herein, a black-phosphorus/iron-tetraphosphide (BP/FeP4 ) heterostructure is prepared mechanochemically with high transient pressure by the solid-phase ball milling approach. The BP/FeP4 heterostructure delivers excellent catalytic performance in the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) as exemplified by an NH3 yield of 77.6 µg h-1 mg cat . - 1 \[{\rm{mg}}_{{\rm{cat}}{\rm{.}}}^{{\bm{ - }}1}\] and Faradic efficiency of 62.9% (-0.2 V), which are superior to that of most NRR catalysts recently reported. Experimental investigation and density-functional theory calculation indicate the importance of excess phosphorus in the heterostructures on the NRR activity, which assists the Fe atom to activate N2 via adsorbing the H atom. The results demonstrate the great potential of this new type of heterostructures prepared by the SPSP approach. Benefiting from the simple preparation process and low cost, the heterostructures offer a new insight into the development of highly efficient catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Bian
- Shenzhen Engineering Center for the Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Atomic Crystals, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Qian Liu
- Shenzhen Engineering Center for the Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Atomic Crystals, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- Institute for Advanced Study, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, P. R. China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Shenzhen Engineering Center for the Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Atomic Crystals, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Chao Ma
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Shenzhen Engineering Center for the Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Atomic Crystals, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Ziqiang Cheng
- Shenzhen Engineering Center for the Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Atomic Crystals, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Yihong Kang
- Shenzhen Engineering Center for the Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Atomic Crystals, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Wei Lu
- Shenzhen Engineering Center for the Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Atomic Crystals, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Paul K Chu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Xue-Feng Yu
- Shenzhen Engineering Center for the Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Atomic Crystals, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- Hubei Three Gorges Laboratory, Yichang, 443007, P. R. China
| | - Jiahong Wang
- Shenzhen Engineering Center for the Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Atomic Crystals, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- Hubei Three Gorges Laboratory, Yichang, 443007, P. R. China
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28
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Hui J, Hu Q, Zhuang G, Hu W, Yu J, Liu Y, Li T, Fan L, Huang J, Wang XL, Zhang X, Ren Y, Wang H. Synchrotron X-Ray-Driven Nitrogen Reduction on an AgCu Thin Film. Small 2022; 18:e2202720. [PMID: 35637629 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N2 ) is an essential element for life, but kinetically stable N2 in the atmosphere needs to be reduced to biologically available forms as a nutrient for organisms. Abiotic nitrogen fixation is critical to the origin of life on the early Earth, which is due to lightning or mineral-based reduction. Here, synchrotron X-ray-induced silver nitrate formation on a silver copper (AgCu) thin-film is reported. Time-resolved X-ray diffraction measurements show that under intense X-ray exposure, initially formed silver oxides (AgOx) are quickly converted to silver nitrate (AgNO3 ). Interestingly, AgNO3 is first formed in its high-temperature phase with a space group of R3cH, which gradually transforms to the room temperature phase with a space group of Pbca under continuous X-ray irradiation. The result not only provides a new clue about the abiotic nitrogen reduction prior to life but also demonstrates a novel strategy of materials synthesis using synchrotron X-rays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Hui
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Qingyun Hu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Genmao Zhuang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Wenhui Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53201, USA
| | - Jin Yu
- X-ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Yuzi Liu
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Tianyi Li
- X-ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Longlong Fan
- Institute of High Energy Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jier Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53201, USA
| | - Xun-Li Wang
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Neutron Scattering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaoyi Zhang
- X-ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Yang Ren
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Neutron Scattering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hong Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
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29
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Wu P, Wang T, Xue Q, Wang M, Zhong R, Hu J, Chen Z, Wang D, Xue G. Regulating Electronic Structure in Bi 2 O 3 Architectures by Ti Mediation: A Strategy for Dual Active Sites Synergistically Promoting Photocatalytic Nitrogen Hydrogenation. ChemSusChem 2022; 15:e202200297. [PMID: 35352877 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202200297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Under mild conditions, nitrogen undergoes the associative pathways to be reduced with solar energy as the driving force for fixation, avoiding the high energy consumption when undergoing dissociation. Nevertheless, this process is hindered by the high hydrogenation energy barrier. Herein, Ti was introduced as hard acid into the δ-Bi2 O3 (Ti-Bi2 O3 ) lattice to tune its local electronic structure and optimize its photo-electrochemistry performance (reduced bandgap, increased conduction band maximum, and extended carrier lifetime). Heterokaryotic Ti-Bi dual-active sites in Ti-Bi2 O3 created a novel adsorption geometry of O-N2 interaction proved by density functional theory calculation and N2 temperature-programmed desorption. The synergistic effect of dual-active sites reduced the energy barrier of hydrogenation from 2.65 (Bi2 O3 ) to 2.13 eV (Ti-Bi2 O3 ), thanks to the highly overlapping orbitals with N2 . Results showed that 10 % Ti-doped Bi2 O3 exhibited an excellent ammonia production rate of 508.6 μmol gcat -1 h-1 in water and without sacrificial agent, which is 4.4 times higher than that of Bi2 O3 . In this work, bridging oxygen activation and synergistic hydrogenation for nitrogen with Ti-Bi dual active sites may unveil a corner of the hidden nitrogen reduction reaction mechanism and serves as a distinctive strategy for the design of nitrogen fixation photocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panfeng Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, 18 Dianzi Road, Xi'an, 710065, P. R. China
| | - Tianyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule Chemistry, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, 1 Xuefu Ave., Xi'an, 710127, P. R. China
| | - Qi Xue
- Xi'an Modern Chemistry Research Institute, Xi'an, 710065, P. R. China
| | - Mengkai Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, 18 Dianzi Road, Xi'an, 710065, P. R. China
| | - Ruihua Zhong
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, 18 Dianzi Road, Xi'an, 710065, P. R. China
| | - Jun Hu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, P. R. China
| | - Zhong Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Ave., Singapore City, 639798, Republic of Singapore
| | - Danjun Wang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Reaction Engineering, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yan'an University, 580 Shengdi Ave., Yan'an, 716000, P. R. China
| | - Ganglin Xue
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule Chemistry, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, 1 Xuefu Ave., Xi'an, 710127, P. R. China
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30
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Utomo WP, Wu H, Ng YH. Modulating the Active Sites of Oxygen-Deficient TiO 2 by Copper Loading for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia. Small 2022; 18:e2200996. [PMID: 35460186 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202200996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) provides a sustainable route for NH3 synthesis. However, the process is plagued by the strong NN triple bond and high reaction barrier. Modification of catalyst surface to increase N2 adsorption and activation is crucial. Herein, copper nanoparticles are loaded on the oxygen-deficient TiO2 , which exhibits an enhanced NRR performance with NH3 yield of 13.6 µg mgcat -1 h-1 at -0.5 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and Faradaic efficiency of 17.9% at -0.4 V versus RHE compared to the pristine TiO2 . The enhanced performance is ascribed to the higher electrochemically active surface area, promoted electron transfer, and increased electron density originated from the strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) between Cu nanoparticles and oxygen-deficient TiO2 . The SMSI effect also results in lopsided local charge distribution, which polarizes the adsorbed N2 molecules for better activation. This work provides a facile strategy toward the electrocatalyst design for efficient NRR under ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wahyu Prasetyo Utomo
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Hao Wu
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Yun Hau Ng
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057, China
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31
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Jing P, Liu P, Hu M, Xu X, Liu B, Zhang J. Formation of Interfacial Cu-[O X ]-Ce Structures with Oxygen Vacancies for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction. Small 2022; 18:e2201200. [PMID: 35532198 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202201200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical nitrogen reduction powered by renewable electricity is a promising strategy to produce ammonia. However, the lack of efficient yet cheap electrocatalysts remains the biggest challenge. Herein, hybrid Cu2 O-CeO2 -C nanorods are prepared on copper mesh through a metal-organic framework template route. The Cu-loaded Ce-MOF is thermally converted to Cu2 O-CeO2 heterojunctions with interfacial Cu-[OX ]-Ce structures embedded in carbon. Theoretical calculations reveal the lower formation energy of oxygen vacancies in Cu-[OX ]-Ce structures than in the Cu2 O or CeO2 phase. The Cu-[OX ]-Ce structures with oxygen vacancies enable the formation of interfacial electron-rich Cu(I) species which show significantly enhanced performance toward electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction with an NH3 yield of 6.37 × 10-3 µg s-1 cm-2 and a Faradaic efficiency of 18.21% in 0.10 m KOH at -0.3 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. This work highlights the importance of modulation of charge distribution of Cu-based electrocatalysts to boost the activity toward nitrogen reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Jing
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Engineering and Technology Research Center for Catalytic Conversion and Utilization of Carbon Resource Molecules, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, P. R. China
| | - Peixin Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Engineering and Technology Research Center for Catalytic Conversion and Utilization of Carbon Resource Molecules, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, P. R. China
| | - Minghao Hu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Engineering and Technology Research Center for Catalytic Conversion and Utilization of Carbon Resource Molecules, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, P. R. China
| | - Xuan Xu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Engineering and Technology Research Center for Catalytic Conversion and Utilization of Carbon Resource Molecules, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, P. R. China
| | - Baocang Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Engineering and Technology Research Center for Catalytic Conversion and Utilization of Carbon Resource Molecules, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, P. R. China
| | - Jun Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Engineering and Technology Research Center for Catalytic Conversion and Utilization of Carbon Resource Molecules, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, P. R. China
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Science and Technology, Hohhot, 010010, P. R. China
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32
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Luo H, Wang X, Wan C, Xie L, Song M, Qian P. A Theoretical Study of Fe Adsorbed on Pure and Nonmetal (N, F, P, S, Cl)-Doped Ti 3C 2O 2 for Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2022; 12:1081. [PMID: 35407199 DOI: 10.3390/nano12071081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The possibility of using transition metal (TM)/MXene as a catalyst for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) was studied by density functional theory, in which TM is an Fe atom, and MXene is pure Ti3C2O2 or Ti3C2O2−x doped with N/F/P/S/Cl. The adsorption energy and Gibbs free energy were calculated to describe the limiting potentials of N2 activation and reduction, respectively. N2 activation was spontaneous, and the reduction potential-limiting step may be the hydrogenation of N2 to *NNH and the desorption of *NH3 to NH3. The charge transfer of the adsorbed Fe atoms to N2 molecules weakened the interaction of N≡N, which indicates that Fe/MXene is a potential catalytic material for the NRR. In particular, doping with nonmetals F and S reduced the limiting potential of the two potential-limiting steps in the reduction reaction, compared with the undoped pure structure. Thus, Fe/MXenes doped with these nonmetals are the best candidates among these structures.
