1
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Dou F, Guo F, Li B, Zhang K, Graham N, Yu W. Pulsed electro-catalysis enables effective conversion of low-concentration nitrate to ammonia over Cu 2O@Pd tandem catalyst. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134522. [PMID: 38714057 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Electro-catalytic conversion of nitrate (NO3-) to ammonia (NH3) via the Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia (NORA) process represents a promising strategy for both ammonia synthesis and environmental remediation. Despite its potential, the efficiency of low-concentration NORA is often hindered by mass transfer limitations, competing byproducts (N2 and NO2-), and side reactions such as hydrogen evolution. This study introduces a novel pulsed electro-synthesis technique that alternates the potential to periodically accumulate and transform NO2- intermediates near a Cu2O@Pd electrode, enhancing the NORA process. Compared with that under potentiostatic conditions, the Cu2O@Pd electrodes exhibited a higher NORA activity under the optimized pulsed condition, where a NH3-N Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 81.2%, a yield rate of 1.08 mg h-1 cm-2 and a selectivity efficiency (SE) of 81.5%, were achieved. In-situ characterization revealed an enhancement mechanism characterized by optimized adsorption of the key *NO intermediate, followed by the hydrogenation path "*N → *NH → *NH2→ *NH3". Further investigations indicated the electro-catalytic synergies between Pd sites and Cu species, where the Pd atoms were the reaction sites for the H adsorption while the Cu species were responsible for the NO3- activation. This research offers a novel insight into a method of enhancing low-concentration NORA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Dou
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Fengchen Guo
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Nigel Graham
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW72AZ, UK
| | - Wenzheng Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
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2
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Wei J, Li Y, Lin H, Lu X, Zhou C, Li YY. Copper-based electro-catalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia from water: Mechanism, preparation, and research directions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 20:100383. [PMID: 38304117 PMCID: PMC10830547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Global water bodies are increasingly imperiled by nitrate pollution, primarily originating from industrial waste, agricultural runoffs, and urban sewage. This escalating environmental crisis challenges traditional water treatment paradigms and necessitates innovative solutions. Electro-catalysis, especially utilizing copper-based catalysts, known for their efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness, offer a promising avenue for the electro-catalytic reduction of nitrate to ammonia. In this review, we systematically consolidate current research on diverse copper-based catalysts, including pure Cu, Cu alloys, oxides, single-atom entities, and composites. Furthermore, we assess their catalytic performance, operational mechanisms, and future research directions to find effective, long-term solutions to water purification and ammonia synthesis. Electro-catalysis technology shows the potential in mitigating nitrate pollution and has strategic importance in sustainable environmental management. As to the application, challenges regarding complexity of the real water, the scale-up of the commerical catalysts, and the efficient collection of produced NH3 are still exist. Following reseraches of catalyst specially on long term stability and in situ mechanisms are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Chucheng Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials & Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advance Technology of Ceramics, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
| | - Ya-yun Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials & Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advance Technology of Ceramics, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
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3
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Hu Y, Liu J, Luo W, Dong J, Lee C, Zhang N, Chen M, Xu Y, Wu D, Zhang M, Zhu Q, Hu E, Geng D, Zhong L, Yan Q. Alloying Pd with Ru enables electroreduction of nitrate to ammonia with ∼100% faradaic efficiency over a wide potential window. Chem Sci 2024; 15:8204-8215. [PMID: 38817556 PMCID: PMC11134412 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00558a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrate (NO3-) reduction reaction (eNO3-RR) to ammonia under ambient conditions is deemed a sustainable route for wastewater treatment and a promising alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. However, there is still a lack of efficient electrocatalysts to achieve high NH3 production performance at wastewater-relevant low NO3- concentrations. Herein, we report a Pd74Ru26 bimetallic nanocrystal (NC) electrocatalyst capable of exhibiting an average NH3 FE of ∼100% over a wide potential window from 0.1 to -0.3 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE) at a low NO3- concentration of 32.3 mM. The average NH3 yield rate at -0.3 V can reach 16.20 mg h-1 cm-2. Meanwhile, Pd74Ru26 also demonstrates excellent electrocatalytic stability for over 110 h. Experimental investigations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the electronic structure modulation between Pd and Ru favors the optimization of NO3- transport with respect to single components. Along the *NO3 reduction pathway, the synergy between Pd and Ru can also lower the energy barrier of the rate-determining steps (RDSs) on Ru and Pd, which are the protonation of *NO2 and *NO, respectively. Finally, this unique alloying design achieves a high-level dynamic equilibrium of adsorption and coupling between *H and various nitrogen intermediates during eNO3-RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Hu
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing Beijing 100083 China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University 639798 Singapore
| | - Jiawei Liu
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR 138634 Singapore
| | - Wenyu Luo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University 639798 Singapore
| | - Jinfeng Dong
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University 639798 Singapore
| | - Carmen Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University 639798 Singapore
| | - Nan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Rare Isotopes, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University Lanzhou 730000 China
| | - Mengxin Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University 639798 Singapore
| | - Yifan Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University 639798 Singapore
| | - Dongshuang Wu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University 639798 Singapore
| | - Mingsheng Zhang
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR 138634 Singapore
| | - Qiang Zhu
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR 138634 Singapore
| | - Erhai Hu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University 639798 Singapore
| | - Dongsheng Geng
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology Nanjing 210044 China
| | - Lixiang Zhong
- School of Physics, Beijing Institute of Technology Beijing 100081 China
| | - Qingyu Yan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University 639798 Singapore
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR 138634 Singapore
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4
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Shiraishi Y, Akiyama S, Hiramatsu W, Adachi K, Ichikawa S, Hirai T. Sunlight-Driven Nitrate-to-Ammonia Reduction with Water by Iron Oxyhydroxide Photocatalysts. JACS AU 2024; 4:1863-1874. [PMID: 38818053 PMCID: PMC11134386 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The photocatalytic reduction of harmful nitrates (NO3-) in strongly acidic wastewater to ammonia (NH3) under sunlight is crucial for the recycling of limited nitrogen resources. This study reports that a naturally occurring Cl--containing iron oxyhydroxide (akaganeite) powder with surface oxygen vacancies (β-FeOOH(Cl)-OVs) facilitates this transformation. Ultraviolet light irradiation of the catalyst suspended in a Cl--containing solution promoted quantitative NO3--to-NH3 reduction with water under ambient conditions. The photogenerated conduction band electrons promoted the reduction of NO3--to-NH3 over the OVs. The valence band holes promoted self-oxidation of Cl- as the direct electron donor and eliminated Cl- was compensated from the solution. Photodecomposition of the generated hypochlorous acid (HClO) produced O2, facilitating catalytic reduction of NO3--to-NH3 with water as the electron donor in the entire system. Simulated sunlight irradiation of the catalyst in a strongly acidic nitric acid (HNO3) solution (pH ∼ 1) containing Cl- stably generated NH3 with a solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of ∼0.025%. This strategy paves the way for sustainable NH3 production from wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Shiraishi
- Research Center
for Solar Energy Chemistry and Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate
School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka 560-8531, Japan
- Innovative Catalysis Science
Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives
(ICS-OTRI), Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shotaro Akiyama
- Research Center
for Solar Energy Chemistry and Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate
School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka 560-8531, Japan
| | - Wataru Hiramatsu
- Research Center
for Solar Energy Chemistry and Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate
School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka 560-8531, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Adachi
- Research Center
for Solar Energy Chemistry and Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate
School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka 560-8531, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ichikawa
- Research Center for Ultra-High
Voltage Electron Microscopy, Osaka University, Ibaraki 567-0047, Japan
| | - Takayuki Hirai
- Research Center
for Solar Energy Chemistry and Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate
School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka 560-8531, Japan
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5
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Shahid UB, Kwon Y, Yuan Y, Gu S, Shao M. High-Performance Ammonia Electrosynthesis from Nitrate in a NaOH-KOH-H 2O Ternary Electrolyte. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202403633. [PMID: 38516798 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202403633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
A glut of dinitrogen-derived ammonia (NH3) over the past century has resulted in a heavily imbalanced nitrogen cycle and consequently, the large-scale accumulation of reactive nitrogen such as nitrates in our ecosystems has led to detrimental environmental issues. Electrocatalytic upcycling of waste nitrogen back into NH3 holds promise in mitigating these environmental impacts and reducing reliance on the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. Herein, we report a high-performance electrolyzer using an ultrahigh alkalinity electrolyte, NaOH-KOH-H2O, for low-cost NH3 electrosynthesis. At 3,000 mA/cm2, the device with a Fe-Cu-Ni ternary catalyst achieves an unprecedented faradaic efficiency (FE) of 92.5±1.5 % under a low cell voltage of 3.83 V; whereas at 1,000 mA/cm2, an FE of 96.5±4.8 % under a cell voltage of only 2.40 V was achieved. Techno-economic analysis revealed that our device cuts the levelized cost of ammonia electrosynthesis by ~40 % ($30.68 for Fe-Cu-Ni vs. $48.53 for Ni foam per kmol-NH3). The NaOH-KOH-H2O electrolyte together with the Fe-Cu-Ni ternary catalyst can enable the high-throughput nitrate-to-ammonia applications for affordable and scalable real-world wastewater treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Bin Shahid
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, P.R. China
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Yongjun Kwon
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Shuang Gu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA
| | - Minhua Shao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, P.R. China
- Energy Institute, Hong Kong Branch of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, and Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, P.R. China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Energy Storage Technologies, Fok Ying Tung Research Institute, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Guangzhou, 511458, China
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6
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Zhang M, Liu Y, Duan Y, Liu X, Wang YQ. Ce-doped copper oxide and copper vanadate Cu 3VO 4 hybrid for boosting nitrate electroreduction to ammonia. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 671:258-269. [PMID: 38810340 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia reaction (ENO3RR) holds great potential as a cost-effective method for synthesizing ammonia. This work designed a cerium (Ce) doped Cu2+1O/Cu3VO4 catalyst. The coupling of vanadium-based oxides with Cu2+1O effectively adjusts the catalyst's electronic structure, addressing the inherent issues of limited activity and low conductivity in typical copper-based oxides; moreover, Ce doping generates oxygen vacancies (Ov), providing more active sites and thereby enhancing the ENO3RR performance. The catalyst exhibits superior NH3Faradaic efficiency (93.7 %) with a NH3 yield of 18.905 mg h-1 cm-2at -0.5 V vs. RHE under alkaline conditions. This study provides guidance for the design of highly efficient catalysts for ENO3RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics of Rare Earth Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot 010021, PR China
| | - Yang Liu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics of Rare Earth Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot 010021, PR China
| | - Yun Duan
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics of Rare Earth Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot 010021, PR China
| | - Xu Liu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics of Rare Earth Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot 010021, PR China
| | - Yan-Qin Wang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics of Rare Earth Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot 010021, PR China.
