Review
Chemistry, Physical
Wenxian Liu, Jinxiu Feng, Tianran Wei, Qian Liu, Shusheng Zhang, Yang Luo, Jun Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: This review introduces aqueous rechargeable Zn-gas batteries and the challenges they face, discusses recent advances in enhancing the intrinsic catalytic activities of cathode catalysts and optimizing the performance of Zn-gas batteries, and presents personal perspectives for future development.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yasong Zhao, Jiawei Wan, Nailiang Yang, Ranbo Yu, Dan Wang
Summary: By selectively doping sp-N heteroatoms into GDY, the electrocatalytic activity and durability of Zn-air batteries can be significantly improved. This precisely constructed material shows outstanding performance as an air cathode, surpassing that of commercial catalysts and demonstrating robust stability.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Srijib Das, Aniruddha Kundu, Tapas Kuila, Naresh Chandra Murmu
Summary: Metal-air batteries, especially rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs), have attracted extensive research attention as a promising sustainable energy technology due to their environmental friendliness, low manufacturing cost, and high theoretical specific energy density. However, the sluggish kinetics of oxygen-involved reactions hinder the real-time application of ZABs. Developing novel design strategies for effective bifunctional electrocatalysts is crucial to overcome this hurdle and promote the commercialization of ZABs.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhijie Qi, Yan Zhou, Runnan Guan, Yongsheng Fu, Jong-Beom Baek
Summary: Carbon-based single-atom catalysts (SACs) are an ideal platform for studying the structure-activity relationship in different reactions, and doping with multiple heteroatoms is an effective strategy to enhance their catalytic performance. This article summarizes the recent strategies of multi-heteroatom doping, focusing on the regulation of single-atom active sites in different coordination shells. The correlation between the coordination environment and the catalytic activity of carbon-based SACs is investigated through experiments and theoretical calculations. Suggestions are also provided to promote the development of carbon-based SACs in electrocatalysis, addressing certain shortcomings of current doping strategies.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhijie Qi, Yan Zhou, Runnan Guan, Yongsheng Fu, Jong-Beom Baek
Summary: This article summarizes recently developed strategies for multi-heteroatom doping in carbon-based single-atom catalysts (SACs), with a focus on regulating single-atom active sites through heteroatoms in different coordination shells to enhance catalytic performance. The correlation between the coordination environment and catalytic activity of carbon-based SACs is investigated through experiments and theoretical calculations for various electrochemical reactions. Suggestions are also presented to promote the development of carbon-based SACs in the field of electrocatalysis.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chen-Chen Weng, Jin-Tao Ren, Hao-Yu Wang, Xian-Wei Lv, Yue-Jun Song, Yan-Su Wang, Lei Chen, Wen-Wen Tian, Zhong-Yong Yuan
Summary: The study focuses on the regulation of the reaction interface microenvironment by structural engineering of a hollow spherical bimetallic electrocatalyst. The well-constructed triple-phase contact points enhance the catalytic efficiency and introduce sulfur dopant to improve catalytic activity. The CoFe-SNC with such a designed microenvironment shows outstanding performance in oxygen reduction reaction and rechargeable Zn-air batteries.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhiyu Zhou, Zexiang Chen, Huifang Lv, Yang Zhao, Hualiang Wei, Bingbing Chen, Yan Wang
Summary: Modifying the sulfur cathode with host materials that have adsorption and electrocatalytic properties can improve the performance of Li-S batteries. In this study, a Co0.12Ni1.88S2/NiO heterostructure was designed and used as a sulfur host, demonstrating synergistic effects that enhance sulfur utilization.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haoxuan Liu, Fangfang Yu, Kuan Wu, Gang Xu, Chao Wu, Hua-Kun Liu, Shi-Xue Dou
Summary: This review presents some fundamental concepts in the field of zinc-air batteries (ZABs) and summarizes the recent progress on Fe-based single-atom catalysts (SACs) and dual-atom catalysts (DACs). The relationship between structure and performance at the atomic level is emphasized, aiming to provide helpful guidelines for future rational designs of efficient electrocatalysts.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tongxin Yang, Xiaolin Hu, Weikang Zheng, Zongyang Li, Dan Wu, Guanjie Lu, Qiannan Zhao, Zuguang Yang, Ronghua Wang, Chaohe Xu
