BNPd single-atom catalysts for selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene: a density functional theory study

Recent advances in the theoretical studies on the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction based on single and double atoms

Excess of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere poses a significant threat to the global climate. Therefore, the electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) is important to reduce the burden on the environment and provide possibilities for developing new energy sources. However, highly active and selective catalysts are needed to effectively catalyze product synthesis with high adhesion value. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) and double-atom catalysts (DACs) have attracted much attention in the field of electrocatalysis due to their high activity, strong selectivity, and high atomic utilization. This review summarized the research progress of electrocatalytic CO2RR related to different types of SACs and DACs. The emphasis was laid on the catalytic reaction mechanism of SACs and DACs using the theoretical calculation method. Furthermore, the influences of solvation and electrode potential were studied to simulate the real electrochemical environment to bridge the gap between experiments and computations. Finally, the current challenges and future development prospects were summarized and prospected for CO2RR to lay the foundation for the theoretical research of SACs and DACs in other aspects.

Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene Catalysed by a B12N12 Cluster Doped with a Single Nickel Atom: A DFT Study

To obtain a catalyst based on a non-precious metal that can replace traditional palladium-based selective catalysts of acetylene hydrogenation, the catalytic performances of two different configurations of a B12N12 cluster doped with a single nickel atom were studied by a density functional theory computational approach. After analysing the effect that the adsorption of reactants onto the clusters has on the reaction path, we determined the lowest energy path for the acetylene double hydrogenation. Comparing the acetylene hydrogenation activities and ethylene product selectivities of the B11N12Ni and B12N11Ni clusters, which have different doping sites, we determined the activities of these two catalysts to be similar to each other; however, the B11N12Ni cluster was calculated to have higher selectivity for ethylene as a product. This difference may be related to the moderate adsorption of hydrogen and acetylene on the B11N12Ni cluster. As a new type of nickel-based single-atom catalyst, B11N12Ni clusters may have research value in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene.