Evolution of self-sustained kinetic oscillations in the catalytic oxidation of propane over a nickel foil

Application of valence-variable transition-metal-oxide-based nanomaterials in electrochemical analysis: A review

The construction of materials with rapid electron transfer is considered an effective method for enhancing electrochemical activity in electroanalysis. It has been widely demonstrated that valence changes in transition metal ions can promote electron transfer and thus increase electrochemical activity. Recently, valence-variable transition metal oxides (TMOs) have shown popular application in electrochemical analysis by using their abundant valence state changes to accelerate electron transfer during electrochemical detection. In this review, we summarize recent research advances in valence changes of TMOs and their application in electrochemical analysis. This includes the definition and mechanism of valence change, the association of valence changes with electronic structure, and their applications in electrochemical detection, along with the use of density functional theory (DFT) to simulate the process of electron transfer during valence changes. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for developing and applying valence changes in electrochemical analysis are also identified.

Catalytic Etching and Oxidation of Platinum Group Metals: Morphology, Chemical Composition and Structure of Pt, Pd and Rh Foils in the O2 Atmosphere and during NH3 Oxidation with Air at 1133 K

Platinum alloy gauzes are employed for the high-temperature oxidation of NH3 to NO used in the industrial production of HNO3 for application in agricultural fertilizers. To enhance the efficiency of NH3 oxidation, various Pt–Pd–Rh alloys are employed for the production of such catalytic gauzes. To understand the role of these metals in NH3 oxidation, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were applied to investigate the morphology, composition and structure of Pt, Pd and Rh foils after annealing in O2 and oxidation of NH3 with air at 1133 K. After annealing in O2 and NH3 oxidation, the metallic microgranular structure was detected on Pt(poly), whereas oxide layers of Rh2O3 and PdO were observed on Rh(poly) and Pd(poly). At the onset of NH3 oxidation (t = 1 h), fibrous metal-oxide agglomerates of nanofibers formed on these oxide layers. The long-term (5–10 h) oxidation of NH3 led to the formation of a continuous layer of pyramidal crystals on Rh(poly) and palladium “cauliflowers” on Pd(poly). The highly exothermic reaction of NH3 with oxygen on metals and PdO or Rh2O3 initiates strong catalytic etching forming grains and facets on Pt, fibrous metal-oxide agglomerates, pyramidal crystals and metallic “cauliflowers” on Rh and Pd.

Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production over NiS-Modified Cadmium and Manganese Sulfide Solid Solutions

In this work, new photocatalysts based on Cd_1-xMn_xS sulfide solid solutions were synthesized by varying the fraction of MnS (x = 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8) and the hydrothermal treatment temperature (T = 100, 120, 140, and 160 °C). The active samples were modified with Pt and NiS co-catalysts. Characterization was performed using various methods, including XRD, XPS, HR TEM, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity was tested in hydrogen evolution from aqueous solutions of Na₂S/Na₂SO₃ and glucose under visible light (425 nm). When studying the process of hydrogen evolution using an equimolar mixture of Na₂S/Na₂SO₃ as a sacrificial agent, the photocatalysts Cd_0.5Mn_0.5S/Mn(OH)₂ (T = 120 °C) and Cd_0.4Mn_0.6S (T = 160 °C) demonstrated the highest activity among the non-modified solid solutions. The deposition of NiS co-catalyst led to a significant increase in activity. The best activity in the case of the modified samples was shown by 0.5 wt.% NiS/Cd_0.5Mn_0.5S (T = 120 °C) at the extraordinary level of 34.2 mmol g^-1 h^-1 (AQE 14.4%) for the Na₂S/Na₂SO₃ solution and 4.6 mmol g^-1 h^-1 (AQE 2.9%) for the glucose solution. The nickel-containing samples possessed a high stability in solutions of both sodium sulfide/sulfite and glucose. Thus, nickel sulfide is considered an alternative to depositing precious metals, which is attractive from an economic point of view. It worth noting that the process of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from sugar solutions by adding samples based on Cd_1-xMn_xS has not been studied before.

