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Li Q, Chen S, Lan P, Yang G, Sun Q, Zhong L, Wang F. Tuning nitrogen adsorption and activation performances of Three-Atom transition metal clusters by modulating external electric fields. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 669:211-219. [PMID: 38713959 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.001] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Three-atom transition metal clusters (TATMCs) with remarkable catalytic activities, especially Nb3, Zr3, and Y3, are proven to be suitable candidates for efficient ammonia production. The pursuit of effective strategies to further promote the ammonia synthesis performance of TATMCs is necessary. In this study, we systematically investigate the effect of external electric fields on tuning the N2 adsorption and NN* activation performances of Nb3, Zr3, and Y3. Our findings demonstrate that the medium and low positive fields promote the N2 adsorption performance of Nb3, while both positive and negative fields enhance nitrogen adsorption on Zr3. Additionally, electric fields may impede N2 fixation on Y3, yet the N2 adsorption performance of Y3 remains considerable. Negative electric fields enhance the NN* activation performance of Nb3 and Y3. But only high negative fields weaken the NN bond on Zr3, which is attributed to the promotion of the charge accumulation around two N atoms. Notably, Nb3 and Zr3 are identified as two TATMCs with the potential for simultaneous optimization of their EN and ICOHP values. This work sheds light on the field effects on the N2 adsorption and NN* activation performances of TATMCs and guides the design of catalysts for achieving more sustainable ammonia synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihang Li
- College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - She Chen
- College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China.
| | - Penghang Lan
- College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Guobin Yang
- College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuqin Sun
- College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Lipeng Zhong
- College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Wang
- College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
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2
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Yang T, Luo Q. Theoretical Study of Single-Atom Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Based on BiTeBr Monolayer. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:2377. [PMID: 38793444 PMCID: PMC11123116 DOI: 10.3390/ma17102377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Developing an inexpensive and efficient catalyst for a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is an effective measure to alleviate the energy crisis. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) based on Janus materials demonstrated promising prospects for the HER. Herein, density functional theory calculations were conducted to systematically investigate the performance of SACs based on the BiTeBr monolayer. Among the one hundred and forty models that were constructed, fourteen SACs with potential HER activity were selected. Significantly, the SAC, in which a single Ru atom is anchored on a BiTeBr monolayer with a Bi vacancy (RuS2/VBi-BiTeBr), exhibits excellent HER activity with an ultra-low |ΔGH*| value. A further investigation revealed that RuS2/VBi-BiTeBr tends to react through the Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism. An electronic structure analysis provided deeper insights into this phenomenon. This is because the Tafel pathway requires overcoming steric hindrance and disrupting stable electron filling states, making it challenging to proceed. This study finally employed constant potential calculations, which approximate experimental situations. The results indicated that the ΔGH* value at pH = 0 is 0.056 eV for RuS2/VBi-BiTeBr, validating the rationality of the traditional Computational Hydrogen Electrode (CHE) method for performance evaluation in this system. This work provides a reference for the research of new HER catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yang
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China;
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3
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Choutipalli VSK, Subramanian V. Harnessing halogen bond donors for enhanced nitrogen reduction: a case study on metal-free boron nitride single-atom catalysts. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:12495-12509. [PMID: 38600843 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp00076e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Developing efficient catalysts for ammonia synthesis is increasingly crucial but remains a formidable challenge due to the lack of robust design criteria, particularly in addressing the activity and selectivity issues, especially in electrochemical nitrogen reduction reactions (NRR). In this study, we systematically investigated the catalytic potential of hexagonal boron nitride (BN) embedded with non-metal (C, Si, P and S) atoms as an electrocatalyst for the nitrogen reduction reaction using density functional theory (DFT) computations. The preference for non-metal-doped BN nanomaterials stems from their ability to suppress hydrogen evolution and their environmentally friendly nature, in contrast to transition metals. Among the designed single-atom catalysts (SACs), Si-doped boron nitride (SiBBN) exhibits a favorable inclination toward activating nitrogen, which is determined by the combination of advantageous molecular orbital coupling and formation of a covalent bond with the N2 molecule. Under thermal conditions, the first protonation step emerges as the rate-determining step (22.66 kcal mol-1) for SiBBN. Conversely, under electrochemical conditions, the final elementary step becomes the potential-determining step (PDS) with 2.38 eV. We explored the impact of the exogenous addition of Lewis acids (alkali metal ions, neutral boron Lewis acids, and halogen bond donors) on modulating the electrochemical NRR activity. Our results highlight the pivotal role of halogen bond donors as catalytic promoters in facilitating electron density transfer through activated N2, establishing a push-pull charge transfer mechanism that populates the distal nitrogen more than the proximal nitrogen. This facilitates the potential requirements for the first reduction step. The synergistic effect of both halogen bonding and hydrogen bonding interactions in the final reduction step was proven to be the main determinant for a significant reduction in the PDS from 2.38 to 0.10 V. Notably, this study unveils the pioneering role of halogen bond donors as promoters for NRR, providing valuable insights into the development of robust metal-free catalysts and promoters in experimental research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkata Surya Kumar Choutipalli
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201 002, India.
- Centre for High Computing, CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar, Chennai-600 020, India
| | - Venkatesan Subramanian
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201 002, India.
- Centre for High Computing, CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar, Chennai-600 020, India
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Adyar, Chennai-600 020, India
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4
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Sakharova NA, Antunes JM, Pereira AFG, Chaparro BM, Parreira TG, Fernandes JV. Numerical Evaluation of the Elastic Moduli of AlN and GaN Nanosheets. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:799. [PMID: 38399050 PMCID: PMC10890007 DOI: 10.3390/ma17040799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures of aluminum nitride (AlN) and gallium nitride (GaN), called nanosheets, have a graphene-like atomic arrangement and represent novel materials with important upcoming applications in the fields of flexible electronics, optoelectronics, and strain engineering, among others. Knowledge of their mechanical behavior is key to the correct design and enhanced functioning of advanced 2D devices and systems based on aluminum nitride and gallium nitride nanosheets. With this background, the surface Young's and shear moduli of AlN and GaN nanosheets over a wide range of aspect ratios were assessed using the nanoscale continuum model (NCM), also known as the molecular structural mechanics (MSM) approach. The NCM/MSM approach uses elastic beam elements to represent interatomic bonds and allows the elastic moduli of nanosheets to be evaluated in a simple way. The surface Young's and shear moduli calculated in the current study contribute to building a reference for the evaluation of the elastic moduli of AlN and GaN nanosheets using the theoretical method. The results show that an analytical methodology can be used to assess the Young's and shear moduli of aluminum nitride and gallium nitride nanosheets without the need for numerical simulation. An exploratory study was performed to adjust the input parameters of the numerical simulation, which led to good agreement with the results of elastic moduli available in the literature. The limitations of this method are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya A. Sakharova
- Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes (CEMMPRE)—Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems, Associated Laboratory (ARISE), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.M.A.); (A.F.G.P.); (T.G.P.); (J.V.F.)
| | - Jorge M. Antunes
- Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes (CEMMPRE)—Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems, Associated Laboratory (ARISE), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.M.A.); (A.F.G.P.); (T.G.P.); (J.V.F.)
