1
|
Honig HC, Mostoni S, Presman Y, Snitkoff-Sol RZ, Valagussa P, D'Arienzo M, Scotti R, Santoro C, Muhyuddin M, Elbaz L. Morphological and structural design through hard-templating of PGM-free electrocatalysts for AEMFC applications. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:11174-11186. [PMID: 38770663 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr01779j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
This study delves into the critical role of customized materials design and synthesis methods in influencing the performance of electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). It introduces a novel approach to obtain platinum-free (PGM-free) electrocatalysts based on the controlled integration of iron active sites onto the surface of silica nanoparticles (NPs) by using nitrogen-based surface ligands. These NPs are used as hard templates to form tailored nanostructured electrocatalysts with an improved iron dispersion into the carbon matrix. By utilizing a wide array of analytical techniques including infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques, X-ray diffraction and surface area measurements, this work provides insight into the physical parameters that are critical for ORR electrocatalysis with PGM-free electrocatalysts. The new catalysts showed a hierarchical structure containing a large portion of graphitic zones which contribute to the catalyst stability. They also had a high electrochemically active site density reaching 1.47 × 1019 sites g-1 for SAFe_M_P1AP2 and 1.14 × 1019 sites g-1 for SEFe_M_P1AP2, explaining the difference in performance in fuel cell measurements. These findings underscore the potential impact of a controlled materials design for advancing green energy applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hilah C Honig
- Chemistry Department, Bar-Ilan Center for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
| | - Silvia Mostoni
- Department of Materials Science, University of Milano-Bicocca U5, Via Roberto Cozzi 55, 20125, Milano, Italy.
| | - Yan Presman
- Chemistry Department, Bar-Ilan Center for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
| | - Rifael Z Snitkoff-Sol
- Chemistry Department, Bar-Ilan Center for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
| | - Paolo Valagussa
- Department of Materials Science, University of Milano-Bicocca U5, Via Roberto Cozzi 55, 20125, Milano, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano D'Arienzo
- Department of Materials Science, University of Milano-Bicocca U5, Via Roberto Cozzi 55, 20125, Milano, Italy.
| | - Roberto Scotti
- Department of Materials Science, University of Milano-Bicocca U5, Via Roberto Cozzi 55, 20125, Milano, Italy.
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies-CNR, Via alla Cascata 56/C, 38123 Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Department of Materials Science, University of Milano-Bicocca U5, Via Roberto Cozzi 55, 20125, Milano, Italy.
| | - Mohsin Muhyuddin
- Department of Materials Science, University of Milano-Bicocca U5, Via Roberto Cozzi 55, 20125, Milano, Italy.
| | - Lior Elbaz
- Chemistry Department, Bar-Ilan Center for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jang I, Lee S, Kim DG, Paidi VK, Lee S, Kim ND, Jung JY, Lee KS, Lim HK, Kim P, Yoo SJ. Instantaneous Thermal Energy for Swift Synthesis of Single-Atom Catalysts for Unparalleled Performance in Metal-Air Batteries and Fuel Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2403273. [PMID: 38742630 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202403273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Based on experimental and computational evidence, phthalocyanine (Pc) compounds in the form of quaternary-bound metal-nitrogen (N) atoms are the most effective catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, the heat treatment process used in their synthesis may compromise the ideal structure, causing the agglomeration of transition metals. To overcome this issue, a novel method is developed for synthesizing iron (Fe) single-atom catalysts with ideal structures supported by thermally exfoliated graphene oxide (GO). This is achieved through a short heat treatment of only 2.5 min involving FePc and N, N-dimethylformamide in the presence of GO. According to the synthesis mechanism revealed by this study, carbon monoxide acts as a strong linker between the single Fe atoms and graphene. It facilitates the formation of a structure containing oxygen species between FeN4 and graphene, which provides high activity and stability for the ORR. These catalysts possess an enormous number of active sites and exhibit enhanced activity toward the alkaline ORR. They demonstrate excellent performance when applied to real electrochemical devices, such as zinc-air batteries and anion exchange membrane fuel cells. It is expected that the instantaneous heat treatment method developed in this study will aid in the development of high-performing single-atom catalysts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Injoon Jang
- Hydrogen·Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehyun Lee
- Department of Environment and Energy Engineering, Sungshin Women's University, Seoul, 01133, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Gun Kim
- School of Chemical Engineering, School of Semiconductor and Chemical Engineering, Clean Energy Research Center, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Vinod K Paidi
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, 38043 Cedex 9, France
| | - Sujin Lee
- School of Chemical Engineering, School of Semiconductor and Chemical Engineering, Clean Energy Research Center, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam Dong Kim
- Functional Composite Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Jeollabuk-do, 55324, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Young Jung
- Fuel Cell Research and Demonstration Center, Hydrogen Energy Institute, Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), Joellabuk-do, 56332, Republic of Korea
| | - Kug-Seung Lee
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Kyu Lim
- Division of Chemical and Bioengineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Pil Kim
- School of Chemical Engineering, School of Semiconductor and Chemical Engineering, Clean Energy Research Center, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Jong Yoo
- Hydrogen·Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Energy & Environmental Technology, KIST school, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bates JS, Martinez JJ, Hall MN, Al-Omari AA, Murphy E, Zeng Y, Luo F, Primbs M, Menga D, Bibent N, Sougrati MT, Wagner FE, Atanassov P, Wu G, Strasser P, Fellinger TP, Jaouen F, Root TW, Stahl SS. Chemical Kinetic Method for Active-Site Quantification in Fe-N-C Catalysts and Correlation with Molecular Probe and Spectroscopic Site-Counting Methods. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:26222-26237. [PMID: 37983387 PMCID: PMC10782517 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Mononuclear Fe ions ligated by nitrogen (FeNx) dispersed on nitrogen-doped carbon (Fe-N-C) serve as active centers for electrocatalytic O2 reduction and thermocatalytic aerobic oxidations. Despite their promise as replacements for precious metals in a variety of practical applications, such as fuel cells, the discovery of new Fe-N-C catalysts has relied primarily on empirical approaches. In this context, the development of quantitative structure-reactivity relationships and benchmarking of catalysts prepared by different synthetic routes and by different laboratories would be facilitated by the broader adoption of methods to quantify atomically dispersed FeNx active centers. In this study, we develop a kinetic probe reaction method that uses the aerobic oxidation of a model hydroquinone substrate to quantify the density of FeNx centers in Fe-N-C catalysts. The kinetic method is compared with low-temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy, CO pulse chemisorption, and electrochemical reductive stripping of NO derived from NO2- on a suite of Fe-N-C catalysts prepared by diverse routes and featuring either the exclusive presence of Fe as FeNx sites or the coexistence of aggregated Fe species in addition to FeNx. The FeNx site densities derived from the kinetic method correlate well with those obtained from CO pulse chemisorption and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The broad survey of Fe-N-C materials also reveals the presence of outliers and challenges associated with each site quantification approach. The kinetic method developed here does not require pretreatments that may alter active-site distributions or specialized equipment beyond reaction vessels and standard analytical instrumentation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason S. Bates
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Jesse J. Martinez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Melissa N. Hall
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Abdulhadi A. Al-Omari
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Eamonn Murphy
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National Fuel Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - Yachao Zeng
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA
| | - Fang Luo
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathias Primbs
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Davide Menga
- Chair of Technical Electrochemistry, Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Nicolas Bibent
- ICGM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Friedrich E. Wagner
- Department of Physics, Technische Universität München (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National Fuel Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - Gang Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA
| | - Peter Strasser
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tim-Patrick Fellinger
- Chair of Technical Electrochemistry, Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frédéric Jaouen
- ICGM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Thatcher W. Root
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Shannon S. Stahl
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pedersen A, Bagger A, Barrio J, Maillard F, Stephens IEL, Titirici MM. Atomic metal coordinated to nitrogen-doped carbon electrocatalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: a perspective on progress, pitfalls and prospectives. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY. A 2023; 11:23211-23222. [PMID: 38013915 PMCID: PMC10629202 DOI: 10.1039/d3ta04711c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells require reduced construction costs to improve commercial viability, which can be fueled by elimination of platinum as the O2 reduction electrocatalyst. The past 10 years has seen significant developments in synthesis, characterisation, and electrocatalytic performance of the most promising alternative electrocatalyst; single metal atoms coordinated to nitrogen-doped carbon (M-N-C). In this Perspective we recap some of the important achievements of M-N-Cs in the last decade, as well as discussing current knowledge gaps and future research directions for the community. We provide a new outlook on M-N-C stability and atomistic understanding with a set of original density functional theory simulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angus Pedersen
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ England UK
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ England UK
| | - Alexander Bagger
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ England UK
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark Kongens Lyngby 2800 Denmark
| | - Jesús Barrio
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ England UK
| | - Frédéric Maillard
- University Grenoble Alpes, University Savoie-Mont-Blanc, CNRS, Grenoble-INP, LEPMI 38000 Grenoble France
| | - Ifan E L Stephens
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ England UK
| | - Maria-Magdalena Titirici
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ England UK
- Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University 2-1-1 Katahira, Aobaku Sendai Miyagi 980-8577 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kumar K, Dubau L, Jaouen F, Maillard F. Review on the Degradation Mechanisms of Metal-N-C Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Acid Electrolyte: Current Understanding and Mitigation Approaches. Chem Rev 2023; 123:9265-9326. [PMID: 37432676 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
One bottleneck hampering the widespread use of fuel cell vehicles, in particular of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), is the high cost of the cathode where the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) occurs, due to the current need of precious metals to catalyze this reaction. Electrochemists tackle this issue in the short/medium term by developing catalysts with improved utilization or efficiency of platinum, and in the longer term, by developing catalysts based on Earth-abundant elements. Considerable progress has been achieved in the initial performance of Metal-nitrogen-carbon (Metal-N-C) catalysts for the ORR, especially with Fe-N-C materials. However, until now, this high performance cannot be maintained for a sufficiently long time in an operating PEMFC. The identification and mitigation of the degradation mechanisms of Metal-N-C electrocatalysts in the acidic environment of PEMFCs has therefore become an important research topic. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding of the degradation mechanisms of Metal-N-C electrocatalysts, including the recently identified importance of combined oxygen and electrochemical potential. Results obtained in a liquid electrolyte and a PEMFC device are discussed, as well as insights gained from in situ and operando techniques. We also review the mitigation approaches that the scientific community has hitherto investigated to overcome the durability issues of Metal-N-C electrocatalysts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Kumar
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Grenoble INP, LEPMI, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Laetitia Dubau
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Grenoble INP, LEPMI, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Frédéric Jaouen
- ICGM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, F-34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Maillard
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Grenoble INP, LEPMI, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Luo F, Roy A, Sougrati MT, Khan A, Cullen DA, Wang X, Primbs M, Zitolo A, Jaouen F, Strasser P. Structural and Reactivity Effects of Secondary Metal Doping into Iron-Nitrogen-Carbon Catalysts for Oxygen Electroreduction. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37379566 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
While improved activity was recently reported for bimetallic iron-metal-nitrogen-carbon (FeMNC) catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acid medium, the nature of active sites and interactions between the two metals are poorly understood. Here, FeSnNC and FeCoNC catalysts were structurally and catalytically compared to their parent FeNC and SnNC catalysts. While CO cryo-chemisorption revealed a twice lower site density of M-Nx sites for FeSnNC and FeCoNC relative to FeNC and SnNC, the mass activity of both bimetallic catalysts is 50-100% higher than that of FeNC due to a larger turnover frequency in the bimetallic catalysts. Electron microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy identified the coexistence of Fe-Nx and Sn-Nx or Co-Nx sites, while no evidence was found for binuclear Fe-M-Nx sites. 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed that the bimetallic catalysts feature a higher D1/D2 ratio of the spectral signatures assigned to two distinct Fe-Nx sites, relative to the FeNC parent catalyst. Thus, the addition of the secondary metal favored the formation of D1 sites, associated with the higher turnover frequency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Luo
- Department of Chemistry, The Electrochemical Catalysis, Catalysis and Materials Science Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Aaron Roy