Summary: The FeCo2O4@FeCo2S4 heterostructure as a bifunctional electrocatalyst shows outstanding performance in Zn-air batteries, with excellent OER overpotential, stability, high power density, and long cycle life.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zehong Chen, Xinwen Peng, Zhongxin Chen, Tingzhen Li, Ren Zou, Ge Shi, Yongfa Huang, Peng Cui, Jian Yu, Yuling Chen, Xiao Chi, Kian Ping Loh, Zhaoqing Liu, Xuehui Li, Linxin Zhong, Jun Lu
Summary: The by-product of the papermaking industry, lignosulfonate, is used as a bioligand to produce single-atom catalysts (SACs) with highly active M-N-4-S sites (M represents Fe, Cu, and Co) through metal-nitrogen/sulfur coordination. This study demonstrates that the SACs produced have excellent catalytic performance in oxygen reduction and evolution reactions for Zn-air batteries, paving the way for the industrial production of cost-effective SACs in a sustainable manner.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huan Zhang, Juan Wang, Fengqi Qin, Huiling Liu, Cheng Wang
Summary: This study fabricated a V-doped Ni3N/Ni heterostructure catalyst through nitridation treatment, showing comparable high activity and durability to commercial Pt/C under alkaline conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lijun Gao, Silin Bai, Yating Zhang, Chao Hu
Summary: The synthesis of carbon nanotube-supported Zn-based catalysts with anchored ZnNx moieties on the surface of carbon nanotubes showed high catalytic activity for the selective electroreduction of CO2 to CO, with a Faradaic efficiency as high as 97.3%. In comparison, N-doped carbon nanotubes and Zn-containing nanoparticles supported on carbon nanotubes exhibited lower selectivity, with CO FEs of 56.7% and 72.9%, respectively, highlighting the importance of Zn doping in carbon and its existing forms for improving the electrocatalytic ability of Zn-based catalysts for CO2 reduction.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ziqiang Niu, Zhankuan Lu, Zelong Qiao, Minghui Xing, Linkai Han, Shitao Wang, Dapeng Cao
Summary: Regulating the p-orbital valence electrons of atomically dispersed main-group metals has attracted extensive attention for improving the inherent electrocatalytic activity. This study designed and synthesized an atomically dispersed Sb-SeNC catalyst containing SbN2C2 and SeC2 structures. This catalyst exhibited high activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and a Sb-SeNC-based flexible solid-state zinc-air battery (ZAB) showed efficient operation at -40 degrees C. The long-range regulation effect of Se doping on the ORR activity of SbN2C2 was confirmed through DFT calculations.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaozhe Song, Huan Zhang, Zhaoyong Bian, Hui Wang
Summary: The study introduces a new strategy for electron-Fenton-like process with in situ H2O2 production using bifunctional catalysts with Fe atoms introduced into defect-enriched graphene sheets (Fe/NDG). The Fe/N-DG catalysts exhibit superior mass activity and H2O2 selectivity, even under extreme pH conditions, showing promising potential for antibiotic wastewater treatment. The Fe1/N-DG catalyst with a predominant Fe-N structure demonstrates the best catalytic performance for chloramphenicol removal, providing new insights into atomic Fe-based catalysts for environmental applications.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qing Xia, Lanling Zhao, Zhijia Zhang, Jun Wang, Deyuan Li, Xue Han, Zhaorui Zhou, Yuxin Long, Feng Dang, Yiming Zhang, Shulei Chou
Summary: Constructing heterostructures is an effective method to improve the electrical conductivity and electrocatalytic properties of metal sulfide catalysts. In this study, MnCo2S4-CoS1.097 nanotubes were successfully prepared and demonstrated high specific capacities and good cycling stability under high current conditions. The superior electrochemical performance is attributed to fast ion and electron transmission, multiple active sites, and the nanotube architecture with large specific surface area.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tianran Wei, Haihong Bao, Xinzhong Wang, Shusheng Zhang, Qian Liu, Jun Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: Hierarchical P-doped MoS2 nanospheres are developed as electrocatalysts for the reduction of NO to NH3 in an ionic liquid electrolyte, showing a maximal Faradaic efficiency of 69% (-0.6 V vs RHE) and a peak yield rate of 388.3 μg h(-1) mg(cat.)(-1) (-0.7 V vs RHE), comparable to the best-reported results. The catalyst exhibits stable NORR activity over 30 hours and 6 cycles, facilitated by the P dopants in MoS2 and the use of a hydrophobic IL electrolyte, effectively slowing down the HER kinetics.