SIMULATION MODELING ON THE COORDINATION MECHANISM OF ETHYLENE MONOMER ON VARIOUS PREREDUCED Cr（Ⅱ）Ox/SiO2 PHILLIPS POLYETHYLENE MODEL CATALYSTS

As one of the most important catalysts in polyethylene industry,Phillips catalyst(CrO_x/SiO_2)was quite unique for its activation by ethylene monomer without using any activator like alkyl-aluminium or MAO.In this work,the density functional theory(DFT)calculation combined with paired interacting orbitals(PIO)method was applied for the theoretical studies on coordination reaction mechanism between ethylene monomer and two model catalysts namely Cr(Ⅱ)(OH)_2(M1) and silsesquioxane-supported Cr(Ⅱ)(M2)as surfac...

Cobalt porphyrins supported on carbon nanotubes as model catalysts of metal-N_(4)/C sites for oxygen electrocatalysis

Transition-metal based M-N_4/C catalysts are appealing for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction(OER). Employing model catalysts, which have well-defined molecular structures and coordination environments, to investigate electrocatalytic performance of M-N_4/C sites for ORR and OER is of fundamental significance. Herein, we reported the use of Co tetra(phenyl)porphyrin 1 and Co tetra(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin 2 as models to probe the role of Co-N_4/C sites for oxygen electrocatalysis. We showed that Co porphyrin 1 is more efficient than its structural analogue 2 for oxygen electrocatalysis in alkaline aqueous solutions, indicating that the electronrich Co-N_4/C site is more favored when noncovalently adsorbed on carbon supports. This work inspires rational design of reaction-oriented catalysts for sustainable energy storage and conversion technologies.

Unraveling the advantages of Pd/CeO_(2)single-atom catalysts in the NO+CO reaction by model catalysts

Selective catalytic reduction of NO by CO is challenging in environmental catalysis but attractive owing to the advantage of simultaneous elimination of NO and CO.Here,model catalysts consisting of Pd nanoparticles(NPs)and single-atom Pd supported on a CeO_(2)(111)film grown on Cu(111)(denoted as Pd NPs/CeO_(2)and Pd_(1)/CeO_(2),respectively)were successfully prepared and characterized by synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy(SRPES)and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy(IRAS).The NO+CO adsorption/reaction on the Pd_(1)/CeO_(2)and Pd NPs/CeO_(2)catalysts were carefully investigated using SRPES,temperature-programmed desorption(TPD),and IRAS.It is found that the reaction products on both model catalysts are in good agreement with those on real catalysts,demonstrating the good reliability of using these model catalysts to study the reaction mechanism of the NO+CO reaction.On the Pd NPs/CeO_(2)surface,N_(2)is formed by the combination of atomic N coming from the dissociation of NO on Pd NPs at higher temperatures.N_(2)O formation occurs probably via chemisorbed NO combined with atomic N on the surface.While on the single-atom Pd_(1)/CeO_(2)surface,no N_(2)O is detected.The 100%N_(2)selectivity may stem from the formation of O-N-N-O^(*)intermediate on the surface.Through this study,direct experimental evidence for the reaction mechanisms of the NO+CO reaction is provided,which supports the previous density functional theory(DFT)calculations.

Recent Advances in Mechanistic Understanding of Metal-Free Carbon Thermocatalysis and Electrocatalysis with Model Molecules

Metal-free carbon,as the most representative heterogeneous metal-free catalysts,have received considerable interests in electro-and thermo-catalytic reac-tions due to their impressive performance and sustainability.Over the past decade,well-designed carbon catalysts with tunable structures and heteroatom groups coupled with various characterization techniques have proposed numerous reaction mechanisms.However,active sites,key intermediate species,precise structure-activity relationships and dynamic evolution processes of carbon catalysts are still rife with controversies due to the monotony and limitation of used experimental methods.In this Review,we sum-marize the extensive efforts on model catalysts since the 2000s,particularly in the past decade,to overcome the influences of material and structure limitations in metal-free carbon catalysis.Using both nanomolecule model and bulk model,the real contribution of each alien species,defect and edge configuration to a series of fundamentally important reactions,such as thermocatalytic reactions,electrocatalytic reactions,were systematically studied.Combined with in situ techniques,isotope labeling and size control,the detailed reaction mechanisms,the precise 2D structure-activity relationships and the rate-determining steps were revealed at a molecular level.Furthermore,the outlook of model carbon catalysis has also been proposed in this work.

Morphology-Dependent Catalysis of CeO_(2)-Based Nanocrystal Model Catalysts

Comprehensive Summary Recent progress in colloidal synthesis has realized the preparations of uniform nanocrystal(NC)model catalysts with rich and well-controlled morphologies that were employed to explore structure-activity relationships of powder catalysts,similar to single-crystal-based model catalysts under ultrahigh vacuum conditions but can work at the same conditions as powder catalysts without the"materials gap"and"pressure gap".In this perspective,the CeO_(2)-based NC model catalysts with various morphologies are included and their relevant progresses are critically reviewed.The detailed descriptions of morphology-controlled synthesis and characterizations of uniform CeO_(2)NCs.

Combination of a reaction cell and an ultra-high vacuum system for the in situ preparation and characterization of a model catalyst

An in-depth understanding of the structure-activity relationship between the surface structure,chemical composition,adsorption and desorption of molecules,and their reaction activity and selectivity is necessary for the rational design of high-performance catalysts.Herein,we present a method for studying catalytic mechanisms using a combination of in situ reaction cells and surface science techniques.The proposed system consists of four parts:preparation chamber,temperatureprogrammed desorption(TPD)chamber,quick load-lock chamber,and in situ reaction cell.The preparation chamber was equipped with setups based on the surface science techniques used for standard sample preparation and characterization,including an Ar+sputter gun,Auger electron spectrometer,and a low-energy electron diffractometer.After a well-defined model catalyst was prepared,the sample was transferred to a TPD chamber to investigate the adsorption and desorption of the probe molecule,or to the reaction cell,to measure the catalytic activity.A thermal desorption experiment for methanol on a clean Cu(111)surface was conducted to demonstrate the functionality of the preparation and TPD chambers.Moreover,the repeatability of the in situ reaction cell experiment was verified by CO_(2) hydrogenation on the Ni(110)surface.At a reaction pressure of 800 Torr at 673 K,turnover frequencies for the methanation reaction and reverse water-gas shift reaction were 0.15 and 7.55 Ni atom^(-1) s^(-1),respectively.

Surface Active Sites on Co_(3)O_(4) Nanobelt and Nanocube Model Catalysts for CO Oxidation

CO oxidation has been performed on Co_(3)O_(4) nanobelts and nanocubes as model catalysts.The Co_(3)O_(4) nanobelts which have a predominance of exposed{011}planes are more active than Co_(3)O_(4) nanocubes with exposed{001}planes.Temperature programmed reduction of CO shows that Co_(3)O_(4) nanobelts have stronger reducing properties than Co_(3)O_(4) nanocubes.The essence of shape and crystal plane effect is revealed by the fact that turnover frequency of Co3+sites of{011}planes on Co_(3)O_(4) nanobelts is far higher than that of{001}planes on Co_(3)O_(4) nanocubes.

Unraveling the Dynamic Structural Evolution of Phthalocyanine Catalysts during CO_(2) Electroreduction

Understanding the atomic and electronic changes of active sites promotes the whole new sight into electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR),which provides a feasible strategy to achieve carbon neutrality.Here we employ operando high-energy resolution fluorescence-detected Xray absorption spectroscopy(HERFD-XAS)to track the structural evolution of Ni(II)phthalocyanine(NiPc),considered as the model catalysts with uniform Ni-N_(4)-C_(8) moiety,during the CO_(2)RR.The HERFD-XAS method is in favor of elucidating the interaction of the reactant/catalyst interface from the atomic electronic structure dimension,facilitating the establishment of the catalytic mechanism and the dynamic structure changes.Based on operando measurement,surface sensitive difference spectra(△μ)and spectroscopy simulation,the interfacial interactions between the active sites of NiPc and reactants are monitored and the Ni species gradually reduced by increasing the applied potential is discovered.HERFD-XAS method offers an advanced and powerful tool for elucidating the complex catalytic mechanism in further various systems.

