Article
Energy & Fuels
Xudong Li, Jinfeng Zhang, Kai Dai, Ke Fan, Changhao Liang
Summary: In this study, a Sn/Cd-3(C3N3S3)(2) (CdTMT) composite was developed to achieve nearly 99% selectivity in the conversion of CO2 to CO. The presence of metal Sn on the surface of CdTMT forming a Schottky heterojunction significantly enhanced the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and boosted the photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction by about 3.7 times compared to pure CdTMT.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Miaosen Yang, Jiaqiang Sun, Yongji Qin, Hui Yang, Shusheng Zhang, Xijun Liu, Jun Luo
Summary: A new type of CoFe layered double hydroxide/hydroxide tungsten was successfully synthesized and showed excellent electrocatalytic performance with stability.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cuncai Lv, Xianhua Bai, Shangbo Ning, Chenxi Song, Qingqing Guan, Bang Liu, Yaguang Li, Jinhua Ye
Summary: Converting CO2 into fuels or chemicals through photothermal catalysis is a promising solution for energy shortage and global warming. Understanding nanomaterial strategies in this process is crucial for device and catalyst design, as well as maximizing CO2 hydrogenation performance. This Perspective discusses nanomaterial design concepts, reviews recent progress, and highlights challenges and opportunities in photothermal CO2 hydrogenation.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Bo Tang, Fang-Xing Xiao
Summary: The article summarizes the latest developments in semiconductor-based photoelectrocatalytic CO2 reduction technology, introduces improvement principles and strategies for photoelectrodes used in different photoelectrochemical systems, and discusses future prospects and challenges.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Fan Sun, Xueli Xing, Hui Hong, Bang Xu, Yong Hao
Summary: This study presents a strategy to enhance photothermal transformation and solar-to-fuel conversion by combining concentrated solar power and plasmonic nanomaterials. The researchers fabricated a nanocatalyst consisting of gold anchored on TiO2 using a regular deposition-precipitation method. The nanocatalyst exhibited improved performance in CO2 reduction under concentrated full-spectrum irradiation due to the coupling of photo- and thermal energies. Experimental results showed a clear correlation between light intensity and syngas yield, with a CO2 conversion rate of 6.35% achieved after 3 hours of simulated sunlight illumination. Photoelectrochemical measurements and simulations also demonstrated the better separation and transport of photoexcited carriers in Au/TiO2 compared to TiO2, thanks to localized surface plasmon resonance that heats the nanocatalysts under concentrated full-spectrum irradiation. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy analysis further suggested that the photothermal effect accelerates the formation of intermediates and enhances the overall photocatalytic rate.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Hossam A. E. Omr, Mark W. Horn, Hyeonseok Lee
Summary: The article discusses the energy crisis and global warming caused by the use of fossil fuels, and the research on converting CO2 into solar fuels using photocatalysts. The application of low-dimensional nanostructures shows great potential for enhancing the efficiency of photocatalytic CO2 conversion through structural control.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pengsong Li, Jiahui Bi, Jiyuan Liu, Qinggong Zhu, Chunjun Chen, Xiaofu Sun, Jianling Zhang, Zhimin Liu, Buxing Han
Summary: In order to achieve commercial CO2 electrochemical reduction to C2+ alcohols, the selectivity and production rate need to be further improved. This study presents a room-temperature one-step synthetic strategy to fabricate a highly stable Cu aerogel as an efficient CO2 reduction electrocatalyst. The Cu aerogel obtained by reducing Cu2+ using a weak reductant showed a high selectivity for C2+ products, while the Cu aerogel prepared using a strong reductant was favorable to generating CO.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peng-Peng Yang, Xiao-Long Zhang, Pei Liu, Daniel J. Kelly, Zhuang-Zhuang Niu, Yan Kong, Lei Shi, Ya-Rong Zheng, Ming-Hui Fan, Hui-Juan Wang, Min-Rui Gao
Summary: A dual-phase copper-based catalyst with abundant Cu(I) sites at the amorphous-nanocrystalline interfaces has been developed to improve CO-CO coupling kinetics for efficient multicarbon production from CO2 reduction. This catalyst design strategy enables a high Faradaic efficiency of 81% and a partial current density of 322 milliamperes per square centimeter in a neutral potassium chloride electrolyte. The catalyst remains stable after 45 hours of operation at commercially relevant current densities for CO2 electrolysis (300 mA per square centimeter).