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huijie Cao, Tianran Wei, Qian Liu, Shusheng Zhang, Yongji Qin, Hao Wang, Jun Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: The electrocatalytic conversion of water-to-hydrogen powered by renewable energy is a promising strategy to solve energy and environment problems. However, the low efficiency of anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) leads to large energy consumption. In this study, we developed a catalyst with dual functions for OER and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which showed better performance than the Ni-free and solid samples. Additionally, the catalyst also exhibited improved electrochemical performance for glycerol/glucose oxidation reaction, saving a significant amount of energy for hydrogen production when compared with OER.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianran Wei, Wenxian Liu, Shusheng Zhang, Qian Liu, Jun Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: In this study, a novel catalyst was reported, which can selectively catalyze HMF-to-FDCA oxidation at ambient conditions with high efficiency, yield rate, and conversion. The catalyst also has the capability to simultaneously produce H2 and FDCA.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hao Zhang, Tianran Wei, Yuan Qiu, Shusheng Zhang, Qian Liu, Guangzhi Hu, Jun Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: Since the discovery of graphene, research on the family of 2D materials has flourished. Metal phosphorous chalcogenides (MPX3) have gained renewed attention due to their unique physical and chemical properties, making them excellent candidates for electrocatalysis. This review summarizes the recent applications of MPX3 electrocatalysts in reactions such as hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, and oxygen reduction. It also discusses effective research methods such as structural regulation, chemical doping, and multi-material composites to optimize the catalytic properties of these materials. The challenges and opportunities for electrocatalytic applications of MPX3 materials are also addressed, aiming to advance the development of MPX3 and related materials for electrocatalysis.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sanshuang Gao, Tianwei Wang, Mengmeng Jin, Shusheng Zhang, Qian Liu, Guangzhi Hu, Hui Yang, Jun Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: In this study, a bifunctional catalyst for CO2RR and ORR reactions in aqueous Zn-air batteries (ZAB) was developed. The catalyst, consisting of atomically dispersed niobium anchored onto N-doped ordered mesoporous carbon (Nb-N-C), exhibited high activity for CO2RR, ORR, and ZAB, thanks to the high Nb atom-utilization efficiency and ordered mesoporous structure. Furthermore, the self-powered CO2 electrolysis system showed promising performance with continuous CO2 conversion.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Haipeng Wang, Fei Zhang, Mengmeng Jin, Donglin Zhao, Xiaoya Fan, Zerong Li, Yongsong Luo, Dongdong Zheng, Tingshuai Li, Yan Wang, Binwu Ying, Shengjun Sun, Qian Liu, Xijun Liu, Xuping Sun
Summary: A highly efficient electrocatalyst for NO2 reduction to NH3 was reported in this study, which consisted of V-doped TiO2 nanobelt array on a titanium plate. Both experimental results and theoretical calculations revealed that V doping enhanced the electrical conductivity of the nanobelt and optimized the free energy of the TiO2 specialIntscript crystal plane in the potential determining step, resulting in a positive effect on the electrochemical NO2 reduction to NH3. The designed V-TiO2/TP exhibited outstanding electrochemical NO2 reduction performance with a high NH3 yield of 540.8 μmol h-1 cm-2 at -0.7 V and an excellent Faradaic efficiency of 93.2% at -0.6 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, surpassing TiO2/TP.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Junyang Ding, Wenxian Liu, Shusheng Zhang, Jun Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: Energy is the foundation of human society. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have shown great potential as electrode materials in the energy field due to their unique characteristics. This review focuses on the recent progress in asymmetric atomic catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), including low coordination, heteroatomic coordination, and bimetallic coordination. The connection between coordination structures and electrocatalytic performance is discussed, and the challenges and insights for the development of high-quality asymmetric atomic catalysts are summarized.