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7
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Wang H, Du G, Jia J, Huang J, Tu M, Zhang J, Peng Y, Li H, Xu C. Ru-Doped NiFe-MIL-53 with Facilitated Reconstruction and Active Hydrogen Supplement for Enhanced Nitrate Reduction. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:9212-9220. [PMID: 38718298 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c00766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The Electrochemical reduction of nitrate to ammonia (NH3) is a process of great significance to energy utilization and environmental protection. However, it suffers from sluggish multielectron/proton-involved steps involving coupling reactions between different reaction intermediates and active hydrogen species (Hads) produced by water decomposition. In this study, a Ru-doped NiFe-MIL-53 (NiFeRu-MIL-53) supported on Ni foam (NF) has been designed for the nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR). The NiFeRu-MIL-53 exhibits excellent NO3RR activity with a maximum Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 100% at -0.4 V vs. RHE for NH3 and a maximum NH3 yield of 62.39 mg h-1 cm-2 at -0.7 V vs. RHE in alkaline media. This excellent performance for the NO3RR is attributed to a strong synergistic effect between Ru and reconstructed NiFe(OH)2. Additionally, the doped Ru facilitates water dissociation, leading to an appropriate supply of Hads required for N species hydrogenation during NO3RR, thereby further enhancing its performance. Furthermore, in situ Raman analysis reveals that incorporating Ru facilitates the reconstruction of MOFs and promotes the formation of hydroxide active species during the NO3RR process. This work provides a valuable strategy for designing electrocatalysts to improve the efficiency of the reduction of electrochemical nitrate to ammonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Gening Du
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Jinzhi Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Junfeng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Mudong Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Yong Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Hua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Cailing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
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8
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Yang K, Han SH, Cheng C, Guo C, Li T, Yu Y. Unveiling the Reaction Mechanism of Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia Over Cobalt-Based Electrocatalysts. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12976-12983. [PMID: 38567925 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c13517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to ammonia (NRA) has emerged as an alternative strategy for sewage treatment and ammonia generation. Despite excellent performances having been achieved over cobalt-based electrocatalysts, the reaction mechanism as well as veritable active species across a wide potential range are still full of controversy. Here, we adopt CoP, Co, and Co3O4 as model materials to solve these issues. CoP evolves into a core@shell structured CoP@Co before NRA. For CoP@Co and Co catalysts, a three-step relay mechanism is carried out over superficial dynamical Coδ+ active species under low overpotential, while a continuous hydrogenation mechanism from nitrate to ammonia is unveiled over superficial Co species under high overpotential. In comparison, Co3O4 species are stable and steadily catalyze nitrate hydrogenation to ammonia across a wide potential range. As a result, CoP@Co and Co exhibit much higher NRA activity than Co3O4 especially under a low overpotential. Moreover, the NRA performance of CoP@Co is higher than Co although they experience the same reaction mechanism. A series of characterizations clarify the reason for performance enhancement highlighting that CoP core donates abundant electrons to superficial active species, leading to the generation of more active hydrogen for the reduction of nitrogen-containing intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiwen Yang
- Institute of Molecular Plus, School of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shu-He Han
- Institute of Molecular Plus, School of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chuanqi Cheng
- Institute of New Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chengying Guo
- Institute of Molecular Plus, School of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Asia Silicon Joint Research Center of Ammonia-Hydrogen New Energy, Tianjin University, Xining 810000, China
| | - Tieliang Li
- Institute of Molecular Plus, School of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yifu Yu
- Institute of Molecular Plus, School of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Asia Silicon Joint Research Center of Ammonia-Hydrogen New Energy, Tianjin University, Xining 810000, China
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9
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Chang J, Shi Y, Wu H, Yu J, Jing W, Wang S, Waterhouse GIN, Tang Z, Lu S. Oxygen Radical Coupling on Short-Range Ordered Ru Atom Arrays Enables Exceptional Activity and Stability for Acidic Water Oxidation. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12958-12968. [PMID: 38695595 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c13248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The discovery of efficient and stable electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acid is vital for the commercialization of the proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzer. In this work, we demonstrate that short-range Ru atom arrays with near-ideal Ru-Ru interatomic distances and a unique Ru-O hybridization state can trigger direct O*-O* radical coupling to form an intermediate O*-O*-Ru configuration during acidic OER without generating OOH* species. Further, the Ru atom arrays suppress the participation of lattice oxygen in the OER and the dissolution of active Ru. Benefiting from these advantages, the as-designed Ru array-Co3O4 electrocatalyst breaks the activity/stability trade-off that plagues RuO2-based electrocatalysts, delivering an excellent OER overpotential of only 160 mV at 10 mA cm-2 in 0.5 M H2SO4 and outstanding durability during 1500 h operation, representing one of the best acid-stable OER electrocatalysts reported to date. 18O-labeled operando spectroscopic measurements together with theoretical investigations revealed that the short-range Ru atom arrays switched on an oxide path mechanism (OPM) during the OER. Our work not only guides the design of improved acidic OER catalysts but also encourages the pursuit of short-range metal atom array-based electrocatalysts for other electrocatalytic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangwei Chang
- College of Chemistry and Pingyuan Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shi
- College of Chemistry and Pingyuan Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Han Wu
- College of Chemistry and Pingyuan Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Jingkun Yu
- College of Chemistry and Pingyuan Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Wen Jing
- College of Chemistry and Pingyuan Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Siyang Wang
- College of Chemistry and Pingyuan Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | | | - Zhiyong Tang
- Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Siyu Lu
- College of Chemistry and Pingyuan Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
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10
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Wei Y, Huang J, Chen H, Zheng SJ, Huang RW, Dong XY, Li LK, Cao A, Cai J, Zang SQ. Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction on Metallic CoNi-Terminated Catalyst with Industrial-Level Current Density in Neutral Medium. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2404774. [PMID: 38721927 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202404774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Green ammonia synthesis through electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (eNO3RR) can serve as an effective alternative to the traditional energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. However, achieving high Faradaic efficiency (FE) at industrially relevant current density in neutral medium poses significant challenges in eNO3RR. Herein, with the guidance of theoretical calculation, a metallic CoNi-terminated catalyst is successfully designed and constructed on copper foam, which achieves an ammonia FE of up to 100% under industrial-level current density and very low overpotential (-0.15 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode) in a neutral medium. Multiple characterization results have confirmed that the maintained metal atom-terminated surface through interaction with copper atoms plays a crucial role in reducing overpotential and achieving high current density. By constructing a homemade gas stripping and absorption device, the complete conversion process for high-purity ammonium nitrate products is demonstrated, displaying the potential for practical application. This work suggests a sustainable and promising process toward directly converting nitrate-containing pollutant solutions into practical nitrogen fertilizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Wei
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jingjing Huang
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Su-Jun Zheng
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Ren-Wu Huang
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xi-Yan Dong
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454003, China
| | - Lin-Ke Li
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Ang Cao
- State Key Laboratory for Clean Energy Utilization, Institute for Thermal Power Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Jinmeng Cai
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shuang-Quan Zang
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
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11
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Qi R, Wang Z, Zhong M, Wang C, Bai F, Lu X. Synergistic Integration of Amorphous Cobalt Phosphide with a Conductive Channel for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2308311. [PMID: 38072774 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202308311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia (NO3RR) is regarded as a viable alternative reaction to "Haber Bosch" process. Nevertheless, it remains a major challenge to explore economical and efficient electrocatalysts that deliver high NH3 yield rates and Faraday efficiencies (FE). Here, it demonstrates the fabrication of a 3D core-shell structured Co-carbon nanofibers (CNF)/ZIF-CoP for NO3RR application. Benefitting from the distinct electron transport property of Co-CNF and desirable mass transfer ability from amorphous CoP framework, the as-prepared Co-CNF/ZIF-CoP exhibits large NH3 FE (96.8 ± 3.4% at -0.1 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) and high yield rate (38.44 ± 0.65 mg cm-2 h-1 at -0.6 V vs RHE), which are better than Co-CNF/ZIF-crystal CoP. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further reveal that amorphous CoP presents a lower energy barrier in the rate determination step of the protonation of *NO to produce *NOH intermediates compared with crystal CoP, resulting in a superior NO3RR performance. Eventually, an aqueous galvanic Zn-NO3 - battery is assembled by using Co-CNF/ZIF-CoP as cathode material to achieve efficient production of NH3 whilst simultaneously supplying electrical power. This work offers a reliable strategy to construct amorphous metal phosphide framework on conducting CNF as efficient electrocatalyst and enriches its promising application for NO3RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruikai Qi
- Alan G. MacDiarmid Institute, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, P. R. China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, P. R. China
| | - Mengxiao Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, P. R. China
| | - Ce Wang
- Alan G. MacDiarmid Institute, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, P. R. China
| | - Fuquan Bai
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, P. R. China
- International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofeng Lu
- Alan G. MacDiarmid Institute, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, P. R. China
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12
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Liu Y, Wei J, Yang Z, Zheng L, Zhao J, Song Z, Zhou Y, Cheng J, Meng J, Geng Z, Zeng J. Efficient tandem electroreduction of nitrate into ammonia through coupling Cu single atoms with adjacent Co 3O 4. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3619. [PMID: 38684692 PMCID: PMC11059385 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48035-4] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The nitrate (NO3-) electroreduction into ammonia (NH3) represents a promising approach for sustainable NH3 synthesis. However, the variation of adsorption configurations renders great difficulties in the simultaneous optimization of binding energy for the intermediates. Though the extensively reported Cu-based electrocatalysts benefit NO3- adsorption, one of the key issues lies in the accumulation of nitrite (NO2-) due to its weak adsorption, resulting in the rapid deactivation of catalysts and sluggish kinetics of subsequent hydrogenation steps. Here we report a tandem electrocatalyst by combining Cu single atoms catalysts with adjacent Co3O4 nanosheets to boost the electroreduction of NO3- to NH3. The obtained tandem catalyst exhibits a yield rate for NH3 of 114.0 mgNH 3 h-1 cm-2, which exceeds the previous values for the reported Cu-based catalysts. Mechanism investigations unveil that the combination of Co3O4 regulates the adsorption configuration of NO2- and strengthens the binding with NO2-, thus accelerating the electroreduction of NO3- to NH3.
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Grants
- National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFA1500500, 2019YFA0405600),National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (21925204), CAS project for young scientists in basic research (YSBR-051), Collaborative Innovation Program of Hefei Science Center, CAS (2022HSC-CIP004), International Partnership Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (123GJHZ2022101GC), the Joint Fund of the Yulin University and the Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy (YLU-DNL Fund 2022012), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
- China Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents (BX20200324)
- the Anhui Natural Science Foundation for Young Scholars (2208085QB41), and the Fellowship of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2021M693058)
- the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB0450401),CAS project for young scientists in basic research (YSBR-022)
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, PR China
| | - Jie Wei
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, PR China
| | - Zhengwu Yang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, PR China
| | - Lirong Zheng
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jiankang Zhao
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, PR China
| | - Zhimin Song
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, PR China
| | - Yuhan Zhou
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, PR China
| | - Jiajie Cheng
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, PR China
| | - Junyang Meng
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, PR China
| | - Zhigang Geng
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, PR China.
| | - Jie Zeng
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, PR China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Strongly-Coupled Quantum Matter Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, PR China.
- Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Chemistry and Energy Catalysis of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, PR China.
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan, 243002, Anhui, PR China.
