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, Multidisciplinary
Tengteng Gu, Dantong Zhang, Yan Yang, Chao Peng, Dongfeng Xue, Chunyi Zhi, Min Zhu, Jun Liu
Summary: This study presents the development of a dual single-atom catalyst FeCo-NC for high-performance rechargeable Zn-air batteries. The FeCo-NC exhibits extraordinary bifunctional activities for oxygen reduction and evolution reaction, resulting in a high-specific capacity, long-time stability, and superior performance at extreme temperatures.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
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
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
Xinliang Fu, Xin Zhao, Tong-Bu Lu, Mingjian Yuan, Mei Wang
Summary: As a special carbon material, graphdiyne (GDY) provides an ideal platform for constructing single-atom catalysts (ACs) due to its incomplete charge transfer effect, tunable electronic structure, and ability to anchor metal atoms directly. This mini-review highlights recent progress in the rational design and application of GDY-based ACs, and examines the relationship between coordination engineering of these catalysts and their catalytic performance. Prospects for the future development of GDY-based ACs in energy conversion are also discussed.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qi Yang, Rumeng Liu, Yanan Pan, Zheng Cao, Jiabao Zuo, Fan Qiu, Jian Yu, Haiou Song, Zhiwen Ye, Shupeng Zhang
Summary: A novel electrocatalyst, Fe3C-FeSA@3DCN, with the coexistence of Fe3C nanoparticles and Fe single atoms (FeSA) in a three-dimensional conductive network (3DCN) is prepared. It exhibits better catalytic activity and stability than Pt/C catalysts in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) process. Furthermore, it shows high performance in aqueous and solid-state Zn-air batteries (ZABs) with a long service life and the ability to perform capacitive deionization for different ions.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qiaoqiao Zhang, Jingqi Guan
Summary: Due to energy crisis and environmental concerns, single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted attention for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) in fuel cells and Zn-air batteries. The research focuses on transition-metal-based electrocatalysts and explores synthesis, characterization, ORR mechanisms, and performance evaluations in different types of electrochemical devices. Challenges and future directions for SACs in fuel cells and Zn-air batteries are also discussed.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tianyu Zhu, Yanying Lu, Kevin Huang, Chuanbing Tang
Summary: Solid-electrolyte-based rechargeable metal-ion batteries show great potential, and SME-based Zn-metal alkaline batteries significantly improve cycling performance by suppressing electrolyte depletion and anode passivation under harsh testing conditions.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chenxi Xu, Jiexing Wu, Liang Chen, Yi Gong, Boyang Mao, Jincan Zhang, Jinhai Deng, Mingxuan Mao, Yan Shi, Zhaohui Hou, Mengxue Cao, Huanxin Li, Haihui Zhou, Zhongyuan Huang, Yafei Kuang
Summary: This study presents a facile and green boron acid-assisted pyrolysis strategy to synthesize single-atom catalysts. The role of boron acid in the synthesis process was thoroughly investigated. The resulting tri-doped porous carbon material not only possessed a hierarchical porous structure, large specific surface area, and abundant carbon edges, but also exhibited outstanding oxygen catalytic performance.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Jiechang Gao, Yawen Xie, Pan Zeng, Liang Zhang
Summary: This review provides a brief overview of the fundamentals and challenges of Zn anode/electrolyte interfaces, as well as the related optimization strategies and perspectives. The optimization strategies mainly include constructing artificial interphase, texturing, and electrolyte engineering. Several representative works are presented to illustrate the effect and corresponding mechanism in detail. Finally, future challenges and research directions for the Zn anode/electrolyte interfaces are comprehensively clarified, providing guidelines for accurate evaluation of the interfaces and further fostering the development of ARZIBs.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ali Han, Zedong Zhang, Jiarui Yang, Dingsheng Wang, Yadong Li
Summary: Recent research activities have focused on single-atom catalysts to enhance the catalytic performance of fuel cells as an alternative to platinum group metals, showing potential for higher efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hong-Shuang Fan, Xiongyi Liang, Fei-Xiang Ma, Guobin Zhang, Zheng-Qi Liu, Liang Zhen, Xiao Cheng Zeng, Cheng-Yan Xu