- CNRS, ENSCM, ICGM, Univ. Montpellier, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Anastassiya Khan
- L'Orme des Merisiers, Synchrotron SOLEIL, Départementale 128, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
| | - David A Cullen
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Xingli Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The Electrochemical Catalysis, Catalysis and Materials Science Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathias Primbs
- Department of Chemistry, The Electrochemical Catalysis, Catalysis and Materials Science Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Zitolo
- L'Orme des Merisiers, Synchrotron SOLEIL, Départementale 128, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Frédéric Jaouen
- CNRS, ENSCM, ICGM, Univ. Montpellier, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Peter Strasser
- Department of Chemistry, The Electrochemical Catalysis, Catalysis and Materials Science Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gong M, Mehmood A, Ali B, Nam KW, Kucernak A. Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity in Non-Precious Single-Atom (M-N/C) Catalysts-Contribution of Metal and Carbon/Nitrogen Framework-Based Sites. ACS Catal 2023; 13:6661-6674. [PMID: 37229434 PMCID: PMC10204730 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c00356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We examine the performance of a number of single-atom M-N/C electrocatalysts with a common structure in order to deconvolute the activity of the framework N/C support from the metal M-N4 sites in M-N/Cs. The formation of the N/C framework with coordinating nitrogen sites is performed using zinc as a templating agent. After the formation of the electrically conducting carbon-nitrogen metal-coordinating network, we (trans)metalate with different metals producing a range of different catalysts (Fe-N/C, Co-N/C, Ni-N/C, Sn-N/C, Sb-N/C, and Bi-N/C) without the formation of any metal particles. In these materials, the structure of the carbon/nitrogen framework remains unchanged-only the coordinated metal is substituted. We assess the performance of the subsequent catalysts in acid, near-neutral, and alkaline environments toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and ascribe and quantify the performance to a combination of metal site activity and activity of the carbon/nitrogen framework. The ORR activity of the carbon/nitrogen framework is about 1000-fold higher in alkaline than it is in acid, suggesting a change in mechanism. At 0.80 VRHE, only Fe and Co contribute ORR activity significantly beyond that provided by the carbon/nitrogen framework at all pH values studied. In acid and near-neutral pH values (pH 0.3 and 5.2, respectively), Fe shows a 30-fold improvement and Co shows a 5-fold improvement, whereas in alkaline pH (pH 13), both Fe and Co show a 7-fold improvement beyond the baseline framework activity. The site density of the single metal atom sites is estimated using the nitrite adsorption and stripping method. This method allows us to deconvolute the framework sites and metal-based active sites. The framework site density of catalysts is estimated as 7.8 × 1018 sites g-1. The metal M-N4 site densities in Fe-N/C and Co-N/C are 9.4 × 1018 sites-1 and 4.8 × 1018 sites g-1, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengjun Gong
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Asad Mehmood
- Division
3.6—Electrochemical Energy Materials, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Basit Ali
- Department
of Energy and Materials Engineering, Dongguk
University, Seoul 04620, Republic
of Korea
| | - Kyung-Wan Nam
- Department
of Energy and Materials Engineering, Dongguk
University, Seoul 04620, Republic
of Korea
| | - Anthony Kucernak
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bates JS, Johnson MR, Khamespanah F, Root TW, Stahl SS. Heterogeneous M-N-C Catalysts for Aerobic Oxidation Reactions: Lessons from Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts. Chem Rev 2023; 123:6233-6256. [PMID: 36198176 PMCID: PMC10073352 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Nonprecious metal heterogeneous catalysts composed of first-row transition metals incorporated into nitrogen-doped carbon matrices (M-N-Cs) have been studied for decades as leading alternatives to Pt for the electrocatalytic O2 reduction reaction (ORR). More recently, similar M-N-C catalysts have been shown to catalyze the aerobic oxidation of organic molecules. This Focus Review highlights mechanistic similarities and distinctions between these two reaction classes and then surveys the aerobic oxidation reactions catalyzed by M-N-Cs. As the active-site structures and kinetic properties of M-N-C aerobic oxidation catalysts have not been extensively studied, the array of tools and methods used to characterize ORR catalysts are presented with the goal of supporting further advances in the field of aerobic oxidation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason S. Bates
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Mathew R. Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Fatemeh Khamespanah
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Thatcher W. Root
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Shannon S. Stahl
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Barrio J, Pedersen A, Favero S, Luo H, Wang M, Sarma SC, Feng J, Ngoc LTT, Kellner S, Li AY, Jorge Sobrido AB, Titirici MM. Bioinspired and Bioderived Aqueous Electrocatalysis. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2311-2348. [PMID: 36354420 PMCID: PMC9999430 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The development of efficient and sustainable electrochemical systems able to provide clean-energy fuels and chemicals is one of the main current challenges of materials science and engineering. Over the last decades, significant advances have been made in the development of robust electrocatalysts for different reactions, with fundamental insights from both computational and experimental work. Some of the most promising systems in the literature are based on expensive and scarce platinum-group metals; however, natural enzymes show the highest per-site catalytic activities, while their active sites are based exclusively on earth-abundant metals. Additionally, natural biomass provides a valuable feedstock for producing advanced carbonaceous materials with porous hierarchical structures. Utilizing resources and design inspiration from nature can help create more sustainable and cost-effective strategies for manufacturing cost-effective, sustainable, and robust electrochemical materials and devices. This review spans from materials to device engineering; we initially discuss the design of carbon-based materials with bioinspired features (such as enzyme active sites), the utilization of biomass resources to construct tailored carbon materials, and their activity in aqueous electrocatalysis for water splitting, oxygen reduction, and CO2 reduction. We then delve in the applicability of bioinspired features in electrochemical devices, such as the engineering of bioinspired mass transport and electrode interfaces. Finally, we address remaining challenges, such as the stability of bioinspired active sites or the activity of metal-free carbon materials, and discuss new potential research directions that can open the gates to the implementation of bioinspired sustainable materials in electrochemical devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Barrio
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K
| | - Angus Pedersen
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K
| | - Silvia Favero
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K
| | - Hui Luo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K
| | - Mengnan Wang
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K
| | - Saurav Ch Sarma
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K
| | - Jingyu Feng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K.,School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, LondonE1 4NS, England, U.K
| | - Linh Tran Thi Ngoc
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K.,School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, LondonE1 4NS, England, U.K