Catalytic process modeling and sensitivity analysis of alkylation of benzene with ethanol over MIL-101(Fe) and MIL-88(Fe)

A solvothermal method was used to synthesize MIL-101(Fe)and MIL-88(Fe),which were used for alkylation of benzene.The synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,field emission scanning electron microscope,dynamic light scattering,and BET techniques.Metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)were modeled to investigate the catalytic performance and existence of mass transfer limitations.Calculated effectiveness factors revealed absence of internal a nd external mass transfer.Sensitivity analysis revealed best operating conditions over MIL-101 at 120℃ and 5 bar and over MIL-88 at 142℃ and 9 bar.

Inverse single-site Fe_(1)(OH)_(x)/Pt(111)model catalyst for preferential oxidation of CO in H_(2)

Inverse oxide/metal model systems are frequently used to investigate catalytic structure-function relationships at an atomic level.By means of a novel atomic layer deposition process,growth of single-site Fe_(1)O_(x) on a Pt(111)single crystal surface was achieved,as confirmed by scanning tunneling microscopy(STM).The redox properties of the catalyst were characterized by synchrotron radiation based ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(AP-XPS).After calcination treatment at 373 K in 1 mbar O_(2).the chemical state of the catalyst was determined as Fe^(3+).Reduction in 1 mbar H_(2) at 373 K demonstrates a facile reduction to Fe2+and complete hydroxylation at significantly lower temperatures than what has been reported for iron oxide nanoparticles.At reaction conditions relevant for preferential oxidation of CO in H_(2)(PROX),the catalyst exhibits a Fe3+state(ferric hydroxide)at 298 K while re-oxidation of iron oxide clusters does not occur under the same condition.CO oxidation proceeds on the single-site Fei(OH)3 through a mechanism including the loss of hydroxyl groups in the temperature range of 373 to 473 K,but no reaction is observed on iron oxide clusters.The results highlight the high flexibility of the single iron atom catalyst in switching oxidation states,not observed for iron oxide nanoparticles under similar reaction conditions,which may indicate a higher intrinsic activity of such single interfacial sites than the conventional metal-oxide interfaces.In summary,our findings of the redox properties on inverse single-site iron oxide model catalyst may provide new insights into applied Fe-Pt catalysis.

Preparation of freestanding palladium nanosheets modified with gold nanoparticles at edges

Electronic adjustment is one of the most commonly used strategies to improve the catalytic performance of heterogeneous catalysts. We prepared hexagonal ultrathin Pd nanosheets with edges modified by gold nanoparticles （Au@Pd nanosheets） using galvanic replacement method. By virtue of the electronic interactions between the Pd nanosheets and Au nanoparticles, the Au@Pd nanosheets exhibited excellent catalytic performances in the carbonylation of iodobenzene by carbon monoxide. The novel nanocomposites could be applied as model catalysts to explore electronic effects in catalysis.

Molecular Insights into the Structure-Activity Relationship in Cobalt Porphyrin Catalyzed Oxygen Reduction Reaction

We present a microscopic investigation on the structure-activity relationship of the Co-N4 site in the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)by electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy(ECSTM)at the molecular scale.The cobalt porphyrins with various substituents(CoTPPX_(4),X=Cl,H,OCH_(3))that delicately regulate the electronic structure of the active site were investigatedasmodel catalysts.Electrochemical measurements evidenced that the CoTPPCl_(4)exhibits better activity,higher product selectivity for H_(2)O,and lower stability.The CoTPPX_(4)-O_(2)complex with higher contrast can be observed in the STM images and the proportion of the CoTPPCl_(4)-O_(2)is appreciably larger than that of CoTPP-O_(2)and CoTPP(OCH_(3))4-O_(2).Theoretical simulations of the model catalysts and the reaction processes of the ORR reveal the relationship between the electronic structure and the catalytic behavior of the model catalysts.The transformation of the CoTPPX_(4)-O_(2)and CoTPPX_(4)in the electrocatalytic reaction was monitored by in situ ECSTM characterization.The structure-activity relationship clarified by experimental and theoretical investigations in this work should help to guide the rational design and optimization of high-performance catalysts.