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuriy Pihosh, Vikas Nandal, Ryota Shoji, Raman Bekarevich, Tomohiro Higashi, Valeria Nicolosi, Hiroyuki Matsuzaki, Kazuhiko Seki, Kazunari Domen
Summary: The development of high-performance solar-water-splitting technologies is limited by poor solar light absorption and charge separation. In this study, we overcome these challenges by developing photoanodes made from polycrystalline tantalum nitride nanorods (Ta3N5 NRs). Optimized morphology and crystalline properties of Ta3N5 NRs result in a significant increase in photocurrent for water oxidation activity. Factors such as charge carrier lifetime and diffusion length contribute to the enhanced performance. This research highlights the importance of designing narrow-energy band-gap photoanodes for efficient solar-water-splitting devices.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Juan Xie, Lei Zhang, Biao Liu, Penghui Bai, Chenjie Wang, Jiake Xu, Hu Wang
Summary: In this study, Trimethoxyoctadecylsilane (OTMS) was used to decorate mesoporous silica to enhance gas selectivity, with a quartz crystal microbalance employed to measure gas-sensing properties. The crucial role of OTMS content in affecting silica's adsorption capacity and selectivity was highlighted, and a three-state mechanism was proposed to explain the sensing mechanism of OTMS-decorated silica.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hyojung Bae, Chaewon Seong, Vishal Burungale, Myeongheon Seol, Chul Oh Yoon, Soon Hyung Kang, Wan-Gil Jung, Bong-Joong Kim, Jun-Seok Ha
Summary: Solar-to-chemical energy conversion is a potential alternative to fossil fuels. This study demonstrates the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO using a porous Au nanostructure as a cathode. The PV-EC system, combined with Si photovoltaic cells and IrO2 anodes, achieved a solar-to-CO conversion efficiency of 5.3% under 1 sun illumination and operated for 100 hours.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiuying Zhu, Yuying Hu, Hongyu Chen, Chen Meng, Yizhu Shang, Chengcheng Hao, Shuxian Wei, Zhaojie Wang, Xiaoqing Lu, Siyuan Liu
Summary: This study proposes a simple method to construct a graphdiyne (GDY) supported Ag-Cu nanocluster as a selective electrocatalyst for producing C2+ products. Compared to Cu/GDY, the Ag-Cu/GDY tandem scheme exhibits superior performance in CO2RR to C2+ products. Theoretical calculations show that CO has a higher adsorption energy on Cu than on Ag, promoting the drift of *CO from Ag to Cu. Additionally, the key C-C coupling reaction of *CO with *COH is more favored on Ag-Cu/GDY, contributing to the formation of C2+ products.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ke Yan, Donghai Wu, Ting Wang, Cong Chen, Shoujie Liu, Yangguang Hu, Chao Gao, Houyang Chen, Benxia Li
Summary: Photothermal catalysis using solar energy is a sustainable strategy for converting CO2 to valuable chemicals. In this work, a Bi2S3(a In2S3 heterostructure catalyst is fabricated to efficiently convert CO2 to C2H4 using photoexcited charge carriers and elevated temperature. The catalyst has unique active sites consisting of Bi and In atoms coupled with sulfur vacancies, enabling selective C2H4 production. The integration of these active sites and the photothermal effect results in high conversion rates and selectivity for CO2 under simulated sunlight. This work provides guidance for the development of efficient photothermal catalysts for CO2 conversion using solar energy.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yiou Wang, Enqi Chen, Junwang Tang
Summary: Photocatalytic CO2 conversion to value-added chemicals is a promising solution for current energy and environmental issues, but faces obstacles such as the inertness of CO2 molecule, sluggish multi-electron process, unfavorable thermodynamics, and selectivity control. Despite the challenges, understanding reaction mechanisms and seeking potential solutions are crucial for addressing remaining obstacles in the field.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Joseph Kinyanjui Muiruri, Enyi Ye, Qiang Zhu, Xian Jun Loh, Zibiao Li
Summary: Mimicking natural processes like plant photosynthesis requires a deep understanding of molecular building blocks. Bulk photocatalytic materials used in artificial photosynthesis limit CO2 conversion efficiency and yield. However, nanostructured photocatalysts offer hope for improved efficiencies. CO2 conversion to solar fuels and value-added chemicals is a significant scientific advance. Fabrication of novel nanostructured photocatalysts is crucial for CO2 reduction.
APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hongdan Wang, Yang Liu, Jianmin Yu, Yongguang Luo, Lingling Wang, Taehun Yang, Bikshapathi Raktani, Hyoyoung Lee
Summary: This study proposes a method for site-selective chirality regulation through circularly polarized light, which can control the morphology evolution of cysteine-assisted chiral gold nanoparticles and result in increased or decreased circular dichroism signal intensity. It provides a promising alternative strategy for producing high-chirality nanomaterials that can be applied in biomedicine and enantiomer photocatalytic reactions.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaodong Shao, Mengfang Liang, Ashwani Kumar, Xinghui Liu, Haiyan Jin, Sara Ajmal, Viet Quoc Bui, Huong Thi Diem Bui, Jinsun Lee, Ngoc Quang Tran, Jianmin Yu, Yunhee Cho, Min Gyu Kim, Hyoyoung Lee
Summary: Hydrogen generation by electrolysis of water in an alkaline solution is a promising technology for clean hydrogen energy. Amorphous materials show much better performance than their crystalline counterparts. A recent study successfully synthesized a series of amorphous transition metal nanoparticles using a twisted covalent organic network, demonstrating excellent performance and stability in the hydrogen evolution reaction.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yongteng Qian, Jianmin Yu, Ya Zhang, Fangfang Zhang, Yingbo Kang, Chenliang Su, Hu Shi, Dae Joon Kang, Huan Pang
Summary: Interfacial microenvironment modulation has been proven to be an effective strategy to optimize catalytic kinetics, as demonstrated in the synthesis of lattice defect-rich NiS2/MoS2 nanoflakes for water splitting electrocatalysis. The optimized NiS2/MoS2 nanoflakes exhibited remarkable catalytic activity with lower voltage requirements compared to noble-metal-based electrocatalysts, showcasing both high efficiency and long-term stability for overall water splitting.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sara Ajmal, Aamir Rasheed, Ngoc Quang Tran, Xiaodong Shao, Yosep Hwang, Viet Q. Bui, Young Dok Kim, Jeongyong Kim, Hyoyoung Lee
Summary: This study demonstrates the successful activation and stabilization of N2 adsorption in the photocatalytic nitrogen fixation process using an electron-deficient boron-doped carbon nitride catalyst. By tuning the bandgap of the carbon nitride, polarizing the adsorbed N2 through electron pair acceptance, and activating the N2 through pi-back donation, the BCN-4 catalyst shows high performance in the synthesis of ammonia. The findings provide insights into improving the photocatalytic efficiency of nitrogen fixation.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meeree Kim, Mahnmin Choi, Sinil Choi, Sohee Jeong
Summary: Developing next-generation colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals with high-quality optoelectronic properties and precise processability relies on achieving complete mastery over the surface characteristics of nanocrystals. Recent progress has been made by combining well-defined surface models with quantitative surface reactions, enabling a better understanding and manipulation of nanocrystal surface chemistry. This research presents a compelling case for utilizing facet-specific chemistry as a platform for mechanistic investigation and morphology exploration, which can pave the way for developing high-quality and precisely designed nanocrystals for optoelectronic technologies.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ngoc Tuan Nguyen, Thuy Tien Nguyen Tran, Thuy-Kieu Truong, Jianmin Yu, Thong Nguyen-Minh Le, Thang Bach Phan, Tan Le Hoang Doan, Linh Ho Thuy Nguyen, Tin Dai Luong, Thi-Hiep Nguyen, Ngoc Quang Tran
Summary: In this study, a general approach was used to synthesize a hollow ternary metal fluoride (FeCoNiF2) nanoflake array as an efficient and robust bifunctional electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR). The F anion was found to withdraw electrons from the metal centers, inducing an electron-deficient metal center catalyst. The hollow FeCoNiF2 nanoflake array exhibited excellent catalytic activity and superior long-term durability for both the HER and UOR.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mahnmin Choi, Meeree Kim, Yeunhee Lee, Taewan Kim, Jun Hyung Kim, Daekwon Shin, Jeong Won Kim, Yong-Hyun Kim, Sohee Jeong
Summary: The tunable band edge position of nonconductive colloidal quantum dot films is investigated using photo-electron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The results show that the energy levels of nonconducting CQD films can be controlled by partially replacing the surface-bound ligand, providing a method for efficient optoelectronic device design.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu Jin Jang, Kamal Kumar Paul, Jin Cheol Park, Meeree Kim, Minh Dao Tran, Hyun Yong Song, Seok Joon Yun, Hyoyoung Lee, Temujin Enkhbat, JunHo Kim, Young Hee Lee, Ji-Hee Kim
Summary: Organic systems can convert a initially excited singlet spin state into two triplet spin states, which allows for efficient conversion of triplet excitons into charge carriers. By using a molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2)/pentacene heterostructure, we demonstrate efficient triplet transfer from pentacene to MoTe2, leading to a nearly four times increase in carrier density. This study also shows doubled carriers in MoTe2 via inverse Auger process and doubled carriers via triplet extraction from pentacene, indicating enhanced photovoltaic conversion efficiency beyond the Shockley-Queisser (S-Q) limit in organic/inorganic heterostructures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sunghu Kim, Seongmin Park, Meeree Kim, Sohee Jeong
Summary: Single-crystalline indium phosphide (InP) tetrapods were synthesized and proved to be a useful platform for studying multiple exciton behaviors. ZnCl2 precursor was used to enhance the optical performance of InP tetrapods, but no distinct enhancement in photoluminescence was observed. However, further shell growth on InP-ZnCl2 successfully preserved tetrapodal geometry and showed higher photoluminescence than tetrapodal InP/ZnSe. The crystal structure of InP-ZnCl2 was retained even with various Zn feed ratios.