- Abrantes High School of Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Quinta do Contador, Estrada da Serra, 2300-313 Tomar, Portugal;
| | - André F. G. Pereira
- Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes (CEMMPRE)—Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems, Associated Laboratory (ARISE), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.M.A.); (A.F.G.P.); (T.G.P.); (J.V.F.)
| | - Bruno M. Chaparro
- Abrantes High School of Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Quinta do Contador, Estrada da Serra, 2300-313 Tomar, Portugal;
| | - Tomás G. Parreira
- Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes (CEMMPRE)—Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems, Associated Laboratory (ARISE), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.M.A.); (A.F.G.P.); (T.G.P.); (J.V.F.)
| | - José V. Fernandes
- Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes (CEMMPRE)—Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems, Associated Laboratory (ARISE), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.M.A.); (A.F.G.P.); (T.G.P.); (J.V.F.)
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5
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Sun Y, Shi W, Huang A, Sun M, Tu R, Li Z, Wang Z. Structural Design of π-d Conjugated TM x B 3 N 3 S 6 (x=2, 3) Monolayer Toward Electrocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202301021. [PMID: 37701969 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202301021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted wide attention to be acted as potential electrocatalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). However, the coordination environment of the single transition metal (TM) atoms is essential to the catalytic activity for NRR. Herein, we proposed four types of 3-, 4-coordinated and π-d conjugated TMx B3 N3 S6 (x=2, 3, TM=Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Hf, Ta, W, Re and Os) monolayers for SACs. Based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, I-TM2 B3 N3 S6 and III-TM3 B3 N3 S6 are the reasonable 3-coordinated and 4-coordinated structures screening by structure stable optimizations, respectively. Next, the structural configurations, electronic properties and catalytic performances of 30 kinds of the 3-coordinated I-TM2 B3 N3 S6 and 4-coordinated III-TM3 B3 N3 S6 monolayers with different single transition metal atoms were systematically investigated. The results reveal that B3 N3 S6 ligand is an ideal support for TM atoms due to existence of strong TM-S bonds. The 3-coordinated I-V2 B3 N3 S6 is the best SAC with the low limiting potential (UL ) of -0.01 V, excellent stability (Ef =-0.32 eV, Udiss =0.02 V) and remarkable selectivity characteristics. This work not only provides novel π-d conjugated SACs, but also gives theoretical insights into their catalytic activities and offers reference for experimental synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxiu Sun
- School of Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Wenwu Shi
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, P. R. China
| | - Aijian Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Mengxuan Sun
- School of Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Renyong Tu
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhijie Li
- School of Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Zhiguo Wang
- School of Information and Software Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, P. R. China
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Liu Y, Li Y, Zhang J, Xu J, Wang D. Theoretical study of highly efficient VS 2-based single-atom catalysts for lithium-sulfur batteries. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:936-945. [PMID: 38088050 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp04209j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have become a research hotspot due to their high energy density. However, they also have certain disadvantages and limitations. To enhance the performance of Li-S batteries, this study focuses on the utilization of transition metal (TM)-embedded vanadium disulfide (VS2) materials as cathode catalysts. Using density functional theory (DFT), comprehensive calculations and atomic-level screening of ten TM atoms were conducted to understand the underlying mechanisms and explore the potential of TM@VS2 catalysts for enhancing battery performance. The computational results indicate that five selected catalysts possess sufficient bonding strength towards high-order lithium polysulfide intermediates by the formation of a significant covalent bond between S atoms in Li2Sn and TM atoms, thereby effectively suppressing the shuttle effect. The Ni@VS2 catalyst can effectively decrease the decomposition energy barrier of Li2S in the charge reaction and can have an optimal Gibbs free energy at the rate-determining step among TM@VS2 catalysts for the discharge reaction. This study elucidates the mechanism of VS2-based transition-metal single-atom catalysts and provides an effective reference for the anchoring of TM atoms on other materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Liu
- Institute of Zhejiang University, Quzhou, 324000, China.
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, China.
| | - Yang Li
- Institute of Zhejiang University, Quzhou, 324000, China.
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, China.
| | - Jinhui Zhang
- Institute of Zhejiang University, Quzhou, 324000, China.
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, China.
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, China.
| | - Dashuai Wang
- Institute of Zhejiang University, Quzhou, 324000, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
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7
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Sun Y, Shi W, Fu YQ, Yu H, Wang Z, Li Z. The novel π-d conjugated TM 2B 3N 3S 6 (TM = Mo, Ti and W) monolayers as highly active single-atom catalysts for electrocatalytic synthesis of ammonia. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 650:1-12. [PMID: 37392494 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.06.181] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Recently, single-atom catalysts (SACs) are receiving significant attention in electrocatalysis fields due to their excellent specific activities and extremely high atomic utilization ratio. Effective loading of metal atoms and high stability of SACs increase the number of exposed active sites, thus significantly improving their catalytic efficiency. Herein, we proposed a series (29 in total) of two-dimensional (2D) conjugated structures of TM2B3N3S6 (TM means those 3d to 5d transition metals) and studied the performance as single-atom catalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) using density functional theory (DFT). Results show that TM2B3N3S6 (TM = Mo, Ti and W) monolayers have superior performance for ammonia synthesis with low limiting potentials of -0.38, -0.53 and -0.68 V, respectively. Among them, the Mo2B3N3S6 monolayer shows the best catalytic performance of NRR. Meanwhile, the π conjugated B3N3S6 rings undergo coordinated electron transfer with the d orbitals of TM to exhibit good chargeability, and these TM2B3N3S6 monolayers activate isolated N2 according to the "acceptance-donation" mechanism. We have also verified the good stability (i.e., Ef < 0, and Udiss > 0) and high selectivity (Ud = -0.03, 0.01 and 0.10 V, respectively) of the above four types of monolayers for NRR over hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The NRR activities have been clarified by multiple-level descriptors (ΔG*N2H, ICOHP, and Ɛd) in the terms of basic characteristics, electronic property, and energy. Moreover, the aqueous solution can promote the NRR process, leading to the reduction of ΔGPDS from 0.38 eV to 0.27 eV for the Mo2B3N3S6 monolayer. However, the TM2B3N3S6 (TM = Mo, Ti and W) also showed excellent stability in aqueous phase. This study proves that the π-d conjugated monolayers of TM2B3N3S6 (TM = Mo, Ti and W) as electrocatalysts show great potentials for the nitrogen reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxiu Sun
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Wenwu Shi
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Yong-Qing Fu
- Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Haijian Yu
- Department of Mechanical Engineer, Weihai Secondary Vocational School, Weihai 264213, PR China
| | - Zhiguo Wang
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China.
| | - Zhijie Li
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China.