Carbon Formation during Methane Dry Reforming over Ni-Containing Ceria-Zirconia Catalysts

Two series of Ni/Ce(Ti/Nb)ZrO₂ catalysts were prepared using citrate route and original solvothermal continuous flow synthesis in supercritical isopropanol and studied in dry reforming of methane (DRM). TEM, XPS and FTIRS of adsorbed CO confirm influence of support composition and preparation method on the catalysts' morphology and surface features. The oxygen mobility was studied by isotope heteroexchange with C¹⁸O₂. After testing in DRM, carbon deposits after catalysts' testing in DRM were investigated by temperature-programmed oxidation with thermo-gravimetric analysis. The lowest amounts of carbon deposits were obtained for unmodified Ni-CeZr and Ni-CeNbZr compositions. Ti addition lead to an increased amount of carbon, which was removed at higher temperatures. The use of supercritical supports also resulted in the formation of a higher amount of coke. Catalysts prepared by the supercritical synthesis were tested in DRM for 25 h. The highest activity drop was observed in the first three hours. For all compositions, close values of carbon deposits were revealed.

Synthesis and thermal properties of the heterometallic nickel–ruthenium complex: a potential precursor for catalytically active nanosized Ni–Ru alloy

Thermal decomposition of the novel heterometallic complex [RuNO(NO2)4OHNi(En)2] results in a single-phase metastable solid solution Ni0.5Ru0.5. The catalytic activity of the prepared nanoalloy in the CO methanation reaction was demonstrated.

Ni-Cu High-Loaded Sol-Gel Catalysts for Dehydrogenation of Liquid Organic Hydrides: Insights into Structural Features and Relationship with Catalytic Activity

The heightened interest in liquid organic hydrogen carriers encourages the development of catalysts suitable for multicycle use. To ensure high catalytic activity and selectivity, the structure-reactivity relationship must be extensively investigated. In this study, high-loaded Ni-Cu catalysts were considered for the dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane. The highest conversion of 85% and toluene selectivity of 70% were achieved at 325 °C in a fixed-bed reactor using a catalyst with a Cu/Ni atomic ratio of 0.23. To shed light on the relationship between the structural features and catalytic performance, the catalysts were thoroughly studied using a wide range of advanced physicochemical tools. The activity and selectivity of the proposed catalysts are related to the uniformity of Cu distribution and its interaction with Ni via the formation of metallic solid solutions. The method of introduction of copper in the catalyst plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of the interaction between the two metals.

Phase Coexistence and Structural Dynamics of Redox Metal Catalysts Revealed by Operando TEM

Metal catalysts play an important role in industrial redox reactions. Although extensively studied, the state of these catalysts under operating conditions is largely unknown, and assignments of active sites remain speculative. Herein, an operando transmission electron microscopy study is presented, which interrelates the structural dynamics of redox metal catalysts to their activity. Using hydrogen oxidation on copper as an elementary redox reaction, it is revealed how the interaction between metal and the surrounding gas phase induces complex structural transformations and drives the system from a thermodynamic equilibrium toward a state controlled by the chemical dynamics. Direct imaging combined with the simultaneous detection of catalytic activity provides unparalleled structure-activity insights that identify distinct mechanisms for water formation and reveal the means by which the system self-adjusts to changes of the gas-phase chemical potential. Density functional theory calculations show that surface phase transitions are driven by chemical dynamics even when the system is far from a thermodynamic phase boundary. In a bottom-up approach, the dynamic behavior observed here for an elementary reaction is finally extended to more relevant redox reactions and other metal catalysts, which underlines the importance of chemical dynamics for the formation and constant re-generation of transient active sites during catalysis.

Self-sustained oscillations in oxidation of methane over palladium: the nature of “low-active” and “highly active” states

The oxidation of methane was studied in a flow reactor at atmospheric pressure using palladium foil as a catalyst.

Structural, Textural, and Catalytic Properties of Ni-CexZr1−xO2 Catalysts for Methane Dry Reforming Prepared by Continuous Synthesis in Supercritical Isopropanol

A series of 5%Ni-CexZr1−xO2 (x = 0.3, 0.5, 0.7) catalysts has been prepared via one-pot solvothermal continuous synthesis in supercritical isopropanol and incipient wetness impregnation of CexZr1−xO2 obtained by the same route. The textural, structural, red-ox, and catalytic properties in methane dry reforming (MDR) of Ni-modified Ce-Zr oxides synthesized by two routes have been compared. It was shown by XRD, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy that the method of Ni introduction does not affect the phase composition of the catalysts, but determines the dispersion of NiO. Despite a high dispersion of NiO and near-uniform distribution of Ni within Ce-Zr particles observed for the one-pot catalysts, they have shown a lower activity and stability in MDR as compared with impregnated ones. This is a result of a low Ni concentration in the surface layer due to segregation of Ce and decoration of nickel nanoparticles with support species.

