1
|
Xiao M, Baktash A, Lyu M, Zhao G, Jin Y, Wang L. Unveiling the Role of Water in Heterogeneous Photocatalysis of Methanol Conversion for Efficient Hydrogen Production. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202402004. [PMID: 38531783 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202402004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Water molecules, which act as both solvent and reactant, play critical roles in photocatalytic reactions for methanol conversion. However, the influence of water on the adsorption of methanol and desorption of liquid products, which are two essential steps that control the performance in photocatalysis, has been well under-explored. Herein, we reveal the role of water in heterogeneous photocatalytic processes of methanol conversion on the platinized carbon nitride (Pt/C3N4) model photocatalyst. In situ spectroscopy techniques, isotope effects, and computational calculations demonstrate that water shows adverse effects on the adsorption of methanol molecules and desorption processes of methanol oxidation products on the surface of Pt/C3N4, significantly altering the reaction pathways in photocatalytic methanol conversion process. Guided by these discoveries, a photothermal-assisted photocatalytic system is designed to achieve a high solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency of 2.3 %, which is among the highest values reported. This work highlights the important roles of solvents in controlling the adsorption/desorption behaviours of liquid-phase heterogeneous catalysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mu Xiao
- School of Chemical Engineering Nanomaterials Centre, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland (UQ), Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ardeshir Baktash
- School of Chemical Engineering Nanomaterials Centre, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland (UQ), Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Miaoqiang Lyu
- School of Chemical Engineering Nanomaterials Centre, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland (UQ), Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Guangyu Zhao
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Mineral Resources, 1 Technology Court, Pullenvale, QLD 4069, Australia
| | - Yonggang Jin
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Mineral Resources, 1 Technology Court, Pullenvale, QLD 4069, Australia
| | - Lianzhou Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering Nanomaterials Centre, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland (UQ), Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ren G, Zhou M, Wang H. Weakened Interfacial Hydrogen Bond Connectivity Drives Selective Photocatalytic Water Oxidation toward H 2O 2 at Water/Brookite-TiO 2 Interface. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:6084-6093. [PMID: 38386422 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c13402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The formation of H2O2 through the two-electron photocatalytic water oxidation reaction (WOR) is significant but encounters the competition with the four-electron O2 evolution reaction. Recent studies showed a crystal-phase dependence in H2O2 selectivity, where high purity brookite TiO2 (b-TiO2) exhibits remarkable H2O2 selectivity in contrast to the common rutile phase TiO2 (r-TiO2). However, the origin of such a structure-induced selectivity preference remains elusive, primarily due to the complexities associated with the solid-liquid interface system and excited-state chemistry. Herein, we conducted a comprehensive investigation into the selectivity mechanism of WOR at the water/b-TiO2(210) and water/r-TiO2(110) interfaces, employing first-principles molecular dynamics simulations and microkinetic analyses. Intriguingly, our results reveal that the intrinsic catalytic ability of the b-TiO2(210) itself does not enhance H2O2 selectivity compared to r-TiO2(110). Instead, it is the weakened interfacial hydrogen bond connectivity, modulated by the herringbone-like local atomic structure of the b-TiO2(210) surface, that determines the selectivity. Specifically, this weakened H-bond connectivity (i.e., local low water density) at the interface, owing to the strong water adsorption and distinct adsorption orientation, can stabilize the OH• radical and inhibit its deprotonation, leading to an improved H2O2 selectivity. By contrast, the relatively strong interface H-bond connectivity established over r-TiO2(110) accelerates the deprotonation of OH•, with the OH• coverage being 3 orders of magnitude lower than at the water/b-TiO2(210) interface. This study quantitatively demonstrates that the local H-bond structure (water density) at the liquid/solid interface significantly influences photocatalytic selectivity, and this insight may offer a rational approach to enhance the H2O2 selectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guanhua Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering and Industrial Catalysis, Centre for Computational Chemistry and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering and Industrial Catalysis, Centre for Computational Chemistry and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Haifeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering and Industrial Catalysis, Centre for Computational Chemistry and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fukushima T, Ashizawa D, Murakoshi K. Rapid detection of donor-dependent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution by NMR spectroscopy. RSC Adv 2022; 12:12967-12970. [PMID: 35497003 PMCID: PMC9049774 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra01676a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding molecular processes at nanoparticle surfaces is essential for designing active photocatalytic materials. Here, we utilize nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to track photocatalytic hydrogen evolution using donor molecules and water isotopologues. Pt-TiO2 catalysts were prepared and used for isotopic hydrogen evolution reactions using alcohols as electron donors. 1H NMR monitoring revealed that evolution of the H2 and HD species is accompanied by the oxidation of donor molecules. The isotopic selectivity in the hydrogen evolution reaction gives rise to formal overpotential. Based on a comparison of the rates of hydrogen evolution and donor oxidation, we propose the use of ethanol as an efficient electron donor for the hydrogen evolution reaction without re-oxidation of radical intermediates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daiki Ashizawa
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University Japan
| | - Kei Murakoshi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhou M, Wang H. Optimally Selecting Photo- and Electrocatalysis to Facilitate CH 4 Activation on TiO 2(110) Surface: Localized Photoexcitation versus Global Electric-Field Polarization. JACS AU 2022; 2:188-196. [PMID: 35098235 PMCID: PMC8790734 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Photo- and electrocatalytic technologies hold great promise for activating inert chemical bonds under mild conditions, but rationally selecting a more suitable method in between to maximize the performance remains an open issue, which requires a fundamental understanding of their different catalytic mechanisms. Herein, by first-principles calculations, we systematically compare the activation mechanisms for the C-H bond of the CH4 molecule on TiO2(110) under the photo- and electrocatalytic modes without or with water involved. It quantitatively reveals that the activation barrier of the C-H bond decreases dramatically with a surprising 74% scale by photoexcitation relative to that in thermocatalysis (1.12 eV), while the barrier varies with a maximum promotion of only 5% even under -1 V/Å external electric field (EEF). By detailed geometric/electronic analysis, the superior photocatalytic activity is traced to the highly oxidative lattice Obr •- radical excited by a photohole (h +), which motivates the homolytic C-H bond scission. However, under EEF from -1 V/Å to 1 V/Å, it gives a relatively mild charge polarization on the TiO2(110) surface region and thus a limited promotion for breaking the weakly polar C-H bond. By contrast, in the presence of water, we find that EEF can facilitate CH4 activation indirectly assisted by the surface radical-like OH* species from the oxidative water cleavage at high oxidative potential (>1.85 V vs SHE), which explains the high energy cost to drive electrocatalytic CH4 conversion in experiment. Alternatively, we demonstrate that more efficient CH4 activation could be also achieved at much lower oxidative potential when integrating the light irradiation. In such a circumstance, EEF can not only promote the h + accumulation at the catalyst surface but also help H2O deprotonation to form hydroxide, which can serve as an efficient hole-trapper to generate OH• radical (OH- + h + → OH•), unveiling an interesting synergistic photoelectrocatalytic effect. This work could provide a fundamental insight into the different characteristics of photo- and electrocatalysis in modulating chemical bond cleavage.