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Rasool A, Anis I, Bhat SA, Dar MA. Optimizing the NRR activity of single and double boron atom catalysts using a suitable support: a first principles investigation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:22275-22285. [PMID: 37577857 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp02358c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Designing cost effective transition-metal free electrocatalysts for nitrogen fixation under ambient conditions is highly appealing from an industrial point of view. Using density functional theory calculations in combination with the computational hydrogen electrode model, we investigate the N2 activation and reduction activity of ten different model catalysts obtained by supporting single and double boron atoms on five different substrates (viz. GaN, graphene, graphyne, MoS2 and g-C3N4). Our results demonstrate that the single/double boron atom catalysts bind favourably on these substrates, leading to a considerable change in the electronic structure of these materials. The N2 binding and activation results reveal that the substrate plays an important role by promoting the charge transfer from the single/double boron atom catalysts to the antibonding orbitals of *N2 to form strong B-N bonds and subsequently activate the inert NN bond. Double boron atom catalysts supported on graphene, MoS2 and g-C3N4 reveal very high binding energies of -2.38, -2.11 and -1.71 eV respectively, whereas single boron atom catalysts supported on graphene and g-C3N4 monolayers bind N2 with very high binding energies of -1.45 and -2.38 eV, respectively. The N2 binding on these catalysts is further explained by means of orbital projected density of states plots which reflect greater overlap between the N2 and B states for the catalysts, which bind N2 strongly. The simulated reaction pathways reveal that the single and double boron atom catalysts supported on g-C3N4 exhibit excellent catalytic activity with very low limiting potentials of -0.67 and -0.36 V, respectively, while simultaneously suppressing the HER. Thus, the current work provides important insights to advance the design of transition-metal free catalysts for electrochemical nitrogen fixation from an electronic structure point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjumun Rasool
- Department of Chemistry, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir-192122, India.
| | - Insha Anis
- Department of Chemistry, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir-192122, India.
| | - Sajad Ahmad Bhat
- Department of Chemistry, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir-192122, India.
| | - Manzoor Ahmad Dar
- Department of Chemistry, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir-192122, India.
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Dar MA. Implications of the Pore Size of Graphitic Carbon Nitride Monolayers on the Selectivity of Dual-Boron Atom Catalysts for the Reduction of N 2 to Urea and Ammonia: A Computational Investigation. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:13672-13679. [PMID: 37555942 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c02316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
The formation of urea by electrocatalytic means remains a great challenge due to the lack of a suitable catalyst that is capable of not only activating inert N2 and CO2 molecules but also circumventing the complexity associated with subsequent reaction steps leading to urea formation. Herein, by means of comprehensive density functional theory simulations, we investigate the catalytic activity of highly stable transition-metal-free dual-boron atom-doped graphitic carbon-nitride monolayers with different pore sizes toward urea production under ambient conditions. As per the results, dual boron atoms impregnated in g-C2N and g-C6N6 monolayers with large pore diameters can successfully activate the N2 molecule and lead to the spontaneous formation of the *NCO*N intermediate, which is the most crucial step for urea formation via direct coupling of N2 and CO2. Interestingly, the B2@g-C2N and B2@g-C6N6 favor urea production with low limiting potentials of -1.11 and -1.18 V compared to very high limiting potentials of -1.71 and -1.88 V, respectively, for ammonia synthesis, leading to an almost 100% Faradaic efficiency for urea formation over ammonia. The dual-boron doping in g-C3N4 with a smaller pore size depicts comparatively weaker N2 adsorption than g-C2N and g-C6N6 counterparts. Further, B2@g-C3N4 prefers ammonia formation at a very low limiting potential of -0.40 V compared to a very high limiting potential of -2.11 V for urea formation. Thus, our findings clearly highlight the critical role played by the pore size of carbon-nitride monolayers in tuning the reactivity and catalytic activity of dual-boron atom catalysts toward urea formation in a selective manner, thereby providing valuable guidance in exploring other highly efficient urea catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manzoor Ahmad Dar
- Department of Chemistry, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora 192122, Kashmir, India
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10
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Liu W, Guo K, Xie Y, Liu S, Chen L, Xu J. High efficiency carbon nanotubes-based single-atom catalysts for nitrogen reduction. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9926. [PMID: 37336942 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36945-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon-based single-atom catalysts (SACs) for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) have received increasing attention due to their sustainable, efficient, and green advantages. However, at present, the research on carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based NRR catalysts is very limited. In this paper, using FeN3@(n, 0) CNTs (n = 3 ~ 10) as the representative catalysts, we demonstrate that the CNT curvatures will affect the spin polarization of the catalytic active centers, the activation of the adsorbed N2 molecules and the Gibbs free energy barriers for the formation of the critical intermediates in the NRR processes, thus changing the catalytic performance of CNT-based catalysts. Zigzag (8, 0) CNT was taken as the optimal substrate, and twenty transition metal atoms (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, W, Re, Ir, and Pt) were embedded into (8, 0) CNT via N3 group to construct the NRR catalysts. Their electrocatalytic performance for NRR were examined using DFT calculations, and TcN3@(8, 0) CNT was screened out as the best candidate with a low onset potential of - 0.53 V via the distal mechanism, which is superior to the molecules- or graphene-support Tc catalysts. Further electronic properties analysis shows that the high NRR performance of TcN3@(8, 0) CNT originates from the strong d-2π* interaction between the N2 molecule and Tc atom. TcN3@(8, 0) CNT also exhibits higher selectivity for NRR than the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) process. The present work not only provides a promising catalyst for NRR, but also open up opportunities for further exploring of low-dimensional carbon-based high efficiency electrochemical NRR catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- College of Optical, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Guo
- College of Optical, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunhao Xie
- College of Optical, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Sitong Liu
- College of Optical, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Chen
- College of Optical, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Xu
- College of Optical, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
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Zhao R, Chen Y, Xiang H, Guan Y, Yang C, Zhang Q, Li Y, Cong Y, Li X. Two-Dimensional Ordered Double-Transition Metal Carbides for the Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:6797-6806. [PMID: 36705631 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c19911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) provides a green and sustainable strategy as an alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. The development of electrocatalysts with low overpotential, high selectivity, and fast reaction kinetics remains a significant challenge. Here, density functional theory computations are carried out to systematically predict the prospect of 18 two-dimensional (2D) ordered double-transition metal carbides (MXenes) as NRR electrocatalysts. Our results revealed that the basal plane of Mo2Nb2C3 MXene exhibited the most outstanding catalytic activity while effectively suppressed the hydrogen evolution reaction with an overpotential of 0.48 V. The exposed Mo3 moiety moderately regulating the electron transfer between reaction intermediates is answerable for the high activity. Finally, our finding broadens the horizon of 2D materials as NRR electrocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, China
| | - Yongting Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, China
| | - Hui Xiang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, China
| | - Yunfeng Guan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, China
| | - Chenfan Yang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Advanced Carbon Materials and Applied Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha410082, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, China
| | - Yanjun Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, China
| | - Ye Cong
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, China
| | - Xuanke Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, China
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12
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Hou P, Huang Y, Ma F, Zhu G, Du R, Wei X, Zhang J, Wang M. Screening of single-atom catalysts of transition metal supported on MoSe2 for high-efficiency nitrogen reduction reaction. MOLECULAR CATALYSIS 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcat.2023.112967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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13
