Cu-based materials for electrocatalytic CO_(2) to alcohols:Reaction mechanism,catalyst categories,and regulation strategies

Electrocatalytic CO_(2) reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR)technology,which enables carbon capture storage and resource utilization by reducing CO_(2) to valuable chemicals or fuels,has become a global research hotspot in recent decades.Among the many products of CO_(2)RR(carbon monoxide,acids,aldehydes and alcohols,olefins,etc.),alcohols(methanol,ethanol,propanol,etc.)have a higher market value and energy density,but it is also more difficult to produce.Copper is known to be effective in catalyzing CO_(2) to high valueadded alcohols,but with poor selectivity.The progress of Cu-based catalysts for the selective generation of alcohols,including copper oxides,bimetals,single atoms and composites is reviewed.Meanwhile,to improve Cu-based catalyst activity and modulate product selectivity,the modulation strategies are straighten out,including morphological regulation,crystalline surface,oxidation state,as well as elemental doping and defect engineering.Based on the research progress of electrocatalytic CO_(2) reduction for alcohol production on Cu-based materials,the reaction pathways and the key intermediates of the electrocatalytic CO_(2)RR to methanol,ethanol and propanol are summarized.Finally,the problems of traditional electrocatalytic CO_(2)RR are introduced,and the future applications of machine learning and theoretical calculations are prospected.An in-depth discussion and a comprehensive review of the reaction mechanism,catalyst types and regulation strategies were carried out with a view to promoting the development of electrocatalytic CO_(2)RR to alcohols.

Preparation of Modified UiO-66 Catalyst and Its Catalytic Performance for NH_(3)-SCR Denitration

Zirconium-based metal-organic framework UiO-66 was successfully prepared by solvothermal method,and UiO-66 was modified by adding regulators such as formic acid,acetic acid,and hydrochloric acid.The NH_(3)-SCR reactivity of the samples was evaluated by the denitration activity evaluation system,and the UiO-66 and the regulator-modified UiO-66 were characterized by XRD,SEM,BET,FTIR,TG,NH_(3)-TPD,etc.,the effects of regulator types on the structure and properties of UiO-66 were investigated.The experimental results show that,after adding the modifier,the morphology of UiO-66 changes from irregular quadrilateral with serious agglomeration to particles with regular crystal shape and good dispersibility,and the crystal morphology of the catalyst is improved.In addition,after adding the modifier,UiO-66 has a larger specific surface area and stronger surface acidity,which optimizes the catalytic performance of UiO-66.The catalytic performance test results of NH_(3)-SCR show that the low-temperature activity of UiO-66 is poor,and it only shows a certain catalytic activity at higher temperatures.The catalytic activity of UiO-66 was significantly improved after adding the regulator.Among them,the UiO-66-HCl modified with hydrochloric acid had the best catalytic activity,and the denitration rate reached 70%when the denitration temperature was 380℃.

Accelerating the Screening of Modified MA_(2)Z_(4) Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction by Deep Learning-Based Local Geometric Analysis

Machine learning(ML)integrated with density functional theory(DFT)calculations have recently been used to accelerate the design and discovery of single-atom catalysts(SACs)by establishing deep structure–activity relationships.The traditional ML models are always difficult to identify the structural differences among the single-atom systems with different modification methods,leading to the limitation of the potential application range.Aiming to the structural properties of several typical two-dimensional MA_(2)Z_(4)-based single-atom systems(bare MA_(2)Z_(4) and metal single-atom doped/supported MA_(2)Z_(4)),an improved crystal graph convolutional neural network(CGCNN)classification model was employed,instead of the traditional machine learning regression model,to address the challenge of incompatibility in the studied systems.The CGCNN model was optimized using crystal graph representation in which the geometric configuration was divided into active layer,surface layer,and bulk layer(ASB-GCNN).Through ML and DFT calculations,five potential single-atom hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)catalysts were screened from chemical space of 600 MA_(2)Z_(4)-based materials,especially V_(1)/HfSn_(2)N_(4)(S)with high stability and activity(Δ_(GH*)is 0.06 eV).Further projected density of states(pDOS)analysis in combination with the wave function analysis of the SAC-H bond revealed that the SAC-dz^(2)orbital coincided with the H-s orbital around the energy level of−2.50 eV,and orbital analysis confirmed the formation ofσbonds.This study provides an efficient multistep screening design framework of metal single-atom catalyst for HER systems with similar two-dimensional supports but different geometric configurations.