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Junyang Ding, Xianghua Hou, Yuan Qiu, Shusheng Zhang, Qian Liu, Jun Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: In this study, Fe-doped MoS2 nanosheets grown on carbon cloth were developed as an efficient catalyst for the reduction of NO3- to NH3 in an aqueous electrolyte, achieving a maximal Faradaic efficiency of 90% and a peak yield rate of 9.75 mg h-1 cm-2 for NH3 production. The catalyst exhibited good stability and was used in a Zn-nitrate battery, achieving a peak power density of 3.56 mW cm-2. These results highlight the potential of MoS2 for electrolytic production of valuable chemicals.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Weiqing Zhang, Xuhui Qin, Tianran Wei, Qian Liu, Jun Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: A high-performance catalyst made of single atomic Ce sites anchored on nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres has been developed. It can efficiently electrocatalyze the reduction of NO to NH3 in an acidic solution, achieving a maximal Faradaic efficiency of 91% and a yield rate of 1023 lg h-1 mgcat.-1. The catalyst outperforms Ce nanoclusters and shows good structural and electrochemical stability.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hui Shen, Tianran Wei, Qian Liu, Shusheng Zhang, Juo Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: A two-step method was used to synthesize heterogeneous Ni-MoN nanosheet-assembled microspheres, which exhibited good activity in the oxygen evolution reaction, urea oxidation reaction, and hydrogen evolution reaction. This synthesis method has the potential to improve energy efficiency in hydrogen production and purify urea-containing wastewater.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Miaosen Yang, Tianran Wei, Jia He, Qian Liu, Ligang Feng, Hongyi Li, Jun Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: In this study, Au nanoclusters anchored on TiO2 nanosheets were found to efficiently catalyze the conversion of NO3RR-to-NH3 under ambient conditions, achieving a maximal Faradic efficiency of 91% and a peak yield rate of 1923 μg/h·mg(cat). Furthermore, a galvanic Zn-nitrate battery using the catalyst as the cathode demonstrated high power density and yield rate. Theoretical simulations indicated that the atomically dispersed Au clusters promoted the adsorption and activation of NO3- species, reducing the barrier for NO3RR-to-NH3 and accelerating the cathodic reaction.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tong Hou, Junyang Ding, Hao Zhang, Shanshan Chen, Qian Liu, Jun Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: Due to the environmental pollution and high energy consumption of the conventional method, electrocatalytic urea synthesis is considered a promising and sustainable alternative. In this study, a nitrogen-doped porous carbon loaded with bimetallic FeNi3 alloy nanoparticles was used as an efficient electrocatalyst for urea synthesis from CO2 and NO3-. The FeNi3 alloy served as the active site, leading to a higher urea yield and faradaic efficiency compared to monometallic catalysts. In addition, the urea generation process was monitored using in situ Raman spectroscopy, revealing the key reaction step of C-N coupling.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianran Wei, Ge Meng, Yinhai Zhou, Zhifeng Wang, Qian Liu, Jun Luo, Xijun Liu
Summary: In this study, amorphous iron-cobalt oxide was prepared through the dealloying of trimetallic FeCoAl, exhibiting excellent performance in both urea oxidation and hydrogen evolution reactions (UOR and HER) in alkaline seawater. The catalyst showed stable UOR and HER activity due to the presence of abundant active sites and oxygen vacancies. The applied potentials of 1.52 and -0.185 V were required to achieve 100 mA cm(-2) for the UOR and HER, respectively. Furthermore, when used as both the cathode and anode, the electrolyzer required a working voltage of 1.68 V to yield 100 mA cm(-2) for urea-assisted hydrogen production.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jie Xu, Yun Li, Runxin Li, Tianren Lin, Na Han, Changfei Jin, Yifei Yuan, Yanguang Li, Jun Luo
Summary: Two-dimensional (2D) materials have become promising electrocatalysts in energy conversion due to their unique atomic configuration and electronic characteristics. However, the ultrathin layered structure and diverse atomic structure pose challenges in studying their catalytic mechanism. Advanced electron microscopy techniques have provided opportunities to directly investigate the structure-performance relationships of 2D catalysts at the atomic level. This review discusses the recent progress of electron microscopy techniques in understanding the relationship between surface structure and catalytic performance of 2D electrocatalysts, providing support for revealing the working mechanisms of 2D catalytic materials. Moreover, the main challenges and future directions in exploring 2D catalytic materials with electron microscopy are also presented.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
