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Sendeku MG, Shifa TA, Dajan FT, Ibrahim KB, Wu B, Yang Y, Moretti E, Vomiero A, Wang F. Frontiers in Photoelectrochemical Catalysis: A Focus on Valuable Product Synthesis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2308101. [PMID: 38341618 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) catalysis provides the most promising avenue for producing value-added chemicals and consumables from renewable precursors. Over the last decades, PEC catalysis, including reduction of renewable feedstock, oxidation of organics, and activation and functionalization of C─C and C─H bonds, are extensively investigated, opening new opportunities for employing the technology in upgrading readily available resources. However, several challenges still remain unsolved, hindering the commercialization of the process. This review offers an overview of PEC catalysis targeted at the synthesis of high-value chemicals from sustainable precursors. First, the fundamentals of evaluating PEC reactions in the context of value-added product synthesis at both anode and cathode are recalled. Then, the common photoelectrode fabrication methods that have been employed to produce thin-film photoelectrodes are highlighted. Next, the advancements are systematically reviewed and discussed in the PEC conversion of various feedstocks to produce highly valued chemicals. Finally, the challenges and prospects in the field are presented. This review aims at facilitating further development of PEC technology for upgrading several renewable precursors to value-added products and other pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marshet Getaye Sendeku
- Ocean Hydrogen Energy R&D Center, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
| | - Tofik Ahmed Shifa
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, Venezia Mestre, 30172, Italy
| | - Fekadu Tsegaye Dajan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Kassa Belay Ibrahim
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, Venezia Mestre, 30172, Italy
| | - Binglan Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710127, P. R. China
| | - Ying Yang
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710127, P. R. China
| | - Elisa Moretti
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, Venezia Mestre, 30172, Italy
| | - Alberto Vomiero
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, Venezia Mestre, 30172, Italy
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Division of Materials Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, 97187, Sweden
| | - Fengmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
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Xiong Y, Wang Y, Zhou J, Liu F, Hao F, Fan Z. Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction: Ammonia Synthesis and the Beyond. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2304021. [PMID: 37294062 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202304021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Natural nitrogen cycle has been severely disrupted by anthropogenic activities. The overuse of N-containing fertilizers induces the increase of nitrate level in surface and ground waters, and substantial emission of nitrogen oxides causes heavy air pollution. Nitrogen gas, as the main component of air, has been used for mass ammonia production for over a century, providing enough nutrition for agriculture to support world population increase. In the last decade, researchers have made great efforts to develop ammonia processes under ambient conditions to combat the intensive energy consumption and high carbon emission associated with the Haber-Bosch process. Among different techniques, electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) can achieve nitrate removal and ammonia generation simultaneously using renewable electricity as the power, and there is an exponential growth of studies in this research direction. Here, a timely and comprehensive review on the important progresses of electrochemical NO3RR, covering the rational design of electrocatalysts, emerging CN coupling reactions, and advanced energy conversion and storage systems is provided. Moreover, future perspectives are proposed to accelerate the industrialized NH3 production and green synthesis of chemicals, leading to a sustainable nitrogen cycle via prosperous N-based electrochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuecheng Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Yunhao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Fu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Fengkun Hao
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Zhanxi Fan
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
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Ren S, Gao RT, Nguyen NT, Wang L. Enhanced Charge Carrier Dynamics on Sb 2 Se 3 Photocathodes for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202317414. [PMID: 38225198 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202317414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3 ) is recognized as a transportable carrier for renewable energy fuels. Photoelectrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (PEC NO3 RR) offers a sustainable solution for nitrate-rich wastewater treatment by directly converting solar energy to ammonia. In this study, we demonstrate the highly selective PEC ammonia production from NO3 RR by constructing a CoCu/TiO2 /Sb2 Se3 photocathode. The constructed CoCu/TiO2 /Sb2 Se3 photocathode achieves an ammonia Faraday efficiency (FE) of 88.01 % at -0.2 VRHE and an ammonia yield as high as 15.91 μmol h-1 cm-2 at -0.3 VRHE with an excellent onset potential of 0.43 VRHE . Dynamics experiments and theoretical calculations have demonstrated that the CoCu/TiO2 /Sb2 Se3 photocathode possesses high light absorption capacity, excellent carrier transfer capability, and high charge separation and transfer efficiencies. The photocathode can effectively adsorb the reactant NO3 - and intermediate, and the CoCu co-catalyst increases the maximum Gibbs free energy difference between NO3 RR and HER. Meanwhile, the Co species enhances the spin density of Cu, and increases the density of states near the Fermi level in pdos, which results in a high PEC NO3 RR activity on CoCu/TiO2 /Sb2 Se3 . This work provides a new avenue for the feasibility of efficient PEC ammonia synthesis from nitrate-rich wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Ren
