Interface engineering in transition metal carbides for electrocatalytic hydrogen generation and nitrogen fixation

Kuang, Min; Huang, Wenjing; Hegde, Chidanand; Fang, Wei; Tan, Xian Yi; Liu, Chuntai; Ma, Jianmin; Yan, Qingyu

doi:10.1039/c9mh01094g

Cited by 72 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 178 publications

(136 reference statements)

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“…Given the promising N 2 adsorption and low energy barrier for the formation of intermediates, the catalyst showed improved catalytic ability for the conversion of dinitrogen to NH 3 . [ 50 ] In most cases, the central metal atom of SAC is fixed on the substrate through coordination bonds with N, S, O, and other atoms or metal‐metal bonds. The electronic and geometric structure of the central metal atom can be tuned by controlling the coordination environment, which will change the absorption activity of the reactant to the metal atom, thereby affecting the catalytic performance.…”

Section: Electrocatalystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Electrocatalysts for Efficient Nitrogen Reduction Reaction under Ambient Condition

Liu

Chen

et al. 2020

Adv Funct Materials

152

120

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As one of the most important chemicals and an energy carrier, synthetic ammonia has been widely studied to meet the increasing demand. Among various strategies, electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (e‐NRR) is a promising way because of its green nature and easy set‐up on large‐scale. However, its practical application is extremely limited because of the very‐low production rate, which is strongly dependent on the electrocatalysts used. Therefore, searching novel efficient electrocatalysts for e‐NRR is essential to promote the technology. In this review, it highlights the insights on the mechanism for the NH3 electrochemical synthesis, recommend a reliable protocol for the ammonia detection, and systematically summarize the recent development on novel electrocatalysts, including noble metal‐based materials, single‐metal‐atom catalysts, non‐noble metal, and their compounds, and metal‐free materials, for efficient e‐NRR in both experimental and theoretical studies. Various strategies to improve the catalytic performance by increasing exposed active sites or tuning electronic structures, including surface control, defect engineering, and hybridization, are carefully discussed. Finally, perspectives and challenges are outlined. It can be expected that this review provides insightful guidance on the development of advanced catalytic systems to produce ammonia through N2 reduction.

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Section: Electrocatalystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Electrocatalysts for Efficient Nitrogen Reduction Reaction under Ambient Condition

Liu

Chen

et al. 2020

Adv Funct Materials

152

120

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“…In addition, most of the published reviews on electrocatalysis focus merely on the production and modification of electrocatalysts. [ 41–43 ] Thus far, there have been little discussions on the roles of fields in electrocatalytic reactions. This makes it challenging for researchers to draw inspirations from previous works to further develop this area.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction and Oxygen Evolution Reaction by Fields: Effects of Electric Field, Magnetic Field, Strain, and Light