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13
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Chen Z, Ma T, Wei W, Wong WY, Zhao C, Ni BJ. Work Function-Guided Electrocatalyst Design. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2401568. [PMID: 38682861 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The development of high-performance electrocatalysts for energy conversion reactions is crucial for advancing global energy sustainability. The design of catalysts based on their electronic properties (e.g., work function) has gained significant attention recently. Although numerous reviews on electrocatalysis have been provided, no such reports on work function-guided electrocatalyst design are available. Herein, a comprehensive summary of the latest advancements in work function-guided electrocatalyst design for diverse electrochemical energy applications is provided. This includes the development of work function-based catalytic activity descriptors, and the design of both monolithic and heterostructural catalysts. The measurement of work function is first discussed and the applications of work function-based catalytic activity descriptors for various reactions are fully analyzed. Subsequently, the work function-regulated material-electrolyte interfacial electron transfer (IET) is employed for monolithic catalyst design, and methods for regulating the work function and optimizing the catalytic performance of catalysts are discussed. In addition, key strategies for tuning the work function-governed material-material IET in heterostructural catalyst design are examined. Finally, perspectives on work function determination, work function-based activity descriptors, and catalyst design are put forward to guide future research. This work paves the way to the work function-guided rational design of efficient electrocatalysts for sustainable energy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Chen
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Tianyi Ma
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Wei Wei
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Wai-Yeung Wong
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and Research Institute for Smart Energy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom Kowloon, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Chuan Zhao
- School of Chemistry, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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14
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Liu W, Xia M, Zhao C, Chong B, Chen J, Li H, Ou H, Yang G. Efficient ammonia synthesis from the air using tandem non-thermal plasma and electrocatalysis at ambient conditions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3524. [PMID: 38664388 PMCID: PMC11045753 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47765-9] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
While electrochemical N2 reduction presents a sustainable approach to NH3 synthesis, addressing the emission- and energy-intensive limitations of the Haber-Bosch process, it grapples with challenges in N2 activation and competing with pronounced hydrogen evolution reaction. Here we present a tandem air-NOx-NOx--NH3 system that combines non-thermal plasma-enabled N2 oxidation with Ni(OH)x/Cu-catalyzed electrochemical NOx- reduction. It delivers a high NH3 yield rate of 3 mmol h-1 cm-2 and a corresponding Faradaic efficiency of 92% at -0.25 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in batch experiments, outperforming previously reported ones. Furthermore, in a flow mode concurrently operating the non-thermal plasma and the NOx- electrolyzer, a stable NH3 yield rate of approximately 1.25 mmol h-1 cm-2 is sustained over 100 h using pure air as the intake. Mechanistic studies indicate that amorphous Ni(OH)x on Cu interacts with hydrated K+ in the double layer through noncovalent interactions and accelerates the activation of water, enriching adsorbed hydrogen species that can readily react with N-containing intermediates. In situ spectroscopies and density functional theory (DFT) results reveal that NOx- adsorption and their hydrogenation process are optimized over the Ni(OH)x/Cu surface. This work provides new insights into electricity-driven distributed NH3 production using natural air at ambient conditions.
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Grants
- This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2020YFA0710000, G.Y.), Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U22A20391, G.Y.), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 22108214, 22078256, G.Y.), Innovation Capability Support Program of Shaanxi (NO. 2023-CX-TD-26, G.Y.), and the Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities (B23025, G.Y.)
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- A XJTU-Oxford International Joint Laboratory for Catalysis, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Mengyang Xia
- A XJTU-Oxford International Joint Laboratory for Catalysis, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Chao Zhao
- A XJTU-Oxford International Joint Laboratory for Catalysis, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Ben Chong
- A XJTU-Oxford International Joint Laboratory for Catalysis, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Jiahe Chen
- A XJTU-Oxford International Joint Laboratory for Catalysis, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - He Li
- A XJTU-Oxford International Joint Laboratory for Catalysis, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Honghui Ou
- A XJTU-Oxford International Joint Laboratory for Catalysis, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Guidong Yang
- A XJTU-Oxford International Joint Laboratory for Catalysis, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China.
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15
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Wang Y, Xiong Y, Sun M, Zhou J, Hao F, Zhang Q, Ye C, Wang X, Xu Z, Wa Q, Liu F, Meng X, Wang J, Lu P, Ma Y, Yin J, Zhu Y, Chu S, Huang B, Gu L, Fan Z. Controlled Synthesis of Unconventional Phase Alloy Nanobranches for Highly Selective Electrocatalytic Nitrite Reduction to Ammonia. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024:e202402841. [PMID: 38647519 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202402841] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The controlled synthesis of metal nanomaterials with unconventional phases is of significant importance to develop high-performance catalysts for various applications. However, it remains challenging to modulate the atomic arrangements of metal nanomaterials, especially the alloy nanostructures that involve different metals with distinct redox potentials. Here we report the general one-pot synthesis of IrNi, IrRhNi and IrFeNi alloy nanobranches with unconventional hexagonal close-packed (hcp) phase. Notably, the as-synthesized hcp IrNi nanobranches demonstrate excellent catalytic performance towards electrochemical nitrite reduction reaction (NO2RR), with superior NH3 Faradaic efficiency and yield rate of 98.2 % and 34.6 mg h-1 mgcat -1 (75.5 mg h-1 mgIr -1) at 0 and -0.1 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode), respectively. Ex/in situ characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal that the Ir-Ni interactions within hcp IrNi alloy improve electron transfer to benefit both nitrite activation and active hydrogen generation, leading to a stronger reaction trend of NO2RR by greatly reducing energy barriers of rate-determining step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yuecheng Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Mingzi Sun
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Fengkun Hao
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Qinghua Zhang
- Institute of Physics, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Chenliang Ye
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, 071003, China
| | - Xixi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Zhihang Xu
- Department of Applied Physics, Research Institute for Smart Energy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Qingbo Wa
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Fu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Xiang Meng
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Pengyi Lu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yangbo Ma
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jinwen Yin
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Ye Zhu
- Department of Applied Physics, Research Institute for Smart Energy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Shengqi Chu
- Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bolong Huang
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Lin Gu
- Beijing National Center for Electron Microscopy and Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhanxi Fan
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China
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16
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Zhang LH, Zhang B, Hong Y, You Y, Zhou Y, Zhan J, Alonzo Poole D, Yu F. Deep Electron Redistributions Induced by Dual Junctions Facilitating Electroreduction of Dilute Nitrate to Ammonia. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2402430. [PMID: 38623987 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202402430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The electronic states of metal catalysts can be redistributed by the rectifying contact between metal and semiconductor e.g., N-doped carbon (NC), while the interfacial regulation degree is very limited. Herein, a deep electronic state regulation is achieved by constructing a novel double-heterojunctional Co/Co3O4@NC catalyst containing Co/Co3O4 and Co3O4/NC heterojunctions. When used for dilute electrochemical NO3 - reduction reaction (NO3RR), the as-prepared Co/Co3O4@NC exhibits an outstanding Faradaic efficiency for NH3 formation (FENH3) of 97.9%, -0.4 V versus RHE and significant NH3 yield of 303.5 mmol h-1 gcat -1 at -0.6 V at extremely low nitrate concentrations (100 ppm NO3 --N). Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the dual junctions of Co/Co3O4 and Co3O4/NC drive a unidirectional electron transfer from Co to NC (Co→Co3O4→NC), resulting in electron-deficient Co atoms. The electron-deficient Co promotes NO3 - adsorption, the rate-determining step (RDS) for NO3RR, facilitating the dilute NO3RR to NH3. The design strategy provides a novel reference for unidirectional multistage regulation of metal electronic states boosting electrochemical dilute NO3RR, which opens up an avenue for deep electronic state regulation of electrocatalyst breaking the limitation of the electronic regulation degree by rectifying contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu-Hua Zhang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Energy Conservation in Chemical Process Integration and Resources Utilization, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300130, P. R. China
| | - Bo Zhang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Energy Conservation in Chemical Process Integration and Resources Utilization, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300130, P. R. China
| | - Yaohua Hong
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Energy Conservation in Chemical Process Integration and Resources Utilization, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300130, P. R. China
| | - Yang You
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Energy Conservation in Chemical Process Integration and Resources Utilization, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300130, P. R. China
| | - Yuzhuo Zhou
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Energy Conservation in Chemical Process Integration and Resources Utilization, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300130, P. R. China
| | - Jiayu Zhan
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Energy Conservation in Chemical Process Integration and Resources Utilization, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300130, P. R. China
| | - David Alonzo Poole
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Amsterdam, 1081HV, The Netherlands
| | - Fengshou Yu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Energy Conservation in Chemical Process Integration and Resources Utilization, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300130, P. R. China
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17
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Murphy E, Sun B, Rüscher M, Liu Y, Zang W, Guo S, Chen YH, Hejral U, Huang Y, Ly A, Zenyuk IV, Pan X, Timoshenko J, Cuenya BR, Spoerke ED, Atanassov P. Synergizing Fe 2O 3 Nanoparticles on Single Atom Fe-N-C for Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia at Industrial Current Densities. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2401133. [PMID: 38619914 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The electrochemical reduction of nitrates (NO3 -) enables a pathway for the carbon neutral synthesis of ammonia (NH3), via the nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR), which has been demonstrated at high selectivity. However, to make NH3 synthesis cost-competitive with current technologies, high NH3 partial current densities (jNH3) must be achieved to reduce the levelized cost of NH3. Here, the high NO3RR activity of Fe-based materials is leveraged to synthesize a novel active particle-active support system with Fe2O3 nanoparticles supported on atomically dispersed Fe-N-C. The optimized 3×Fe2O3/Fe-N-C catalyst demonstrates an ultrahigh NO3RR activity, reaching a maximum jNH3 of 1.95 A cm-2 at a Faradaic efficiency (FE) for NH3 of 100% and an NH3 yield rate over 9 mmol hr-1 cm-2. Operando XANES and post-mortem XPS reveal the importance of a pre-reduction activation step, reducing the surface Fe2O3 (Fe3+) to highly active Fe0 sites, which are maintained during electrolysis. Durability studies demonstrate the robustness of both the Fe2O3 particles and Fe-Nx sites at highly cathodic potentials, maintaining a current of -1.3 A cm-2 over 24 hours. This work exhibits an effective and durable active particle-active support system enhancing the performance of the NO3RR, enabling industrially relevant current densities and near 100% selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn Murphy
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National Fuel Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Baiyu Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National Fuel Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Martina Rüscher
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yuanchao Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National Fuel Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Wenjie Zang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Shengyuan Guo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National Fuel Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Yu-Han Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National Fuel Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Uta Hejral
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Alvin Ly
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Iryna V Zenyuk
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National Fuel Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Pan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Janis Timoshenko
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Beatriz Roldán Cuenya
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Erik D Spoerke
- Sandia National Laboratories, Energy Storage Technologies & Systems, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, USA
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National Fuel Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
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18
