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Quan L, Jiang H, Mei G, Sun Y, You B. Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Overall and Hybrid Water Splitting. Chem Rev 2024; 124:3694-3812. [PMID: 38517093 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic water splitting driven by renewable electricity has been recognized as a promising approach for green hydrogen production. Different from conventional strategies in developing electrocatalysts for the two half-reactions of water splitting (e.g., the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, HER and OER) separately, there has been a growing interest in designing and developing bifunctional electrocatalysts, which are able to catalyze both the HER and OER. In addition, considering the high overpotentials required for OER while limited value of the produced oxygen, there is another rapidly growing interest in exploring alternative oxidation reactions to replace OER for hybrid water splitting toward energy-efficient hydrogen generation. This Review begins with an introduction on the fundamental aspects of water splitting, followed by a thorough discussion on various physicochemical characterization techniques that are frequently employed in probing the active sites, with an emphasis on the reconstruction of bifunctional electrocatalysts during redox electrolysis. The design, synthesis, and performance of diverse bifunctional electrocatalysts based on noble metals, nonprecious metals, and metal-free nanocarbons, for overall water splitting in acidic and alkaline electrolytes, are thoroughly summarized and compared. Next, their application toward hybrid water splitting is also presented, wherein the alternative anodic reactions include sacrificing agents oxidation, pollutants oxidative degradation, and organics oxidative upgrading. Finally, a concise statement on the current challenges and future opportunities of bifunctional electrocatalysts for both overall and hybrid water splitting is presented in the hope of guiding future endeavors in the quest for energy-efficient and sustainable green hydrogen production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Quan
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Guoliang Mei
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Yujie Sun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, United States
| | - Bo You
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
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Hu C, Zhang Y, Hu A, Wang Y, Wei X, Shen K, Chen L, Li Y. Near- and Long-Range Electronic Modulation of Single Metal Sites to Boost CO 2 Electrocatalytic Reduction. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2209298. [PMID: 36843343 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202209298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Tuning the electronic structure of the active center is effective to improve the intrinsic activity of single-atom catalysts but the realization of precise regulation remains challenging. Herein, a strategy of "synergistically near- and long-range regulation" is reported to effectively modulate the electronic structure of single-atom sites. ZnN4 sites decorated with axial sulfur ligand in the first coordination and surrounded phosphorus atoms in the carbon matrix are successfully constructed in the hollow carbon supports (ZnN4 S1 /P-HC). ZnN4 S1 /P-HC exhibits excellent performance for CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR) with a Faraday efficiency of CO close to 100%. The coupling of the CO2 RR with thermodynamically favorable hydrazine oxidation reaction to replace oxygen evolution reaction in a two-electrode electrolyzer can greatly lower the cell voltage by 0.92 V at a current density of 5 mA cm-2 , theoretically saving 46% of energy consumption. Theoretical calculation reveals that the near-range regulation with axial thiophene-S ligand and long-range regulation with neighboring P atoms can synergistically lead to the increase of electron localization around the Zn sites, which strengthens the adsorption of *COOH intermediate and therefore boosts the CO2 RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghong Hu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Yue Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Anqian Hu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Yajing Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoming Wei
- School of Physics and Optoelectronics, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Kui Shen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Liyu Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Yingwei Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
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Hou X, Ding J, Liu W, Zhang S, Luo J, Liu X. Asymmetric Coordination Environment Engineering of Atomic Catalysts for CO 2 Reduction. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:nano13020309. [PMID: 36678060 PMCID: PMC9866045 DOI: 10.3390/nano13020309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as well-known catalysts in renewable energy storage and conversion systems. Several supports have been developed for stabilizing single-atom catalytic sites, e.g., organic-, metal-, and carbonaceous matrices. Noticeably, the metal species and their local atomic coordination environments have a strong influence on the electrocatalytic capabilities of metal atom active centers. In particular, asymmetric atom electrocatalysts exhibit unique properties and an unexpected carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) performance different from those of traditional metal-N4 sites. This review summarizes the recent development of asymmetric atom sites for the CO2RR with emphasis on the coordination structure regulation strategies and their effects on CO2RR performance. Ultimately, several scientific possibilities are proffered with the aim of further expanding and deepening the advancement of asymmetric atom electrocatalysts for the CO2RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghua Hou
- Center for Electron Microscopy and Tianjin Key Lab of Advanced Functional Porous Materials, Institute for New Energy Materials & Low-Carbon Technologies, School of Materials, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Non-Ferrous Metals and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, School of Resource, Environments and Materials, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Junyang Ding
- Center for Electron Microscopy and Tianjin Key Lab of Advanced Functional Porous Materials, Institute for New Energy Materials & Low-Carbon Technologies, School of Materials, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
- Correspondence: (J.D.); (W.L.); (X.L.)