Summary: A zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-derived strategy is proposed to fabricate dual-atom CoFeNC nanorods that can enhance the energy efficiency and cyclability of Zn-air batteries (ZABs). The Co1Fe1NC NRs exhibit remarkable oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OERs) performance and can significantly reduce the oxidation overpotential with the introduction of potassium iodide (KI). Assembled with Co1Fe1NC NRs and KI, the aqueous ZABs show a low charging voltage and ultralong cycling stability.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ziyi Shui, Huiying Tian, Muhammad Ali Raza, Liangliang Zhu, Wei Zhao, Xi Chen
Summary: Rechargeable Zn-air batteries are considered promising energy storage devices due to their high energy and power density, safety, and cost-effectiveness. However, the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reaction during discharge and charge processes have hindered their practical application. In this study, LSFMO nanoparticles synthesized with a modified coprecipitation method exhibited high intrinsic activities. Furthermore, the synergic covalent coupling between N/S dual-doped reduced graphene and LSFMO significantly improved the oxygen reduction and evolution reaction capabilities of the LSFMO@NS-RGO hybrid material. The excellent results demonstrated that LSFMO@NS-RGO represents a new class of promising bifunctional catalysts for rechargeable Zn-air batteries.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiawei Wang, Yan Yang, Yingyu Wang, Shuai Dong, Liwei Cheng, Yanmei Li, Zhenya Wang, Levent Trabzon, Hua Wang
Summary: This study explores the limitations of traditional aqueous ZMBs at extremely high temperatures and proposes a solution by introducing a crowding agent. The results show that this modified electrolyte enables reversible deposition and stable cycling at 100 ??C.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kee Wah Leong, Yifei Wang, Meng Ni, Wending Pan, Shijing Luo, Dennis Y. C. Leung
Summary: Rechargeable zinc-air batteries have great potential for energy storage and electronics industry, but are hindered by challenges like parasitic reactions and slow oxygen redox kinetics. Through material redesign and new technologies, researchers have made progress in improving the performance and lifespan of these batteries.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hainan Sun, Xiaomin Xu, Hyunseung Kim, WooChul Jung, Wei Zhou, Zongping Shao
Summary: Electrochemical water splitting is a promising technology for producing green hydrogen, but research on a larger scale, especially on an industrial level, is lacking. This review focuses on bridging the gap between fundamental research and industrial applications in water electrolysis. It discusses the fundamental principles of electrochemical water splitting, compares testing protocols, catalysts, and costs between laboratory and industry-based research, and highlights the differences in electrochemical reconstruction mechanisms. Advances in catalyst designs for industry-relevant water electrolysis are summarized, and challenges in electrocatalyst design strategies are proposed to further promote large-scale applications.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Yi Cheng, Felix Kwofie, Zibo Chen, Ruiming Zhang, Zhitao Wang, San Ping Jiang, Junchao Zheng, Haolin Tang
Summary: Carbon nanotubes provide a stable platform for studying oxygen evolution reaction (OER) mechanisms under different pH conditions. The study reveals that OER on carbon nanotubes is primarily constrained by water deprotonation in acidic and neutral conditions, but shifts to a different mechanism and kinetics in alkaline conditions due to competition discharge between hydroxide ions and water.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhiyi Chen, Lizhen Jiang, Zhongwei Yue, Dehua Dong, Na Ai, San Ping Jiang, Desen Zhao, Xin Wang, Yanqun Shao, Kongfa Chen
Summary: The adhesion of nanofibers to the electrolyte without damaging their original morphology is a challenge for the application of nanofiber electrodes in ReSOCs. This study demonstrates a facile approach of direct assembly and electrochemical polarization to achieve firm adhesion and retain the unique microstructure of PBCC nanofiber air electrodes, resulting in high-performance and durable ReSOCs.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan He, Xiaomin Xu, Hainan Sun, Tengfei Miao, Meisheng Li, Shouyong Zhou, Wei Zhou
