Catalytic Conversion of C ₁ Molecules on Atomically Precise Metal Nanoclusters

Abstract

Metal nanoclusters with accurate compositions and determined crystalline structures hold remarkable attention in serving as a unique model catalyst for well-defined correlation between structure and catalytic activity. More importantly, these metal nanoclusters exhibit strong quantum confinement effects, which differs from their larger nanoparticles in a number of catalytic reactions. This review focuses on recent advances of atomically precise metal nanoclusters for C 1 compounds conversion (CO, CO 2 , CH 4 and HCOOH), including thermal-driven catalysis, photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. The reaction mechanisms are discussed at an atomic-or even electron-level. It is anticipated that the progress in this research area could be extendable to explore the catalytic applications of metal nanoclusters in C 1 chemistry.

Catalytic Conversion of CO2 over Atomically Precise Gold-Based Cluster Catalysts

“…The catalytic reduction of CO 2 with renewable H 2 into high value-added fuels and chemicals has sparked wide interest and is regarded as a promising route for CO 2 capture and transformation. − However, it is extremely challenging to selectively convert CO 2 with H 2 into desired products, in that the application is experiencing difficulties in using heterogeneous catalysts in a series of challenging bonds breaking and construction from the CO 2 hydrogenation process. − Atomically precise metal clusters can provide the molecular path approaching the local structure, which directly controls access to the catalytic sites. Recently, Zhu and co-workers reported selective hydrogenation processes of CO 2 catalyzed by the Au n clusters loaded on the oxide supports toward C 1 and C 2 products .…”

Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction over Atomically Precise Metal Nanoclusters Protected by Organic Ligands

“…Particularly, the molecular-like transitions of metal NCs can shorten the electrons transfer distance from the metal NCs to the electrode and the reactants in the electrolyte, which can decrease the reaction overpotential of electrocatalytic reactions . In addition, the redox potentials can be regulated by the metal NCs sizes, ligands, doping, charges, as well as the core and shell structures . And thus, metal NCs, as one kind of advanced electron transfer mediators, have been extensively studied in CO 2 RR.…”

“…33 In addition, the redox potentials can be regulated by the metal NCs sizes, ligands, doping, charges, as well as the core and shell structures. 34 And thus, metal NCs, as one kind of advanced electron transfer mediators, have been extensively studied in CO 2 RR.…”

Recent progress of sub-1 nm nanomaterials: synthesis, polymer-analogue properties and applications in redox catalysis

“…Nanomaterials play an essential role in catalysis for the synthesis of commercial chemicals and conversion of organic chemicals. [51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59] Most catalysts benefit from the size reduction for the increasing specific surface area. As sizes decrease to the sub-nanometric scale, most atoms are distributed on the surface with only a small portion of atoms involved, ensuring efficient utilization of active sites.…”