Effect of Ni loadings on the activity and coke formation of MgO-modified Ni/Al_2O_3 nanocatalyst in dry reforming of methane

MgO-modified Ni/Al2O3 catalysts with different Ni loadings were prepared and employed in dry reforming of methane （DRM）. The effect of Ni loadings on the activity and coke formation of Ni/MgO-A1203 catalysts were investigated. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM, TPO and TPR techniques. The obtained results showed that increasing nickel loading decreased the BET surface area and increased the catalytic activity and amount of deposited carbon. In addition, the effect of gas hourly space velocity （GHSV） and feed ratio were studied.

Rational design strategies of Cu-based electrocatalysts for CO_(2) electroreduction to C_(2) products

Electrochemical reduction of CO_(2)(CO_(2)RR)to high value-added chemicals is an effective way to remove excess CO_(2) from the atmosphere.Due to the unique propensity of Cu for valuable hydrocarbons,Cu-based electrocatalysts are the most potential catalysts that allow the conversion of CO_(2) into a variety of C_(2) products such as ethylene and ethanol.Rational design of Cu-based catalysts can improve their directional selectivity to C_(2) products.Hence,in this review,we summarize the recent progress in the mechanistic studies of Cu-based catalysts on reducing CO_(2) to C_(2) products.We focus on three key strategies for efficiently enhancing electrocatalytic performance of Cu-based catalysts,including tuning electronic structure,surface structure,and coordination environment.The correlation between the structural characteristics of Cu-based catalysts and their activity and selectivity to C_(2) products is discussed.Finally,we discuss the challenges in the field of CO_(2) electroreduction to C_(2) products and provide the perspectives to design efficient Cu-based catalysts in the future.

Pt-Ru Catalysts Prepared by a Modified Polyol Process for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Supported PtRu/C catalysts used in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) were prepared by a new modified polyol method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cyclic voltammograms (CVs) were carried out to characterize the morphology, composition and the electrochemical properties of the PtRu/C catalyst. The results revealed that the PtRu nanoparticles with small average particle size (≈2.5 nm), and highly dispersed on the carbon support. The PtRu/C catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity and anti poisoned performance than that of the JM PtRu/C. It is imply that the modified polyol method is efficient for PtRu/C catalyst preparation.

Carbon Nano-tube Supported Cu-based Catalyst for Methanol Synthesis Developed by Xiamen University

The Chemistry and Chemical Engineering School of Xiamen University has successfully developed the multi-walled nanotube catalyst with small and uniform diameter and has mastered the corresponding technology for manufacture of carbon nanotube. It is learned that this technology has been for the first time developed inside ;and has reached the internationally advanced level with some indicators commanding a globally leading position.

Study on Deactivation and Regeneration of Modified Red Mud Catalyst Used in Biodiesel Production

Deactivation of solid catalyst often occurs in biodiesel production. In this work, deactivated modified red mud catalysts used in biodiesel production were regenerated with hexane and calcination treatments. The deactivated and regenerated catalysts were characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, TG, N2 adsorption, measured for their basic strength, and tested in the transesterification of canola oil. The results revealed that the main cause of the catalyst deactivation is due to obstruction of the active sites by contaminants. The regeneration by washing with hexane followed by calcination can effectively improve the properties of the deactivated catalyst and increase its catalytic activity.

The newly-assisted catalytic mechanism of surface hydroxyl species performed as the promoter in syngas-to-C2 species on the Cu-based bimetallic catalysts

In the conversion process of syngas-to-C_(2)species,the OH species are inevitably produced accompanying the production of key intermediates CH_(x)(x=1-3),traditionally,the function of surface OH species is generally accepted as the hydrogenating reactive species.This work for the first time proposed and confirmed the assisted catalytic mechanism of surface OH species that performed as the promoter for syngas-to-C_(2)species on Cu-based catalysts.DFT and microkinetic modeling results reveal that the produced OH species accompanying the intermediates CH_(x)production on the MCu(M=Co,Fe,Rh)catalysts can stably exist to form OH/MCu catalysts,on which the presence of surface OH species as the promoter not only presented better activity and selectivity toward CH_(x)(x=1-3)compared to MCu catalysts,but also significantly suppressed CH_(3)OH production,providing enough CH_(x)sources to favor the production of C_(2)hydrocarbons and oxygenates.Correspondingly,the electronic properties analysis revealed the essential relationship between the electronic feature of OH/MCu catalysts and catalytic performance,attributing to the unique electronic micro-environment of the catalysts under the interaction of surface OH species.This new mechanism is called as OH-assisted catalytic mechanism,which may be applied in the reaction systems related to the generation of OH species.