et al. 2020

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promising alternative to fossil fuels. Water electrolysis by renewable resourcederived electricity represents a facile and green route to produce H 2. [1-13] Generally, the key to implement high-performance water splitting is to develop economically viable, efficient, and robust electrocatalysts to lower the activation potential barriers. Thus far, researchers have devoted extensive enthusiasm to the investigation of electrocatalysts. Currently, most efforts have been taken on the search for new materials, [14-16] regulation of morphology, [17] crystallinity, [18] facet, [19] component, [20-24] defect, [25,26] matter phase, [27,28] or the compositing of various materials with synergy. [29-36] However, the performances of emerging nonnoble electrocatalysts still lag behind those of noble ones. To address this issue, researchers have turned their attention beyond the electrocatalysts themselves. Field-assisted electrocatalysis is the electrocatalytic reaction proceeded in the presence of a field. It represents a promising methodology since it exerts an additional degree of freedom to engineer an electrochemical process. Inspiringly, indisputable improvements in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have been implemented with the assist of various fields, including electric field, magnetic field, strain, and light. For example, the electrocatalytic HER of a MoS 2 nanosheet is markedly boosted by simply exploiting a back gate voltage of 5 V. [37] Its overpotential at −100 mA cm −2 is decreased from 240 to 38 mV. In addition, enhancement of alkaline water electrolysis is achieved by applying a moderate magnetic field (≤450 mT) to an electrocatalytic anode consists of highly magnetic electrocatalysts. [38] Its current density increments are beyond 100%. Furthermore, the HER activity of β-PdH x increases monotonically as the applied strain increases from 0% to 4.5%. [39] Lastly, an approximately threefold increase in current density of Au-MoS 2 for electrocatalytic HER is realized upon the illumination of IR light. [40] These results undoubtedly elucidate that applying a field during electrocataly sis opens up great opportunities toward further improving electrocatalytic activity. Moreover, this approach provides merits of facile, dynamical, continuous, reversible, and universal control. Despite fascinating achievements, these investigations are relatively scattered. The underneath mechanisms and principles Hydrogen fuel is considered as one of the most clean renewable resources, warranting it a primary alternative to fossil fuels for future energy supplies. Electrocatalytic water splitting is an eco-friendly technique for high-purity hydrogen production. However, the sluggish dynamics of its two halfreactions, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), are tough challenges impeding the practical application of this technology. In these years, external field-assisted HER and OER have attracted extensive research interests. Herein, the effects o...

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“…However, this process takes up 1 % total fossil energy and emits more than 450 million tons of carbon dioxide each year, posing a major threat to sustainable energy development and environmental protection [13–15] . Fortunately, the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) can produce NH 3 at ambient conditions using renewable energy, and the investigation of NRR catalysts to improve the NRR yields and faradic efficiency is also very significant [16–18] …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[13][14][15] Fortunately, the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) can produce NH 3 at ambient conditions using renewable energy, and the investigation of NRR catalysts to improve the NRR yields and faradic efficiency is also very significant. [16][17][18] Electrocatalysts based on precious metals usually show outstanding catalytic performance owing to the high intrinsic catalytic activity induced by their electronic structures. For example, noble metal Pt is the best electrocatalysts toward HER and ORR, while IrO 2 and RuO 2 are considered as outstanding electrocatalyst for OER.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single‐Atom and Dual‐Atom Electrocatalysts Derived from Metal Organic Frameworks: Current Progress and Perspectives

et al. 2020

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Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted increasing research interests owing to their unique electronic structures, quantum size effects and maximum utilization rate of atoms. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are good candidates to prepare SACs owing to the atomically dispersed metal nodes in MOFs and abundant N and C species to stabilize the single atoms. In addition, the distance of adjacent metal atoms can be turned by adjusting the size of ligands and adding volatile metal centers to promote the formation of isolated metal atoms. Moreover, the diverse metal centers in MOFs can promote the preparation of dual-atom catalysts (DACs) to improve the metal loading and optimize the electronic structures of the catalysts. The applications of MOFs derived SACs and DACs for electrocatalysis, including oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, carbon dioxide reduction reaction and nitrogen reduction reaction are systematically summarized in this Review. The corresponding synthesis strategies, atomic structures and electrocatalytic performances of the catalysts are discussed to provide a deep understanding of MOFs-based atomic electrocatalysts. The catalytic mechanisms of the catalysts are presented, and the crucial challenges and perspectives are proposed to promote further design and applications of atomic electrocatalysts.

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Interface engineering in transition metal carbides for electrocatalytic hydrogen generation and nitrogen fixation

Cited by 72 publications

References 178 publications

Development of Electrocatalysts for Efficient Nitrogen Reduction Reaction under Ambient Condition

Development of Electrocatalysts for Efficient Nitrogen Reduction Reaction under Ambient Condition

Promoting Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction and Oxygen Evolution Reaction by Fields: Effects of Electric Field, Magnetic Field, Strain, and Light

Single‐Atom and Dual‐Atom Electrocatalysts Derived from Metal Organic Frameworks: Current Progress and Perspectives

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