1
|
Wang L, Qi J, Zhang Y, Dai Y, Bao K, Wang W, Wu J, Ma C, Yin Z, Ma C, Chen Y, Bao J, Ye R, Liu Y, Lin Z, Wang Z, He Q. Surface Engineering of PtSe 2 Crystal for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Ethanol Oxidation. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2025; 37:e2502047. [PMID: 40150977 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202502047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2025] [Revised: 03/11/2025] [Indexed: 03/29/2025]
Abstract
The development of efficient electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) is crucial for the potential commercialization of direct ethanol fuel cells, yet it faces significant challenges between catalytic performance and cost-effectiveness. 2D materials have recently emerged as a promising group of electrocatalysts due to their large surface area, efficient charge transport, tunable band structures, and excellent catalytic activity. In this study, the novel 2D layered noble-metal dichalcogenide, PtSe2, is explored for efficient ethanol oxidation electrocatalysis from a microscopic perspective based on an on-chip microelectrochemical platform. While pristine PtSe2 demonstrates similar EOR activities to Pt, argon plasma treatment significantly enhances the performance on EOR activity, If/Ib ratio, onset and peak potentials, and durability. Detail investigations reveal that plasma treatment results in the exposure of PtSe2 surface, which is responsible for significantly enhanced EOR activity and poison-resistance as also confirmed by theoretical calculations. In situ electrical transport measurements for monitoring the catalyst surface intermediates, elucidate that both optimized OHads coverage and appropriate ethanol molecular adsorption on PtSe2 are the key for the high performance. This work demonstrates noble-metal dichalcogenides as promising EOR electrocatalysts, and establishes on-chip electrocatalytic microdevice as a promising probing platform for diverse electrocatalytic measurements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingzhi Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Junlei Qi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yuefeng Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yongping Dai
- Department of Chemistry, Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Kai Bao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Wenbin Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jingkun Wu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Cong Ma
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Zhuangzhuang Yin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Chen Ma
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Ye Chen
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Junhui Bao
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Ruquan Ye
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yingxia Liu
- Department of Advanced Design and Systems Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Zhaoyang Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhenbin Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Qiyuan He
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang S, Liu Y, Ding Y, Wu H, Qing L, Zhu J, Chen S, Wang Z, Zhang L, Liu T. Rational Ligand Design of Conjugated Coordination Polymers for Efficient and Selective Nitrate Electroreduction to Ammonia. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2025:e2418681. [PMID: 40285545 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202418681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2025] [Indexed: 04/29/2025]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia (NRA) offers an attractive route for converting nitrate pollutants to ammonia under mild conditions. Among other catalysts, single-atom catalysts (SACs) with high metal-atom-utilization efficiency and low-coordinated metal sites hold immense potential to be extensively applied, which unfortunately encounter a formidable challenge to obtain simultaneous improvement of NRA activity and selectivity. Here, a novel and general strategy is reported to achieve efficient and selective NRA catalysis on conjugated coordination polymers featuring with high-density and well-defined nitrogen (N)-coordinated single-atom metal sites via precise regulation of N‑heterocyclic ligands toward accelerating the hydrogenation kinetics necessitated in the NRA pathway. Taking cobalt (Co) as an example, two CoN4-centered conjugated coordination polymer electrocatalysts (CoN4-pyrr and CoN4-pyri) are synthesized with pyrrole and pyridine ligands are investigated as a proof-of-concept study. As revealed, the CoN4-pyrr can markedly outperform the CoN4-pyri toward NRA electrocatalysis. Experimental and theoretical results suggest that, relative to the N atoms of pyridine ligand in CoN4-pyri, the N atoms of pyrrole ligand in CoN4-pyrr can enable a faster transfer of hydrogen radicals to the Co active sites for accelerating the hydrogenation kinetics of *NO intermediate at the rate-determining step of NRA pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shouhan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, P. R. China
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Yidan Ding
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, P. R. China
| | - Hangjuan Wu
- National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Li Qing
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, P. R. China
| | - Jiexin Zhu
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Shenghua Chen
- National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Ziyun Wang
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Longsheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, P. R. China