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Luo Y, Cao S, Du X, Wang Y, Li J. Nitrogen reduction reaction mechanism on Fe-doped TiO2 from theoretical perspective: A kinetic and electronic structure study. MOLECULAR CATALYSIS 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcat.2022.112810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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14
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Ghoshal S, Ghosh A, Roy P, Ball B, Pramanik A, Sarkar P. Recent Progress in Computational Design of Single-Atom/Cluster Catalysts for Electrochemical and Solar-Driven N 2 Fixation. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c04527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Ghoshal
- Department of Chemistry, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan731 235, India
| | - Atish Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan731 235, India
| | - Prodyut Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan731 235, India
| | - Biswajit Ball
- Department of Chemistry, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan731 235, India
| | - Anup Pramanik
- Department of Chemistry, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia723 104, India
| | - Pranab Sarkar
- Department of Chemistry, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan731 235, India
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15
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Zhao Q, Martirez JMP, Carter EA. Electrochemical Hydrogenation of CO on Cu(100): Insights from Accurate Multiconfigurational Wavefunction Methods. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:10282-10290. [PMID: 36305601 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c02444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Copper (Cu) remains the most efficacious electrocatalyst for electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2R). Its activity and selectivity are highly facet-dependent. We recently examined the commonly proposed rate-limiting CO hydrogenation step on Cu(111) via embedded correlated wavefunction (ECW) theory and demonstrated that only this higher-level theory yields predictions consistent with potential-dependent experimental kinetics. Here, to understand the differing activities of Cu(111) and Cu(100) in catalyzing CO2R, we explore CO hydrogenation on Cu(100) using ECW theory. We predict that the preferred pathway involves the reduction of adsorbed CO (*CO) to *COH via proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) at working potentials, although *CHO also may form with a kinetically accessible but higher barrier. In contrast, our earlier work on Cu(111) concluded that *COH and *CHO formation via PCET are equally feasible. This work illustrates one possible origin of the facet dependence of CO2R mechanisms and products on Cu electrodes and sheds light on how the selectivity of CO2R electrocatalysts can be controlled by the surface morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhao
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544-5263, United States
| | - John Mark P Martirez
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1592, United States
| | - Emily A Carter
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544-5263, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1592, United States
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16
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Feng Z, Ma T, Li R, Zhu M, Shi D, Tang Y, Dai X. Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction on the precise number of Mo atoms anchored biphenylene. MOLECULAR CATALYSIS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcat.2022.112579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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17
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Ying Y, Fan K, Qiao J, Huang H. Rational Design of Atomic Site Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Reaction: One Step Closer to Optimum Activity and Selectivity. ELECTROCHEM ENERGY R 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s41918-022-00164-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has been one of the most intriguing catalytic reactions in recent years, providing an energy-saving and environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional Haber–Bosch process for ammonia production. However, the activity and selectivity issues originating from the activation barrier of the NRR intermediates and the competing hydrogen evolution reaction result in the unsatisfactory NH3 yield rate and Faradaic efficiency of current NRR catalysts. Atomic site catalysts (ASCs), an emerging group of heterogeneous catalysts with a high atomic utilization rate, selectivity, and stability, may provide a solution. This article undertakes an exploration and systematic review of a highly significant research area: the principles of designing ASCs for the NRR. Both the theoretical and experimental progress and state-of-the-art techniques in the rational design of ASCs for the NRR are summarized, and the topic is extended to double-atom catalysts and boron-based metal-free ASCs. This review provides guidelines for the rational design of ASCs for the optimum activity and selectivity for the electrocatalytic NRR.
Graphical Abstract
Rational design of atomic site catalysts (ASCs) for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has both scientific and industrial significance. In this review, the recent experimental and theoretical breakthroughs in the design principles of transition metal ASCs for NRR are comprehensively discussed, and the topic is also extended to double-atom catalysts and boron-based metal-free ASCs.
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18
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Chen Z, Liu C, Sun L, Wang T. Progress of Experimental and Computational Catalyst Design for Electrochemical Nitrogen Fixation. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c02629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Chen
- Center of Artificial Photosynthesis for Solar Fuels and Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Westlake University, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310024, China
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310027, China
| | - Chunli Liu
- Center of Artificial Photosynthesis for Solar Fuels and Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Westlake University, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310024, China
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310024, China
| | - Licheng Sun
- Center of Artificial Photosynthesis for Solar Fuels and Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Westlake University, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310024, China
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310024, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Center of Artificial Photosynthesis for Solar Fuels and Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Westlake University, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310024, China
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310024, China
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19
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Wu Y, He C, Zhang W. "Capture-Backdonation-Recapture" Mechanism for Promoting N 2 Reduction by Heteronuclear Metal-Free Double-Atom Catalysts. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:9344-9353. [PMID: 35594427 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c01245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Facing the increasingly serious energy and environmental crisis, the development of heteronuclear metal-free double-atom catalysts is a potential strategy to realize efficient catalytic nitrogen reduction with low energy consumption and no pollution because it could combine the advantages of flexible active sites in double-atom catalysts while also being pollution-free and have high Faraday efficiency in metal-free catalysts simultaneously. However, according to the existing mechanism, the finite orbits of other nonmetallic atoms, except the boron atom, reduce the possibility of metal-free catalysis and hinder the development of heteronuclear metal-free double-atom catalysts. Herein, we propose a new "capture-backdonation-recapture" mechanism, which skillfully uses the electron capture-backdonation-recapture between boron, the substrate, and other nonmetallic elements to solve the above problems. Based on this mechanism, by means of the first-principle calculations, the material structure, adsorption energy, catalytic activity, and selectivity of 36 catalysts are systematically investigated to evaluate their catalytic performance. B-Si@BP1 and B-Si@BP3 are selected for their good catalytic performance and low limiting potentials of -0.14 and -0.10 V, respectively. Meanwhile, the "capture-backdonation-recapture" mechanism is also verified by analyzing the results of adsorption energy and electron transfer. Our work broadens the ideas and lays the theoretical foundation for the development of heteronuclear metal-free double-atom catalysts in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Cheng He
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Wenxue Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710064, China
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20