| | - Simon Kellner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K
| | - Alain You Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K
| | - Ana Belén Jorge Sobrido
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, LondonE1 4NS, England, U.K
| | - Maria-Magdalena Titirici
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, LondonSW7 2AZ, England, U.K.,Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aobaku, Sendai, Miyagi980-8577, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tang X, Wei Y, Zhai W, Wu Y, Hu T, Yuan K, Chen Y. Carbon Nanocage with Maximum Utilization of Atomically Dispersed Iron as Efficient Oxygen Electroreduction Nanoreactor. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2208942. [PMID: 36349885 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202208942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As key parameters of electrocatalysts, the density and utilization of active sites determine the electrocatalytic performance toward oxygen reduction reaction. Unfortunately, prevalent oxygen electrocatalysts fail to maximize the utilization of active sites due to inappropriate nanostructural design. Herein, a nano-emulsion induced polymerization self-assembly strategy is employed to prepare hierarchical meso-/microporous N/S co-doped carbon nanocage with atomically dispersed FeN4 (denoted as Meso/Micro-FeNSC). In situ scanning electrochemical microscopy technology reveals the density of available active sites for Meso/Micro-FeNSC reach to 3.57 × 1014 sites cm-2 , representing more than threefold improvement compared to micropore-dominant Micro-FeNSC counterpart (1.07 × 1014 sites cm-2 ). Additionally, the turnover frequency of Meso/Micro-FeNSC is also improved to 0.69 from 0.50 e- site-1 s-1 for Micro-FeNSC. These properties motivate Meso/Micro-FeNSC as efficient oxygen electroreduction electrocatalyst, in terms of outstanding half-wave potential (0.91 V), remarkable kinetic mass specific activity (68.65 A g-1 ), and excellent robustness. The assembled Zn-air batteries with Meso/Micro-FeNSC deliver high peak power density (264.34 mW cm-2 ), large specific capacity (814.09 mA h g-1 ), and long cycle life (>200 h). This work sheds lights on quantifying active site density and the significance of maximum utilization of active sites for rational design of advanced catalysts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiannong Tang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yuanhao Wei
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Weijuan Zhai
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yonggan Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Ting Hu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
- School of Physics and Materials Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yiwang Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Carbohydrate Synthesis/Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ficca VCA, Santoro C, Placidi E, Arciprete F, Serov A, Atanassov P, Mecheri B. Exchange Current Density as an Effective Descriptor of Poisoning of Active Sites in Platinum Group Metal-free Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction. ACS Catal 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c05222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Valerio C. A. Ficca
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133Rome, Italy
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185Roma, Italy
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Electrocatalysis and Bioelectrocatalysis Laboratory (EBLab), Department of Material Science, University of Milan Bicocca, U5 Via Cozzi 55, 20125Milan, Italy
| | - Ernesto Placidi
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185Roma, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Arciprete
- Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133Rome, Italy
| | - Alexey Serov
- Electrification and Energy Infrastructures Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee37831, United States
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National Fuel Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California92697, United States
| | - Barbara Mecheri
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Whitcomb CA, Sviripa A, Schapowal MI, Mamedov K, Unocic RR, Paolucci C, Davis RJ. Mechanistic Insights on the Low-Temperature Oxidation of CO Catalyzed by Isolated Co Ions in N-Doped Carbon. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c04380] [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)
- Colby A. Whitcomb
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia22903, United States
| | - Anna Sviripa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia22903, United States
| | - Michael I. Schapowal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia22903, United States
| | - Konstantin Mamedov
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia22903, United States
| | - Raymond R. Unocic
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee37831, United States
| | - Christopher Paolucci
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia22903, United States
| | - Robert J. Davis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia22903, United States
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Schulze Lammers B, López-Salas N, Stein Siena J, Mirhosseini H, Yesilpinar D, Heske J, Kühne TD, Fuchs H, Antonietti M, Mönig H. Real-Space Identification of Non-Noble Single Atomic Catalytic Sites within Metal-Coordinated Supramolecular Networks. ACS NANO 2022; 16:14284-14296. [PMID: 36053675 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c04439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
With regard to the development of single atom catalysts (SACs), non-noble metal-organic layers combine a large functional variability with cost efficiency. Here, we characterize reacted layers of melamine and melem molecules on a Cu(111) surface by noncontact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ab initio simulations. Upon deposition on the substrate and subsequent heat treatments in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV), these precursors undergo a stepwise dehydrogenation. After full dehydrogenation of the amino groups, the molecular units lie flat and are strongly chemisorbed on the copper substrate. We observe a particularly extreme interaction of the dehydrogenated nitrogen atoms with single copper atoms located at intermolecular sites. In agreement with the nc-AFM measurements performed with an O-terminated copper tip on these triazine- and heptazine-based copper nitride structures, our ab initio simulations confirm a pronounced interaction of oxygen species at these N-Cu-N sites. To investigate the related functional properties of our samples regarding the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), we developed an electrochemical setup for cyclic voltammetry experiments performed at ambient pressure within a drop of electrolyte in a controlled O2 or N2 environment. Both copper nitride structures show a robust activity in irreversibly catalyzing the reduction of oxygen. The activity is assigned to the intermolecular N-Cu-N sites of the triazine- and heptazine-based copper nitrides or corresponding oxygenated versions (N-CuO-N, N-CuO2-N). By combining nc-AFM characterization on the atomic scale with a direct electrochemical proof of performance, our work provides fundamental insights about active sites in a technologically highly relevant reaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bertram Schulze Lammers
- Physikalisches Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Center for Nanotechnology, Heisenbergstraße 11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Nieves López-Salas
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Julya Stein Siena
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Hossein Mirhosseini
- Dynamics of Condensed Matter and Center for Sustainable Systems Design, Chair of Theoretical Chemistry, University of Paderborn, Warburger Straße 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
| | - Damla Yesilpinar
- Physikalisches Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Center for Nanotechnology, Heisenbergstraße 11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Julian Heske