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Lim M, Ma Z, O'Connell G, Yuwono JA, Kumar P, Jalili R, Amal R, Daiyan R, Lovell EC. Ru-Induced Defect Engineering in Co 3O 4 Lattice for High Performance Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonium. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2401333. [PMID: 38602227 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Amidst these growing sustainability concerns, producing NH4 + via electrochemical NO3 - reduction reaction (NO3RR) emerges as a promising alternative to the conventional Haber-Bosch process. In a pioneering approach, this study introduces Ru incorporation into Co3O4 lattices at the nanoscale and further couples it with electroreduction conditioning (ERC) treatment as a strategy to enhance metal oxide reducibility and induce oxygen vacancies, advancing NH4 + production from NO3RR. Here, supported by a suite of ex situ and in situ characterization measurements, the findings reveal that Ru enrichment promotes Co species reduction and oxygen vacancy formation. Further, as evidenced by the theoretical calculations, Ru integration lowers the energy barrier for oxygen vacancy formation, thereby facilitating a more energy-efficient NO3RR-to-NH4 + pathway. Optimal catalytic activity is realized with a Ru loading of 10 at.% (named 10Ru/Co3O4), achieving a high NH4 + production rate (98 nmol s-1 cm-2), selectivity (97.5%) and current density (≈100 mA cm-2) at -1.0 V vs RHE. The findings not only provide insights into defect engineering via the incorporation of secondary sites but also lay the groundwork for innovative catalyst design aimed at improving NH4 + yield from NO3RR. This research contributes to the ongoing efforts to develop sustainable electrochemical processes for nitrogen cycle management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Lim
- Particles and Catalysis Research Laboratories and School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Zhipeng Ma
- Particles and Catalysis Research Laboratories and School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - George O'Connell
- Particles and Catalysis Research Laboratories and School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jodie A Yuwono
- Particles and Catalysis Research Laboratories and School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Priyank Kumar
- Particles and Catalysis Research Laboratories and School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Rouhollah Jalili
- Particles and Catalysis Research Laboratories and School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Rose Amal
- Particles and Catalysis Research Laboratories and School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Rahman Daiyan
- Particles and Catalysis Research Laboratories and School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Emma C Lovell
- Particles and Catalysis Research Laboratories and School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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19
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Bai L, Franco F, Timoshenko J, Rettenmaier C, Scholten F, Jeon HS, Yoon A, Rüscher M, Herzog A, Haase FT, Kühl S, Chee SW, Bergmann A, Beatriz RC. Electrocatalytic Nitrate and Nitrite Reduction toward Ammonia Using Cu 2O Nanocubes: Active Species and Reaction Mechanisms. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:9665-9678. [PMID: 38557016 PMCID: PMC11009949 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c13288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The electrochemical reduction of nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) enables sustainable, carbon-neutral, and decentralized routes to produce ammonia (NH3). Copper-based materials are promising electrocatalysts for NOx- conversion to NH3. However, the underlying reaction mechanisms and the role of different Cu species during the catalytic process are still poorly understood. Herein, by combining quasi in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), we unveiled that Cu is mostly in metallic form during the highly selective reduction of NO3-/NO2- to NH3. On the contrary, Cu(I) species are predominant in a potential region where the two-electron reduction of NO3- to NO2- is the major reaction. Electrokinetic analysis and in situ Raman spectroscopy was also used to propose possible steps and intermediates leading to NO2- and NH3, respectively. This work establishes a correlation between the catalytic performance and the dynamic changes of the chemical state of Cu, and provides crucial mechanistic insights into the pathways for NO3-/NO2- electrocatalytic reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Janis Timoshenko
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of Max-Planck-Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Clara Rettenmaier
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of Max-Planck-Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Scholten
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of Max-Planck-Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Aram Yoon
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of Max-Planck-Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martina Rüscher
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of Max-Planck-Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonia Herzog
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of Max-Planck-Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix T. Haase
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of Max-Planck-Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Kühl
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of Max-Planck-Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - See Wee Chee
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of Max-Planck-Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Arno Bergmann
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of Max-Planck-Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Roldan Cuenya Beatriz
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of Max-Planck-Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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20
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Gao J, Ma Q, Zhang Y, Xue S, Young J, Zhao M, Ren ZJ, Kim JH, Zhang W. Coupling Curvature and Hydrophobicity: A Counterintuitive Strategy for Efficient Electroreduction of Nitrate into Ammonia. ACS NANO 2024; 18:10302-10311. [PMID: 38537206 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c02020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The electrochemical upcycling of nitrate (NO3-) to ammonia (NH3) holds promise for synergizing both wastewater treatment and NH3 synthesis. Efficient stripping of gaseous products (NH3, H2, and N2) from electrocatalysts is crucial for continuous and stable electrochemical reactions. This study evaluated a layered electrocatalyst structure using copper (Cu) dendrites to enable a high curvature and hydrophobicity and achieve a stratified liquid contact at the gas-liquid interface of the electrocatalyst layer. As such, gaseous product desorption or displacement from electrocatalysts was enhanced due to the separation of a wetted reaction zone and a nonwetted zone for gas transfer. Consequently, this electrocatalyst structure yielded a 2.9-fold boost in per-active-site activity compared with that with a low curvature and high hydrophilic counterpart. Moreover, a NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 90.9 ± 2.3% was achieved with nearly 100% NO3- conversion. This high-curvature hydrophobic Cu dendrite was further integrated with a gas-extraction membrane, which demonstrated a comparable NH3 yield from the real reverse osmosis retentate brine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianan Gao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Qingquan Ma
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Yihan Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Shan Xue
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Joshua Young
- Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Mengqiang Zhao
- Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Zhiyong Jason Ren
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Jae-Hong Kim
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
- Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
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21
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Jia S, Wu L, Liu H, Wang R, Sun X, Han B. Nitrogenous Intermediates in NO x-involved Electrocatalytic Reactions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400033. [PMID: 38225207 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Chemical manufacturing utilizing renewable sources and energy emerges as a promising path towards sustainability and carbon neutrality. The electrocatalytic reactions involving nitrogen oxides (NOx) offered a potential strategy for synthesizing various nitrogenous chemicals. However, it is currently hindered by low selectivity/efficiency and limited reaction pathways, mainly due to the difficulties in controllable generation and utilization of nitrogenous intermediates. In this minireview, focusing on nitrogenous intermediates in NOx-involved electrocatalytic reactions, we discuss newly developed methodologies for studying and controlling the generation, conversion, and utilizing of nitrogenous intermediates, which enable recent developments in NOx-involved electrocatalytic reactions that yield various products, including ammonia (NH3), organonitrogen molecules, and nitrogenous compounds exhibiting unconventional oxidation states. Furthermore, we also make an outlook to highlight future directions in the emerging field of NOx-involved electrocatalytic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunhan Jia
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Limin Wu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hanle Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Ruhan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaofu Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Buxing Han
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
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22
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Fang L, Lu S, Wang S, Yang X, Song C, Yin F, Liu H. Defect engineering on electrocatalysts for sustainable nitrate reduction to ammonia: Fundamentals and regulations. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303249. [PMID: 37997008 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrate (NO3 -) reduction to ammonia (NH3) is a "two birds-one stone" method that targets remediation of NO3 --containing sewage and production of valuable NH3. The exploitation of advanced catalysts with high activity, selectivity, and durability is a key issue for the efficient catalytic performance. Among various strategies for catalyst design, defect engineering has gained increasing attention due to its ability to modulate the electronic properties of electrocatalysts and optimize the adsorption energy of reactive species, thereby enhancing the catalytic performance. Despite previous progress, there remains a lack of mechanistic insights into the regulation of catalyst defects for NO3 - reduction. Herein, this review presents insightful understanding of defect engineering for NO3 - reduction, covering its background, definition, classification, construction, and underlying mechanisms. Moreover, the relationships between regulation of catalyst defects and their catalytic activities are illustrated by investigating the properties of electrocatalysts through the analysis of electronic band structure, charge density distribution, and controllable adsorption energy. Furthermore, challenges and perspectives for future development of defects in NO3RR are also discussed, which can help researchers to better understand the defect engineering in catalysts, and also inspire scientists entering into this promising field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Fang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1400714, Chongqing, China
| | - Shun Lu
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1400714, Chongqing, China
| | - Sha Wang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1400714, Chongqing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohui Yang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1400714, Chongqing, China
| | - Cheng Song
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1400714, Chongqing, China
| | - Fengjun Yin
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1400714, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1400714, Chongqing, China
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23
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Xiong Y, Wang Y, Zhou J, Liu F, Hao F, Fan Z. Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction: Ammonia Synthesis and the Beyond. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2304021. [PMID: 37294062 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202304021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Natural nitrogen cycle has been severely disrupted by anthropogenic activities. The overuse of N-containing fertilizers induces the increase of nitrate level in surface and ground waters, and substantial emission of nitrogen oxides causes heavy air pollution. Nitrogen gas, as the main component of air, has been used for mass ammonia production for over a century, providing enough nutrition for agriculture to support world population increase. In the last decade, researchers have made great efforts to develop ammonia processes under ambient conditions to combat the intensive energy consumption and high carbon emission associated with the Haber-Bosch process. Among different techniques, electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) can achieve nitrate removal and ammonia generation simultaneously using renewable electricity as the power, and there is an exponential growth of studies in this research direction. Here, a timely and comprehensive review on the important progresses of electrochemical NO3RR, covering the rational design of electrocatalysts, emerging CN coupling reactions, and advanced energy conversion and storage systems is provided. Moreover, future perspectives are proposed to accelerate the industrialized NH3 production and green synthesis of chemicals, leading to a sustainable nitrogen cycle via prosperous N-based electrochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuecheng Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Yunhao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Fu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Fengkun Hao
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Zhanxi Fan
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
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24
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Wang Y, Hao F, Sun M, Liu MT, Zhou J, Xiong Y, Ye C, Wang X, Liu F, Wang J, Lu P, Ma Y, Yin J, Chen HC, Zhang Q, Gu L, Chen HM, Huang B, Fan Z. Crystal Phase Engineering of Ultrathin Alloy Nanostructures for Highly Efficient Electroreduction of Nitrate to Ammonia. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2313548. [PMID: 38279631 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202313548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) toward ammonia synthesis is recognized as a sustainable strategy to balance the global nitrogen cycle. However, it still remains a great challenge to achieve highly efficient ammonia production due to the complex proton-coupled electron transfer process in NO3RR. Here, the controlled synthesis of RuMo alloy nanoflowers (NFs) with unconventional face-centered cubic (fcc) phase and hexagonal close-packed/fcc heterophase for highly efficient NO3RR is reported. Significantly, fcc RuMo NFs demonstrate high Faradaic efficiency of 95.2% and a large yield rate of 32.7 mg h-1 mgcat -1 toward ammonia production at 0 and -0.1 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode), respectively. In situ characterizations and theoretical calculations have unraveled that fcc RuMo NFs possess the highest d-band center with superior electroactivity, which originates from the strong Ru─Mo interactions and the high intrinsic activity of the unconventional fcc phase. The optimal electronic structures of fcc RuMo NFs supply strong adsorption of key intermediates with suppression of the competitive hydrogen evolution, which further determines the remarkable NO3RR performance. The successful demonstration of high-performance zinc-nitrate batteries with fcc RuMo NFs suggests their substantial application potential in electrochemical energy supply systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Fengkun Hao
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Mingzi Sun
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Meng-Ting Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Emerging Materials and Advanced Devices, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yuecheng Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Chenliang Ye