Summary: The doping of a small amount of non-metallic element P into perovskite oxide of SrCoO3-delta forms a good catalytic material, SrCo0.95P0.05O3-delta (SCP), for the detection of PPD. The improved performance of SCP compared to the parent SC can be attributed to three factors: a larger amount of highly oxidative oxygen species, better electrical conductivity, and more active sites on the P5+-oxygen bonds of SCP. The proposed lattice oxygen mechanism with highly active species of lattice oxygen vacancies and adsorbed -OO provides a reliable method for electrocatalytic oxidation of PPD by the SCP/GCE sensor.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zehua Wang, Jin Zhang, Shanfu Lu, Yan Xiang, Zongping Shao, San Ping Jiang
Summary: Development of high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) at elevated temperatures is essential for improving CO tolerance and developing non-precious metal catalysts. This study investigates the in situ formation of metal pyrophosphates in phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole (PA/PBI) composite membranes, and their influence on proton conductivity and performance of HT-PEMFCs.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Juan He, Xiaomin Xu, Meisheng Li, Shouyong Zhou, Wei Zhou
Summary: Non-enzymatic electrochemical sensors are a promising technology for detecting toxic substances and viruses, offering high sensitivity, long-term stability, and excellent reproducibility. Perovskite oxides have emerged as a potential candidate for such sensors due to their low cost, flexible structure, and high catalytic activity. This comprehensive overview covers recent advances in perovskite oxides, including synthesis methods and electrocatalytic mechanisms. The performance of perovskite oxides is enhanced by lattice O vacancies and superoxide oxygen ions, which have excellent properties for electrooxidation. However, their limited electron transfer kinetics, stability, and selectivity necessitate composite materials to improve their readiness for scientific development. The review also identifies future challenges and provides recommendations.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hainan Sun, Lili Li, Yahui Chen, Hyunseung Kim, Xiaomin Xu, Daqin Guan, Zhiwei Hu, Linjuan Zhang, Zongping Shao, WooChul Jung
Summary: Substituting the anodic oxygen evolution reaction with a thermodynamically more favorable ethanol oxidation reaction in water electrolysis provides a promising route for simultaneous biomass upgrading and energy-saving hydrogen production. The synthesis of a NiOOH-CuO nano-heterostructure anchored on a three-dimensional conductive Cu foam exhibits remarkable ethanol oxidation reaction performance. The hybrid water electrolysis cell using this catalyst as the anode shows low cell voltage for hydrogen generation at the cathode and high ethanol conversion rate to acetate, which can be easily separated.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dalei Sun, Yating Yang, Jinghui Cai, Yanxiong Fang, San Ping Jiang
Summary: Effective capture and utilization of CO2 is critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving a low-carbon economy. In this study, bismuth oxides with different crystallized phases (alpha, beta, delta, gamma) were synthesized and used as photo, thermal, and photothermal catalysts for the carbonylation of isobutyl amine with CO2. The results showed that the alpha-Bi2O3 exhibited the highest catalytic performance, with a conversion of 50.38% and a selectivity of 91.79% for N,N'-diisobutylurea. Further characterization of Bi2O3 polymorphs revealed that the differences in photothermal catalytic activity could be attributed to the efficiencies of photoinduced carriers separation.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Wenwu Lei, Wentao Tang, Xiaoyu Mo, Zhiqun Tian, Peikang Shen, Tiancheng Ouyang
Summary: In this study, nitrogen-doped element-modified graphene with strong adsorption and superior lubricating properties was prepared using a bottom-up chemical strategy to overcome the limited adsorption capacity of ordinary graphene at high temperature. The reciprocating tribometer was used to simulate the piston operating environment and evaluate the lubrication performance of nitrogen-doped graphene. Characterization and analysis of wear marks were conducted using depth-of-field microscope, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, and other instruments. The experimental results showed that the friction-reduction and anti-wear properties of PAO 6 base oil were improved by 22.4% and 56.9% (100 ?), respectively, after adding 0.4 wt% nitrogen-doped graphene. Additionally, abrasive and adhesive wear were significantly reduced due to inter-layer slip and superior adsorption performance. The interfacial lubrication mechanism of lubricant protective film under high-temperature conditions was also revealed.