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Energy Material and Chemistry, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China
| | - Rui-Ting Gao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Energy Material and Chemistry, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China
| | - Nhat Truong Nguyen
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H3G 2W1, Canada
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Energy Material and Chemistry, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China
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Zi Y, Hu Y, Pu J, Wang M, Huang W. Recent Progress in Interface Engineering of Nanostructures for Photoelectrochemical Energy Harvesting Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2208274. [PMID: 36776020 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202208274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
With rapid and continuous consumption of nonrenewable energy, solar energy can be utilized to meet the energy requirement and mitigate environmental issues in the future. To attain a sustainable society with an energy mix predominately dependent on solar energy, photoelectrochemical (PEC) device, in which semiconductor nanostructure-based photocatalysts play important roles, is considered to be one of the most promising candidates to realize the sufficient utilization of solar energy in a low-cost, green, and environmentally friendly manner. Interface engineering of semiconductor nanostructures has been qualified in the efficient improvement of PEC performances including three basic steps, i.e., light absorption, charge transfer/separation, and surface catalytic reaction. In this review, recently developed interface engineering of semiconductor nanostructures for direct and high-efficiency conversion of sunlight into available forms (e.g., chemical fuels and electric power) are summarized in terms of their atomic constitution and morphology, electronic structure and promising potential for PEC applications. Extensive efforts toward the development of high-performance PEC applications (e.g., PEC water splitting, PEC photodetection, PEC catalysis, PEC degradation and PEC biosensors) are also presented and appraised. Last but not least, a brief summary and personal insights on the challenges and future directions in the community of next-generation PEC devices are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Zi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, P. R. China
| | - Yi Hu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, P. R. China
| | - Junmei Pu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, P. R. China
| | - Mengke Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, P. R. China
| | - Weichun Huang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, P. R. China
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Li J, Wang J, Shen S, Chen R, Liu M, Dong F. Beyond Purification: Highly Efficient and Selective Conversion of NO into Ammonia by Coupling Continuous Absorption and Photoreduction under Ambient Conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:5445-5452. [PMID: 36942694 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Although the selective catalytic reduction technology has been confirmed to be effective for nitrogen oxide (NOx) removal, green and sustainable NOx re-utilization under ambient conditions is still a great challenge. Herein, we develop an on-site system by coupling the continuous chemical absorption and photocatalytic reduction of NO in simulated flue gas (CNO = 500 ppm, GHSV = 18,000 h-1), which accomplishes an exceptional NO conversion into value-added ammonia with competitive conversion efficiency (89.05 ± 0.71%), ammonia production selectivity (95.58 ± 0.95%), and ammonia recovery efficiency (>90%) under ambient conditions. The anti-poisoning capacities, including the resistance against factors of H2O, SO2, and alkali/alkaline/heavy metals, are also achieved, which presents strong environmental practicability for treating NOx in flue gas. In addition, the critical roles of corresponding chemical absorption and catalytic reduction components are also revealed by in situ characterizations. The emerging strategy herein not only achieves a milestone efficiency for sustainable NO purification but also opens a new route for contaminant resourcing in the near future of carbon neutrality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyuan Li
- Research Center for Carbon-Neutral Environmental & Energy Technology, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Jielin Wang
- Research Center for Carbon-Neutral Environmental & Energy Technology, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Shujie Shen
- Research Center for Carbon-Neutral Environmental & Energy Technology, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Ruimin Chen
- Research Center for Carbon-Neutral Environmental & Energy Technology, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Min Liu
- Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physical and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Fan Dong
- Research Center for Carbon-Neutral Environmental & Energy Technology, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
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Constructing the Multilayer O-g-C3N4@W18O49 Heterostructure for Deeply Photocatalytic Oxidation NO. Sep Purif Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.122841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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