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, 071003, China
| | - Xixi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Fu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Pengyi Lu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yangbo Ma
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jinwen Yin
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Hsiao-Chien Chen
- Center for Reliability Science and Technologies, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Qinghua Zhang
- Institute of Physics, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Lin Gu
- Beijing National Center for Electron Microscopy and Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Hao Ming Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Emerging Materials and Advanced Devices, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Nanomedicine and Medical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Bolong Huang
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Zhanxi Fan
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China
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25
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Mu J, Gao X, Yu T, Zhao L, Luo W, Yang H, Liu Z, Sun Z, Gu Q, Li F. Ambient Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis: From Theoretical Guidance to Catalyst Design. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2308979. [PMID: 38345238 PMCID: PMC11022736 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Ammonia, a vital component in the synthesis of fertilizers, plastics, and explosives, is traditionally produced via the energy-intensive and environmentally detrimental Haber-Bosch process. Given its considerable energy consumption and significant greenhouse gas emissions, there is a growing shift toward electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis as an eco-friendly alternative. However, developing efficient electrocatalysts capable of achieving high selectivity, Faraday efficiency, and yield under ambient conditions remains a significant challenge. This review delves into the decades-long research into electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis, highlighting the evolution of fundamental principles, theoretical descriptors, and reaction mechanisms. An in-depth analysis of the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) and nitrate reduction reaction (NitRR) is provided, with a focus on their electrocatalysts. Additionally, the theories behind electrocatalyst design for ammonia synthesis are examined, including the Gibbs free energy approach, Sabatier principle, d-band center theory, and orbital spin states. The review culminates in a comprehensive overview of the current challenges and prospective future directions in electrocatalyst development for NRR and NitRR, paving the way for more sustainable methods of ammonia production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjia Mu
- Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines MetallurgySchool of MetallurgyNortheastern UniversityShenyangLiaoning110819China
| | - Xuan‐Wen Gao
- Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines MetallurgySchool of MetallurgyNortheastern UniversityShenyangLiaoning110819China
| | - Tong Yu
- Institute of Metal ResearchChinese Academy of SciencesShenyangLiaoning110016China
| | - Lu‐Kang Zhao
- Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines MetallurgySchool of MetallurgyNortheastern UniversityShenyangLiaoning110819China
| | - Wen‐Bin Luo
- Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines MetallurgySchool of MetallurgyNortheastern UniversityShenyangLiaoning110819China
| | - Huicong Yang
- Institute of Metal ResearchChinese Academy of SciencesShenyangLiaoning110016China
| | - Zhao‐Meng Liu
- Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines MetallurgySchool of MetallurgyNortheastern UniversityShenyangLiaoning110819China
| | - Zhenhua Sun
- Institute of Metal ResearchChinese Academy of SciencesShenyangLiaoning110016China
| | - Qin‐Fen Gu
- Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines MetallurgySchool of MetallurgyNortheastern UniversityShenyangLiaoning110819China
- Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO)800 Blackburn RdClaytonVIC3168Australia
| | - Feng Li
- Institute of Metal ResearchChinese Academy of SciencesShenyangLiaoning110016China
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26
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Zhang B, Dai Z, Chen Y, Cheng M, Zhang H, Feng P, Ke B, Zhang Y, Zhang G. Defect-induced triple synergistic modulation in copper for superior electrochemical ammonia production across broad nitrate concentrations. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2816. [PMID: 38561364 PMCID: PMC10984973 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47025-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Nitrate can be electrochemically degraded to produce ammonia while treating sewage while it remains grand challenge to simultaneously realize high Faradaic efficiency and production rate over wide-range concentrations in real wastewater. Herein, we report the defect-rich Cu nanowire array electrode generated by in-situ electrochemical reduction, exhibiting superior performance in the electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction benefitting from the triple synergistic modulation. Notably, the defect-rich Cu nanowire array electrode delivers current density ranging from 50 to 1100 mA cm-2 across wide nitrate concentrations (1-100 mM) with Faradaic efficiency over 90%. Operando Synchrotron radiation Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and theoretical calculations revealed that the defective Cu sites can simultaneously enhance nitrate adsorption, promote water dissociation and suppress hydrogen evolution. A two-electrode system integrating nitrate reduction reaction in industrial wastewater with glycerol oxidation reaction achieves current density of 550 mA cm-2 at -1.4 V with 99.9% ammonia selectivity and 99.9% nitrate conversion with 100 h stability, demonstrating outstanding practicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bocheng Zhang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Zechuan Dai
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Yanxu Chen
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Mingyu Cheng
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Huaikun Zhang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Pingyi Feng
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Buqi Ke
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Yangyang Zhang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Genqiang Zhang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China.
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27
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Zheng M, Zhang J, Wang P, Jin H, Zheng Y, Qiao SZ. Recent Advances in Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation Reactions on Copper-Based Catalysts. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2307913. [PMID: 37756435 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogenation reactions play a critical role in the synthesis of value-added products within the chemical industry. Electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) using water as the hydrogen source has emerged as an alternative to conventional thermocatalytic processes for sustainable and decentralized chemical synthesis under mild conditions. Among the various ECH catalysts, copper-based (Cu-based) nanomaterials are promising candidates due to their earth-abundance, unique electronic structure, versatility, and high activity/selectivity. Herein, recent advances in the application of Cu-based catalysts in ECH reactions for the upgrading of valuable chemicals are systematically analyzed. The unique properties of Cu-based catalysts in ECH are initially introduced, followed by design strategies to enhance their activity and selectivity. Then, typical ECH reactions on Cu-based catalysts are presented in detail, including carbon dioxide reduction for multicarbon generation, alkyne-to-alkene conversion, selective aldehyde conversion, ammonia production from nitrogen-containing substances, and amine production from organic nitrogen compounds. In these catalysts, the role of catalyst composition and nanostructures toward different products is focused. The co-hydrogenation of two substrates (e.g., CO2 and NOx n, SO3 2-, etc.) via C─N, C─S, and C─C cross-coupling reactions are also highlighted. Finally, the critical issues and future perspectives of Cu-catalyzed ECH are proposed to accelerate the rational development of next-generation catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zheng
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Junyu Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Pengtang Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Huanyu Jin
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Yao Zheng
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Shi-Zhang Qiao
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
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28
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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: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).
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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
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29
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Liu K, Li H, Xie M, Wang P, Jin Z, Liu Y, Zhou M, Li P, Yu G. Thermally Enhanced Relay Electrocatalysis of Nitrate-to-Ammonia Reduction over Single-Atom-Alloy Oxides. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:7779-7790. [PMID: 38466142 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) holds promise for converting nitrogenous pollutants to valuable ammonia products. However, conventional electrocatalysis faces challenges in effectively driving the complex eight-electron and nine-proton transfer process of the NO3RR while also competing with the hydrogen evolution reaction. In this study, we present the thermally enhanced electrocatalysis of nitrate-to-ammonia conversion over nickel-modified copper oxide single-atom alloy oxide nanowires. The catalyst demonstrates improved ammonia production performance with a Faradaic efficiency of approximately 80% and a yield rate of 9.7 mg h-1 cm-2 at +0.1 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode at elevated cell temperatures. In addition, this thermally enhanced electrocatalysis system displays impressive stability, interference resistance, and favorable energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for the simulated industrial wastewater treatment. Complementary in situ analyses confirm that the significantly superior relay of active hydrogen species formed at Ni sites facilitates the thermal-field-coupled electrocatalysis of Cu surface-adsorbed *NOx hydrogenation. Theoretical calculations further support the thermodynamic and kinetic feasibility of the relay catalysis mechanism for the NO3RR over the Ni1Cu model catalyst. This study introduces a conceptual thermal-electrochemistry approach for the synergistic regulation of complex catalytic processes, highlighting the potential of multifield-coupled catalysis to advance sustainable-energy-powered chemical synthesis technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Liu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Hongmei Li
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Minghao Xie
- Materials Science and Engineering Program and Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Pengfei Wang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Zhaoyu Jin
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Yuanting Liu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, Jilin, China
| | - Panpan Li
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Guihua Yu
- Materials Science and Engineering Program and Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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30
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Meng SL, Li JH, Ye C, Yin YL, Zhang XL, Zhang C, Li XB, Tung CH, Wu LZ. Concurrent Ammonia Synthesis and Alcohol Oxidation Boosted by Glutathione-Capped Quantum Dots under Visible Light. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2311982. [PMID: 38499978 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Mother nature accomplishes efficient ammonia synthesis via cascade N2 oxidation by lightning strikes followed with enzyme-catalyzed nitrogen oxyanion (NOx -, x = 2,3) reduction. The protein environment of enzymatic centers for NOx --to-NH4 + process greatly inspires the design of glutathione-capped (GSH) quantum dots (QDs) for ammonia synthesis under visible light (440 nm) in tandem with plasma-enabled N2 oxidation. Mechanistic studies reveal that GSH induces positive shift of surface charge to strengthen the interaction between NOx - and QDs. Upon visible light irradiation of QDs, the balanced and rapid hole and electron transfer furnish GS·radicals for 2e-/2H+ alcohol oxidation and H·for 8e-/10H+ NO3 --to-NH4 + reduction simultaneously. For the first time, mmol-scale ammonia synthesis is realized with apparent quantum yields of 5.45% ± 0.64%, and gram-scale synthesis of value-added acetophenone and NH4Cl proceeds with 1:4 stoichiometry and stability, demonstrating promising multielectron and multiproton ammonia synthesis efficiency and sustainability with nature-inspired artificial photocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Lin Meng
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Hao Li
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Chen Ye
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Lin Yin
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xin-Ling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xu-Bing Li
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Chen-Ho Tung
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Li-Zhu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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31
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Zhang J, Chen C, Zhang R, Wang X, Wei Y, Sun M, Liu Z, Ge R, Ma M, Tian J. Size-induced d band center upshift of copper for efficient nitrate reduction to ammonia. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 658:934-942. [PMID: 38157617 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.12.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (NO3RR) technique has emerged as a hotspot in NH3 production, for its practicability, and a series of advanced electrocatalysts with high activity and robust stability needed to be constructed in today's era. In this work, size-tunable Cu nanoparticles on porous nitrogen-doped hexagonal carbon nanorods (Cu@NHC) were reasonably designed and served for catalyzing NO3RR in neutral media. Especially, Cu30%@NHC demonstrated a remarkable electroactivity for NH3 production as it showed a suitable grain size with massive catalytic centers and favorable d band structure with faster *NO3--to-*NO2- catalytic dynamics. As expected, Cu30%@NHC (3628.28 µg h-1 mgcat.-1) had a much higher NH3 yield than those for Cu20%@NHC (1268.42 µg h-1 mgcat.-1) and Cu40%@NHC (725.03 µg h-1 mgcat.-1). And those collected NH3 products indeed derived from NO3RR process revealed by 15N isotope-labeling and systemic control tests. Moreover, Cu30%@NHC was also durable for NO3RR bulk electrolysis with minor loss in activity. This work offered an effective modifying tactics to boost NO3RR catalysis and could guide the design of other advanced electrocatalysts via size-induced surface engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jincheng Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Chaofan Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Xu Wang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Yanjiao Wei
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Mengjie Sun
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Zhanning Liu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Ruixiang Ge
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Min Ma
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China.
| | - Jian Tian
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China.
