Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ganga Singh, Subhasis D. Adhikary, Debaprasad Mandal
Summary: The sandwich polyoxometalate [WCo3(H2O)(2)(CoW9O34)(2)](12-) (Co-WCo3) heterogenized with poly(vinyl butyl imidazolium) cations (PVIM+) acts as a stable electrochemical water oxidation catalyst in 1 M KOH with 0.28 V@10 mA cm(-2) overpotential and TOF of 6.16 s(-1). Various in situ spectroelectrochemical studies and control experiments provide the details of the catalytic activities and long-term stability of the catalyst.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mabrook S. Amer, Prabhakarn Arunachalam, Mohamed A. Ghanem, Abdullah M. Al-Mayouf, Mark T. Weller
Summary: Photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar water splitting using semiconductor electrodes is a promising method for converting solar energy into hydrogen fuel. In this study, strontium titanium oxynitride (STON) with anion vacancies was prepared via solid phase synthesis and used as a photoelectrode for alkaline water oxidation. The PEC efficiency was improved by depositing a cobalt-phosphate (CoPi)-based co-catalyst on the surface of the STON electrode. The enhanced oxygen evolution kinetics and reduced surface recombination of photogenerated carriers contribute to the observed PEC enrichment. Additionally, the CoPi modification of perovskite-type oxynitrides presents a new avenue for developing efficient and stable photoanodes in solar-assisted water-splitting reactions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xingyou Liang, Xuefeng Ren, Qiyue Yang, Liguo Gao, Mengfan Gao, Yanan Yang, Haiding Zhu, Guangxin Li, Tingli Ma, Anmin Liu
Summary: The study successfully prepared a ZIF-67@Ti3C2 catalyst for efficient electrochemical synthesis of ammonia, demonstrating excellent NH3 yield and good Faraday efficiency. The successful preparation of this catalyst expands the application of the MXene family in the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yunchao Ma, Yue Fu, Wei Jiang, Yuanyuan Wu, Chunbo Liu, Guangbo Che, Qianrong Fang
Summary: This study reports the synthesis of two metal-free 2D COFs as efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction in an alkaline solution. The superior HER activity is attributed to the thiophene-S units, which have higher conductivity and charge mobility. This work demonstrates the potential of rational design of thiophene-based COFs for practical applications in water splitting.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Jiahui Chen, Yunming Li, Huangqing Ye, Pengli Zhu, Xian-Zhu Fu, Rong Sun
Summary: Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) as a class of metal-organic frameworks have the potential to develop cost-effective high-performance electrocatalysts. In this study, a facile synthesis method was used to fabricate an active electrocatalyst for alkaline water splitting. The copper foam supported Cu3P@Co-Cu3P sub-microwire arrays showed abundant catalytic sites, enhanced intrinsic activity, and low charge transport resistance. The catalytic electrode exhibited impressive performances for the HER and OER.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shahid Khan, Tariq Ali, Xianfu Wang, Waseem Iqbal, Tariq Bashir, Wang Chao, He Sun, Hauliang Lu, Chenglin Yan, Rana Muhammad Irfan
Summary: In this study, a phosphorus incorporated nickel sulfide composite catalyst was synthesized for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media. The Ni3S2@Ni5P4/NF composite showed remarkable OER activity with low overpotential and exhibited long-term stability. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity of the current system can be attributed to the synergistic effect of Ni3S2 and Ni5P4 in the composite.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jieqiong Shan, Chao Ye, Shuangming Chen, Tulai Sun, Yan Jiao, Lingmei Liu, Chongzhi Zhu, Li Song, Yu Han, Mietek Jaroniec, Yihan Zhu, Yao Zheng, Shi-Zhang Qiao
Summary: This study proposes a method to integrate noble metal atoms into the lattice of transition metal oxides to create a new type of hybrid structure, showing that iridium single atoms can be effectively accommodated into cobalt spinel oxide. The resultant catalyst exhibits significantly higher electrocatalytic activity under acidic conditions, with improved corrosion resistance and oxidative potentials. This work eliminates the close-packing limitation of noble metals and offers promising opportunities for creating analogues with desired topologies for various catalytic applications.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Manjupriya Jothi, Paulraj Gnanasekar, Jeganathan Kulandaivel