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Li R, Guo W. Screening of transition metal single-atom catalysts supported by a WS 2 monolayer for electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction: insights from activity trend and descriptor. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:13384-13398. [PMID: 35608279 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01446g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), as an alternative green technology to the Haber-Bosch process, can efficiently synthesize ammonia under ambient conditions and has a reduced carbon footprint. Here we systematically investigate the NRR activity and selectivity of transition metal (TM) single-atom catalyst (SAC) anchored WS2 monolayers (TM@WS2) by means of first-principles calculations and microkinetic modeling. The construction of the reaction activity trend and the identification of an activity descriptor, namely *N2H adsorption energy, facilitate the efficient screening and rational design of SACs with high activity. Manipulating the adsorption strength of the pivotal *N2H intermediate is a potential strategy for enhancing NRR activity. Utilizing the limiting potential difference of NRR and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as a selectivity descriptor, we screen three SACs with excellent activity and selectivity toward NRR, i.e., Re@WS2, Os@WS2 and Ir@WS2 with favorable limiting potentials of -0.44 V, -0.38 V and -0.69 V. By using the explicit H9O4+ model, the kinetic barriers of the rate-determining steps (0.47 eV-1.15 eV) of the solvated proton transfer on the screened SACs are found to be moderate, indicative of a kinetically feasible process. Microkinetic modeling shows that the turnover frequencies of N2 reduction to NH3 on Re@WS2, Os@WS2 and Ir@WS2 are 1.52 × 105, 8.21 × 102 and 4.17 × 10-4 per s per site at 400 K, achieving fast reaction rates. The coexistence of empty and occupied 5d orbitals of candidate SACs is beneficial for σ donation and π* backdonation, endowing them with extraordinary N2 adsorption and activation. Moreover, the screened SACs possess good dispersity and thermodynamic stability. Our work provides a promising solution for the efficient screening and rational design of high-performance electrocatalysts toward the NRR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renyi Li
- Key Lab of Advanced Optoelectronic Quantum Architecture and Measurement (MOE), School of Physics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Key Lab of Advanced Optoelectronic Quantum Architecture and Measurement (MOE), School of Physics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
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21
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Zou Z, Wu L, Yang F, Cao C, Meng Q, Luo J, Zhou W, Tong Z, Chen J, Chen S, Zhou S, Wang J, Deng S. Delicate Tuning of the Ni/Co Ratio in Bimetal Layered Double Hydroxides for Efficient N 2 Electroreduction. CHEMSUSCHEM 2022; 15:e202200127. [PMID: 35170239 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202200127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electroreduction of N2 to NH3 at ambient conditions using renewable electricity is promising, but developing efficient electrocatalysts is still challenging due to the inertness of N≡N bonds. Layer double hydroxides (LDHs) composed of first-row transition metals with empty d-orbitals are theoretically promising for N2 electroreduction (NRR) but rarely reported. Herein, hollow NiCo-LDH nanocages with different Ni/Co ratios were prepared, and their electronic structures and atomic arrangements were critical. The synergetic mechanisms of Ni and Co ions were revealed, and the optimized catalytic sites were proposed. Besides, in-situ Raman spectroscopy and 15 N2 isotopic labeling studies were applied to detect reaction intermediates and confirm the origin of NH3 . As a result, high NH3 yield of 52.8 μg h-1 mgcat -1 and faradaic efficiency of 11.5 % were obtained at -0.7 V, which are top-ranking among Co/Ni-based NRR electrocatalysts. This work elucidates the structure-activity relationship between LDHs and NRR and is instructive for rational design of LDH-based electrocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Zou
- School of Resource Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Lei Wu
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Fangqi Yang
- School of Resource Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Chenliang Cao
- School of Resource Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Qiangguo Meng
- School of Resource Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Junhui Luo
- School of Resource Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Weizhen Zhou
- School of Resource Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Zhikun Tong
- School of Resource Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Jingwen Chen
- School of Resource Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Shixia Chen
- School of Resource Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Shaodong Zhou
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Jun Wang
- School of Resource Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Shuguang Deng
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, 551 E. Tyler Mall, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA
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22
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Hou P, Huang Y, Ma F, Zhu G, Zhang J, Wei X, Du P, Liu J. Single-atom catalyst of TM@D-silicene-an effective way to reduce N 2 into ammonia. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:3486-3497. [PMID: 35078206 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp04937b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) still faces great challenges. It's significant to design the electrocatalysts with excellent activity and high selectivity. Herein, the 28 single atom catalysts of transition metal atoms anchored on defective silicene (TM@D-silicene) are designed for electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions. Two independent screening schemes are proposed to screen the potential SAC candidate. The criteria of Ebin < 0 eV, ΔG*N2< -0.1 eV, ΔG*H > ΔG*N2, and the lowest ΔG*NNH in scheme I, as well as ΔG*N2< -0.1 eV, smaller G*NNH and larger G*NH2 in scheme II are utilized in the screening procedure. Finally, Cr@D-silicene is picked out since it performs well in the aspects of N2 adsorption, selectivity and catalytic activity of NRR. Moreover, the electronic properties are systematically investigated to clarify why the Cr@D-silicene is qualified for NRR from the perspective of the strong interaction between N2 and Cr, the continuous activation of the N2 molecule, charge transfer and distribution. This work provides a new idea for electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis by using single-atom catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Hou
- School of Physics & Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Yuhong Huang
- School of Physics & Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Fei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gangqiang Zhu
- School of Physics & Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- School of Physics & Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xiumei Wei
- School of Physics & Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Peiyuan Du
- School of Physics & Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Basic Sciences, Air Force Engineering University, Xi'an 710051, Shaanxi, China
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23
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Wang J, Zhang Z, Li Y, Qu Y, Li Y, Li W, Zhao M. Screening of Transition-Metal Single-Atom Catalysts Anchored on Covalent-Organic Frameworks for Efficient Nitrogen Fixation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:1024-1033. [PMID: 34963279 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c20373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) offer abundant hollow sites for stably anchoring transition-metal (TM) atoms to promote single-atom catalysis (SACs), which is expected to overcome the poor stability of SACs on conventional substrate materials. Using first-principles calculations within density-functional theory, a number of TM atoms embedded on a 2D COF Pc-TFPN (TMPc-TFPN) as SACs for ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions are investigated. Through a "five-step" screening strategy, WPc-TFPN is highlighted from 26 TMPc-TFPNs as the best SACs for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) with a low limiting potential of -0.19 V. Meanwhile, multiple-level descriptors are developed to uncover the origins of NRR activity, among which a simple descriptor φ that involves the electronegativity and number of d electrons of TM atoms shows volcano plot trends of limiting potential of NRR. This work provides a rational strategy for fast screening SACs for the electrochemical N2 fixation using 2D COFs containing TM-N4 units as host materials, which could also be applied to other electrochemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- School of Physics & State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, Shandong, China
| | - Zhihua Zhang
- School of Physics & State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, Shandong, China
| | - Yangyang Li
- School of Physics & State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, Shandong, China
| | - Yuanyuan Qu
- School of Physics & State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, Shandong, China
| | - Yongqiang Li
- School of Physics & State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, Shandong, China
| | - Weifeng Li
- School of Physics & State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, Shandong, China
| | - Mingwen Zhao
- School of Physics & State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, Shandong, China
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24
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Zhang J, An W. Single-, double-, and triple-atom catalysts on graphene-like C 2N enable electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction: insight from first principles. Catal Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1cy02254g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The *NHx intermediates on Mn@C2N are highly stable for n = 3 and unstable for n = 1, rendering Mn@C2N as the optimal candidate for driving the eNRR owing to its moderate binding with NHx (x = 0, 1, 2, 3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, 333 Longteng Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Wei An