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Zhao Y, Li F, Li W, Li Y, Liu C, Zhao Z, Shan Y, Ji Y, Sun L. Identification of M-NH 2 -NH 2 Intermediate and Rate Determining Step for Nitrogen Reduction with Bioinspired Sulfur-Bonded FeW Catalyst. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:20331-20341. [PMID: 34245082 PMCID: PMC8456964 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202104918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The multimetallic sulfur-framework catalytic site of biological nitrogenases allows the efficient conversion of dinitrogen (N2 ) to ammonia (NH3 ) under ambient conditions. Inspired by biological nitrogenases, a bimetallic sulfide material (FeWSx @FeWO4 ) was synthesized as a highly efficient N2 reduction (NRR) catalyst by sulfur substitution of the surface of FeWO4 nanoparticles. Thus prepared FeWSx @FeWO4 catalysts exhibit a relatively high NH3 production rate of 30.2 ug h-1 mg-1cat and a Faraday efficiency of 16.4 % at -0.45 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode in a flow cell; these results have been confirmed via purified 15 N2 -isotopic labeling experiments. In situ Raman spectra and hydrazine reduction kinetics analysis revealed that the reduction of undissociated hydrazine intermediates (M-NH2 -NH2 ) on the surface of the bimetallic sulfide catalyst is the rate-determing step for the NRR process. Therefore, this work can provide guidance for elucidating the structure-activity relationship of NRR catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsInstitute of Artificial PhotosynthesisDUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular DevicesDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024P. R. China
| | - Fusheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsInstitute of Artificial PhotosynthesisDUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular DevicesDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024P. R. China
| | - Wenlong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsInstitute of Artificial PhotosynthesisDUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular DevicesDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024P. R. China
| | - Yingzheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsInstitute of Artificial PhotosynthesisDUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular DevicesDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024P. R. China
| | - Chang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsInstitute of Artificial PhotosynthesisDUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular DevicesDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024P. R. China
| | - Ziqi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsInstitute of Artificial PhotosynthesisDUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular DevicesDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024P. R. China
| | - Yu Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsInstitute of Artificial PhotosynthesisDUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular DevicesDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024P. R. China
| | - Yongfei Ji
- School of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringGuangzhou UniversityGuangzhou510006China
| | - Licheng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Fine ChemicalsInstitute of Artificial PhotosynthesisDUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular DevicesDalian University of TechnologyDalian116024P. R. China
- Department of ChemistrySchool of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and HealthKTH Royal Institute of Technology10044StockholmSweden
- Center of Artificial Photosynthesis for Solar FuelsSchool of ScienceWestlake UniversityHangzhou310024China
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Lin G, Ju Q, Guo X, Zhao W, Adimi S, Ye J, Bi Q, Wang J, Yang M, Huang F. Intrinsic Electron Localization of Metastable MoS 2 Boosts Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia. Adv Mater 2021; 33:e2007509. [PMID: 34219276 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202007509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The advancement of efficient electrocatalysts toward the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is critical in sustainable ammonia synthesis under ambient pressure and temperature. Manipulating the electronic configuration of electrocatalysts is particularly vital to form metal-nitrogen (MN) bonds during the NRR through regulating the active electronic states of sites. Here, in sharp contrast to stable 2H MoS2 without metal chains, MoMo bonding in metastable polymorphs of MoS2 bulk (zigzag chain in the 1T' phase and diamond chain in the 1T″' phase) is discovered to significantly increase intrinsic electron localization around the metal chains. This can enhance the charge transfer from the adsorbed nitrogen molecule to the metal chains, allowing for boosted NRR kinetics. The electrochemical experiments show that the NH3 yield rate and the faradaic efficiency of the metastable 1T″' MoS2 rich with abundant Mo-Mo bonds are about 9 and 12 times above average than those of 2H MoS2 , correspondingly. Theoretical simulations reveal the high local electron density surrounding the MoMo chains and sites can promote π back-donation, which is beneficial for increasing nitrogen adsorption, strengthening the MN bonds, and reducing the cleavage barrier of the triple NN bond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoxin Lin
- State Key Lab of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201899, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qiangjian Ju
- State Key Lab of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201899, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaowei Guo
- State Key Lab of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201899, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- State Key Lab of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201899, China
| | - Samira Adimi
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Ningbo, 315201, China
| | - Jinyu Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Qingyuan Bi
- State Key Lab of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201899, China
| | - Jiacheng Wang
- State Key Lab of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201899, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Minghui Yang
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Ningbo, 315201, China
| | - Fuqiang Huang
- State Key Lab of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201899, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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Li J, Wu T, Huang K, Liu Y, Liu M, Wang J. Effect of LED Spectrum on the Quality and Nitrogen Metabolism of Lettuce Under Recycled Hydroponics. Front Plant Sci 2021; 12:678197. [PMID: 34220897 PMCID: PMC8247776 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.678197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Light quality optimization is an efficient method for improving the growth and quality of lettuce in plant factories. In this study, lettuce seedlings were illuminated under different light-emitting diode (LED) lights, namely, red-blue (RB), red-blue-green (RBG), red-blue-purple (RBP), and red-blue-far-red (RBF) LED lights, to investigate the effect of light quality on growth, quality, and nitrogen metabolism. The combination of 75% red and 25% blue light was set as the basic light source, and 20% of green, purple and far-red light were added to basic light source, respectively. All the treatments were set to 200 μmol m-2 s-1. Results showed that the fresh weight and dry weight of aboveground lettuce under RBG, RBP, and RBF treatments were significantly lower than those under the RB treatment because of the decrease in the effective photon flux density for chlorophyll absorption. The vitamin C content of the lettuce leaves was increased by about 23% with the addition of