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly（Lactide）s Using Novel Solid Cloisite Modified Tin Catalyst

A novel cloisite modified solid catalyst was prepared in a single step from commercially available starting materials for the first time. The ring opening polymerization of L-lactide and D-lactide using this cloisite modified solid catalyst resulted in homopolymers of 75,000 and PDI = 1.6 and the maximum molecular weight （Mw） i.e. 180,000 with PDI = 1.9 were obtained. The catalytic activity ofcloisite modified solid catalyst was compared with the conventional stannous octoate catalyst and found superior to stannous octoate in all respect such as conversion, molecular weight and molecular weight distribution etc.. Moreover, the maximum molecular weight i.e. 180,000 was obtained at 220 ℃, whereas, transesterification reaction predominate in presence of stannous octoate The linear structure was confirmed by quantitative ^13C NMR Spectroscopy. Blend films were obtained by casting mixed solutions of poly （D-lactide） and poly （L-lactide） at various compositions, and stereocomplex was formed at 50/50 composition with molecular weight of 75,000.

Direct decomposition of nitric oxide in low temperature over iron-based perovskite-type catalyst modified by Ru

Iron-based perovskite-type compounds modified by Ru were prepared through sol-gel process to study its catalytic activity of NOx direct decomposition at low temperature and evaluate the conversion of NO under the experimental conditions. The catalytic activity of La 0.9Ce 0.1Fe 0.8-nCo 0.2RunO3 （n=0.01,0.03,0.05,0.07,0.09）series for the NO, NO-CO two components, CO-HC-NO three components were also analyzed. The catalytic investigation evidenced that the presence of Ru is necessary for making highly activity in decomposition of nitric oxide even at low temperature（400 ℃）and La 0.9Ce 0.9Fe 0.75Co 0.2Ru 0.05O3 （n=0.05） has better activity in all the samples, the conversion of it is 58.5%. With the reducing gas（CO,C3H6）added into the gas, the catalyst displayed very high activity in decomposition of NO and the conversion of it is 80% and 92.5% separately.

IR AND EPR STUDIES OF THE NUCLEAR ALKYLATION OF TOLUENE AND ETHYLENE ON THE MODIFIED Mg—AND P—ZSM—5 CATALYST

The surface intermediate (C_2H_5^+ and CH_3C_6H_5^+) and the reactive pathway of nuclear alkylation of toluene with ethylene to para—ethyl toluene over Mg salt and phosphorus acid modified ZSM—5 zeolites have been studied by 1R and EPR methods.

THE DIFFUSION OF m-XYLENE ON MODIFIED ZnZSM-5 AROMATIZATION CATALYST BEFORE AND AFTER COKING

The effect of coking amount for diffusion rate of m—xylene in a pore of the modified ZnZSM—5 aromatization catalyst has been studied.

EFFECT OF Ni CRYSTAL SIZE DISTRIBUTION ON THE ANTICOKING BEHAVIOR OF La-MODIFIED Ni/α-Al_2O_3 CATALYSTS

The crystal size distribution（CSD）was determined with small angle X-ray scattering technique.Theanticoking property of Ni-catalysts was investigated with the steam reforming of n-heptane in a TG-monitoredflow reactor.The results of this study show that the rate of coking on the supported Ni-catalysts depends main-ly on the percentage content of the large size fraction（25-70nm）of Ni-crystallites,and that the dispersion ofNi-crystallites and the anticoking property of the Ni/α-Al2O3 catalysts were promoted obviously by theLa2O3-modification method.The variation of the Ni-CSD and the anticoking property of the catalysts were fur-ther tested through different periods of hydrothermal treatment.It is found that the content of the largeNi-crystal size fraction and the coking rate pass correspondingly through a maximum.