| | - Tianxi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang Z, Wang M, Xing HR, Zhou X, Gao L, Chen S, Chen Y, Xu H, Li W, Yuan S, Li CH, Jin Z, Zuo JL. Efficient Ammonia Electrosynthesis from Pure Nitrate Reduction via Tuning Bimetallic Sites in Redox-Active Covalent Organic Frameworks. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2025:e202505580. [PMID: 40261634 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202505580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2025] [Revised: 04/07/2025] [Accepted: 04/22/2025] [Indexed: 04/24/2025]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NITRR) represents a promising approach for ammonia synthesis, but existing application has been constrained by the complex proton-coupled electron transfer and the sluggish kinetics induced by various intermediates. Herein, we synthesized a series of metalized covalent organic frameworks: NiTP-MTAPP MCOFs (M = 2H, Co, Cu, and Fe), based on dual redox-active centers: thiophene-substituted Ni-bis(dithiolene) ligand-Ni[C2S2(C4H2SCHO)2]2 and metallic porphyrin. Through regulating the adsorption and desorption of species at the catalytic sites, we have identified the optimal NITRR electrocatalyst: NiTP-CoTAPP MCOF, which achieved the highest faradaic efficiency (FE) of approximately 85.6% at -0.8 V (vs. RHE) in pure nitrate solution, with an impressive yield rate of 160.2 mmol h-1 g-1 cat. The generation of active hydrogen at [NiS4] sites achieved dynamic equilibrium with the timely hydrogenation reaction at CoN4 sites, effectively suppressing the hydrogen evolution reaction. Moreover, the incorporation of thiophene (TP) groups and metal ions facilitates charge transfer. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated the reduction in energy barriers at different catalytic sites. The CoN4-NiS4 system exhibited the optimal adsorption-to-desorption capability and the lowest energy barrier (0.58 eV) for the rate-determining step (*NO → *HNO), which is supported by the moderate d-band center and Bader charge value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zedong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Miao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Hao-Ran Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Xiaocheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Lei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Shizheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Yinjuan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, Advanced Catalysis and Green Manufacturing Collaborative Innovation Center, School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213164, P.R. China
| | - Hui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, Advanced Catalysis and Green Manufacturing Collaborative Innovation Center, School of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213164, P.R. China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Cheng-Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P.R. China
| | - Zhong Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P.R. China
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Green Intelligent Manufacturing of New Energy Materials and Devices, Tianchang New Materials and Energy Technology Research Center, Institute of Green Chemistry and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215163, P.R. China
| | - Jing-Lin Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang Z, Lv Y, Gu Y, Zhou X, Tian B, Zhang A, Yang Z, Chen S, Ma J, Ding M, Zuo JL. Dual Zn 5-NiS 4 Sites in a Redox-Active Metal-Organic Framework Enables Efficient Cascade Catalysis for Nitrate-to-Ammonia Conversion. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2025; 64:e202418272. [PMID: 39663525 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202418272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2024] [Revised: 11/08/2024] [Accepted: 12/10/2024] [Indexed: 12/13/2024]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia (NO3RR) offers a promising solution to both environmental pollution and the sustainable energy conversion. Here we propose an efficient cascade catalytic mechanism based on a dual Zn5-NiS4 sites, orderly assembled in a redox-active metal-organic framework structure, which separately promotes the reaction kinetics of nitrate-to-nitrite and nitrite-to-ammonia conversions. Specifically, the Zn5 clusters adsorb and selectively reduce the NO3 - to NO2 -, whereas [NiS4] acts as an analogue to the ferredoxins, subsequently boosts the reduction of NO2 - to produce NH3. To this end, the bimetallic Zn5-NiS4TP MOF was synthesized based on the redox-active ligand [Ni(C2S2(TPCOOH)2)2]. A maximum ammonia production rate of 23477.59 μg ⋅ h-1 ⋅ mg-1 cat. and faradaic efficiency 92.87 % was achived by Zn5-NiS4TP MOF under neutral conditions. To validate the critical role of dual Zn5-NiS4 sites, Mn5-NiS4TP and Cd2-NiS4TP were synthesized as control samples, together with Zn-TTFTB, Zn-NiS4Ph and other Zn5-cluster-based MOFs applied for the investigation of electrocatalytic nitrate reduction. Our results indicated that substitution by -thienyl instead of -phenyl group increases the S-heteroatom content, improves the conductivity and facilitates electron transfer. Furthermore, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of the energy changes for the reduction of each species could rationalize experimental results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zedong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yang Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yuming Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Xiaocheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Bailin Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Anqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zhimei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Shizheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jing Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Mengning Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jing-Lin Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chao G, Wang J, Zong W, Fan W, Xue T, Zhang L, Liu T. Single-atom catalysts for electrocatalytic nitrate reduction into ammonia. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 35:432001. [PMID: 39105490 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ad64d9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3) is a versatile and important compound with a wide range of uses, which is currently produced through the demanding Haber-Bosch process. Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction into ammonia (NRA) has recently emerged as a sustainable approach for NH3synthesis under ambient conditions. However, the NRA catalysis is a complex multistep electrochemical process with competitive hydrogen evolution reaction that usually results in poor selectivity and low yield rate for NH3synthesis. With maximum atom utilization and well-defined catalytic sites, single atom catalysts (SACs) display high activity, selectivity and stability toward various catalytic reactions. Very recently, a number of SACs have been developed as promising NRA electrocatalysts, but systematical discussion about the key factors that affect their NRA performance is not yet to be summarized to date. This review focuses on the latest breakthroughs of SACs toward NRA catalysis, including catalyst preparation, catalyst characterization and theoretical insights. Moreover, the challenges and opportunities for improving the NRA performance of SACs are discussed, with an aim to achieve further advancement in developing high-performance SACs for efficient NH3synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guojie Chao
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center of New Energy Vehicle Energy Saving and Battery Safety, WUXI Institute of Technology, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zong
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Fan
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiantian Xue
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Longsheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianxi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang M, Li S, Gu Y, Xu W, Wang H, Sun J, Chen S, Tie Z, Zuo JL, Ma J, Su J, Jin Z. Polynuclear Cobalt Cluster-Based Coordination Polymers for Efficient Nitrate-to-Ammonia Electroreduction. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:20439-20448. [PMID: 38993055 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c06098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NITRR) holds great promise for purifying wastewater and producing valuable ammonia (NH3). However, the lack of efficient electrocatalysts has impeded the achievement of highly selective NH3 synthesis from the NITRR. In this study, we report the design and synthesis of two polynuclear Co-cluster-based coordination polymers, {[Co2(TCPPDA)(H2O)5]·(H2O)9(DMF)} and {Co1.5(TCPPDA)[(CH3)2NH2]·(H2O)6(DMF)2} (namely, NJUZ-2 and NJUZ-3), which possess distinct coordination motifs with well-defined porosity, high-density catalytic sites, accessible mass transfer channels, and nanoconfined chemical environments. Benefitting from their intriguing multicore metal-organic coordination framework structures, NJUZ-2 and NJUZ-3 exhibit remarkable catalytic activities for the NITRR. At a potential of -0.8 V (vs. RHE) in an H-type cell, they achieve an optimal Faradaic efficiency of approximately 98.5% and high long-term durability for selective NH3 production. Furthermore, the electrocatalytic performance is well maintained even under strongly acidic conditions. When operated under an industrially relevant current density of 469.9 mA cm-2 in a flow cell, a high NH3 yield rate of up to 3370.6 mmol h-1 g-1cat. was observed at -0.5 V (vs. RHE), which is 20.1-fold higher than that obtained in H-type cells under the same conditions. Extensive experimental analyses, in combination with theoretical computations, reveal that the great enhancement of the NITRR activity is attributed to the preferential adsorption of NO3- and the reduction in energy input required for the hydrogenation of *NO3 and *NO2 intermediates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Tianchang New Materials and Energy Technology Research Center, Research Institute of Green Chemistry and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. China
| | - Shufan Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210094, P. R. China
| | - Yuming Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Tianchang New Materials and Energy Technology Research Center, Research Institute of Green Chemistry and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. China
| | - Wenjie Xu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230029, P. R. China
| | - Huaizhu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Tianchang New Materials and Energy Technology Research Center, Research Institute of Green Chemistry and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jingjie Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Tianchang New Materials and Energy Technology Research Center, Research Institute of Green Chemistry and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. China
| | - Shuangming Chen
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230029, P. R. China
| | - Zuoxiu Tie
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Tianchang New Materials and Energy Technology Research Center, Research Institute of Green Chemistry and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jing-Lin Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Tianchang New Materials and Energy Technology Research Center, Research Institute of Green Chemistry and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jing Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Tianchang New Materials and Energy Technology Research Center, Research Institute of Green Chemistry and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jian Su
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Tianchang New Materials and Energy Technology Research Center, Research Institute of Green Chemistry and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210094, P. R. China