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32
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Xue Y, Yu Q, Fang J, Jia Y, Wang R, Fan J. A Wetting and Capture Strategy Overcoming Electrostatic Repulsion for Electroreduction of Nitrate to Ammonia from Low-Concentration Sewage. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2400505. [PMID: 38477685 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Ammonia production by electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3 RR) in water streams is anticipated as a zero-carbon route. Limited by dilute nitrate in natural sewage and the electrostatic repulsion between NO3 - and cathode, NO3 RR can hardly be achieved energy-efficiently. The hydrophilic Cu@CuCoO2 nano-island dispersed on support can enrich NO3 - and produce a sensitive current response, followed by electrosynthesis of ammonia through atomic hydrogen (*H) is reported. The accumulated NO3 - can be partially converted to NO2 - without external electric field input, confirming that the Cu@CuCoO2 nano-island can strongly bind NO3 - and then trigger the reduction via dynamic evolution between Cu-Co redox sites. Through the identification of intermediates and theoretical computation. it is found that the N-side hydrogenation of *NO is the optimal reaction step, and the formation of N─N dimer may be prevented. An NH3 product selectivity of 93.5%, a nitrate conversion of 96.1%, and an energy consumption of 0.079 kWh gNH3 -1 is obtained in 48.9 mg-N L-1 naturally nitrate-polluted streams, which outperforms many works using such dilute nitrate influent. Conclusively, the electrocatalytic system provides a platform to guarantee the self-sufficiency of dispersed ammonia production in agricultural regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghao Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Qihui Yu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, School of Materials Sciences and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Junhua Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Yan Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Rongchang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Jianwei Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
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33
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Zhou J, Zhu Y, Wen K, Pan F, Ma H, Niu J, Wang C, Zhao J. Efficient and Selective Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction to N 2 Using a Flow-Through Zero-Gap Electrochemical Reactor with a Reconstructed Cu(OH) 2 Cathode: Insights into the Importance of Inter-Electrode Distance. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:4824-4836. [PMID: 38408018 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Electrochemically converting nitrate, a widely distributed nitrogen contaminant, into harmless N2 is a feasible and environmentally friendly route to close the anthropogenic nitrogen-based cycle. However, it is currently hindered by sluggish kinetics and low N2 selectivity, as well as scarce attention to reactor configuration. Here, we report a flow-through zero-gap electrochemical reactor that shows a high performance of nitrate reduction with 100% conversion and 80.36% selectivity of desired N2 in the chlorine-free system at 100 mg-N·L-1 NO3- while maintaining a rapid reduction kinetics of 0.07676 min-1. More importantly, the mass transport and current utilization efficiency are significantly improved by shortening the inter-electrode distance, especially in the zero-gap electrocatalytic system where the current efficiency reached 50.15% at 5 mA·cm-2. Detailed characterizations demonstrated that during the electroreduction process, partial Cu(OH)2 on the cathode surface was reconstructed into stable Cu/Cu2O as the active phase for efficient nitrate reduction. In situ characterizations revealed that the highly selective *NO to *N conversion and the N-N coupling step played crucial roles during the selective reduction of NO3- to N2 in the zero-gap electrochemical system. In addition, theoretical calculations demonstrated that improving the key intermediate *N coverage could effectively facilitate the N-N coupling step, thereby promoting N2 selectivity. Moreover, the environmental and economic benefits and long-term stability shown by the treatment of real nitrate-containing wastewater make our proposed electrocatalytic system more attractive for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xian 710021, China
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, China
| | - Yunqing Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xian 710021, China
| | - Kaiyue Wen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xian 710021, China
| | - Fan Pan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xian 710021, China
| | - Hongrui Ma
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xian 710021, China
| | - Junfeng Niu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Chuanyi Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xian 710021, China
| | - Jincai Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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34
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An S, Zhao ZH, Bu J, He J, Ma W, Lin J, Bai R, Shang L, Zhang J. Multi-Functional Formaldehyde-Nitrate Batteries for Wastewater Refining, Electricity Generation, and Production of Ammonia and Formate. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318989. [PMID: 38221223 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318989] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
As bulky pollutants in industrial and agricultural wastewater, nitrate and formaldehyde pose serious threats to the human health and ecosystem. Current purification technologies including chemical and bio-/photo-/electro-chemical methods, are generally high-cost, time-consuming, or energy-intensive. Here, we report a novel formaldehyde-nitrate battery by pairing anodic formaldehyde oxidation with cathodic nitrate reduction, which simultaneously enables wastewater purification, electricity generation, and the production of high-value-added ammonia and formate. As a result, the formaldehyde-nitrate battery remarkably exhibits an open-circuit voltage of 0.75 V, a peak power density of 3.38 mW cm-2 and the yield rates of 32.7 mg h-1 cm-2 for ammonia and 889.4 mg h-1 cm-2 for formate. In a large-scale formaldehyde-nitrate battery (25 cm2 ), 99.9 % of nitrate and 99.8 % of formaldehyde are removed from simulated industrial wastewater and the electricity of 2.03 W⋅h per day is generated. Moreover, the design of such a multi-functional battery is universally applicable to the coupling of NO3 - or NO2 - reduction with various aldehyde oxidization, paving a new avenue for wastewater purification and chemical manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siying An
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710000, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Special Functional and Smart Polymer Materials of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Advanced Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710000, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Hao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710000, P. R. China
| | - Jun Bu
- Key Laboratory of Special Functional and Smart Polymer Materials of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Advanced Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710000, P. R. China
| | - Jiaxin He
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710000, P. R. China
| | - Wenxiu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Special Functional and Smart Polymer Materials of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Advanced Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710000, P. R. China
| | - Jin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710000, P. R. China
| | - Rui Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710000, P. R. China
| | - Li Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710000, P. R. China
| | - Jian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710000, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Special Functional and Smart Polymer Materials of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Advanced Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710000, P. R. China
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35
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Sharp J, Ciotti A, Andrews H, Udayasurian SR, García-Melchor M, Li T. Sustainable Electrosynthesis of Cyclohexanone Oxime through Nitrate Reduction on a Zn-Cu Alloy Catalyst. ACS Catal 2024; 14:3287-3297. [PMID: 38449527 PMCID: PMC10913030 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c05388] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Cyclohexanone oxime is an important precursor for Nylon-6 and is typically synthesized via the nucleophilic addition-elimination of hydroxylamine with cyclohexanone. Current technologies for hydroxylamine production are, however, not environment-friendly due to the requirement of harsh reaction conditions. Here, we report an electrochemical method for the one-pot synthesis of cyclohexanone oxime under ambient conditions with aqueous nitrate as the nitrogen source. A series of Zn-Cu alloy catalysts are developed to drive the electrochemical reduction of nitrate, where the hydroxylamine intermediate formed in the electroreduction process can undergo a chemical reaction with the cyclohexanone present in the electrolyte to produce the corresponding oxime. The best performance is achieved on a Zn93Cu7 electrocatalyst with a 97% yield and a 27% Faradaic efficiency for cyclohexanone oxime at 100 mA/cm2. By analyzing the catalytic activities/selectivities of the different Zn-Cu alloys and conducting in-depth mechanistic studies via in situ Raman spectroscopy and theoretical calculations, we demonstrate that the adsorption of nitrogen species plays a central role in catalytic performance. Overall, this work provides an attractive strategy to build the C-N bond in oxime and drive organic synthesis through electrochemical nitrate reduction, while highlighting the importance of controlling surface adsorption for product selectivity in electrosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Sharp
- School
of Chemistry and Environment, Manchester
Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Ciotti
- School
of Chemistry, CRANN and AMBER Research Centres,
Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Hayley Andrews
- School
of Chemistry and Environment, Manchester
Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, United Kingdom
| | - Shaktiswaran R. Udayasurian
- School
of Chemistry and Environment, Manchester
Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, United Kingdom
| | - Max García-Melchor
- School
of Chemistry, CRANN and AMBER Research Centres,
Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Tengfei Li
- School
of Chemistry and Environment, Manchester
Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, United Kingdom
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36
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Luo W, Guo Z, Ye L, Wu S, Jiang Y, Xu P, Wang H, Qian J, Zhou X, Tang H, Ge Y, Guan J, Yang Z, Nie H. Electrical-Driven Directed-Evolution of Copper Nanowires Catalysts for Efficient Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2311336. [PMID: 38385851 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202311336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The electrocatalytic conversion of nitrate (NO3 - ) to NH3 (NO3 RR) at ambient conditions offers a promising alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. The pivotal factors in optimizing the proficient conversion of NO3 - into NH3 include enhancing the adsorption capabilities of the intermediates on the catalyst surface and expediting the hydrogenation steps. Herein, the Cu/Cu2 O/Pi NWs catalyst is designed based on the directed-evolution strategy to achieve an efficient reduction of NO3 ‾. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of the OV -enriched Cu2 O phase developed during the directed-evolution process and the pristine Cu phase, the catalyst exhibits improved adsorption performance for diverse NO3 RR intermediates. Additionally, the phosphate group anchored on the catalyst's surface during the directed-evolution process facilitates water electrolysis, thereby generating Hads on the catalyst surface and promoting the hydrogenation step of NO3 RR. As a result, the Cu/Cu2 O/Pi NWs catalyst shows an excellent FE for NH3 (96.6%) and super-high NH3 yield rate of 1.2 mol h-1 gcat. -1 in 1 m KOH and 0.1 m KNO3 solution at -0.5 V versus RHE. Moreover, the catalyst's stability is enhanced by the stabilizing influence of the phosphate group on the Cu2 O phase. This work highlights the promise of a directed-evolution approach in designing catalysts for NO3 RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Luo
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Zeyi Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Ling Ye
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Shilu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Yingyang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Peng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Jinjie Qian
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Xuemei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Hao Tang
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Yongjie Ge
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Jia Guan
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- Institute of New Materials & Industrial Technology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Huagui Nie
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
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Goddard WA, Musgrave CB. Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction Catalyzed by Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Borides. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:1899-1907. [PMID: 38345503 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
We investigated 2D transition metal borides (MBenes) for the efficient conversion of nitrate to ammonia. MBenes have been previously shown to bind oxygen with extraordinary strength, which should translate toward selective adsorption of nitrate in aqueous media. Using Density Functional Theory, we screened MBenes by computing their nitrate and water adsorption energies, seeking materials with strong nitrate binding and weak water binding. We identified MnB, CrB, and VB as the best materials for selective nitrate adsorption and proceeded by computing their free energies for generating ammonia. Of the three candidates, CrB requires the lowest overpotential, making it the best candidate. To further decrease the overpotential, we doped the CrB MBene with secondary transition metals and found the addition of Mn to the active site further reduced the overpotential. We then computed the reaction mechanism grand canonically to observe the effect of applied potential on the free energy landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Goddard
- Materials and Process Simulation Center, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Charles B Musgrave
- Materials and Process Simulation Center, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
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38
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Kim Y, Ko J, Shim M, Park J, Shin HH, Kim ZH, Jung Y, Byon HR. Identifying the active sites and intermediates on copper surfaces for electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia. Chem Sci 2024; 15:2578-2585. [PMID: 38362436 PMCID: PMC10866343 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05793c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is a widely used catalyst for the nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR), but its susceptibility to surface oxidation and complex electrochemical conditions hinders the identification of active sites. Here, we employed electropolished metallic Cu with a predominant (100) surface and compared it to native oxide-covered Cu. The electropolished Cu surface rapidly oxidized after exposure to either air or electrolyte solutions. However, this oxide was reduced below 0.1 V vs. RHE, thus returning to the metallic Cu before NO3RR. It was distinguished from the native oxide on Cu, which remained during NO3RR. Fast NO3- and NO reduction on the metallic Cu delivered 91.5 ± 3.7% faradaic efficiency for NH3 at -0.4 V vs. RHE. In contrast, the native oxide on Cu formed undesired products and low NH3 yield. Operando shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) analysis revealed the adsorbed NO3-, NO2, and NO species on the electropolished Cu as the intermediates of NH3. Low overpotential NO3- and NO adsorptions and favorable NO reduction are key to increased NH3 productivity over Cu samples, which was consistent with the DFT calculation on Cu(100).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohan Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) 291, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Jinyoung Ko
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Minyoung Shim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) 291, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Park
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) 291, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Hang Shin
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Zee Hwan Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Yousung Jung
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Ryung Byon
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) 291, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
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39
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Liao W, Wang J, Ni G, Liu K, Liu C, Chen S, Wang Q, Chen Y, Luo T, Wang X, Wang Y, Li W, Chan TS, Ma C, Li H, Liang Y, Liu W, Fu J, Xi B, Liu M. Sustainable conversion of alkaline nitrate to ammonia at activities greater than 2 A cm -2. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1264. [PMID: 38341446 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45534-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Nitrate (NO3‒) pollution poses significant threats to water quality and global nitrogen cycles. Alkaline electrocatalytic NO3‒ reduction reaction (NO3RR) emerges as an attractive route for enabling NO3‒ removal and sustainable ammonia (NH3) synthesis. However, it suffers from insufficient proton (H+) supply in high pH conditions, restricting NO3‒-to-NH3 activity. Herein, we propose a halogen-mediated H+ feeding strategy to enhance the alkaline NO3RR performance. Our platform achieves near-100% NH3 Faradaic efficiency (pH = 14) with a current density of 2 A cm-2 and enables an over 99% NO3--to-NH3 conversion efficiency. We also convert NO3‒ to high-purity NH4Cl with near-unity efficiency, suggesting a practical approach to valorizing pollutants into valuable ammonia products. Theoretical simulations and in situ experiments reveal that Cl-coordination endows a shifted d-band center of Pd atoms to construct local H+-abundant environments, through arousing dangling O-H water dissociation and fast *H desorption, for *NO intermediate hydrogenation and finally effective NO3‒-to-NH3 conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanru Liao
- Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China
| | - Jun Wang
- Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China
| | - Ganghai Ni
- Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China
| | - Kang Liu
- Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China
| | - Changxu Liu
- Centre for Metamaterial Research & Innovation, Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QF, UK
| | - Shanyong Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China
| | - Qiyou Wang
- Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China
| | - Yingkang Chen
- Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China
| | - Tao Luo
- Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China
| | - Xiqing Wang
- Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China
| | - Yanqiu Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China
| | - Wenzhang Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China
| | - Ting-Shan Chan
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu, 300092, Taiwan
| | - Chao Ma
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Hongmei Li
- Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China
| | - Ying Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, PR China
| | - Weizhen Liu
- School of Environment and Energy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Junwei Fu
- Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China.
