Copper-alloy catalysts: structural characterization and catalytic synergies

Abstract

Catalysis has played a significant role in sustainable energy and clean environment, especially in areas of renewable energy sources including solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to generate “green” fuels. The...

Insights into Heterogeneous Catalysts under Reaction Conditions by In Situ/Operando Electron Microscopy

“…In comparison with noble metals, copper‐based catalysts (Cu or CuO x ) are perhaps the most extensively studied system in various catalytic reactions. [ 33 ] This system differs from Pt‐ or Pd‐based catalysts by the high propensity of oxidation of Cu to CuO x . The understanding of the morphological changes associated with the oxidation or reduction fronts of Cu/Cu 2 O catalysts under O 2 and H 2 has long been an important subject of research.…”

“…Many in situ/operando FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), Raman, XAS (X‐ray absorption spectroscopy), XPS (X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy), XRD (X‐ray diffraction), etc., have been used for catalyst characterizations which largely capture the average molecular or atomic information under reaction conditions. [ 22–47 ] In comparison, in situ/operando TEM is relatively new, which enables the ability to capture individual atom or molecule information under the reaction conditions. In other words, it provides information with atomic, molecular and sometimes nanoscale/microscale resolutions depending on the complexity of the sample system and the instrumental measurement configuration.…”

Silver–Copper Alloy Nanoinks for Ambient Temperature Sintering

“…While copper has advantages over silver and other noble metals in terms of cost, it faces serious challenges in stability. Under atmospheric conditions, copper has a high propensity to oxidize, making it more difficult to synthesize copper-based nanoparticles (CuNPs) under ambient conditions . Certain measures can be taken to prevent rapid oxidation, such as the addition of stabilizers or running synthesis under nitrogen and argon. , These measures, however, can be costly and time consuming, making the overall synthesis process for CuNPs less favorable than that of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) despite the cost benefit.…”

Synergistic effect of Cu/Cu2O surfaces and interfaces for boosting electrosynthesis of ethylene from CO2 in a Zn–CO2 battery

“…38 Metal oxides are usually unstable under the CO 2 RR, and the synergistic effect of the metal/metal oxide interface generated by partial reduction tends to produce highly active and selective catalytic sites. 39,40 The generated metal/metal oxide interface can change the adsorption free energy of CO 2 intermediates and promote C–C coupling. During the activation process of catalysts, the interface of metal/metal oxide forms highly active sites with high selectivity and activity for the CO 2 RR.…”