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, 333 Longteng Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai 201620, China
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25
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Zhu Z, Chen M, Sun M, Wang J, Zhou Y, Li X, Tao H. Mixture screening strategy of efficient transition metal heteronuclear dual-atom electrocatalysts toward nitrogen fixation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:26776-26784. [DOI: 10.1039/d2cp04302e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A simple mixture screening strategy is proposed to rapidly evaluate the NRR activity of M1M2-NC. VRu-NC exhibits a high NRR activity (UL = −0.21 V) and suppression of the competitive HER following the mixed mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouhao Zhu
- School of Port and Transportation Engineering, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
- School of Petrochemical Engineering & Environment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
| | - Mengshan Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Marine Science and Technology College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316004, China
| | - Mingyuzhi Sun
- National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Marine Science and Technology College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316004, China
| | - Jinhu Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Marine Science and Technology College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316004, China
| | - Yingtang Zhou
- National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Marine Science and Technology College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316004, China
| | - Xibao Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, China
| | - Hengcong Tao
- School of Petrochemical Engineering & Environment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
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26
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Zhang W, Fu Q, Luo Q, Sheng L, Yang J. Understanding Single-Atom Catalysis in View of Theory. JACS AU 2021; 1:2130-2145. [PMID: 34977885 PMCID: PMC8715482 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, isolated single atoms have been successfully dispersed on various substrates, with their potential applications being intensively investigated in different reactions. While the essential target of research in single-atom catalysis is the precise synthesis of stable single-atom catalysts (SACs) with clear configurations and impressive catalytic performance, theoretical investigations have also played important roles in identifying active sites, revealing catalytic mechanisms, and establishing structure-activity relationships. Nevertheless, special attention should still be paid in theoretical works to the particularity of SACs. In this Perspective, we will summarize the theoretical progress made on the understanding of the rich phenomena in single-atom catalysis. We focus on the determination of local structures of SACs via comparison between experiments and simulations, the discovery of distinctive catalytic mechanisms induced by multiadsorption, synergetic effects, and dynamic evolutions, to name a few, the proposal of criteria for theoretically designing SACs, and the extension of original concepts of single-atom catalysis. We hope that this Perspective will inspire more in-depth thinking on future theoretical studies of SACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Zhang
- Hefei
National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Synergetic
Innovation Centre of Quantum Information & Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
- Department
of Material Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- Hefei
National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Synergetic
Innovation Centre of Quantum Information & Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Qiquan Luo
- Institutes
of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Li Sheng
- Department
of Chemical Physics, University of Science
and Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Jinlong Yang
- Hefei
National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Synergetic
Innovation Centre of Quantum Information & Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
- Department
of Chemical Physics, University of Science
and Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
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27
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Li L, Martirez JMP, Carter EA. Identifying an Alternative Hydride Transfer Pathway for CO
2
Reduction on CdTe(111) and CuInS
2
(112) Surfaces. ADVANCED THEORY AND SIMULATIONS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/adts.202100413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lesheng Li
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Princeton University Princeton NJ 08544‐5263 USA
| | - John Mark P. Martirez
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering University of California, Los Angeles Box 951405 Los Angeles CA 90095‐1405 USA
| | - Emily A. Carter
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Princeton University Princeton NJ 08544‐5263 USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering University of California, Los Angeles Box 951405 Los Angeles CA 90095‐1405 USA
- Office of the Chancellor University of California, Los Angeles Box 951405 Los Angeles CA 90095‐1405 USA
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Huang B, Chen B, Zhu G, Peng J, Zhang P, Qian Y, Li N. Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis via NO Reduction on 2D-MOF. Chemphyschem 2021; 23:e202100785. [PMID: 34845837 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202100785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Developing new catalysts, which effectively promote electrocatalytic NO reduction (ENOR), is very important for the industrial field. A two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic framework (MOF) with hexaaminobenzene (HAB) ligands (TM-HAB MOF, TM = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Ru, Rh and Pd) as an electrocatalyst of ENOR has been systematically explored in this work by means of well-defined density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We predicted the impacts of the coordination structure of different MOFs on its catalytic performance, and found that the suitable candidates are the Co- and Rh-HAB MOFs due to moderate binding strength between NO and substrates. The further calculation indicated that Co-HAB MOF has the best ENOR catalytic activity with a limiting potential of -0.26 V toward NH 3 product at low NO coverage, yet NO reduction to N 2 O at high NO coverage has been limited due to high limiting potential. The scaling relationship with a good correlation coefficient between several electronic properties and the adsorption Gibbs free energy change of *NO (ΔG *NO ) were found, which implied that ΔG *NO can be used as a simple descriptor for screening out suitable electrocatalysts. This work offers a new paradigm for ENOR toward NH 3 under ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Huang
- East China University of Technology, Departmen of Chemistry, Biology, and Materials Science, CHINA
| | - Bibo Chen
- East China University of Technology, School of Chemistry, Biology, and Materials Science, CHINA
| | - Guoping Zhu
- East China University of Technology, School of Chemistry, Biology, and Materials Science, CHINA
| | - Jiahe Peng
- Wuhan University of Technology, State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, CHINA
| | - Peng Zhang
- Zhengzhou University, School of Materials Science and Engineering, CHINA
| | - Yong Qian
- East China University of Technology, School of Chemistry, Biology, and Materials Science, CHINA
| | - Neng Li
- Wuhan University of Technology, State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, 122 Luoshi Road,, Hongshan District, 430070, Wuhan, CHINA
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Zhang H, Wang S, Wang H, Huang B, Dong S, Dai Y, Wei W. Two-dimensional transition metal borides as high activity and selectivity catalysts for ammonia synthesis. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:17331-17339. [PMID: 34664602 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr05774j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In comparison to defect/doping induced activity in materials, transition metal borides with exposed metal atoms, large specific surface area, and high active site density show advantages as durable and efficient catalysts for specific electrochemical reactions. In this work, ReB2 for N2 reduction reaction (NRR) for ammonia (NH3) with a record-low limiting potential of UL = -0.05 V and high Faraday efficiency (FE) of 100% is screened out from a new class of TMB2. It is concluded that high pressure/temperature is favorable to N2 adsorption and kinetic barrier minimization; the maximal turnover frequency (TOF) at 700 K and 100 bar is 1.24 × 10-2 per s per site, which is comparable to that of the benchmark Fe3/Al2O3 catalysts, achieving an extremely fast reaction rate. In addition, crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) of *N2 reveals the intrinsic origin of N2 activation by analyzing the d-2π* interactions, and integrated COHP could be a quantitative descriptor to describe the N2 activation degree. It is evident that our results not only identify an efficient NRR electrocatalyst in particular, paving the way for sustainable NH3 production, but also explain the chemical and physical origin of the activity, advancing the design principle for catalysts for various reactions in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haona Zhang
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Shuhua Wang
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Hao Wang
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Baibiao Huang
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Shuping Dong
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Ying Dai