| | - Beidou Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Min Liu
- Hunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, PR China.
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40
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Udayasurian SR, Li T. Recent research progress on building C-N bonds via electrochemical NO x reduction. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:2805-2819. [PMID: 38240609 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr06151e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The release of NOx species (such as nitrate, nitrite and nitric oxide) into water and the atmosphere due to human being's agricultural and industrial activities has caused a series of environmental problems, including accumulation of toxic pollutants that are dangerous to humans and animals, acid rain, the greenhouse effect and disturbance of the global nitrogen cycle balance. Electrosynthesis of organonitrogen compounds with NOx species as the nitrogen source offers a sustainable strategy to upgrade the waste NOx into value-added organic products under ambient conditions. The electrochemical reduction of NOx species can generate surface-adsorbed intermediates such as hydroxylamine, which are usually strong nucleophiles and can undergo nucleophilic attack to carbonyl groups to build C-N bonds and generate organonitrogen compounds such as amine, oxime, amide and amino acid. This mini-review summarizes the most recent progress in building C-N bonds via the in situ generation of nucleophilic intermediates from electrochemical NOx reduction, and highlights some important strategies in facilitating the reaction rates and selectivities towards the C-N coupling products. In particular, the preparation of high-performance electrocatalysts (e.g., nano-/atomic-scale catalysts, single-atom catalysts, alloy catalysts), selection of nucleophilic intermediates, novel design of reactors and understanding the surface adsorption process are highlighted. A few key challenges and knowledge gaps are discussed, and some promising research directions are also proposed for future advances in electrochemical C-N coupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaktiswaran R Udayasurian
- School of Chemistry and Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK.
| | - Tengfei Li
- School of Chemistry and Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK.
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41
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Li TT, Cui JY, Xu M, Song K, Yin ZH, Meng C, Liu H, Wang JJ. Efficient Acidic Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Enabled by Ru Single Atoms Anchored on Hematite Photoanodes. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:958-965. [PMID: 38207219 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting in acidic media holds promise as an efficient approach to renewable hydrogen production. However, the development of highly active and stable photoanodes under acidic conditions remains a significant challenge. Herein, we demonstrate the remarkable water oxidation performance of Ru single atom decorated hematite (Fe2O3) photoanodes, resulting in a high photocurrent of 1.42 mA cm-2 at 1.23 VRHE under acidic conditions. Comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigations shed light on the mechanisms underlying the superior activity of the Ru-decorated photoanode. The presence of single Ru atoms enhances the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers, facilitating efficient water oxidation kinetics on the Fe2O3 surface. This is achieved by creating additional energy levels within the Fe2O3 bandgap and optimizing the free adsorption energy of intermediates. These modifications effectively lower the energy barrier of the rate-determining step for water splitting, thereby promoting efficient PEC hydrogen production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Tian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Jun-Yuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Mingxia Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Kepeng Song
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Zhao-Hua Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Chao Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
- Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (IAIR), University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, P. R. China
| | - Jian-Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen 518057, P. R. China
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42
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Wang Y, Xu Y, Cheng C, Zhang B, Zhang B, Yu Y. Phase-Regulated Active Hydrogen Behavior on Molybdenum Disulfide for Electrochemical Nitrate-to-Ammonia Conversion. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202315109. [PMID: 38059554 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315109] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical reduction of nitrate waste is promising for environmental remediation and ammonia preparation. This process includes multiple hydrogenation steps, and thus the active hydrogen behavior on the surface of the catalyst is crucial. The crystal phase referred to the atomic arrangements in crystals has a great effect on active hydrogen, but the influence of the crystal phase on nitrate reduction is still unclear. Herein, enzyme-mimicking MoS2 in different crystal phases (1T and 2H) are used as models. The Faradaic efficiency of ammonia reaches ≈90 % over 1T-MoS2 , obviously outperforming that of 2H-MoS2 (27.31 %). In situ Raman spectra and theoretical calculations reveal that 1T-MoS2 produces more active hydrogen on edge S sites at a more positive potential and conducts an effortless pathway from nitrate to ammonia instead of multiple energetically demanding hydrogenation steps (such as *HNO to *HNOH) performed on 2H-MoS2 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Wang
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Molecular Plus, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yue Xu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Molecular Plus, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Chuanqi Cheng
- Institute of New Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University Tianjin, 300072 (China)
| | - Baoshun Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Molecular Plus, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Tianjin University-Asia Silicon Joint Research Center of Ammonia-Hydrogen New Energy, Qinghai, 810007, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Molecular Plus, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yifu Yu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Molecular Plus, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Tianjin University-Asia Silicon Joint Research Center of Ammonia-Hydrogen New Energy, Qinghai, 810007, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin, 300192, China
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43
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Chen K, Xiang J, Guo Y, Liu X, Li X, Chu K. Pd 1Cu Single-Atom Alloys for High-Current-Density and Durable NO-to-NH 3 Electroreduction. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:541-548. [PMID: 38185876 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Electrochemical reduction of NO to NH3 (NORR) offers a prospective method for efficient NH3 electrosynthesis. Herein, we first design single-atom Pd-alloyed Cu (Pd1Cu) as an efficient and robust NORR catalyst at industrial-level current densities (>0.2 A cm-2). Operando spectroscopic characterizations and theoretical computations unveil that Pd1 strongly electronically couples its adjacent two Cu atoms (Pd1Cu2) to enhance the NO activation while promoting the NO-to-NH3 protonation energetics and suppressing the competitive hydrogen evolution. Consequently, the flow cell assembled with Pd1Cu exhibits an unprecedented NH3 yield rate of 1341.3 μmol h-1 cm-2 and NH3-Faradaic efficiency of 85.5% at an industrial-level current density of 210.3 mA cm-2, together with an excellent long-term durability for 200 h of electrolysis, representing one of the highest NORR performances on record.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Jiaqi Xiang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Yali Guo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Xijun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life-cycle Safety for Composite Structures, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, School of Resources, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xingang Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Ke Chu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
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44
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Ingavale S, Marbaniang P, Palabathuni M, Mishra N. In situ growth of copper oxide on MXene by combustion method for electrochemical ammonia production from nitrate. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2024; 6:481-488. [PMID: 38235088 PMCID: PMC10791130 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00609c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The elimination of the nitrogen pollutant nitrate ions through the electrochemical synthesis of ammonia is an important and environment friendly strategy. Electrochemical nitrate reduction requires highly efficient, selective, and stable catalysts to convert nitrate to ammonia. In this work, a composite of copper oxide and MXene was synthesized using a combustion technique. As reported, nitrate ions are effectively adsorbed by CuxO (CuO & Cu2O) nanoparticles. Herein, MXene is an excellent assembly for anchoring CuxO on its layered surface because it has a strong support structure. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses show the presence of oxidation states of metal ions and the formation of CuxO nanofoam anchors on the surface of MXene (Ti3C2Tx). The optimized CuxO/Ti3C2Tx composite exhibits an improved nitrate reduction reaction. The electrochemical studies of CuxO/Ti3C2Tx show an interesting nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) with a current density of 162 mA cm-2. Further, CuxO/Ti3C2Tx shows an electrocatalytic activity with an ammonia production of 41 982 μg h-1 mcat-1 and its faradaic efficiency is 48% at -0.7 V vs. RHE. Thus, such performance by CuxO/Ti3C2Tx indicates a well-suitable candidate for nitrate ion conversion to ammonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar Ingavale
- Department of Chemistry, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh Neerukonda, Guntur (Dt) Andhra Pradesh 522240 India
| | - Phiralang Marbaniang
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai 600036 India
| | - Manoj Palabathuni
- Department of Chemistry, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh Neerukonda, Guntur (Dt) Andhra Pradesh 522240 India
| | - Nimai Mishra
- Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai IOC Odisha Campus Bhubaneswar Bhubaneswar Odisha 751013 India
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45
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Hu Q, Yang K, Peng O, Li M, Ma L, Huang S, Du Y, Xu ZX, Wang Q, Chen Z, Yang M, Loh KP. Ammonia Electrosynthesis from Nitrate Using a Ruthenium-Copper Cocatalyst System: A Full Concentration Range Study. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:668-676. [PMID: 38154089 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical synthesis of ammonia via the nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) has been intensively researched as an alternative to the traditional Haber-Bosch process. Most research focuses on the low concentration range representative of the nitrate level in wastewater, leaving the high concentration range, which exists in nuclear and fertilizer wastes, unexplored. The use of a concentrated electrolyte (≥1 M) for higher rate production is hampered by poor hydrogen transfer kinetics. Herein, we demonstrate that a cocatalytic system of Ru/Cu2O catalyst enables NO3RR at 10.0 A in 1 M nitrate electrolyte in a 16 cm2 flow electrolyzer, with 100% faradaic efficiency toward ammonia. Detailed mechanistic studies by deuterium labeling and operando Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy allow us to probe the hydrogen transfer rate and intermediate species on Ru/Cu2O. Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations reveal that adsorbed hydroxide on Ru nanoparticles increases the density of the hydrogen-bonded water network near the Cu2O surface, which promotes the hydrogen transfer rate. Our work highlights the importance of engineering synergistic interactions in cocatalysts for addressing the kinetic bottleneck in electrosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qikun Hu
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Ke Yang
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Ouwen Peng
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Minzhang Li
- Department of Chemistry, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Lu Ma
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Lab, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - Songpeng Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Yonghua Du
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Lab, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - Zong-Xiang Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Zhongxin Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Kian Ping Loh
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
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46