purple light. For nitrate reduction, the addition of green light significantly increased the nitrite content of the lettuce leaves. It also promoted the reduction from nitrite to ammonium through the activation of the nitrite reductase (NiR) expression and enzyme activity. The nitrate and ammonium content decreased with the addition of purple light because of the inhibited NR and NiR expression and enzyme activity. For nitrogen assimilation, individual (e.g., Asp, Glu, and Leu) and total amino acids were induced to increase by adding green, purple, and far-red light. The addition of light was hypothesized to have inhibited protein biosynthesis, thereby causing the accumulation of amino acids. Correlation analysis showed that the relative expression levels between HY5 and NR/NiR presented a significantly negative correlation. Transcription factor HY5 might mediate the regulation of light quality on nitrogen metabolism by inhibiting NR and NiR expressions. It might also exert a negative effect on nitrate reduction. Further studies via genome editing techniques on the identification of HY5 functions for nitrate assimilation will be valuable. Nevertheless, the results of this work enrich the understanding of the effect of light quality on nitrate metabolism at the level of gene expression and enzyme activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
- Engineering Research Center for Horticultural Crop Germplasm Creation and New Variety Breeding, Ministry of Education, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Tao Wu
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
- Engineering Research Center for Horticultural Crop Germplasm Creation and New Variety Breeding, Ministry of Education, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Ke Huang
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
- Engineering Research Center for Horticultural Crop Germplasm Creation and New Variety Breeding, Ministry of Education, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Yubing Liu
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
- Engineering Research Center for Horticultural Crop Germplasm Creation and New Variety Breeding, Ministry of Education, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Mingyue Liu
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
- Engineering Research Center for Horticultural Crop Germplasm Creation and New Variety Breeding, Ministry of Education, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Junwei Wang
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
- Engineering Research Center for Horticultural Crop Germplasm Creation and New Variety Breeding, Ministry of Education, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory for Vegetable Biology of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
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Kong J, Kim MS, Akbar R, Park HY, Jang JH, Kim H, Hur K, Park HS. Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Kinetics on a Copper Sulfide Catalyst for NH 3 Synthesis at Low Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2021; 13:24593-24603. [PMID: 33826290 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c00850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We studied the electrochemical synthesis of NH3 on Fe-CuS/C catalysts in an alkaline aqueous solution under ambient conditions. The metal chalcogenide catalyst is active in the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) for approximately 45 min with an NH3 production yield of 16 μg h-1 cm-2 at -0.4 VRHE, while it decomposes to CuO. The rapid degradation of the catalyst hinders the precise investigation of the NH3 production activity in longer time measurements. Herein, the electrochemical NH3 production rate is enhanced with increased overpotentials when the degradation effect is mitigated in the measurement, which was difficult to observe in the NRR reports. In the Tafel analysis, the exchange current density, heterogeneous rate constant, and transfer coefficient of the Fe-CuS/C catalyst on the NRR were estimated. When the electrode degradation is mitigated, one of the best NH3 production activities among the reported metal sulfide electrochemical NRR catalysts is obtained, which is 42 μg h-1 cm-2 at -0.6 VRHE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimin Kong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | | | - Hansung Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Hyun S Park
- Division of Energy & Environment Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
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Wei X, Pu M, Jin Y, Wessling M. Efficient Electrocatalytic N 2 Reduction on Three-Phase Interface Coupled in a Three-Compartment Flow Reactor for the Ambient NH 3 Synthesis. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2021; 13:21411-21425. [PMID: 33909402 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c03698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The electrochemical N2 reduction reaction (eNRR) represents a carbon-free alternative to the Haber-Bosch process for a sustainable NH3 synthesis powered by renewable energy under ambient conditions. Despite significant efforts to develop catalyst activity and selectivity toward eNRR, an appropriate electrochemical system to obstruct the drawback of low N2 solubility remains broadly unexplored. Here, we demonstrate an electrocatalytic system combining a ruthenium/carbon black gas diffusion electrode (Ru/CB GDE) with a three-compartment flow cell, enabling solid-liquid-gas catalytic interfaces for the highly efficient Ru-catalyzed eNRR. The electrolyte optimization and the Ru/CB GDE development through the hydrophobicity, the Ru/CB loading, and the post-treatment have revealed the crucial contribution of interfacial N2 transportation and local pH environment. The optimized hydrophobic Ru/CB GDE generated excellent eNRR performance, achieving a high NH3 yield rate of 9.9 × 10-10 mol/cm2 s at -0.1 V vs RHE, corresponding to the highest faradaic efficiency of 64.8% and a specific energy efficiency of 40.7%, exceeding the most reported system. This work highlights the critical role of design and optimization of the GDE-flow cell combination and provides a valuable practicable solution to enhance the electrochemical reaction involving gas-phase reactants with low solubility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wei
- RWTH Aachen University, Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Minghua Pu
- RWTH Aachen University, Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Yiman Jin
- RWTH Aachen University, Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Wessling
- RWTH Aachen University, Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstrasse 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Peramaiah K, Ramalingam V, Fu HC, Alsabban MM, Ahmad R, Cavallo L, Tung V, Huang KW, He JH. Optically and Electrocatalytically Decoupled Si Photocathodes with a Porous Carbon Nitride Catalyst for Nitrogen Reduction with Over 61.8% Faradaic Efficiency. Adv Mater 2021; 33:e2100812. [PMID: 33792108 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202100812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The photoelectrochemical (PEC) approach is attractive as a promising route for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) toward ammonia (NH3 ) synthesis. However, the challenges in synergistic management of optical, electrical, and catalytic properties have limited the efficiency of PEC NRR devices. Herein, to enhance light-harvesting, carrier separation/transport, and the catalytic reactions, a concept of decoupling light-harvesting and electrocatalysis by employing a cascade n+ np+ -Si photocathode is implemented. Such a decoupling design not only abolishes the parasitic light blocking but also concurrently improves the optical and electrical properties of the n+ np+ -Si photocathode without compromising the efficiency. Experimental and density functional theory studies reveal that the porous architecture and N-vacancies promote N2 adsorption of the Au/porous carbon nitride (PCN) catalyst. Impressively, an n+ np+ -Si photocathode integrating the Au/PCN catalyst exhibits an outstanding PEC NRR performance with maximum Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 61.8% and NH3 production yield of 13.8 µg h-1 cm-2 at -0.10 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which is the highest FE at low applied potential ever reported for the PEC NRR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Peramaiah