BULLETIN OF THE KOREAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jianmin Yu, Chenliang Su, Lu Shang, Tierui Zhang
Summary: This perspective first reviews the recent progress of single-atom catalysts (SACs) with optimized oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activity, then summarizes the possible degradation mechanisms of SACs in the ORR process and effective strategies for improving their durability, and finally proposes some challenges and opportunities for developing stable single-atom-based ORR electrocatalysts in the future.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Le Phuc Phan, Thuy Tien Nguyen Tran, Thuy-Kieu Truong, Jianmin Yu, Hanh-Vy Tran Nguyen, Thang Bach Phan, Nhu Hoa Thi Tran, Ngoc Quang Tran
Summary: In this study, a rational design of boron-doped three-dimensional Ni2P-MoO2 heterostructure microrod arrays was proposed for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in both alkaline freshwater and seawater electrolytes. The incorporation of boron into the Ni2P-MoO2 heterostructure microrod arrays can modulate the electronic properties and enhance the catalytic activity for HER. The B-Ni2P-MoO2 heterostructure microrod array electrocatalyst exhibited superior catalyst activity with low overpotentials and exceptional performance in both seawater and natural seawater environments.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Byungwook Ahn, Yoonsok Kim, Meeree Kim, Hyang Mi Yu, Jaehun Ahn, Eunji Sim, Hyunjin Ji, Hamza Zad Gul, Keun Soo Kim, Kyuwook Ihm, Hyoyoung Lee, Eun Kyu Kim, Seong Chu Lim
Summary: Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have unique electrical properties, but their performance is affected by defect sites. This study introduces a single treatment method to remove defects in multilayer MoS2 FET, resulting in enhanced carrier mobility.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jianmin Yu, Yongteng Qian, Sohyeon Seo, Yang Liu, Huong T. D. Bui, Ngoc Quang Tran, Jinsun Lee, Ashwani Kumar, Hongdan Wang, Yongguang Luo, Xiaodong Shao, Yunhee Cho, Xinghui Liu, Min Gyu Kim, Hyoyoung Lee
Summary: A stable and efficient CoS2-ReS2 electrocatalyst is successfully constructed by using different molar ratios of CoS2 on ReS2, which significantly changes the size and morphology of the catalysts and regulates the catalytic activity of ReS2. The optimized CoS2-ReS2 exhibits superior electrocatalytic properties for water splitting, with a low voltage of 1.48 V at 20 mA cm-2 in 1.0 M KOH, outperforming noble metal-based catalysts (1.77 V at 20 mA cm-2). The interfacial regulation of ReS2 by CoS2 provides rich edge catalytic sites, optimizing the catalytic kinetics and reducing the energy barrier for oxygen/hydrogen evolution reactions. Interfacial engineering is an efficient route for fabricating high-performance water splitting electrocatalysts.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thong Nguyen-Minh Le, Thu Bao Nguyen Le, Phat Tan Nguyen, Trang Thuy Nguyen, Quang Ngoc Tran, Toan The Nguyen, Yoshiyuki Kawazoe, Thang Bach Phan, Duc Manh Nguyen
Summary: Direct oxidation of methane over oxo-doped ZIF-204, a bio-mimetic metal-organic framework, is investigated using first-principles calculations. The modified ZIF-204 with doped oxo species is found to be a promising catalyst for methane oxidation, as it exhibits weak binding and efficient adsorption energy. The presence of the oxo group enables the reactions to occur via both a concerted direct oxo insertion mechanism and a hydrogen-atom abstraction radical rebound mechanism.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hongdan Wang, Yang Liu, Lingling Wang, Bikshapathi Raktani, Taehun Yang, Kim My Tran, Yongguang Luo, Jianmin Yu, Haksung Lee, Hyoyoung Lee
Summary: Using a new supramolecular organogel, helical nanoribbons with high helicity degree can be generated by irradiating with right- or left-circularly polarized light. The helical direction of the nanoribbons can be controlled by the direction of the circularly polarized light. This concept has potential applications in biology, pharmacology, and chiral optics.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2022)