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Wei Wei
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
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Yang N, Peng L, Li L, Li J, Liao Q, Shao M, Wei Z. Theoretically probing the possible degradation mechanisms of an FeNC catalyst during the oxygen reduction reaction. Chem Sci 2021; 12:12476-12484. [PMID: 34603679 PMCID: PMC8480425 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc02901k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
For the FeNC catalyst widely used in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), its instability under fuel cell (FC) operating conditions has become the biggest obstacle during its practical application. The complexity of the degradation process of the FeNC catalyst in FCs poses a huge challenge when it comes to revealing the underlying degradation mechanism that directly leads to the decay in ORR activity. Herein, using density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) approaches and the FeN4 moiety as an active site, we find that during catalyzing the ORR, Fe site oxidation in the form of *Fe(OH)2, in which 2OH* species are adsorbed on Fe on the same side of the FeN4 plane, results in the successive protonation of N and then permanent damage to the FeN4 moiety, which causes the leaching of the Fe site in the form of Fe(OH)2 species and a sharp irreversible decline in the ORR activity. However, other types of OH* adsorption on Fe in the form of HO*FeOH and *FeOH intermediates cannot cause the protonation of N or any breaking of Fe-N bonds in the FeN4 moiety, only inducing the blocking of the Fe site. Meanwhile, based on the competitive relationship between catalyzing the ORR and Fe site oxidation, we propose a trade-off potential (U RHE TMOR) to describe the anti-oxidation abilities of the TM site in the TMN X moiety during the ORR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Yang
- The State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Chemical Process for Clean Energy and Resource Utilization, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University Shazhengjie 174 Chongqing 400044 China +86 2365678945.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy, Universit of Waterloo Waterloo ON N2L 3G1 Canada.,School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University Guangzhou 510006 China
| | - Lanlan Peng
- The State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Chemical Process for Clean Energy and Resource Utilization, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University Shazhengjie 174 Chongqing 400044 China +86 2365678945
| | - Li Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Chemical Process for Clean Energy and Resource Utilization, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University Shazhengjie 174 Chongqing 400044 China +86 2365678945
| | - Jing Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Chemical Process for Clean Energy and Resource Utilization, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University Shazhengjie 174 Chongqing 400044 China +86 2365678945
| | - Qiang Liao
- The Key Laboratory of Low-Grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems Chongqing 400044 China
| | - Minhua Shao
- Department of Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay Kowloon Hong Kong
| | - Zidong Wei
- The State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Chemical Process for Clean Energy and Resource Utilization, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University Shazhengjie 174 Chongqing 400044 China +86 2365678945
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Guo Z, Jasin Arachchige L, Qiu S, Zhang X, Xu Y, Langford SJ, Sun C. p-Block element-doped silicon nanowires for nitrogen reduction reaction: a DFT study. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:14935-14944. [PMID: 34533164 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr03448k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Photocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a promising, green route to chemically reducing N2 into NH3 under ambient conditions, correlating to the N2 fixation process of nitrogenase enzymes. To achieve high-yield NRR with sunlight as the driving force, high-performance photocatalysts are essential. One-dimensional silicon nanowires (1D SiNWs) are a great photoelectric candidate, but inactive for NRR due to their inability to capture N2. In this study, we proposed SiNWs doped by p-block elements (B, C, P) to tune the affinity to N2 and demonstrated that two-coordinated boron (B2C) offers an ultra-low overpotential (η) of 0.34 V to catalyze full NRR, which is even much lower than that of flat benchmark Ru(0001) catalysts (η = 0.92 V). Moreover, aspects including suppressed hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), high-spin ground state of the B2C site, and decreased band gap after B-doping ensure the high selectivity and photocatalytic activity. Finally, this work not only shows the potential use of metal-free p-block element-based catalysts, but also would facilitate the development of 1D nanomaterials towards efficient reduction of N2 into NH3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyuan Guo
- School of Chemical Engineering and Energy Technology, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China.
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Centre for Translational Atomaterials, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia.
| | - Lakshitha Jasin Arachchige
- School of Chemical Engineering and Energy Technology, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China.
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Centre for Translational Atomaterials, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia.
| | - Siyao Qiu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Energy Technology, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China.
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yongjun Xu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Energy Technology, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China.
| | - Steven J Langford
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Centre for Translational Atomaterials, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia.
| | - Chenghua Sun
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Centre for Translational Atomaterials, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia.
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Chen Y, Zhang X, Qin J, Liu R. High-throughput screening of single metal atom anchored on N-doped boron phosphide for N 2 reduction. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:13437-13450. [PMID: 34477749 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr02883a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Developing eco-friendly and highly-efficient catalysts for the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions to replace the energy-intensive and environment-polluting Haber-Bosch process is of great significance, while remaining a long-standing challenge in the field of energy conversion today. Herein, through the first principles high-throughput screening, we systematically investigated the catalytic activity of a series of single metal atom immobilized on N-doped boron phosphide (N3-BP) for N2 reduction, denoted as MN3-BP. In particular, a "four-step" screening strategy, involving the structural stability, N2 chemisorption, low energy cost, as well as good selectivity, was adopted for the stringent screening of the promising MN3-BP candidates for NRR. Our results unveil that among these candidates, MoN3-BP eventually stands out, benefiting from its high selectivity and activity, as well as accompanying a considerably favorable limiting potential of -0.25 V for NRR. More impressively, the NRR activity origin of various candidates was revealed by the descriptor φ and ICOHP. Overall, our work not only accelerates the discovery of SACs for converting N2 into sustainable NH3 but also provides an exciting impetus for the rational design of NRR catalysts with high stability, high activity, and high selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, Hebei, China.
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Yang H, Luo D, Gao R, Wang D, Li H, Zhao Z, Feng M, Chen Z. Reduction of N 2 to NH 3 by TiO 2-supported Ni cluster catalysts: a DFT study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:16707-16717. [PMID: 34037001 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp00859e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Electrochemical techniques for ammonia synthesis are considered as an encouraging energy conversion technology to efficiently meet the challenge of nitrogen cycle balance. Herein, we find that TiO2(101)-supported Ni4 and Ni13 clusters can serve as efficient catalysts for electrocatalytic N2 reduction based on theoretical calculations. Electronic property calculations reveal the formation of electron-deficient Ni clusters on the TiO2 surface, which provides multiple active sites for N2 adsorption and activation. Theoretical calculation identifies the strongest activated configuration of N2* on the catalysts and confirms the potential-limiting step in the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). On Ni4-TiO2(101), N2* → NNH* is the potential-limiting step with a very small free energy increase (ΔG) of 0.24 eV (the corresponding overpotential is 0.33 V), while on Ni13-TiO2(101) the potential-limiting step occurs at NH* → NH2* with ΔG of 0.49 eV (the corresponding overpotential is 0.58 V). Moreover, the Nin-TiO2(101) catalyst, especially Ni13-TiO2(101), involves in a highly selective NRR even at the corresponding NRR overpotential. This work will enlighten material design to construct metal oxide supported transition metal clusters for the highly efficient NRR and NH3 synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiru Yang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Physics and Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, College of Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, China.