- Dynamics of Condensed Matter and Center for Sustainable Systems Design, Chair of Theoretical Chemistry, University of Paderborn, Warburger Straße 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
| | - Thomas D Kühne
- Dynamics of Condensed Matter and Center for Sustainable Systems Design, Chair of Theoretical Chemistry, University of Paderborn, Warburger Straße 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
| | - Harald Fuchs
- Physikalisches Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Center for Nanotechnology, Heisenbergstraße 11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Markus Antonietti
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Harry Mönig
- Physikalisches Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Center for Nanotechnology, Heisenbergstraße 11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Luo F, Wagner S, Ju W, Primbs M, Li S, Wang H, Kramm UI, Strasser P. Kinetic Diagnostics and Synthetic Design of Platinum Group Metal-Free Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction Using Reactivity Maps and Site Utilization Descriptors. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:13487-13498. [PMID: 35862859 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c01594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The experimental development of catalytically ever-more active platinum group metal (PGM)-free materials for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at fuel cell cathodes has been until recently a rather empirical iteration of synthesis and testing. Here, we present how kinetic reactivity maps based on kinetic descriptors of PGM-free single-metal-site ORR electrocatalysts can help to better understand the origin of catalytic reactivity and help to derive rational synthetic guidelines toward improved catalysts. Key in our analysis are the catalytic surface site density (SD) and the catalytic turnover frequency (TOF) in their role as controlling kinetic parameters for the ORR reactivity of PGM-free nitrogen-coordinated single-metal M-site carbon (MNC) catalysts. SD-TOF plots establish two-dimensional reactivity maps. We also consider the ratio between SD and the total number of single-metal sites in the bulk, referred to as the site utilization factor, which we propose as another guiding parameter for optimizing the synthesis of MNC catalysts. Exemplified by two sets of FeNC, CoNC, and SnNC catalysts prepared using two distinctly different N- and C-precursor material classes (Zn-based zeolitic imidazolate frameworks and covalent polyaniline), we comparatively diagnose the intrinsic kinetic ORR parameters as well as structural, morphological, and chemical properties. From there, we derive and discuss possible synthetic guidelines for further improvements. Our approach can be extended to other families of catalysts and may involve kinetic performance data of idealized liquid-electrolyte cells as well as gas diffusion layer-type flow cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Luo
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 142, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Wagner
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Graduate School of Excellence Energy Science and Engineering, Technical University of Darmstadt, Otto-Berndt-Str. 3, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Wen Ju
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 142, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathias Primbs
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 142, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Shuang Li
- Functional Materials, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 40, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Huan Wang
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 142, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike I Kramm
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Graduate School of Excellence Energy Science and Engineering, Technical University of Darmstadt, Otto-Berndt-Str. 3, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Peter Strasser
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 142, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Snitkoff-Sol RZ, Elbaz L. Assessing and measuring the active site density of PGM-free ORR catalysts. J Solid State Electrochem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10008-022-05236-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
|
16
|
Noh WY, Mun J, Lee Y, Kim EM, Kim YK, Kim KY, Jeong HY, Lee JH, Song HK, Lee G, Lee JS. Molecularly Engineered Carbon Platform To Anchor Edge-Hosted Single-Atomic M–N/C (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) Electrocatalysts of Outstanding Durability. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Woo Yeong Noh
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhong Mun
- Department of Energy Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeongdae Lee
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Mi Kim
- Department of Energy Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Kyeong Kim
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Young Kim
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hu Young Jeong
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hoon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Kon Song
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Geunsik Lee
- UNIST Central Research Facilities, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Sung Lee
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mehmood A, Gong M, Jaouen F, Roy A, Zitolo A, Khan A, Sougrati MT, Primbs M, Bonastre AM, Fongalland D, Drazic G, Strasser P, Kucernak A. High loading of single atomic iron sites in Fe–NC oxygen reduction catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Nat Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1038/s41929-022-00772-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
18
|
Quantifying the electrochemical active site density of precious metal-free catalysts in situ in fuel cells. Nat Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1038/s41929-022-00748-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
|
19
|
Vijay S, Ju W, Brückner S, Tsang SC, Strasser P, Chan K. Unified mechanistic understanding of CO2 reduction to CO on transition metal and single atom catalysts. Nat Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1038/s41929-021-00705-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
20
|
Sun Y, Polani S, Luo F, Ott S, Strasser P, Dionigi F. Advancements in cathode catalyst and cathode layer design for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5984. [PMID: 34645781 PMCID: PMC8514433 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25911-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells have been recently developed at an increasing pace as clean energy conversion devices for stationary and transport sector applications. High platinum cathode loadings contribute significantly to costs. This is why improved catalyst and support materials as well as catalyst layer design are critically needed. Recent advances in nanotechnologies and material sciences have led to the discoveries of several highly promising families of materials. These include platinum-based alloys with shape-selected nanostructures, platinum-group-metal-free catalysts such as metal-nitrogen-doped carbon materials and modification of the carbon support to control surface properties and ionomer/catalyst interactions. Furthermore, the development of advanced characterization techniques allows a deeper understanding of the catalyst evolution under different conditions. This review focuses on all these recent developments and it closes with a discussion of future research directions in the field. The high platinum loadings at the cathodes of proton exchange membrane fuel cells significantly contribute to the cost of these clean energy conversion devices. Here, the authors critically review and discuss recent developments on low- and non-platinum-based cathode catalysts and catalyst layers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Sun