Summary: In this study, a new electrocatalyst NiCo-MOF/NF was synthesized by arranging Ni-Co building blocks in a metal-organic frameworks structure, and it exhibited superior performance for overall water splitting under alkaline and neutral conditions. The NiCo-MOF/NF showed small overpotential and stable performance for both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chandni Das, Poulomi Roy
Summary: An electrocatalyst that can be used in both freshwater and real seawater electrolysis is rare. This study developed a series of iron-tuned cobalt phosphates and cobalt-tuned iron phosphate solid solutions as electrocatalysts, showing excellent OER activities in both freshwater and alkaline real seawater with a faradaic efficiency of 95%.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Peng Ding, Chuqian Meng, Jie Liang, Tingshuai Li, Yan Wang, Qian Liu, Yonglan Luo, Guanwei Cui, Abdullah M. Asiri, Siyu Lu, Xuping Sun
Summary: This study successfully designed and developed a high-efficiency water electrolysis catalyst NiFe LDH/GF, which showed excellent performance and stability in the oxygen evolution reaction.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Hongjing Wang, Yuqin Liang, Songliang Liu, Xu Mu, Hongjie Yu, Kai Deng, Ziqiang Wang, You Xu, Liang Wang
Summary: In this study, a dual-nonmetal-doping strategy is proposed to construct S and P dual-doped Rh metallene (SP-Rhlene). SP-Rhlene, with the combined advantages of dual heteroatom doping and an ultrathin nanosheet structure, exhibits outstanding HER and SOR activities. This work provides a directive strategy for energy-saving hydrogen production and environmentally friendly sulfur recovery.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Zhong Li, Xinglin Zhang, Changjin Ou, Yizhou Zhang, Wenjun Wang, Shengyang Dong, Xiaochen Dong
Summary: Hydrogen produced from water electrolysis is a promising alternative to fossil fuels. Transition metal-based catalysts offer a cost-effective solution to overcome the energy barrier of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode. Anode reactions with lower thermodynamic potential have been explored to reduce power consumption in electrohydrolysis hydrogen production.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mengjun Xiao, Qianbao Wu, Lei Li, Shijia Mu, Mads Nybo Sorensen, Wei Wang, Chunhua Cui
Summary: The study introduces a robust iron-based catalyst with fast regeneration ability for stable oxygen production in alkaline electrolytes, providing a key strategy for designing powerful OER catalysts.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Linfeng Yang, Xue Li, Xiangjun Yang, Xiaoqiang Wu, Xiaonan Liu
Summary: Complex oxides-based catalysts have attracted great interest due to their unique crystalline structure and surface state. However, it is challenging to use them for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to difficulties in manipulating their activity and durability. In this study, mullite-based catalysts were synthesized using a practical hydrothermal method. By optimizing the composition, the catalyst (Bi2(Fe0.9Ni0.1)4O9) showed excellent OER activity and durability in neutral and alkaline conditions. The results provide a new avenue for developing high-performance OER electrocatalysts by controlling the surface composition of complex oxides.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xuan Zhang, Zichen Song, Qing Yan, Wenbo Cong, Lanqing Yang, Kai Zhu, Ke Ye, Jun Yan, Dianxue Cao, Guiling Wang
Summary: This study successfully developed a high-efficiency and durable MnO2/(Fe,Ni)3S4 hybrid nanostructures catalyst for hydrogen production under alkaline conditions.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiaobing Shi, Qianbao Wu, Chunhua Cui
Summary: Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting in acid has potential, but stable photoanodes and effective nonprecious cocatalysts are lacking. In this study, the fast photocurrent decay of WO3 and WO3/SnO2 photoanodes under illumination is attributed to hydroxyl radicals generated at electrode/electrolyte interfaces. Introduction of cobalt (Co2+) ions into the electrolyte solves this issue, improving oxygen evolution efficiency and stabilizing the photocurrent density. The scavenging of hydroxyl radicals by vitamin C demonstrates the importance of Co2+ ions. This study provides an ideal model for water oxidation in strong acid.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Min Wang, Anna Loiudice, Valery Okatenko, Ian D. D. Sharp, Raffaella Buonsanti