- KAUST Catalysis Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Vinoth Ramalingam
- KAUST Catalysis Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Hui-Chun Fu
- Division of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Merfat M Alsabban
- KAUST Catalysis Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, 21959, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Rafia Ahmad
- KAUST Catalysis Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Luigi Cavallo
- KAUST Catalysis Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Vincent Tung
- KAUST Catalysis Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Kuo-Wei Huang
- KAUST Catalysis Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Jr-Hau He
- KAUST Catalysis Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, SAR 999077, Hong Kong
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39
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Saji SE, Lu H, Lu Z, Carroll A, Yin Z. An Experimentally Verified LC-MS Protocol toward an Economical, Reliable, and Quantitative Isotopic Analysis in Nitrogen Reduction Reactions. Small Methods 2021; 5:e2000694. [PMID: 34928081 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202000694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To substitute the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process for the synthesis of ammonia, some labile techniques, such as photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, and photothermocatalysis, have emerged and attracted intense research interest. However, the contamination of the reaction system is one of the major concerns on how to reliably and accurately evaluate the performance of these catalysts, which is why various control studies are involved. Isotopic labeling studies are one of the most reliable control strategies in nitrogen fixation experiments, to ensure that N2 is exclusively the source of the generated ammonia. As a convenient, sensitive and accurate technique distinguished with a quantitative atomic mass resolution, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been extensively employed for the detection of ammonia in aqueous electrolyte systems. However, the previous work protocols for 15 N2 isotopic analysis using LC-MS either involved hazardous procedures which could potentially damage the instrument, or lacked in their experimental verification using real samples. Herein, a safe, reproducible and economical protocol for the detection of ammonia using LC-MS is presented, exhibiting an exponentially steep progressive detectivity of 15 N abundance, well verified with a series of experimental results for nitrogen reduction reactions. This is expected to provide a prudent cost-effective and sustainable gateway into isotopic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Elizabeth Saji
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Haijiao Lu
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Ziyang Lu
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Adam Carroll
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Zongyou Yin
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
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Su Q, Wang W, Zhang Z, Duan J. Enhanced photocatalytic performance of Cu 2O/MoS 2/ZnO composites on Cu mesh substrate for nitrogen reduction. Nanotechnology 2021; 32:285706. [PMID: 33784642 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/abf378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cu2O nanoparticles and MoS2nanoflowers decorated with ZnO nanospheres were successfully co-deposited on Cu mesh via a mild electrodeposition method to build a dual direct Z-scheme heterostructure. The prepared materials can effectively synthesize ammonia with N2and H2O in the liquid membrane reactor under simulated visible light. The results indicate that 3D nanomaterials exhibit better performance compared to a pure semiconductor due to the synergistic effect of enhanced visible light absorption, longer photogenerated carrier lifetime and the specific charge transfer path of dual direct Z-scheme structure. Meanwhile, the hydrophilicity of Cu2O/MoS2/ZnO rapidly makes the surface of the catalyst wet when it participates in the photo reaction, which promotes the contact between the reactant and exciton. This work proposes the electron transfer and possible reaction mechanism corresponding to the designed catalyst, which can provide a reference for other photocatalytic applications using a semiconductor heterojunction as a catalyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Su
- College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiwen Wang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, People's Republic of China
| | - Zisheng Zhang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, People's Republic of China
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ontario, KIN 6N5, Canada
| | - Jihai Duan
- College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, People's Republic of China
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Ghorai UK, Paul S, Ghorai B, Adalder A, Kapse S, Thapa R, Nagendra A, Gain A. Scalable Production of Cobalt Phthalocyanine Nanotubes: Efficient and Robust Hollow Electrocatalyst for Ammonia Synthesis at Room Temperature. ACS Nano 2021; 15:5230-5239. [PMID: 33646739 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c10596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic ammonia (NH3) synthesis through the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions presents a promising alternative to the famous century-old Haber-Bosch process. Designing and developing a high-performance electrocatalyst is a compelling necessity for electrochemical NRR. Specific transition metal based nanostructured catalysts are potential candidates for this purpose owing to their attributes such as higher actives sites, specificity as well as selectivity and electron transfer, etc. However, due to the lack of a well-organized morphology, lower activity, selectivity, and stability of the electrocatalysts make them ineffective at producing a high NH3 yield rate and Faradaic efficiency (FE) for further development. In this work, stable β-cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) nanotubes (NTs) have been synthesized by a scalable solvothermal method for electrochemical NRR. The chemically synthesized CoPc NTs show excellent electrochemical NRR due to high specific area, greater number of exposed active sites, and specific selectivity of the catalyst. As a result, CoPc NTs produced a higher NH3 yield of 107.9 μg h-1 mg-1cat and FE of 27.7% in 0.1 M HCl at -0.3 V vs RHE. The density functional theory calculations confirm that the Co center in CoPc is the main active site responsible for electrochemical NRR. This work demonstrates the development of hollow nanostructured electrocatalysts in large scale for N2 fixation to NH3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uttam Kumar Ghorai
- Department of Industrial Chemistry & Applied Chemistry, Swami Vivekananda Research Centre, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah 711202, India
| | - Sourav Paul
- Department of Industrial Chemistry & Applied Chemistry, Swami Vivekananda Research Centre, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah 711202, India
| | - Biswajit Ghorai
- Department of Industrial Chemistry & Applied Chemistry, Swami Vivekananda Research Centre, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah 711202, India