| | - Zhong Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Tianchang New Materials and Energy Technology Research Center, Research Institute of Green Chemistry and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang HY, Su J, Zuo JL. Porous Crystalline Materials Based on Tetrathiafulvalene and Its Analogues: Assembly, Charge Transfer, and Applications. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:1851-1869. [PMID: 38902854 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
ConspectusThe directed synthesis and functionalization of porous crystalline materials pose significant challenges for chemists. The synergistic integration of different functionalities within an ordered molecular material holds great significance for expanding its applications as functional materials. The presence of coordination bonds connected by inorganic and organic components in molecular materials can not only increase the structural diversity of materials but also modulate the electronic structure and band gap, which further regulates the physical and chemical properties of molecular materials. In fact, porous crystalline materials with coordination bonds, which inherit the merits of both organic and inorganic materials, already showcase their superior advantages in optical, electrical, and magnetic applications. In addition to the inorganic components that provide structural rigidity, organic ligands of various types serve as crucial connectors in the construction of functional porous crystalline materials. In addition, redox activity can endow organic linkers with electrochemical activity, thereby making them a perfect platform for the study of charge transfer with atom-resolved single-crystal structures, and they can additionally serve as stimuli-responsive sites in sensor devices and smart materials.In this Account, we introduce the synthesis, structural characteristics, and applications of porous crystalline materials based on the famous redox-active units, tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and its analogues, by primarily focusing on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). TTF, a sulfur-rich conjugated molecule with two reversible and easily accessible oxidation states (i.e., radical TTF•+ cation and TTF2+ dication), and its analogues boast special electrical characteristics that enable them to display switchable redox activity and stimuli-responsive properties. These inherent properties contribute to the enhancement of the optical, electrical, and magnetic characteristics of the resultant porous crystalline materials. Moreover, delving into the charge transfer phenomena, which is key for the electrochemical process within these materials, uncovers a myriad of potential functional applications. The Account is organized into five main sections that correspond to the different properties and applications of these materials: optical, electrical, and magnetic functionalities; energy storage and conversion; and catalysis. Each section provides detailed discussions of synthetic methods, structural characteristics, the physical and chemical properties, and the functional performances of highlighted examples. The Account also discusses future directions by emphasizing the exploration of novel organic units, the transformation between radical cation TTF•+ and dication TTF2+, and the integration of multifunctionalities within these frameworks to foster the development of smart materials for enhanced performance across diverse applications. Through this Account, we aim to highlight the massive potential of TTF and its analogues-based porous crystals in chemistry and material science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
- School of Environmental Science, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing 211171, P. R. China
| | - Jian Su
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, P. R. China
| | - Jing-Lin Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ba J, Dong H, Odziomek M, Lai F, Wang R, Han Y, Shu J, Antonietti M, Liu T, Yang W, Tian Z. Red Carbon Mediated Formation of Cu 2O Clusters Dispersed on the Oxocarbon Framework by Fehling's Route and their Use for the Nitrate Electroreduction in Acidic Conditions. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2400396. [PMID: 38528795 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202400396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
The oligomers of carbon suboxide, known as red carbon, exhibit a highly conjugated structure and semiconducting properties. Upon mild heat treatment, it transforms into a carbonaceous framework rich in oxygen surface terminations, called oxocarbon. In this study, the abundant oxygen functionalities are harnessed as anchors to create oxocarbon-supported nanohybrid electrocatalysts. Starting with single atomic Cu (II) strongly coordinated to oxygen atoms on red carbon, the Fehling reaction leads to the formation of Cu2O clusters. Simultaneously, a covalent oxocarbon framework emerges via cross-linking, providing robust support for Cu2O clusters. Notably, the oxocarbon support effectively stabilizes Cu2O clusters of very small size, ensuring their high durability in acidic conditions and the presence of ammonia. The synthesized material exhibits a superior electrocatalytic activity for nitrate reduction under acidic electrolyte conditions, with a high yield rate of ammonium (NH4 +) at 3.31 mmol h-1 mgcat -1 and a Faradaic efficiency of 92.5% at a potential of -0.4 V (vs RHE).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Ba
- Engineering Research Center for Nanomaterials, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, P. R. China
| | - Hongliang Dong
- Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research, Shanghai, 201203, P. R. China
| | - Mateusz Odziomek
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Feili Lai
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Rui Wang