| | - Wenxian Liu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
- Correspondence: (J.D.); (W.L.); (X.L.)
| | - Shusheng Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jun Luo
- Center for Electron Microscopy and Tianjin Key Lab of Advanced Functional Porous Materials, Institute for New Energy Materials & Low-Carbon Technologies, School of Materials, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Xijun Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Non-Ferrous Metals and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, School of Resource, Environments and Materials, Nanning 530004, China
- Correspondence: (J.D.); (W.L.); (X.L.)
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Ding J, Yang H, Zhang S, Liu Q, Cao H, Luo J, Liu X. Advances in the Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction by Metal Nanoclusters-based Materials. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2204524. [PMID: 36287086 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202204524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
With the development of renewable energy systems, clean hydrogen is burgeoning as an optimal alternative to fossil fuels, in which its application is promising to retarding the global energy and environmental crisis. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), capable of producing high-purity hydrogen rapidly in electrocatalytic water splitting, has received much attention. Abundant research about HER has been done, focusing on advanced electrocatalyst design with high efficiency and robust stability. As potential HER catalysts, metal nanoclusters (MNCs) have been studied extensively. They are composed of several to a hundred metal atoms, with sizes being comparable to the Fermi wavelength of electrons, that is, < 2.0 nm. Different from metal atoms/nanoparticles, they exhibit unique catalytic properties due to their quantum size effect and low-coordination environment. In this review, the activity-enhancing approaches of MNCs applied in HER electrocatalysis are mainly summarized. Furthermore, recent progress in MNCs classified with different stabilization strategies, that is, the freestanding MNCs, MNCs with organic, metal and carbon supports, are introduced. Finally, the current challenges and deficiencies of these MNCs for HER are prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyang Ding
- Center for Electron Microscopy and Tianjin Key Lab of Advanced Functional Porous Materials, Institute for New Energy Materials & Low-Carbon Technologies, School of Materials, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300384, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Key Laboratory of Display Materials and Photoelectric Devices (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory for Photoelectric Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300384, China
| | - Shusheng Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Institute for Advanced Study, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610106, China
| | - Huanqi Cao
- Key Laboratory of Display Materials and Photoelectric Devices (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory for Photoelectric Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300384, China
| | - Jun Luo
- Center for Electron Microscopy and Tianjin Key Lab of Advanced Functional Porous Materials, Institute for New Energy Materials & Low-Carbon Technologies, School of Materials, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300384, China
| | - Xijun Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Non-Ferrous Metals and Materials, and Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, School of Resource, Environments and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
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Chen H, Zhang S, Liu Q, Yu P, Luo J, Hu G, Liu X. CoSe2 nanocrystals embedded into carbon framework as efficient bifunctional catalyst for alkaline seawater splitting. INORG CHEM COMMUN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2022.110170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Sethulakshmi N, Nellaiappan S, Kechanda Prasanna P, Das T, Irusta S, Chakraborty S, Sharma S. Nanocoral Architecture for Enhanced Hydrazine Assisted Water Oxidation: Insight from Experiment and Theory. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2022.116776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Deng Y, Pang J, Ge W, Zhang M, Zhang W, Zhang W, Xiang M, Zhou Q, Bai J. Constructing atomically-dispersed Mn on ZIF-derived nitrogen-doped carbon for boosting oxygen reduction. Front Chem 2022; 10:969905. [PMID: 36092675 PMCID: PMC9454009 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.969905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Exploring durable and highly-active non-noble-metal nanomaterials to supersede Pt-based nanomaterials is an effective way, which can reduce the cost and boost the catalytic efficiency of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we constructed atomically-dispersed Mn atoms on the ZIF-derived nitrogen-doped carbon frameworks (Mn-Nx/NC) by stepwise pyrolysis. The Mn-Nx/NC relative to pure nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity with a higher half-wave potential (E1/2 = 0.88 V) and a modest Tafel slope (90 mV dec−1) toward ORR. The enhanced ORR performance of Mn-Nx/NC may be attributed to the existence of Mn-Nx active sites, which can more easily adsorb intermediates, promoting the efficiency of ORR. This work provides a facile route to synthesize single-atom catalysts for ORR.
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In situ grown Co9S8 nanocrystals in sulfur-doped carbon matrix for electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine. Electrochim Acta 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.139567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Wang J, Cai L, Liang Z, Zhu Y, Cao Z, Li W, Zhu X, Yang W. Effect of Phase Ratio on Hydrogen Separation of Dual‐phase Membrane Reactors. CHEM-ING-TECH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cite.202100119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Wang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics 116023 Dalian Liaoning China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 100049 Beijing China
| | - Lili Cai
- Chinese Academy of Sciences State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics 116023 Dalian Liaoning China
| | - Zhengqi Liang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics 116023 Dalian Liaoning China
| | - Yue Zhu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics 116023 Dalian Liaoning China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 100049 Beijing China
| | - Zhongwei Cao
- Chinese Academy of Sciences State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics 116023 Dalian Liaoning China
| | - Wenping Li
- Chinese Academy of Sciences State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics 116023 Dalian Liaoning China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 100049 Beijing China
| | - Xuefeng Zhu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics 116023 Dalian Liaoning China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 100049 Beijing China
| | - Weishen Yang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics 116023 Dalian Liaoning China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 100049 Beijing China
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Chen M, Hu Y, Liang K, Zhao Z, Luo Y, Luo S, Ma J. Interface engineering triggered by carbon nanotube-supported multiple sulfides for boosting oxygen evolution. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:18763-18772. [PMID: 34747966 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr04540g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Finding an efficient, stable and cheap oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst is very important for renewable energy conversion systems. There are relatively few related research reports due to the thermodynamic instability of transition metal sulfides (TMSs) at the oxidation potential and these are usually focused on single metal sulfides or bimetal sulfides. Metal sulfide mixture systems are rarely studied. The fabrication of a TMS/TMS interface is a feasible method to improve the kinetics of the OER. Here, we constructed TMS hybrid electrocatalysts with multiple phase interfaces for the oxygen evolution reaction, named S-CoFe/CNTs. The results show that the S-CoFe/CNT catalyst exhibits a low overpotential of 258 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm-2, and has high activity in the OER process. Meanwhile, the catalyst also shows a low Tafel slope (69 mV dec-1) and good stability. This can be attributed to the synergistic catalysis of the multiphase interface in the catalyst and the rapid electron transfer pathway brought by CNTs. The new strategy for the synthesis of catalysts containing the TMS/TMS interface provides a new idea and method for the development of efficient and practical water splitting catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), Gansu Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Chemical Catalysis, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Yiping Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), Gansu Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Chemical Catalysis, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Kun Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), Gansu Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Chemical Catalysis, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Ziming Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), Gansu Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Chemical Catalysis, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Yutong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), Gansu Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Chemical Catalysis, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Sha Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), Gansu Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Chemical Catalysis, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Jiantai Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), Gansu Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Chemical Catalysis, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
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Wang Y, Wang M, Lu Z, Ma D, Jia Y. Enabling multifunctional electrocatalysts by modifying the basal plane of unifunctional 1T'-MoS 2 with anchored transition metal single atoms. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:13390-13400. [PMID: 34477744 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr02251b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Multifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are attractive for overall water-splitting, rechargeable metal-air batteries, and unitized regenerative fuel cells. A single-atom catalyst (SAC) may exhibit additional advantages over its nanoparticle counterpart, and already there have been significant advances in the development of bifunctional and trifunctional SACs for HER, ORR, and OER, but great challenges remain for their rational design. Herein, we propose a strategy to realize multifunctional SACs, i.e., modifying unifunctional materials to introduce new active sites on the surface. Specifically, by virtue of the intrinsic excellent HER performance of 1T'-MoS2, we theoretically design multifunctional SACs by anchoring appropriate transition-metal single atoms. Intriguingly, 1T'-MoS2 with supported Co single atoms (Co@MoS2) are demonstrated to be highly active for both OER and ORR with ultralow overpotentials of less than 0.3 V, ascribed to the moderate chemical activity and unique electronic structure of the Co atomic center. Consequently, combining the intrinsic HER activity of 1T'-MoS2, Co@MoS2 is proposed to be promising efficient trifunctional SACs. Further, the phase engineering on SACs is unrevealed and elucidated by comparing the properties of the Co atomic center-supported on 1T'-MoS2 and 1H-MoS2. This work provides a feasible strategy for the design of multifunctional SACs for the renewable and sustainable energy technology and provides an insight into the phase engineering on SACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory for Special Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
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