Summary: The coupling of CO-generating molecular catalysts with copper electrodes in tandem schemes is a promising strategy to boost the formation of multi-carbon products in the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2. The spatial distribution of the two components in molecular-based tandem systems has not been well explored. This study examines the importance of the relative spatial distribution of Co-phthalocyanine (CoPc) and Cu nanocubes (Cu-cub) on the performance of tandem catalysts. It is found that a direct contact between the CO-generating molecular catalyst and the Cu is crucial for promoting C-C coupling, indicating a surface transport mechanism between the two components of the tandem catalyst.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alex Henning, Johannes D. Bartl, Lukas Wolz, Maximilian Christis, Felix Rauh, Michele Bissolo, Theresa Grunleitner, Johanna Eichhorn, Patrick Zeller, Matteo Amati, Luca Gregoratti, Jonathan J. Finley, Bernhard Rieger, Martin Stutzmann, Ian D. Sharp
Summary: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a crucial technique for scaling semiconductor devices, but achieving atomically-defined coatings and surface modifications is challenging. This study presents a method for depositing sub-nanometer thin and continuous aluminum oxide (AlOx) coatings on silicon substrates, allowing spatial control of surface charge density and interface energetics. Using trimethylaluminum and remote hydrogen plasma, silicon dioxide (SiO2) is transformed into alumina. The resulting patterned surfaces possess lateral AlOx/SiO2 interfaces with precise step heights and surface potential steps, enabling modulation of surface band bending.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Honglei Lu, Lei Li, Qianbao Wu, Shijia Mu, Ruijuan Zhao, Xia Zheng, Chang Long, Qing Li, Hongfei Liu, Chunhua Cui
Summary: Selective electrochemical upgrading of CO2 to multicarbon (C2+) products requires a C-C coupling process involving Cu oxidation states. This study reveals the critical role of Cu+ in promoting C-C coupling through coordination with a CO intermediate. Cu+ is dynamically stabilized by the presence of iodide (I-) in HCO3- electrolytes, leading to an increased C2+ Faradaic efficiency. Introducing CuI into I--containing HCO3- electrolytes enables a higher C2+ selectivity for direct CO electroreduction.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tomohiro Higashi, Kazuhiko Seki, Yutaka Sasaki, Yuriy Pihosh, Vikas Nandal, Mamiko Nakabayashi, Naoya Shibata, Kazunari Domen
Summary: This study investigated the HER of Rh nanoparticles coated with an ultrathin layer of Cr-oxides as a model electrode for the Cr2O3/Rh-metal core-shell-type cocatalyst system. The CrOx layer on RhNP facilitated the electron transfer process, leading to increased current density for the HER. It was found that the CrOx layer promoted proton transfer to the RhNP surface and restricted electron transfer from the FTO to the electrolyte and/or RhNP, resulting in efficient photocatalytic water splitting.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qianbao Wu, Junwu Liang, Mengjun Xiao, Chang Long, Lei Li, Zhenhua Zeng, Andraz Mavric, Xia Zheng, Jing Zhu, Hai-Wei Liang, Hongfei Liu, Matjaz Valant, Wei Wang, Zhengxing Lv, Jiong Li, Chunhua Cui
Summary: Non-bonding interaction between ligands and oxides can enhance the population of high-valence metal sites, which improves the water oxidation ability of metal oxides.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiexuan Jiang, Ronghua Li, Dongliang Liu, Hongtao Xie, Qiugui Zeng, Yanbo Li
Summary: In this study, the thermal stability and moisture sensitivity of CsPbI2Br perovskite were improved by incorporating 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4) ionic liquids as a precursor additive and modifying the perovskite surface with CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs). The BMIMBF4/ILs-treated CsPbI2Br perovskite exhibited an improved carrier lifetime and reduced trap density, while the CsPbBr3 QDs further enhanced the efficiency and moisture stability of the perovskite solar cells. The BMIMBF4 IL and CsPbBr3 QD co-modified PSC achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency of 15.37% and retained 80% of its initial PCE after exposure to ambient air for 60 h.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lei Li, Qianbao Wu, Shi-kai Xiang, Shijia Mu, Ruijuan Zhao, Mengjun Xiao, Chang Long, Xia Zheng, Chunhua Cui