JOURNAL OF TRIBOLOGY-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuefei Wang, Tianyi Liu, Haitao Li, Chao Han, Panpan Su, Na Ta, San Ping Jiang, Biao Kong, Jian Liu, Zhenguo Huang
Summary: The article explores the importance of mass transfer in catalytic processes, specifically in the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) by tailoring the pore sizes. By employing a confined-etching strategy, boron-and nitrogen-doped carbon (B,N@C) electrocatalysts with abundant active sites but different porous structures were fabricated. The ORR performance was found to be correlated with reactant diffusion, with the optimized B,N@C catalysts featuring trimodal-porous structures demonstrating enhanced O2 diffusion and improved activity per heteroatomic site. The study highlights the significance of nanoarchitecture engineering in catalysts and provides insights into optimizing structures with abundant active sites and enhanced mass transfer.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Changzheng Li, Minjin Huang, Zhe Zhang, Yaoyu Qin, Lizhe Liang, Zhi Qun Tian, Asad Ali, Pei Kang Shen
Summary: The thermal properties of hybrid thermal interface materials (TIMs) were improved by adding three-dimensional (3D) graphene as fillers, which resulted in enhanced thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity. The optimal thermal characteristics were observed at 1.5 wt% of 3D graphene content, with a maximum enhancement of 683%. Heat dissipation experiments demonstrated the potential of the 3D graphene/epoxy hybrids, and applying them to high-power LED effectively reduced the maximum temperature.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Liangshuang Fei, Hainan Sun, Xiaomin Xu, Yu Li, Ran Ran, Wei Zhou, Zongping Shao
Summary: Significant progress has been made in the discovery of bifunctional electrocatalysts for energy storage and conversion systems, particularly for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR). Various materials engineering strategies have been developed to improve the catalytic performance, but the mechanisms of reported bifunctional catalysts vary depending on the types of materials. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments and understanding of bifunctional electrocatalysts for OER/UOR, and discusses future research directions to achieve sustainable energy and environmental goals.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jun Li, Yujun Zhang, Kai Zhao, San Ping Jiang, Min Chen
Summary: In this paper, the authors study the characteristics of chromium evaporation, oxide scale growth, and deposition of chromium on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on (La,Sr)MnO3 (LSM) cathode in intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The results indicate that the volatilization of chromium is influenced by the composition and morphology of the oxide scale, and the deposition of chromium on the LSM cathode degrades the electrochemical activity of the ORR. These findings provide insights into the mechanism of chromium poisoning in intermediate-temperature conditions.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yijun Zhong, Xiaomin Xu, Chao Su, Moses Oludayo Tade, Zongping Shao
Summary: Transition metal oxide materials are promising alternatives to expensive and precious metal-containing oxygen catalysts. This study proposes a new type of La1.6Sr0.4MnCoO6 nanomaterial with perovskite-like structure for efficient oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. The rational design and integration strategies greatly enhance the catalytic performance of the material.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hainan Sun, Xiaomin Xu, Hyunseung Kim, Zongping Shao, Woochul Jung
Summary: This review presents the latest progress in the identification of unconventional active sites in electrochemical water splitting. The use of advanced characterization techniques and theoretical calculations has revealed novel and unusual active sites, providing valuable guidance for the design of advanced electrocatalysts.