- Engineering Research Center for Nanomaterials, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, P. R. China
| | - Yandong Han
- Engineering Research Center for Nanomaterials, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, P. R. China
| | - Jinfu Shu
- Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research, Shanghai, 201203, P. R. China
| | - Markus Antonietti
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Tianxi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, P. R. China
| | - Wensheng Yang
- Engineering Research Center for Nanomaterials, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, P. R. China
| | - Zhihong Tian
- Engineering Research Center for Nanomaterials, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Feng D, Zhou L, White TJ, Cheetham AK, Ma T, Wei F. Nanoengineering Metal-Organic Frameworks and Derivatives for Electrosynthesis of Ammonia. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2023; 15:203. [PMID: 37615796 PMCID: PMC10449763 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01169-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic synthesis under mild conditions has become increasingly important as one of the practical alternatives for industrial applications, especially for the green ammonia (NH3) industry. A properly engineered electrocatalyst plays a vital role in the realization of superior catalytic performance. Among various types of promising nanomaterials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are competitive candidates for developing efficient electrocatalytic NH3 synthesis from simple nitrogen-containing molecules or ions, such as N2 and NO3-. In this review, recent advances in the development of electrocatalysts derived from MOFs for the electrosynthesis of NH3 are collected, categorized, and discussed, including their application in the N2 reduction reaction (NRR) and the NO3- reduction reaction (NO3RR). Firstly, the fundamental principles are illustrated, such as plausible mechanisms of NH3 generation from N2 and NO3-, the apparatus of corresponding electrocatalysis, parameters for evaluation of reaction efficiency, and detection methods of yielding NH3. Then, the electrocatalysts for NRR processes are discussed in detail, including pristine MOFs, MOF-hybrids, MOF-derived N-doped porous carbons, single atomic catalysts from pyrolysis of MOFs, and other MOF-related materials. Subsequently, MOF-related NO3RR processes are also listed and discussed. Finally, the existing challenges and prospects for the rational design and fabrication of electrocatalysts from MOFs for electrochemical NH3 synthesis are presented, such as the evolution of investigation methods with artificial intelligence, innovation in synthetic methods of MOF-related catalysts, advancement of characterization techniques, and extended electrocatalytic reactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daming Feng
- College of Chemistry, Liaoning University, Shenyang, 110036, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixue Zhou
- College of Chemistry, Liaoning University, Shenyang, 110036, People's Republic of China
| | - Timothy J White
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Anthony K Cheetham
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Tianyi Ma
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.
| | - Fengxia Wei
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis 08-03, Singapore, 138634, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
He X. Fundamental Perspectives on the Electrochemical Water Applications of Metal-Organic Frameworks. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2023; 15:148. [PMID: 37286907 PMCID: PMC10247659 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01124-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
HIGHLIGHTS The recent development and implementation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and MOF-based materials in electrochemical water applications are reviewed. The critical factors that affect the performances of MOFs in the electrochemical reactions, sensing, and separations are highlighted. Advanced tools, such as pair distribution function analysis, are playing critical roles in unraveling the functioning mechanisms, including local structures and nanoconfined interactions. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a family of highly porous materials possessing huge surface areas and feasible chemical tunability, are emerging as critical functional materials to solve the growing challenges associated with energy-water systems, such as water scarcity issues. In this contribution, the roles of MOFs are highlighted in electrochemical-based water applications (i.e., reactions, sensing, and separations), where MOF-based functional materials exhibit outstanding performances in detecting/removing pollutants, recovering resources, and harvesting energies from different water sources. Compared with the pristine MOFs, the efficiency and/or selectivity can be further enhanced via rational structural modulation of MOFs (e.g., partial metal substitution) or integration of MOFs with other functional materials (e.g., metal clusters and reduced graphene oxide). Several key factors/properties that affect the performances of MOF-based materials are also reviewed, including electronic structures, nanoconfined effects, stability, conductivity, and atomic structures. The advancement in the fundamental understanding of these key factors is expected to shed light on the functioning mechanisms of MOFs (e.g., charge transfer pathways and guest-host interactions), which will subsequently accelerate the integration of precisely designed MOFs into electrochemical architectures to achieve highly effective water remediation with optimized selectivity and long-term stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang He
- Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL, 32901, USA.
| |
Collapse
|