| | - Ashadul Adalder
- Department of Industrial Chemistry & Applied Chemistry, Swami Vivekananda Research Centre, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah 711202, India
| | - Samadhan Kapse
- Department of Physics, SRM University-AP, Amaravati 522240, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Ranjit Thapa
- Department of Physics, SRM University-AP, Amaravati 522240, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Abharana Nagendra
- Atomic & Molecular Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Amal Gain
- Department of Industrial Chemistry & Applied Chemistry, Swami Vivekananda Research Centre, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah 711202, India
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Chen Q, Zhang X, Jin Y, Zhou X, Yang Z, Nie H. An Overview on Noble Metal (Group VIII)-based Heterogeneous Electrocatalysts for Nitrogen Reduction Reaction. Chem Asian J 2020; 15:4131-4152. [PMID: 33025764 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202000969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The typically the Haber-Bosch process of nitrogen (N2 ) reduction to ammonia (NH3 ) production, expends a lot of energy, resulting in severe environmental issues. Electro-catalytic N2 reduction to NH3 formation by renewable resources is one of the effective ways to settle the issue. However, the electro-catalytic performances and selectivity of catalysts for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) are very low. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop more efficient electro-catalysts to satisfy the needs of practical use. Among the reported catalysts, those based on Group VIII noble metals heterogeneous catalysts display excellent NRR activities and high selectivity because of their good conductivity, rich active surface area, unfilled d-orbitals, and the abilities with easy adsorption of reactants and stable reaction intermediates. Herein, we will introduce the progress of Group VIII precious metals heterogeneous catalysts applied in the electrocatalytic N2 reduction reaction. Then single precious metal electrocatalysts, precious metal alloy electrocatalysts, heterojunction structure electrocatalysts, and precious metal compounds based on the strategies of morphology engineering, crystal facet engineering, defect engineering, heteroatom doping, and synergetic interface engineering will be discussed. Finally, the challenges and prospects of the NH3 synthesis have been put forward. In the review, we will provide helpful direction to the development of effective electro-catalysts for catalytic N2 reduction reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Chen
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325027, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325027, P. R. China
| | - Yuwei Jin
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325027, P. R. China
| | - Xuemei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325027, P. R. China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325027, P. R. China
| | - Huagui Nie
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325027, P. R. China
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Lv XW, Weng CC, Yuan ZY. Ambient Ammonia Electrosynthesis: Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives. ChemSusChem 2020; 13:3061-3078. [PMID: 32202392 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202000670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3 ) electrosynthesis from atmospheric nitrogen (N2 ) and water is emerging as a promising alternative to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process; however, such a process is difficult to perform due to the inherent inertness of N2 molecules together with low solubility in aqueous solutions. Although many active electrocatalysts have been used to electrocatalyze the N2 reduction reaction (NRR), unsatisfactory NH3 yields and lower Faraday efficiency are still far from practical industrial production, and thus, considerable research efforts are being devoted to address these problems. Nevertheless, most reports still mainly focus on the preparation of electrocatalysts and largely ignore a summary of optimization-modification strategies for the NRR. In this review, a general introduction to the NRR mechanism is presented to provide a reasonable guide for the design of highly active catalysts. Then, four categories of NRR electrocatalysts, according to chemical compositions, are surveyed, as well as several strategies for promoting the catalytic activity and efficiency. Later, strategies for developing efficient N2 fixation systems are discussed. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives in the context of the NRR are highlighted. This review sheds some light on the development of highly efficient catalytic systems for NH3 synthesis and stimulates research interests in the unexplored, but promising, research field of the NRR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Wei Lv
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, P.R. China
| | - Chen-Chen Weng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, P.R. China
| | - Zhong-Yong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, P.R. China
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Yang X, Ling F, Zi X, Wang Y, Zhang H, Zhang H, Zhou M, Guo Z, Wang Y. Low-Coordinate Step Atoms via Plasma-Assisted Calcinations to Enhance Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrogen to Ammonia. Small 2020; 16:e2000421. [PMID: 32227457 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202000421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The electrochemical N2 reduction reaction (NRR) is emerging as a promising alternative to the industrial Haber-Bosch process for distributed and modular production of NH3 . Nevertheless, developing high-efficiency catalysts to simultaneously realize both high activity and selectivity for the development of a sustainable NRR is very critical but extremely challenging. Here, a unique plasma-assisted strategy is developed to synthesize iridium diphosphide nanocrystals with abundant surface step atoms anchored in P,N-codoped porous carbon nanofilms (IrP2 @PNPC-NF), where the edges of the IrP2 nanocrystals are extremely irregular, and the ultrathin PNPC-NF possesses a honeycomb-like macroporous structure. These characteristics ensure that IrP2 @PNPC-NF delivers superior NRR performance with an NH3 yield rate of 94.0 µg h-1 mg-1 cat. and a faradaic efficiency (FE) of 17.8%. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the unique NRR performance originates from the low-coordinate step atoms on the edges of IrP2 nanocrystals, which can lower the reaction barrier to improve the NRR activity and simultaneously inhibit hydrogen evolution to achieve a high FE for NH3 formation. More importantly, such a plasma-assisted strategy is general and can be extended to the synthesis of other high-melting-point noble-metal phosphides (OsP2 @PNPC-NF, Re3 P4 @PNPC-NF, etc.) with abundant step atoms at lower temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, Chongqing University, 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
- Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, Innovation Campus, North Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia
| | - Faling Ling
- College of Sciences, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, 400065, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Technology and System of Ministry of Education, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Chongqing University, 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
| | - Xiangrong Zi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, Chongqing University, 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
| | - Yanwei Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, Chongqing University, 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