Collapse
|
5
|
Najafishirtari S, Friedel Ortega K, Douthwaite M, Pattisson S, Hutchings GJ, Bondue CJ, Tschulik K, Waffel D, Peng B, Deitermann M, Busser GW, Muhler M, Behrens M. A Perspective on Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Selective Oxidation of Alcohols. Chemistry 2021; 27:16809-16833. [PMID: 34596294 PMCID: PMC9292687 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202102868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Selective oxidation of higher alcohols using heterogeneous catalysts is an important reaction in the synthesis of fine chemicals with added value. Though the process for primary alcohol oxidation is industrially established, there is still a lack of fundamental understanding considering the complexity of the catalysts and their dynamics under reaction conditions, especially when higher alcohols and liquid‐phase reaction media are involved. Additionally, new materials should be developed offering higher activity, selectivity, and stability. This can be achieved by unraveling the structure–performance correlations of these catalysts under reaction conditions. In this regard, researchers are encouraged to develop more advanced characterization techniques to address the complex interplay between the solid surface, the dissolved reactants, and the solvent. In this mini‐review, we report some of the most important approaches taken in the field and give a perspective on how to tackle the complex challenges for different approaches in alcohol oxidation while providing insight into the remaining challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharif Najafishirtari
- Faculty of Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Carl-Benz-Straße 199, 47057, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Friedel Ortega
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Kiel University, Max-Eyth-Straße 2, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Mark Douthwaite
- Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, CF10 3AT, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Pattisson
- Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, CF10 3AT, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Graham J Hutchings
- Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, CF10 3AT, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Christoph J Bondue
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Lab. of Electrochemistry & Nanoscale Materials, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße. 150, ZEMOS 1.41, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Kristina Tschulik
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Lab. of Electrochemistry & Nanoscale Materials, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße. 150, ZEMOS 1.41, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniel Waffel
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Lab. of Industrial Chemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, NBCF 04 / 690, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Baoxiang Peng
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Lab. of Industrial Chemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, NBCF 04 / 690, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Michel Deitermann
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Lab. of Industrial Chemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, NBCF 04 / 690, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - G Wilma Busser
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Lab. of Industrial Chemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, NBCF 04 / 690, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Muhler
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Lab. of Industrial Chemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, NBCF 04 / 690, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Malte Behrens
- Faculty of Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Carl-Benz-Straße 199, 47057, Duisburg, Germany.,Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Kiel University, Max-Eyth-Straße 2, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xu BB, Zhou M, Ye M, Yang LY, Wang HF, Wang XL, Yao YF. Cooperative Motion in Water-Methanol Clusters Controls the Reaction Rates of Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Reactions. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:10940-10947. [PMID: 34281341 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c02128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Detailed information about the influences of the cooperative motion of water and methanol molecules on practical solid-liquid heterogeneous photocatalysis reactions is critical for our understanding of photocatalytic reactions. The present work addresses this issue by applying operando nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, to investigate the dynamic behaviors of heterogeneous photocatalytic systems with different molar ratios of water to methanol on rutile-TiO2 photocatalyst. The results demonstrate that methanol and water molecules are involved in the cooperative motions, and the cooperation often takes the form of methanol-water clusters that govern the number of methanol molecules reaching to the active sites of the photocatalyst per unit time, as confirmed by the diffusion coefficients of the methanol molecule calculated in the binary methanol-water solutions. Nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy experiments reveal that the clusters are formed by the hydrogen bonding between the -OH groups of CH3OH and H2O. The formation of such methanol-water clusters is likely from an energetic standpoint in low-concentration methanol, which eventually determines the yields of methanol reforming products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bei-Bei Xu
- Physics Department & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, North Zhongshan Road 3663, Shanghai 200062, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Centre for Computational Chemistry and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Man Ye
- Physics Department & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, North Zhongshan Road 3663, Shanghai 200062, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling-Yun Yang
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hai-Feng Wang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Centre for Computational Chemistry and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xue Lu Wang
- Physics Department & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, North Zhongshan Road 3663, Shanghai 200062, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye-Feng Yao
- Physics Department & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, North Zhongshan Road 3663, Shanghai 200062, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|