1
|
Izelaar B, Ripepi D, Asperti S, Dugulan AI, Hendrikx RW, Böttger AJ, Mulder FM, Kortlever R. Revisiting the Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction on Molybdenum and Iron Carbides: Promising Catalysts or False Positives? ACS Catal 2023; 13:1649-1661. [PMID: 36776385 PMCID: PMC9903294 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c04491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The electrochemical dinitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has recently gained much interest as it can potentially produce ammonia from renewable intermittent electricity and replace the Haber-Bosch process. Previous literature studies report Fe- and Mo-carbides as promising electrocatalysts for the NRR with activities higher than other metals. However, recent understanding of extraneous ammonia and nitrogen oxide contaminations have challenged previously published results. Here, we critically assess the NRR performance of several Fe- and Mo-carbides reported as promising by implementing a strict experimental protocol to minimize the effect of impurities. The successful synthesis of α-Mo2C decorated carbon nanosheets, α-Mo2C nanoparticles, θ-Fe3C nanoparticles, and χ-Fe5C2 nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron and Mössbauer spectroscopy. After performing NRR chronoamperometric tests with the synthesized materials, the ammonia concentrations varied between 37 and 124 ppb and are in close proximity with the estimated ammonia background level. Notwithstanding the impracticality of these extremely low ammonia yields, the observed ammonia did not originate from the electrochemical nitrogen reduction but from unavoidable extraneous ammonia and NO x impurities. These findings are in contradiction with earlier literature studies and show that these carbide materials are not active for the NRR under the employed conditions. This further emphasizes the importance of a strict protocol in order to distinguish between a promising NRR catalyst and a false positive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boaz Izelaar
- Large
Scale Energy Storage, Process and Energy Department, Faculty of Mechanical,
Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft
University of Technology, Delft2628 CB, The Netherlands
| | - Davide Ripepi
- Materials
for Energy Conversion and Storage, Chemical Engineering Department,
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University
of Technology, Delft2629 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Simone Asperti
- Large
Scale Energy Storage, Process and Energy Department, Faculty of Mechanical,
Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft
University of Technology, Delft2628 CB, The Netherlands
| | - A. Iulian Dugulan
- Radiation
Science and Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft2629 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud W.A. Hendrikx
- Surface
and Interface Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering Department,
Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft2628 CB, The Netherlands
| | - Amarante J. Böttger
- Surface
and Interface Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering Department,
Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft2628 CB, The Netherlands
| | - Fokko M. Mulder
- Materials
for Energy Conversion and Storage, Chemical Engineering Department,
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University
of Technology, Delft2629 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud Kortlever
- Large
Scale Energy Storage, Process and Energy Department, Faculty of Mechanical,
Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft
University of Technology, Delft2628 CB, The Netherlands,
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
van der Pers NM, Hendrikx RWA, Böttger AJ. A simple and effective attachment to prevent dome diffraction reaching 2D or 1D detectors in x-ray diffractometers. Rev Sci Instrum 2021; 92:103102. [PMID: 34717385 DOI: 10.1063/5.0052057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
An attachment has been developed for x-ray diffractometer systems equipped with a domed stage when using a 2D or 1D detector. It consists of a single screen in front of the detector positioned such that it blocks diffraction from the dome. This results in measured data free of disturbing spurious peaks and background, thereby greatly facilitating further data analysis. Its working principle is universally applicable and allows for all specimen orientation movements needed for x-ray diffraction measurements, including texture, stress, and mapping.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N M van der Pers
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, 2628CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - R W A Hendrikx
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, 2628CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - A J Böttger
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, 2628CD Delft, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Castelein SM, Aarts TF, Schleppi J, Hendrikx R, Böttger AJ, Benz D, Marechal M, Makaya A, Brouns SJJ, Schwentenwein M, Meyer AS, Lehner BAE. Iron can be microbially extracted from Lunar and Martian regolith simulants and 3D printed into tough structural materials. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249962. [PMID: 33909656 PMCID: PMC8081250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) is increasingly acknowledged as an essential requirement for the construction of sustainable extra-terrestrial colonies. Even with decreasing launch costs, the ultimate goal of establishing colonies must be the usage of resources found at the destination of interest. Typical approaches towards ISRU are often constrained by the mass and energy requirements of transporting processing machineries, such as rovers and massive reactors, and the vast amount of consumables needed. Application of self-reproducing bacteria for the extraction of resources is a promising approach to reduce these pitfalls. In this work, the bacterium Shewanella oneidensis was used to reduce three different types of Lunar and Martian regolith simulants, allowing for the magnetic extraction of iron-rich materials. The combination of bacterial treatment and magnetic extraction resulted in a 5.8-times higher quantity of iron and 43.6% higher iron concentration compared to solely magnetic extraction. The materials were 3D printed into cylinders and the mechanical properties were tested, resulting in a 400% improvement in compressive strength in the bacterially treated samples. This work demonstrates a proof of concept for the on-demand production of construction and replacement parts in space exploration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tom F. Aarts
- Department of Bionanoscience, TU Delft, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Juergen Schleppi