| | - Han Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, Chongqing University, 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
| | - Huijuan Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, Chongqing University, 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
| | - Miao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Technology and System of Ministry of Education, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Chongqing University, 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
| | - Zaiping Guo
- Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, Innovation Campus, North Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia
| | - Yu Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, Chongqing University, 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
- School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
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Huang Y, Babu DD, Peng Z, Wang Y. Atomic Modulation, Structural Design, and Systematic Optimization for Efficient Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2020; 7:1902390. [PMID: 32099758 PMCID: PMC7029727 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201902390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3) is a pivotal precursor in fertilizer production and a potential energy carrier. Currently, ammonia production worldwide relies on the traditional Haber-Bosch process, which consumes massive energy and has a large carbon footprint. Recently, electrochemical dinitrogen reduction to ammonia under ambient conditions has attracted considerable interest owing to its advantages of flexibility and environmental friendliness. However, the biggest challenge in dinitrogen electroreduction, i.e., the low efficiency and selectivity caused by poor specificity of electrocatalysts/electrolytic systems, still needs to be overcome. Although substantial progress has been made in recent years, acquiring most available electrocatalysts still relies on low efficiency trial-and-error methods. It is thus imperative to establish some critical guiding principles for nitrogen electroreduction toward a rational design and accelerated development of this field. Herein, a basic understanding of dinitrogen electroreduction processes and the inherent relationships between adsorbates and catalysts from fundamental theory are described, followed by an outline of the crucial principles for designing efficient electrocatalysts/electrocatalytic systems derived from a systematic evaluation of the latest significant achievements. Finally, the future research directions and prospects of this field are given, with a special emphasis on the opportunities available by following the guiding principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyin Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of NanomaterialsState Key Laboratory of Structural ChemistryKey Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and PhysicsFujian Institute of Research on the Structure of MatterChinese Academy of SciencesFuzhouFujian350002China
| | - Dickson D. Babu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of NanomaterialsState Key Laboratory of Structural ChemistryKey Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and PhysicsFujian Institute of Research on the Structure of MatterChinese Academy of SciencesFuzhouFujian350002China
| | - Zhen Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of NanomaterialsState Key Laboratory of Structural ChemistryKey Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and PhysicsFujian Institute of Research on the Structure of MatterChinese Academy of SciencesFuzhouFujian350002China
| | - Yaobing Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of NanomaterialsState Key Laboratory of Structural ChemistryKey Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and PhysicsFujian Institute of Research on the Structure of MatterChinese Academy of SciencesFuzhouFujian350002China
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Jin H, Li L, Liu X, Tang C, Xu W, Chen S, Song L, Zheng Y, Qiao SZ. Nitrogen Vacancies on 2D Layered W 2 N 3 : A Stable and Efficient Active Site for Nitrogen Reduction Reaction. Adv Mater 2019; 31:e1902709. [PMID: 31194268 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201902709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions provides an avenue to produce carbon-free hydrogen carriers. However, the selectivity and activity of NRR are still hindered by the sluggish reaction kinetics. Nitrogen Vacancies on transition metal nitrides are considered as one of the most ideal active sites for NRR by virtue of their unique vacancy properties such as appropriate adsorption energy to dinitrogen molecule. However, their catalytic performance is usually limited by the unstable feature. Herein, a new 2D layered W2 N3 nanosheet is prepared and the nitrogen vacancies are demonstrated to be active for electrochemical NRR with a steady ammonia production rate of 11.66 ± 0.98 µg h-1 mgcata -1 (3.80 ± 0.32 × 10-11 mol cm-2 s-1 ) and Faradaic efficiency of 11.67 ± 0.93% at -0.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode for 12 cycles (24 h). A series of ex situ synchrotron-based characterizations prove that the nitrogen vacancies on 2D W2 N3 are stable by virtue of the high valence state of tungsten atoms and 2D confinement effect. Density function theory calculations suggest that nitrogen vacancies on W2 N3 can provide an electron-deficient environment which not only facilitates nitrogen adsorption, but also lowers the thermodynamic limiting potential of NRR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanyu Jin
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Laiquan Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Xin Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Cheng Tang
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Wenjie Xu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230029, Anhui, P. R. China
| | - Shuangming Chen
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230029, Anhui, P. R. China
| | - Li Song
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230029, Anhui, P. R. China
| | - Yao Zheng
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Shi-Zhang Qiao
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
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Abstract
Ammonia is a promising platform molecule for the future renewable energy infrastructure owing to its high energy density (when liquefied) and carbon-free nature. In particular, the interconversion between the chemical and electrical energies leveraging the nitrogen cycle could be an effective approach in mitigating the intermittency of renewable electricity production. However, efficient methods to store and release energy into and from ammonia, respectively, are still under development. Here, the latest developments in electrochemical ammonia synthesis and ammonia fuel cells are presented, and perspectives in the technical challenges and possible remedies are outlined. N2 electrolysis, plasma-enabled N2 activation, and electro-thermochemical looping are three potential approaches for electrochemical ammonia synthesis; however, achieving high selectivity and energy efficiency remains challenging. Direct ammonia fuel cells are suitable for a broad range of mobile and transportation applications but are limited by the lack of active catalysts for ammonia oxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Jiao
- Center for Catalytic Science and Technology, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Bingjun Xu
- Center for Catalytic Science and Technology, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
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Wang Y, Shi MM, Bao D, Meng FL, Zhang Q, Zhou YT, Liu KH, Zhang Y, Wang JZ, Chen ZW, Liu DP, Jiang Z, Luo M, Gu L, Zhang QH, Cao XZ, Yao Y, Shao MH, Zhang Y, Zhang XB, Chen JG, Yan JM, Jiang Q. Generating Defect-Rich Bismuth for Enhancing the Rate of Nitrogen Electroreduction to Ammonia. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:9464-9469. [PMID: 31090132 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201903969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The electrochemical N2 fixation, which is far from practical application in aqueous solution under ambient conditions, is extremely challenging and requires a rational design of electrocatalytic centers. We observed that bismuth (Bi) might be a promising candidate for this task because of its weak binding with H adatoms, which increases the selectivity and production rate. Furthermore, we successfully synthesized defect-rich Bi nanoplates as an efficient noble-metal-free N2 reduction electrocatalyst via a low-temperature plasma bombardment approach. When exclusively using 1 H NMR measurements with N2 gas as a quantitative testing method, the defect-rich Bi(110) nanoplates achieved a 15 NH3 production rate of 5.453 μg mgBi -1 h-1 and a Faradaic efficiency of 11.68 % at -0.6 V vs. RHE in aqueous solution at ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Miao-Miao Shi
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Di Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Fan-Lu Meng
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Tong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Kai-Hua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Zhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Wen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Da-Peng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Jiang
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 20000, P. R. China
| | - Mi Luo
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 20000, P. R. China
| | - Lin Gu
- Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100080, P. R. China
| | - Qing-Hua Zhang
- Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100080, P. R. China
| | - Xing-Zhong Cao
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yao Yao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Min-Hua Shao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Xin-Bo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Jingguang G Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Jun-Min Yan
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Qing Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, P. R. China
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Yu XQ, Jiang ZH, Wang JH, Lin JD, Liu YZ, Yang JP. [Effect of reduced nitrogen fertilization on carbon footprint in spring maize-late rice production system]. Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao 2019; 30:1397-1403. [PMID: 30994304 DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.201904.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
With the growing concerns on global climate change and food security, low carbon agriculture in food production attracts more attention. Low carbon agriculture needs to balance higher-level crop yields and lower greenhouse gas emission in production process. Improving nitrogen mana-gement may help mitigate greenhouse gas emission and achieve stable or higher crop yields in crop production systems. In this study, we investigated the effects of nitrogen application rates (150, 225, 300 kg N·hm-2) on the carbon footprint of spring maize-late rice rotation system in paddy field using the life cycle assessment. The results showed that greenhouse gas emission and carbon footprint increased with the nitrogen fertilizer application rates in both crops. Nitrogen fertilizer was the most important contributor to carbon footprint of spring maize ecosystem, accounting for 36.2%-50.2%. Methane emission increased with nitrogen fertilizer input and contributed the most to the carbon footprint of late rice production, accounting for 42.8%-48.0%. When the nitrogen application rate was reduced by 25% (225 kg N·hm-2) and 50% (150 kg N·hm-2), greenhouse gas emission of maize production decreased by 21.9% and 44.3%, and the carbon footprint decreased by 20.3% and 39.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, the greenhouse gas emissions of late rice decreased by 12.3% and 20.4%, and the carbon footprint of late rice decreased by 13.7% and 16.7%, respectively. The reduction of nitrogen fertilizer rate had no significant effect on maize yield, with the treatment of 225 kg N·hm-2 rate holding the highest yield in late rice ecosystem. The treatment of 150 kg N·hm-2 rate in spring maize production and 225 kg N·hm-2 rate in late rice production was the sustainable N fertilizer application rate for achieving high grain yield and reducing the carbon footprint in crop system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Qun Yu
- Institute of Crop Ecology, Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Zhen Hui Jiang
- College of Environment and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiang Huai Wang
- College of Environment and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jing Dong Lin
- College of Environment and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yi Zhen Liu
- College of Environment and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jing Ping Yang
- College of Environment and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Cui X, Tang C, Liu XM, Wang C, Ma W, Zhang Q. Highly Selective Electrochemical Reduction of Dinitrogen to Ammonia at Ambient Temperature and Pressure over Iron Oxide Catalysts. Chemistry 2018; 24:18494-18501. [PMID: 29907981 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201800535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The catalytic conversion of dinitrogen (N2 ) into ammonia under ambient conditions represents one of the Holy Grails in sustainable chemistry. As a potential alternative to the Haber-Bosch process, the electrochemical reduction of N2 to NH3 is attractive owing to its renewability and flexibility, as well as its sustainability for producing and storing value-added chemicals from the abundant feedstock of water and nitrogen on earth. However, owing to the kinetically complex and energetically challenging N2 reduction reaction (NRR) process, NRR electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity and high selectivity are rare. In this contribution, as a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate that both the NH3 yield and faradaic efficiency (FE) under ambient conditions can be improved by modification of the hematite nanostructure surface. Introducing more oxygen vacancies to the hematite surface renders an improved performance in NRR, which leads to an average NH3 production rate of 0.46 μg h-1 cm-2 and an NH3 FE of 6.04 % at -0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl in 0.10 m KOH electrolyte. The durability of the electrochemical system was also investigated. A surprisingly high average NH3 production rate of 1.45 μg h-1 cm-2 and a NH3 FE of 8.28 % were achieved after the first 1 h chronoamperometry test. This is among the highest FEs reported so far for non-precious-metal catalysts that use a polymer-electrolyte-membrane cell and is much higher than the FE of precious-metal catalysts (e.g., Ru/C) under comparable reaction conditions. However, the NH3 yield and the FE dropped to 0.29 μg h-1 cm-2 and 2.74 %, respectively, after 16 h of chronoamperometry tests, which indicates poor durability of the system. Our results demonstrate the important role that the surface states of transition-metal oxides have in promoting electrocatalytic NRR under ambient conditions. This work may spur interest towards the rational design of electrocatalysts as well as electrochemical systems for NRR, with emphasis on the issue of stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Cui
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Cheng Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiao-Meng Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Wenjun Ma
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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