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Zhao X, Hu G, Chen GF, Zhang H, Zhang S, Wang H. Comprehensive Understanding of the Thriving Ambient Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2007650. [PMID: 34197001 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202007650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The electrochemical method of combining N2 and H2 O to produce ammonia (i.e., the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction [E-NRR]) continues to draw attention as it is both environmentally friendly and well suited for a progressively distributed farm economy. Despite the multitude of recent works on the E-NRR, further progress in this field faces a bottleneck. On the one hand, despite the extensive exploration and trial-and-error evaluation of E-NRR catalysts, no study has stood out to become the stage protagonist. On the other hand, the current level of ammonia production (microgram-scale) is an almost insurmountable obstacle for its qualitative and quantitative determination, hindering the discrimination between true activity and contamination. Herein i) the popular theory and mechanism of the NRR are introduced; ii) a comprehensive summary of the recent progress in the field of the E-NRR and related catalysts is provided; iii) the operational procedures of the E-NRR are addressed, including the acquisition of key metrics, the challenges faced, and the most suitable solutions; iv) the guiding principles and standardized recommendations for the E-NRR are emphasized and future research directions and prospects are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhao
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650504, China
| | - Guangzhi Hu
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650504, China
| | - Gao-Feng Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Haibo Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Shusheng Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Haihui Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Membrane Materials and Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
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35
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Fu Z, Li Q, Bai X, Huang Y, Shi L, Wang J. Promoting the conversion of CO 2 to CH 4via synergistic dual active sites. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:12233-12241. [PMID: 34240722 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr02582a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Carbon-based single-atom catalysts (SACs) have shown promising applications in the conversion of CO2 into CO. However, the deep reduction process for the production of high-value hydrocarbons is largely limited due to the weak activation of CO. Herein, on the basis of first-principles calculations, a simple coordination regulation method of the active site is proposed to improve the conversion of CO2. Taking NiN4 as an example, by introducing heteroatoms (B, C, O, P, and S atoms), we reveal that NiN3B can effectively capture *CO and further convert to CH4 with an ultralow limiting potential of -0.42 V. The excellent catalytic performance is probably attributed to the formed synergistic dual active sites between non-metal B and metal Ni atoms. Moreover, NiN3B can maintain good stability and the catalytic performance can be further enhanced by increasing the B-doping concentration. This work demonstrates that coordination regulation is an effective strategy to improve the performance of single-atom catalysts and paves a possible way to advance the development of non-Cu-based CO2RR electrocatalysts for high-value hydrocarbon products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanzhao Fu
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China.
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36
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Computational identification of B substitutional doped C9N4 monolayer for electrocatalytic N2 reduction. MOLECULAR CATALYSIS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcat.2021.111726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Wu L, Guo W, Sun X, Han B. Rational design of nanocatalysts for ambient ammonia electrosynthesis. PURE APPL CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/pac-2021-0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3) is one of the key commercial chemicals and carbon-free energy carriers. It is mainly made by Haber-Bosch process under high temperature and high pressure, which consumes huge amount of energy and releases large amounts of CO2. Developing sustainable approaches to its production is of great importance. Powered by a renewable electricity source, electrochemical N2 reduction reaction (NRR) and nitrate reduction reaction (NITRR) are potential routes to synthesize NH3 under ambient conditions. This review summarizes major recent advances in the NRR and NITRR, especially for several years. Some fundamentals for NRR and NITRR are first introduced. Afterward, the design strategies of nanocatalysts are discussed, mainly focusing on nano-structure construction/nanoconfinement, doping/defects engineering and single-atom engineering. Finally, the critical challenges remaining in this research area and promising directions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Wu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences , Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100190 , China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100049 , China
| | - Weiwei Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences , Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100190 , China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100049 , China
| | - Xiaofu Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences , Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100190 , China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100049 , China
| | - Buxing Han
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences , Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100190 , China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100049 , China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes , School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai , 200062 , China
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Li H, Liu Y, Chen K, Margraf JT, Li Y, Reuter K. Subgroup Discovery Points to the Prominent Role of Charge Transfer in Breaking Nitrogen Scaling Relations at Single-Atom Catalysts on VS 2. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c01324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Haobo Li
- Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Yunxia Liu
- Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Ke Chen
- Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes T. Margraf
- Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Youyong Li
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Karsten Reuter
- Chair for Theoretical Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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39
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Zhao Q, Martirez JMP, Carter EA. Revisiting Understanding of Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction on Cu(111): Competing Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Reaction Mechanisms Revealed by Embedded Correlated Wavefunction Theory. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:6152-6164. [PMID: 33851840 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c00880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Copper (Cu) electrodes, as the most efficacious of CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) electrocatalysts, serve as prototypes for determining and validating reaction mechanisms associated with electrochemical CO2 reduction to hydrocarbons. As in situ electrochemical mechanism determination by experiments is still out of reach, such mechanistic analysis typically is conducted using density functional theory (DFT). The semilocal exchange-correlation (XC) approximations most often used to model such catalysis unfortunately engender a basic error: predicting the wrong adsorption site for CO (a key CO2RR intermediate) on the most ubiquitous facet of Cu, namely, Cu(111). This longstanding inconsistency casts lingering doubt on previous DFT predictions of the attendant CO2RR kinetics. Here, we apply embedded correlated wavefunction (ECW) theory, which corrects XC functional error, to study the CO2RR on Cu(111) via both surface hydride (*H) transfer and proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). We predict that adsorbed CO (*CO) reduces almost equally to two intermediates, namely, hydroxymethylidyne (*COH) and formyl (*CHO) at -0.9 V vs the RHE. In contrast, semilocal DFT approximations predict a strong preference for *COH. With increasing applied potential, the dominance of *COH (formed via potential-independent surface *H transfer) diminishes, switching to the competitive formation of both *CHO and *COH (both formed via potential-dependent PCET). Our results also demonstrate the importance of including explicitly modeled solvent molecules in predicting electron-transfer barriers and reveal the pitfalls of overreliance on simple surface *H transfer models of reduction reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhao
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544-5263, United States
| | - John Mark P Martirez
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1592, United States
| | - Emily A Carter
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544-5263, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1592, United States.,Office of the Chancellor, Box 951405, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1405, United States
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40
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Enhanced catalytic activity of MXene for nitrogen electoreduction reaction by carbon doping. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 588:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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41
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Xiong K, Chen J, Yang N, Jiang S, Li L, Wei Z. Theoretical Research on Catalytic Performance of TMN xC y Catalyst for Nitrogen Reduction in Actual Water Solvent. ACTA CHIMICA SINICA 2021. [DOI: 10.6023/a21040136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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