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Bi Z, Hu J, Xu M, Zhang H, Zhou Y, Hu G. Nitrogen-bridged Fe-Cu Atomic Pair Sites for Efficient Electrochemical Ammonia Production and Electricity Generation with Zn-NO 2 Batteries. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202313434. [PMID: 37996973 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202313434] [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: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The development of environmentally sustainable and highly efficient technologies for ammonia production is crucial for the future advancement of carbon-neutral energy systems. The nitrite reduction reaction (NO2 RR) for generating NH3 is a promising alternative to the low-efficiency nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), owing to the low N=O bond energy and high solubility of nitrite. In this study, we designed a highly efficient dual-atom catalyst with Fe-Cu atomic pair sites (termed FeCu DAC), and the as-developed FeCu DAC was able to afford a remarkable NH3 yield of 24,526 μg h-1 mgcat. -1 at -0.6 V, with a Faradaic Efficiency (FE) for NH3 production of 99.88 %. The FeCu DAC also exhibited exceptional catalytic activity and selectivity in a Zn-NO2 battery, achieving a record-breaking power density of 23.6 mW cm-2 and maximum NH3 FE of 92.23 % at 20 mA cm-2 . Theoretical simulation demonstrated that the incorporation of the Cu atom changed the energy of the Fe 3d orbital and lowered the energy barrier, thereby accelerating the NO2 RR. This study not only demonstrates the potential of galvanic nitrite-based cells for expanding the field of Zn-based batteries, but also provides fundamental interpretation for the synergistic effect in highly dispersed dual-atom catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenghui Bi
- School of Materials and Energy, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650504, China
| | - Jiao Hu
- School of Materials and Energy, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650504, China
| | - Ming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- School of Materials and Energy, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650504, China
| | - Yingtang Zhou
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Environmental Pollution Control, National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Marine Science and Technology College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, China
| | - Guangzhi Hu
- School of Materials and Energy, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650504, China
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47
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Sun S, Dai C, Zhao P, Xi S, Ren Y, Tan HR, Lim PC, Lin M, Diao C, Zhang D, Wu C, Yu A, Koh JCJ, Lieu WY, Seng DHL, Sun L, Li Y, Tan TL, Zhang J, Xu ZJ, Seh ZW. Spin-related Cu-Co pair to increase electrochemical ammonia generation on high-entropy oxides. Nat Commun 2024; 15:260. [PMID: 38177119 PMCID: PMC10766993 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44587-z] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The electrochemical conversion of nitrate to ammonia is a way to eliminate nitrate pollutant in water. Cu-Co synergistic effect was found to produce excellent performance in ammonia generation. However, few studies have focused on this effect in high-entropy oxides. Here, we report the spin-related Cu-Co synergistic effect on electrochemical nitrate-to-ammonia conversion using high-entropy oxide Mg0.2Co0.2Ni0.2Cu0.2Zn0.2O. In contrast, the Li-incorporated MgCoNiCuZnO exhibits inferior performance. By correlating the electronic structure, we found that the Co spin states are crucial for the Cu-Co synergistic effect for ammonia generation. The Cu-Co pair with a high spin Co in Mg0.2Co0.2Ni0.2Cu0.2Zn0.2O can facilitate ammonia generation, while a low spin Co in Li-incorporated MgCoNiCuZnO decreases the Cu-Co synergistic effect on ammonia generation. These findings offer important insights in employing the synergistic effect and spin states inside for selective catalysis. It also indicates the generality of the magnetic effect in ammonia synthesis between electrocatalysis and thermal catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Sun
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Chencheng Dai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Republic of Singapore
- The Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore, 1 CREATE Way, Singapore, 138602, Republic of Singapore
| | - Peng Zhao
- Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Fusionopolis Way, #16-16 Connexis, Singapore, 138632, Republic of Singapore
| | - Shibo Xi
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE²), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Pesek Road, Jurong Island, Singapore, 627833, Republic of Singapore
| | - Yi Ren
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Hui Ru Tan
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Poh Chong Lim
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Ming Lin
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Caozheng Diao
- Singapore Synchrotron Light Sources (SSLS), National University of Singapore, 5 Research Link, Singapore, 117603, Republic of Singapore
| | - Danwei Zhang
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Chao Wu
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE²), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Pesek Road, Jurong Island, Singapore, 627833, Republic of Singapore
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Anke Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jie Cheng Jackson Koh
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Republic of Singapore
| | - Wei Ying Lieu
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, Singapore, 487372, Republic of Singapore
| | - Debbie Hwee Leng Seng
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Libo Sun
- The Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore, 1 CREATE Way, Singapore, 138602, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Yuke Li
- Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Fusionopolis Way, #16-16 Connexis, Singapore, 138632, Republic of Singapore
| | - Teck Leong Tan
- Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Fusionopolis Way, #16-16 Connexis, Singapore, 138632, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jia Zhang
- Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Fusionopolis Way, #16-16 Connexis, Singapore, 138632, Republic of Singapore.
| | - Zhichuan J Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Republic of Singapore.
| | - Zhi Wei Seh
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore.
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48
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Liu DX, Meng Z, Zhu YF, Sun XF, Deng X, Shi MM, Hao Q, Kang X, Dai TY, Zhong HX, Yan JM, Jiang Q. Gram-level NH 3 Electrosynthesis via NO x reduction on a Cu Activated Co Electrode. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202315238. [PMID: 37953400 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Ambient electrochemical ammonia (NH3 ) synthesis is one promising alternative to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch route. However, the industrial requirement for the electrochemical NH3 production with amperes current densities or gram-level NH3 yield remains a grand challenge. Herein, we report the high-rate NH3 production via NO2 - reduction using the Cu activated Co electrode in a bipolar membrane (BPM) assemble electrolyser, wherein BPM maintains the ion balance and the liquid level of electrolyte. Benefited from the abundant Co sites and optimal structure, the target modified Co foam electrode delivers a current density of 2.64 A cm-2 with the Faradaic efficiency of 96.45 % and the high NH3 yield rate of 279.44 mg h-1 cm-2 in H-type cell using alkaline electrolyte. Combined with in situ experiments and theoretical calculations, we found that Cu optimizes the adsorption behavior of NO2 - and facilitates the hydrogenation steps on Co sites toward a rapid NO2 - reduction process. Importantly, this activated Co electrode affords a large NH3 production up to 4.11 g h-1 in a homemade reactor, highlighting its large-scale practical feasibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Xue Liu
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Zhe Meng
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Yong-Fu Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Xue-Feng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Miao-Miao Shi
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Qi Hao
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310030, China
| | - Xia Kang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Tian-Yi Dai
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Hai-Xia Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Jun-Min Yan
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Qing Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China
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49
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Dai J, Tong Y, Zhao L, Hu Z, Chen CT, Kuo CY, Zhan G, Wang J, Zou X, Zheng Q, Hou W, Wang R, Wang K, Zhao R, Gu XK, Yao Y, Zhang L. Spin polarized Fe 1-Ti pairs for highly efficient electroreduction nitrate to ammonia. Nat Commun 2024; 15:88. [PMID: 38167739 PMCID: PMC10762114 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44469-4] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia offers an attractive solution to environmental sustainability and clean energy production but suffers from the sluggish *NO hydrogenation with the spin-state transitions. Herein, we report that the manipulation of oxygen vacancies can contrive spin-polarized Fe1-Ti pairs on monolithic titanium electrode that exhibits an attractive NH3 yield rate of 272,000 μg h-1 mgFe-1 and a high NH3 Faradic efficiency of 95.2% at -0.4 V vs. RHE, far superior to the counterpart with spin-depressed Fe1-Ti pairs (51000 μg h-1 mgFe-1) and the mostly reported electrocatalysts. The unpaired spin electrons of Fe and Ti atoms can effectively interact with the key intermediates, facilitating the *NO hydrogenation. Coupling a flow-through electrolyzer with a membrane-based NH3 recovery unit, the simultaneous nitrate reduction and NH3 recovery was realized. This work offers a pioneering strategy for manipulating spin polarization of electrocatalysts within pair sites for nitrate wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Dai
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yawen Tong
- School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Long Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Zhiwei Hu
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Nothnitzer Strasse 40, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Chien-Te Chen
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu, 300092, Taiwan, China
| | - Chang-Yang Kuo
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu, 300092, Taiwan, China
- Department of Electrophysics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, China
| | - Guangming Zhan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jiaxian Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xingyue Zou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Wei Hou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ruizhao Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Kaiyuan Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xiang-Kui Gu
- School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
| | - Yancai Yao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Lizhi Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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50
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Xue F, Zhang C, Peng H, Liu F, Yan X, Yao Q, Hu Z, Chan TS, Liu M, Zhang J, Xu Y, Huang X. Nanotip-Induced Electric Field for Hydrogen Catalysis. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:11827-11834. [PMID: 38079388 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Local electric field induced by the lightning-rod effect attracts great attention for regulating the local microenvironment and electronic properties of active sites. Nevertheless, local electric-field-assisted applications are mainly limited to metals with strong surface plasmonic resonance properties (e.g., Au, Ag, and Cu). Herein, we fabricate RuCu snow-like nanosheets (SNSs) with high-curvature nanotips for enhancing the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Theoretical simulations show that RuCu SNSs can induce a strong local electric field around the sharp nanotips, which favors the accumulation of OH- for HOR and H+ for HER. Cu incorporation can modulate the binding strength of OH* and H*, leading to significantly enhanced HOR and HER performance. Impressively, the mass activity of RuCu SNSs for alkaline HOR is 31.3 times higher than that of RuCu nanocrystals without sharp tips. Besides, the required overpotential for reaching 10 mA cm-2 during HER over RuCu SNSs is 14.0 mV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Chunyang Zhang
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Hao Peng
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Feng Liu
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Xueli Yan
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Qing Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Zhiwei Hu
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Nothnitzer Strasse 40, Dresden 01187, Germany
| | - Ting-Shan Chan
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan
| | - Maochang Liu
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Juntao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Low-Dimensional Materials and Energy Storage Devices, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Energy Materials, School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaoqing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen 361005, China
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