Improved catalytic performance of CO_(2) electrochemical reduction reaction towards ethanol on chlorine-modified Cu-based electrocatalyst

Effective electrochemical conversion of CO_(2) to value-added liquid multi-carbon products driven by renewable energy is a promising approach to alleviate excessive CO_(2) emission and achieve large-scale renewable energy storage.However,the selectivity and catalytic activity towards liquid multi-carbon products of CO_(2) electroreduction reaction are still unsatisfactory due to the sluggish C-C coupling process and the formation of complex oxygen-containing intermediates.Hence,designing and fabricating highly effective electrocatalysts is crucial for practical applications in this field.Here,we developed Cl-modified Cu catalyst(Cu-Cl)for efficient electrochemical reduction of CO_(2) to ethanol.The optimal Faradaic efficiency and partial current density of ethanol on the Cu-Cl sample reached 26.2%and 343.2 mA·cm^(-2) at-0.74 V(vs.reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE)),which were 1.66 and 1.76 times higher than those of the catalyst without Cl decoration,outperforming those in most previously reported works.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations revealed that the Cl-modified Cu surface suppressed the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and reduced the energy barrier for the C-C coupling process,making the formation of key intermediates favorable for ethanol production.Thus,the decoration of Cl on the Cu surface facilitated ethanol formation.

Complete Oxidation of Methane over Palladium Supported on Alumina Modified with Calcium,Lanthanum,and Cerium Ions

The activity and thermal stability of Pd/Al2O3 and Pd/（Al2O3＋MOx） （M=Ca, La, Ce） palladium catalysts in the reaction of complete oxidation of methane are presented in this study. The catalyst supports were prepared by sol-gel method and they were dried either conventionally or with supercritical carbon dioxide. Then they were impregnated with palladium nitrate solution. The catalysts with unmodified alumina had a high surface area. The activity and thermal stability of the aluminasupported catalyst was also very high. The introduction of calcium, lanthanum, or cerium oxide into alumina support caused a decrease of the surface area in the way dependent on the support precursor drying method. These modifiers decreased the activity of palladium catalysts, and they required higher temperatures for the complete oxidation of methane than unmodified Pd/Al2O3. The improvement of the palladium activity by lanthanum and cerium support modifier was observed only at low temperatures of the reaction.

MODIFICATION OF PALLADIUM METALLIC CATALYST WITH POLYMER-ANCHORED THIOETHER LIGANDS

A well-dispersed metallic palladium catalyst modified by polymer-anchored thioether ligands was used for the hydrogenation of cyclopentadiene to cyclopentene with high activity and selectivity in ambient condition. The evidences to show the modification of catalytic properties by polymer anchored ligands were given.

Phosphorous-Modified Carbon Nanotube-Supported Pt Nanoparticles for Propane Dehydrogenation Reaction

The sintering of Pt nanoparticles is one of the main reasons for catalyst deactivation during the high-temperature propane dehydrogenation(PDH) reaction. Promoters and supports have been introduced to prolong the catalyst life.However, it is still necessary to develop novel catalysts with robust stability. Herein, the phosphorus-modified carbon nanotube-supported Pt nanoparticles were employed for the PDH process. Phosphorus modification improves the Pt dispersion, effectively promoting the activity of Pt/P-CNTs. Additionally, the phosphorus-modified CNTs can interact strongly with Pt nanoparticles by improving the electron transfer or hybridization, stabilizing Pt nanoparticles from agglomeration, and significantly enhancing the catalyst stability.

In-situ Formation of SiC Whiskers by Ni-catalyzed Silicon-modified Pitch and Its Mechanism

The pitch was dried and modified with 1 mass%nickel nitrate and 10 mass% Si powder successively,then carbonized in Ar atmosphere at 900,1 000,1 100,1 200,1 300,and 1 400 ℃,respectively. Effects of carbonization temperature on phase composition and microstructure of Ni-catalyzed silicon modified pitch were studied by XRD,FESEM and EDS,and the growth mechanism of Si C whiskers was discussed as well. The results show that Si C whiskers form in the carbonized products of modified pitch processed in Ar atmosphere at 1 000,1 100,1 200,1 300,or 1 400 ℃; its length is about1- 6 μm; its growth mode is apical growth,and its growth mechanism accords with V- L- S mechanism.

Lowest Temperature Miniature Fuel Cell with Modified PS PEM Membrane and Fueled with Nitrogen, Sulfur and Oxygen Containing Fuels

Polymer exchange membrane fuel cells （PEMFC） are objects of the current engineering technology and these are versatile generators for electrical energy. There are various kinds from them, but all of them are going on work at highest temperature. There isn＇t a PEMFC which can run at room temperature, like 20 ℃. In this study there is a aim for constructing such one for alternative fuels utilisation. PS and many electroconducting polymer formulations were proved by different researchers for PEM benefications, but here PS was synthesized without containing metalic contaminants and after converted to the PEM membrane.