Synthesis and characterization of nickel-doped ceria nanoparticles with improved surface reducibility

Nickel-doped ceria nanoparticles (Ni_0.1Ce_0.9O_2−x NPs) were fabricated from Schiff-base complexes and characterized by various microscopic and spectroscopic methods. Clear evidence is provided for incorporation of nickel ions in the ceria lattice in the form of Ni³⁺ species which is considered as the hole trapped state of Ni²⁺. The Ni_0.1Ce_0.9O_2−x NPs exhibit enhanced reducibility in H₂ as compared to conventional ceria-supported Ni particles, while in O₂ the dopant nickel cations are oxidized at higher valence than the supported ones.

Nickel-doped ceria nanoparticles (Ni_0.1Ce_0.9O_2−x NPs) were fabricated from Schiff-base complexes and characterized by various microscopic and spectroscopic methods.

Insights into the Surface Reactivity of Cermet and Perovskite Electrodes in Oxidizing, Reducing, and Humid Environments

Understanding the surface chemistry of electrode materials under gas environments is important in order to control their performance during electrochemical and catalytic applications. This work compares the surface reactivity of Ni/YSZ and La_0.75Sr_0.25Cr_0.9Fe_0.1O₃, which are commonly used types of electrodes in solid oxide electrochemical devices. In situ synchrotron-based near-ambient pressure photoemission and absorption spectroscopy experiments, assisted by theoretical spectral simulations and combined with microscopy and electrochemical measurements, are used to monitor the effect of the gas atmosphere on the chemical state, the morphology, and the electrical conductivity of the electrodes. It is shown that the surface of both electrode types readjusts fast to the reactive gas atmosphere and their surface composition is notably modified. In the case of Ni/YSZ, this is followed by evident changes in the oxidation state of nickel, while for La_0.75Sr_0.25Cr_0.9Fe_0.1O₃, a fine adjustment of the Cr valence and strong Sr segregation is observed. An important difference between the two electrodes is their capacity to maintain adsorbed hydroxyl groups on their surface, which is expected to be critical for the electrocatalytic properties of the materials. The insight gained from the surface analysis may serve as a paradigm for understanding the effect of the gas environment on the electrochemical performance and the electrical conductivity of the electrodes.

Reversible Bulk Oxidation of Ni Foil During Oscillatory Catalytic Oxidation of Propane: A Novel Type of Spatiotemporal Self-Organization

A novel type of temporal and spatial self-organization in a heterogeneous catalytic reaction is described for the first time. Using in situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry, we show that, under certain conditions, self-sustained reaction-rate oscillations arise in the oxidation of propane over Ni foil because of reversible bulk oxidation of Ni to NiO, which can be observed even with the naked eye as chemical waves propagating over the catalyst surface.

Is Steam an Oxidant or a Reductant for Nickel/Doped-Ceria Cermets?

Nickel/doped-ceria composites are promising electrocatalysts for solid-oxide fuel and electrolysis cells. Very often steam is present in the feedstock of the cells, frequently mixed with other gases, such as hydrogen or CO₂ . An increase in the steam concentration in the feed mixture is considered accountable for the electrode oxidation and the deactivation of the device. However, direct experimental evidence of the steam interaction with nickel/doped-ceria composites, with adequate surface specificity, are lacking. Herein we explore in situ the surface state of nickel/gadolinium-doped ceria (NiGDC) under O₂ , H₂ , and H₂ O environments by using near-ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopies. Changes in the surface oxidation state and composition of NiGDC in response to the ambient gas are observed. It is revealed that, in the mbar pressure regime and at intermediate temperature conditions (500-700 °C), steam acts as an oxidant for nickel but has a dual oxidant/reductant function for doped ceria.

Hydrogenation/oxidation triggered highly efficient reversible color switching of organic molecules

The reversible hydrogenation/oxidative dehydrogenation process of TH⁺/LTH over a highly active Pd–ZnO_1−x hybrid catalyst under ambient conditions.

The origin of self-sustained reaction-rate oscillations in the oxidation of methane over nickel: an operando XRD and mass spectrometry study

The self-sustained kinetic oscillations in the catalytic oxidation of methane over Ni foil have been studied at atmospheric pressure using an X-ray diffraction technique and mass spectrometry.