Summary: Oxidizing species or radicals generated in water play a vital role in catalysis, the environment, and biology. This study presents a nontrapping chemical transformation pathway to track the formation of water radical cation (H2O+center dot) species, which is sensitive to environmental factors. The researchers discovered that H2O+center dot can react with various compounds, leading to the formation of important intermediates and derivatives. These findings provide a new perspective on radicals in water redox chemistry.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Oliver Bienek, Benedikt Fuchs, Matthias Kuhl, Tim Rieth, Julius Kuhne, Laura I. Wagner, Lina M. Todenhagen, Lukas Wolz, Alex Henning, Ian D. Sharp
Summary: III-V compound semiconductors have optoelectronic properties suitable for solar energy conversion. This study investigates the impact of defects in atomic layer deposition of titanium oxide (TiOx) on junction formation, interfacial charge transport, and photocarrier recombination. The results show that defect concentrations in TiOx can be controlled to modulate optical constants, electrical conductivity, and interface chemistry, allowing for tuning of junction formation and achieving high photovoltage photocathodes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dan Zhu, Chao Feng, Zeyu Fan, Beibei Zhang, Xin Luo, Yanbo Li
Summary: A promising approach combining renewable solar energy with abundant water and air has been developed for scalable and economically beneficial H2O2 production.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Xiaojian Zhang, Chao Feng, Zeyu Fan, Beibei Zhang, Yequan Xiao, Andraz Mavric, Nadiia Pastukhova, Matjaz Valant, Yi-Fan Han, Yanbo Li
Summary: By suppressing competitive reactions and precipitating alkaline-earth metal ions through an alkaline treatment of seawater, a self-healing catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has been demonstrated. The self-healing catalyst showed stable seawater oxidation under highly-alkaline conditions, paving the way for large-scale seawater electrolysis.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuheng Jiang, Siyang Li, Shikun Wang, Yin Zhang, Chang Long, Jun Xie, Xiaoyu Fan, Wenshi Zhao, Peng Xu, Yingying Fan, Chunhua Cui, Zhiyong Tang
Summary: We have achieved high selectivity and high productivity of CH3OH and HCHO in CH4 photooxidation for the first time by precisely controlling the type of as-formed radicals through rational design on photocatalysts. By tuning the band structure and active sites (single atoms or nanoparticles) on Au/In2O3 catalysts, we can generate two different radicals, center dot OOH and center dot OH, leading to the formation of CH3OH and HCHO, respectively. The results show remarkable selectivity and yield of HCHO (97.62% and 6.09 mmol g(-1)) on In2O3-supported Au single atoms (Au-1/In2O3) and exceptional selectivity and yield of CH3OH (89.42% and 5.95 mmol g(-1)) on In2O3-supported Au nanoparticles (AuNPs/In2O3) during photocatalytic CH4 oxidation at room temperature for 3 hours. This work opens up a new avenue for efficient and selective CH4 oxidation through the design of composite photocatalysts.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiadong Xiao, Mamiko Nakabayashi, Takashi Hisatomi, Junie Jhon M. Vequizo, Wenpeng Li, Kaihong Chen, Xiaoping Tao, Akira Yamakata, Naoya Shibata, Tsuyoshi Takata, Yasunobu Inoue, Kazunari Domen
Summary: There is a trade-off between improving crystallinity and minimizing particle size in the synthesis of perovskite-type transition-metal oxynitrides. In this study, the researchers overcome this limitation by using thermal nitridation to fabricate sub-50 nm ATaO2N (A = Sr, Ca, Ba) single nanocrystals with excellent crystallinity and tunable long-wavelength response. The SrTaO2N nanocrystals modified with a tailored Ir-Pt alloy@Cr2O3 cocatalyst showed significantly improved efficiency in hydrogen evolution compared to previously reported SrTaO2N photocatalysts, achieving a record solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency of 0.15% in Z-scheme water splitting. These findings enable the synthesis of perovskite-type transition-metal oxynitride nanocrystals and pave the way for the manufacturing of advanced long-wavelength-responsive particulate photocatalysts for efficient solar energy conversion.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)