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Institute for Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ruud Hendrikx
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, TU Delft, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Amarante J. Böttger
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, TU Delft, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Dominik Benz
- Department of Chemical Engineering, TU Delft, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Maude Marechal
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), ESA, Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Advenit Makaya
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), ESA, Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Anne S. Meyer
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Amin Yavari S, Chai YC, Böttger AJ, Wauthle R, Schrooten J, Weinans H, Zadpoor AA. Effects of anodizing parameters and heat treatment on nanotopographical features, bioactivity, and cell culture response of additively manufactured porous titanium. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl 2015; 51:132-8. [PMID: 25842117 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.02.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Anodizing could be used for bio-functionalization of the surfaces of titanium alloys. In this study, we use anodizing for creating nanotubes on the surface of porous titanium alloy bone substitutes manufactured using selective laser melting. Different sets of anodizing parameters (voltage: 10 or 20V anodizing time: 30min to 3h) are used for anodizing porous titanium structures that were later heat treated at 500°C. The nanotopographical features are examined using electron microscopy while the bioactivity of anodized surfaces is measured using immersion tests in the simulated body fluid (SBF). Moreover, the effects of anodizing and heat treatment on the performance of one representative anodized porous titanium structures are evaluated using in vitro cell culture assays using human periosteum-derived cells (hPDCs). It has been shown that while anodizing with different anodizing parameters results in very different nanotopographical features, i.e. nanotubes in the range of 20 to 55nm, anodized surfaces have limited apatite-forming ability regardless of the applied anodizing parameters. The results of in vitro cell culture show that both anodizing, and thus generation of regular nanotopographical feature, and heat treatment improve the cell culture response of porous titanium. In particular, cell proliferation measured using metabolic activity and DNA content was improved for anodized and heat treated as well as for anodized but not heat-treated specimens. Heat treatment additionally improved the cell attachment of porous titanium surfaces and upregulated expression of osteogenic markers. Anodized but not heat-treated specimens showed some limited signs of upregulated expression of osteogenic markers. In conclusion, while varying the anodizing parameters creates different nanotube structure, it does not improve apatite-forming ability of porous titanium. However, both anodizing and heat treatment at 500°C improve the cell culture response of porous titanium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Amin Yavari
- Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime, and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Y C Chai
- Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, Bus 813, O&N1, Herestraat 49, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, Bus 813, O&N1, Herestraat 49, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - A J Böttger
- Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime, and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - R Wauthle
- KU Leuven, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Section Production Engineering, Machine Design and Automation (PMA), Celestijnenlaan 300B, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; 3D Systems - LayerWise NV, Grauwmeer 14, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - J Schrooten
- Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44 - PB2450, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - H Weinans
- Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime, and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands; Department of Orthopedics and Dept. Rheumatology, UMC Utrecht, Heidelberglaan100, 3584CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A A Zadpoor
- Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime, and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
de Rooi JJ, van der Pers NM, Hendrikx RWA, Delhez R, Böttger AJ, Eilers PHC. Smoothing of X-ray diffraction data andKα2elimination using penalized likelihood and the composite link model. J Appl Crystallogr 2014. [DOI: 10.1107/s1600576714005809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
X-ray diffraction scans consist of series of counts; these numbers obey Poisson distributions with varying expected values. These scans are often smoothed and theKα2component is removed. This article proposes a framework in which both issues are treated. Penalized likelihood estimation is used to smooth the data. The penalty combines the Poisson log-likelihood and a measure for roughness based on ideas from generalized linear models. To remove theKα doublet the model is extended using the composite link model. As a result the data are decomposed into two smooth components: aKα1and aKα2part. For both smoothing andKα2removal, the weight of the applied penalty is optimized automatically. The proposed methods are applied to experimental data and compared with the Savitzky–Golay algorithm for smoothing and the Rachinger method forKα2stripping. The new method shows better results with less local distortion. Freely available software in MATLAB and R has been developed.
Collapse
|
6
|
van der Pers NM, Hendrikx RWA, Delhez R, Böttger AJ. A diffracted-beam monochromator for long linear detectors in X-ray diffractometers with Bragg-Brentano parafocusing geometry. Rev Sci Instrum 2013; 84:045102. [PMID: 23635227 DOI: 10.1063/1.4798547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A new diffracted-beam monochromator has been developed for Bragg-Brentano X-ray diffractometers equipped with a linear detector. The monochromator consists of a cone-shaped graphite highly oriented pyrolytic graphite crystal oriented out of the equatorial plane such that the parafocusing geometry is preserved over the whole opening angle of the linear detector. In our standard setup a maximum wavelength discrimination of 3% is achieved with an overall efficiency of 20% and a small decrease in angular resolution of only 0.02 °2θ. In principle, an energy resolution as low as 1.5% can be achieved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N M van der Pers
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|