- The Electrochemical Energy, Catalysis, and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany.,School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University, 410083, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shlomi Polani
- The Electrochemical Energy, Catalysis, and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fang Luo
- The Electrochemical Energy, Catalysis, and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ott
- The Electrochemical Energy, Catalysis, and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Strasser
- The Electrochemical Energy, Catalysis, and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Fabio Dionigi
- The Electrochemical Energy, Catalysis, and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Mazzucato M, Durante C. How determinant is the iron precursor ligand in Fe-N-C single-site formation and activity for oxygen reduction reaction? Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.139105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
|
22
|
Jiao L, Li J, Richard LL, Sun Q, Stracensky T, Liu E, Sougrati MT, Zhao Z, Yang F, Zhong S, Xu H, Mukerjee S, Huang Y, Cullen DA, Park JH, Ferrandon M, Myers DJ, Jaouen F, Jia Q. Chemical vapour deposition of Fe-N-C oxygen reduction catalysts with full utilization of dense Fe-N 4 sites. NATURE MATERIALS 2021; 20:1385-1391. [PMID: 34112977 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-021-01030-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Replacing scarce and expensive platinum (Pt) with metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane fuel cells has largely been impeded by the low oxygen reduction reaction activity of M-N-C due to low active site density and site utilization. Herein, we overcome these limits by implementing chemical vapour deposition to synthesize Fe-N-C by flowing iron chloride vapour over a Zn-N-C substrate at 750 °C, leading to high-temperature trans-metalation of Zn-N4 sites into Fe-N4 sites. Characterization by multiple techniques shows that all Fe-N4 sites formed via this approach are gas-phase and electrochemically accessible. As a result, the Fe-N-C catalyst has an active site density of 1.92 × 1020 sites per gram with 100% site utilization. This catalyst delivers an unprecedented oxygen reduction reaction activity of 33 mA cm-2 at 0.90 V (iR-corrected; i, current; R, resistance) in a H2-O2 proton exchange membrane fuel cell at 1.0 bar and 80 °C.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Jiao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jingkun Li
- Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Qiang Sun
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas Stracensky
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ershuai Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Moulay Tahar Sougrati
- Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Zipeng Zhao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sanjeev Mukerjee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David A Cullen
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Jae Hyung Park
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA
| | - Magali Ferrandon
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA
| | - Deborah J Myers
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA.
| | - Frédéric Jaouen
- Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Qingying Jia
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Liu S, Liu Y, Cheng Z, Tan Y, Ren Y, Yuan T, Shen Z. Catalytic Role of Adsorption of Electrolyte/Molecules as Functional Ligands on Two-Dimensional TM-N 4 Monolayer Catalysts for the Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Reaction. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:40590-40601. [PMID: 34415719 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c10367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional single-atom catalysts (2D SACs) have been widely studied on the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). The characteristics of 2D catalysts imply that both sides of the monolayer can be catalytic sites and adsorb electrolyte ions or molecules from solutions. Overstrong adsorption of electrolyte ions or molecules on both sides of the catalyst site will poison the catalyst, while the adsorbate on one side of the catalytic site will modify the activity and selectivity of the other side for NRR. Discovering the influence of adsorption of electrolyte ions or molecules as a functional ligand on catalyst performance on the NRR is crucial to improve NRR efficiency. Here, we report this work using the density functional theory (DFT) method to investigate adsorption of electrolyte ions or molecules as a functional ligand. Among all of the studied 18 functional ligands and 3 transition metals (TMs), the results showed that Ru&F, Ru&COOH, and Mo&H2O combinations were screened as electrocatalysis systems with high activity and selectivity. Particularly, the Mo&H2O combination possesses the highest activity with a low ΔGMAX of 0.44 eV through the distal pathway. The superior catalytic performance of the Mo&H2O combination is mainly attributed to the electron donation from the metal d orbital. Furthermore, the functional ligands can occupy the active sites and block the competing vigorous hydrogen evolution reaction. Our findings offer an effective and practical strategy to design the combination of the catalyst and electrolyte to improve electrocatalytic NRR efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiqiang Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Yawei Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Zhiwen Cheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Yujia Tan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyang Ren
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Tao Yuan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recovery, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- State Environmental Protection Key laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai 200092, P. R. China
| | - Zhemin Shen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recovery, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- State Environmental Protection Key laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai 200092, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bae G, Kim H, Choi H, Jeong P, Kim DH, Kwon HC, Lee KS, Choi M, Oh HS, Jaouen F, Choi CH. Quantification of Active Site Density and Turnover Frequency: From Single-Atom Metal to Nanoparticle Electrocatalysts. JACS AU 2021; 1:586-597. [PMID: 34467322 PMCID: PMC8395617 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) featuring atomically dispersed metal cations covalently embedded in a carbon matrix show significant potential to achieve high catalytic performance in various electrocatalytic reactions. Although considerable advances have been achieved in their syntheses and electrochemical applications, further development and fundamental understanding are limited by a lack of strategies that can allow the quantitative analyses of their intrinsic catalytic characteristics, that is, active site density (SD) and turnover frequency (TOF). Here we show an in situ SD quantification method using a cyanide anion as a probe molecule. The decrease in cyanide concentration triggered by irreversible adsorption on metal-based active sites of a model Fe-N-C catalyst is precisely measured by spectrophotometry, and it is correlated to the relative decrease in electrocatalytic activity in the model reaction of oxygen reduction reaction. The linear correlation verifies the surface-sensitive and metal-specific adsorption of cyanide on Fe-N x sites, based on which the values of SD and TOF can be determined. Notably, this analytical strategy shows versatile applicability to a series of transition/noble metal SACs and Pt nanoparticles in a broad pH range (1-13). The SD and TOF quantification can afford an improved understanding of the structure-activity relationship for a broad range of electrocatalysts, in particular, the SACs, for which no general electrochemical method to determine the intrinsic catalytic characteristics is available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geunsu Bae
- School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju
Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Haesol Kim
- School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju
Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Hansol Choi
- School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju
Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Pyeonghwa Jeong
- Department
of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Dong Hyun Kim
- School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju
Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Chang Kwon
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kug-Seung Lee
- Beamline
Department, Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Minkee Choi
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Suk Oh
- Clean
Energy Research Center, Korea Institute
of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic
of Korea
- KHU-KIST
Department of Conversing Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Frédéric Jaouen
- ICGM, Universite de Montpellier, CNRS,
ENSCM, Montpellier 34095, France
| | - Chang Hyuck Choi
- School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju
Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Li M, Chen S, Jiang Q, Chen Q, Wang X, Yan Y, Liu J, Lv C, Ding W, Guo X. Origin of the Activity of Co–N–C Catalysts for Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c05479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Muhong Li
- Key Lab of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shanyong Chen
- Key Lab of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Qike Jiang
- Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Qingliang Chen
- Key Lab of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Key Lab of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yong Yan
- Key Lab of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Key Lab of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Changchang Lv
- Key Lab of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Weiping Ding
- Key Lab of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Key Lab of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Kato M, Fujibayashi N, Abe D, Matsubara N, Yasuda S, Yagi I. Impact of Heterometallic Cooperativity of Iron and Copper Active Sites on Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction Kinetics. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c04753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Kato
- Global Research Center for Environment and Energy based on Nanomaterials Science (GREEN), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba 305-0044, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Satoshi Yasuda
- Research Group for Nanoscale Structure and Function of Advanced Materials, Advanced Science Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
| | - Ichizo Yagi
- Global Research Center for Environment and Energy based on Nanomaterials Science (GREEN), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba 305-0044, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Luo F, Roy A, Silvioli L, Cullen DA, Zitolo A, Sougrati MT, Oguz IC, Mineva T, Teschner D, Wagner S, Wen J, Dionigi F, Kramm UI, Rossmeisl J, Jaouen F, Strasser P. P-block single-metal-site tin/nitrogen-doped carbon fuel cell cathode catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction. NATURE MATERIALS 2020; 19:1215-1223. [PMID: 32661387 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-020-0717-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This contribution reports the discovery and analysis of a p-block Sn-based catalyst for the electroreduction of molecular oxygen in acidic conditions at fuel cell cathodes; the catalyst is free of platinum-group metals and contains single-metal-atom actives sites coordinated by nitrogen. The prepared SnNC catalysts meet and exceed state-of-the-art FeNC catalysts in terms of intrinsic catalytic turn-over frequency and hydrogen-air fuel cell power density. The SnNC-NH3 catalysts displayed a 40-50% higher current density than FeNC-NH3 at cell voltages below 0.7 V. Additional benefits include a highly favourable selectivity for the four-electron reduction pathway and a Fenton-inactive character of Sn. A range of analytical techniques combined with density functional theory calculations indicate that stannic Sn(IV)Nx single-metal sites with moderate oxygen chemisorption properties and low pyridinic N coordination numbers act as catalytically active moieties. The superior proton-exchange membrane fuel cell performance of SnNC cathode catalysts under realistic, hydrogen-air fuel cell conditions, particularly after NH3 activation treatment, makes them a promising alternative to today's state-of-the-art Fe-based catalysts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Luo
- Department of Chemistry, The Electrochemical Energy, Catalysis and Material Science Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aaron Roy
- ICGM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Luca Silvioli
- Nano-Science Center, Department of Chemistry, University Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Seaborg Technologies, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David A Cullen
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Andrea Zitolo
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'orme des Merisiers, BP 48, Saint Aubin, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | | | | | - Tzonka Mineva
- ICGM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Detre Teschner
- The Fritz-Haber-Institute der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Inorganic Chemistry-Electronic Structure Group, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Heterogeneous Reaction, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Wagner
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Graduate School of Excellence Energy Science and Engineering, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Ju Wen
- Department of Chemistry, The Electrochemical Energy, Catalysis and Material Science Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabio Dionigi
- Department of Chemistry, The Electrochemical Energy, Catalysis and Material Science Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike I Kramm
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Graduate School of Excellence Energy Science and Engineering, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jan Rossmeisl
- Nano-Science Center, Department of Chemistry, University Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | - Peter Strasser
- Department of Chemistry, The Electrochemical Energy, Catalysis and Material Science Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
A pyridinic Fe-N 4 macrocycle models the active sites in Fe/N-doped carbon electrocatalysts. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5283. [PMID: 33077736 PMCID: PMC7572418 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18969-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron- and nitrogen-doped carbon (Fe-N-C) materials are leading candidates to replace platinum catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells; however, their active site structures remain poorly understood. A leading postulate is that the iron-containing active sites exist primarily in a pyridinic Fe-N4 ligation environment, yet, molecular model catalysts generally feature pyrrolic coordination. Herein, we report a molecular pyridinic hexaazacyclophane macrocycle, (phen2N2)Fe, and compare its spectroscopic, electrochemical, and catalytic properties for ORR to a typical Fe-N-C material and prototypical pyrrolic iron macrocycles. N 1s XPS and XAS signatures for (phen2N2)Fe are remarkably similar to those of Fe-N-C. Electrochemical studies reveal that (phen2N2)Fe has a relatively high Fe(III/II) potential with a correlated ORR onset potential within 150 mV of Fe-N-C. Unlike the pyrrolic macrocycles, (phen2N2)Fe displays excellent selectivity for four-electron ORR, comparable to Fe-N-C materials. The aggregate spectroscopic and electrochemical data demonstrate that (phen2N2)Fe is a more effective model of Fe-N-C active sites relative to the pyrrolic iron macrocycles, thereby establishing a new molecular platform that can aid understanding of this important class of catalytic materials.
Collapse
|
29
|
Luo F, Wagner S, Onishi I, Selve S, Li S, Ju W, Wang H, Steinberg J, Thomas A, Kramm UI, Strasser P. Surface site density and utilization of platinum group metal (PGM)-free Fe-NC and FeNi-NC electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. Chem Sci 2020; 12:384-396. [PMID: 34168745 PMCID: PMC8179675 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc03280h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyrolyzed iron-based platinum group metal (PGM)-free nitrogen-doped single site carbon catalysts (Fe-NC) are possible alternatives to platinum-based carbon catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Bimetallic PGM-free M1M2-NC catalysts and their active sites, however, have been poorly studied to date. The present study explores the active accessible sites of mono- and bimetallic Fe-NC and FeNi-NC catalysts. Combining CO cryo chemisorption, X-ray absorption and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, we evaluate the number and chemical state of metal sites at the surface of the catalysts along with an estimate of their dispersion and utilization. Fe L3,2-edge X-ray adsorption spectra, Mössbauer spectra and CO desorption all suggested an essentially identical nature of Fe sites in both monometallic Fe-NC and bimetallic FeNi-NC; however, Ni blocks the formation of active sites during the pyrolysis and thus causes a sharp reduction in the accessible metal site density, while with only a minor direct participation as a catalytic site in the final catalyst. We also use the site density utilization factor, ϕ SDsurface/bulk , as a measure of the metal site dispersion in PGM-free ORR catalysts. ϕ SDsurface/bulk enables a quantitative evaluation and comparison of distinct catalyst synthesis routes in terms of their ratio of accessible metal sites. It gives guidance for further optimization of the accessible site density of M-NC catalysts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Luo
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin Straße des 17. 10623 Berlin Germany
| | - Stephan Wagner
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Catalysts and Electrocatalysts Group, Technical University of Darmstadt Otto-Berndt-Str. 3 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | | | - Sören Selve
- Technische Universität Berlin, Center for Electron Microscopy (ZELMI) Straße des 17. Juni 135 10623 Berlin Germany
| | - Shuang Li
- Functional Materials, Department of Chemistry, Technical Universität Berlin Hardenbergstr. 40 Berlin 10623 Germany
| | - Wen Ju
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin Straße des 17. 10623 Berlin Germany
| | - Huan Wang
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin Straße des 17. 10623 Berlin Germany
| | - Julian Steinberg
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin Straße des 17. 10623 Berlin Germany
| | - Arne Thomas
- Functional Materials, Department of Chemistry, Technical Universität Berlin Hardenbergstr. 40 Berlin 10623 Germany
| | - Ulrike I Kramm
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Catalysts and Electrocatalysts Group, Technical University of Darmstadt Otto-Berndt-Str. 3 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Peter Strasser
- The Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Science Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin Straße des 17. 10623 Berlin Germany
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Jain D, Gustin V, Basu D, Gunduz S, Deka DJ, Co AC, Ozkan US. Phosphate tolerance of nitrogen-coordinated-iron-carbon (FeNC) catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction: A size-related hindrance effect. J Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
31
|
Vijay S, Gauthier JA, Heenen HH, Bukas VJ, Kristoffersen HH, Chan K. Dipole-Field Interactions Determine the CO2 Reduction Activity of 2D Fe–N–C Single-Atom Catalysts. ACS Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c01375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sudarshan Vijay
- CatTheory, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Joseph A. Gauthier
- SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Hendrik H. Heenen
- CatTheory, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Vanessa J. Bukas
- CatTheory, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Henrik H. Kristoffersen
- CatTheory, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Karen Chan
- CatTheory, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sgarbi R, Ticianelli EA, Maillard F, Jaouen F, Chatenet M. Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Metal and Nitrogen–Doped Carbon Electrocatalysts in the Presence of Sodium Borohydride. Electrocatalysis (N Y) 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12678-020-00602-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
33
|
Gawande MB, Fornasiero P, Zbořil R. Carbon-Based Single-Atom Catalysts for Advanced Applications. ACS Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.9b04217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manoj B. Gawande
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai-Marathwada Campus, Jalna, Maharashtra 431203, India
| | - Paolo Fornasiero
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, INSTM Trieste Research Unit and ICCOM-CNR Trieste Research Unit, University of Trieste via L. Giorgieri 1, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Radek Zbořil
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Li A, Nicolae SA, Qiao M, Preuss K, Szilágyi PA, Moores A, Titirici M. Homogenous Meets Heterogenous and Electro‐Catalysis: Iron‐Nitrogen Molecular Complexes within Carbon Materials for Catalytic Applications. ChemCatChem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201900910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alain Li
- Centre for Green Chemistry and Catalysis Department of ChemistryMcGill University 801 Sherbrooke St West Montreal H3A 0B8 Canada
| | - Sabina A. Nicolae
- Queen Mary University of LondonSchool of Engineering and Materials Science Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
| | - Mo Qiao
- Queen Mary University of LondonMaterials Research Institute Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
| | - Kathrin Preuss
- Queen Mary University of LondonSchool of Engineering and Materials Science Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
- Queen Mary University of LondonMaterials Research Institute Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
| | - Petra A. Szilágyi
- Queen Mary University of LondonSchool of Engineering and Materials Science Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
- Queen Mary University of LondonMaterials Research Institute Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
| | - Audrey Moores
- Centre for Green Chemistry and Catalysis Department of ChemistryMcGill University 801 Sherbrooke St West Montreal H3A 0B8 Canada
| | - Maria‐Magdalena Titirici
- Queen Mary University of LondonSchool of Engineering and Materials Science Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
- Queen Mary University of LondonMaterials Research Institute Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
- Department of Chemical Engineering Imperial College LondonSouth Kensington Campus London SE7 2AZ UK
| |
Collapse
|