Facile synthesis of Bi_(12)O_(17)Br_2 and Bi_4O_5Br_2 nanosheets:In situ DRIFTS investigation of photocatalytic NO oxidation conversion pathway

Bi12O17Br2and Bi4O5Br2visible‐light driven photocatalysts,were respectively fabricated by hydrothermal and room‐temperature deposition methods with the use of BiBr3and NaOH as precursors.Both Bi12O17Br2and Bi4O5Br2were composed of irregular nanosheets.The Bi4O5Br2nanosheets exhibited high and stable visible‐light photocatalytic efficiency for ppb‐level NO removal.The performance of Bi4O5Br2was markedly higher than that of the Bi12O17Br2nanosheets.The hydroxyl radical(?OH)was determined to be the main reactive oxygen species for the photo‐degradation processes of both Bi12O17Br2and Bi4O5Br2.However,in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy analysis revealed that Bi12O17Br2and Bi4O5Br2featured different conversion pathways for visible light driven photocatalytic NO oxidation.The excellent photocatalytic activity of Bi4O5Br2resulted from a high surface area and large pore volumes,which facilitated the transport of reactants and intermediate products,and provided more active sites for photochemical reaction.Furthermore,the Bi4O5Br2nanosheets produced more?OH and presented stronger valence band holeoxidation.In addition,the oxygen atoms of NO could insert into oxygen‐vacancies of Bi4O5Br2,whichprovided more active sites for the reaction.This work gives insight into the photocatalytic pollutant‐degradation mechanism of bismuth oxyhalide.

In situ Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Diagnostic for Characterization and Performance Test of Catalysts

The present work establishes a systematic approach based on the application of in-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） for the investigation of the crystal structure, thermal stability, redox behavior （temperature-programmed reduction/temperatureprogrammed re-oxidation） as well as the catalytic properties of Co3O4 thin films. The syntheses of Co3O4 were achieved by chemical vapor deposition in the temperature range of 400-500℃. The structure analysis of the as-prepared material revealed the presence of two prominent IR bands peaking at 544 cm-1 （υ1） and 650 cm-1 （υ2） respectively, which originate from the stretching vibrations of the Co-O bond, characteristic of the Co3O4 spinel. The lattice stability limit of Co3O4 was estimated to be above 650℃. The redox properties of the spinel structure were determined by integrating the area under the emission bands υ1 and υ2 as a function of the temperature. Moreover, Co3O4 has been successfully tested as a catalyst towards complete oxidation of dimethyl ether below 340 ℃. The exhaust gas analysis during the catalytic process by in situ absorption FTIR revealed that only CO2 and H2O were detected as the final products in the catalytic reaction. The redox behavior suggests that the oxidation of dimethyl ether over Co3O4 follows a Mars-van Krevelen type mechanism. The comprehensive application of in situ FTIR provides a novel diagnostic tool in characterization and performance test of catalysts.

Improving visible-light-driven photocatalytic NO oxidation over BiOBr nanoplates through tunable oxygen vacancies

In this work,a series of BiOBr nanoplates with oxygen vacancies(OVs)were synthesized by a solvothermal method using a water/ethylene glycol solution.The number of OVs and facets of BiOBr were tuned by changing the water/ethylene glycol ratio.Although the role of OVs in photocatalysis has been investigated,the underlying mechanisms of charge transfer and reactant activation remain unknown.To unravel the effect of OVs on the reactant activation and photocatalytic NO oxidation process,in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy,so‐called DRIFTS,and theoretical calculations were performed and their results combined.The photocatalytic efficiency of the as‐prepared BiOBr was significantly increased by increasing the amount of OVs.The oxygen vacancies had several effects on the photocatalysts,including the introduction of intermediate energy levels that enhanced light absorption,promoted electron transfer,acted as active sites for catalytic reaction and the activation of oxygen molecules,and facilitated the conversion of the intermediate products to the final product,thus increasing the overall visible light photocatalysis efficiency.The present work provides new insights into the understanding of the role of OVs in photocatalysts and the mechanism of photocatalytic NO oxidation.

Surface Modification of (001) Facets Dominated TiO2 with Ozone for Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation of Gaseous Toluene

This study investigated the positive effect of surface modification with ozone on the photocatalytic performance of anatase TiO2 with dominated（001） facets for toluene degradation.The performance of photocatalyst was tested on a home-made volatile organic compounds degradation system. The ozone modification, toluene adsorption and degradation mechanism were established by a combination of various characterization methods, in situ diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculation.The surface modification with ozone can significantly enhance the photocatalytic degradation performance for toluene. The abundant unsaturated coordinated 5 c-Ti sites on（001）facets act as the adsorption sites for ozone. The formed Ti–O bonds reacted with H2O to generate a large amount of isolated Ti5 c-OH which act as the adsorption sites for toluene,and thus significantly increase the adsorption capacity for toluene. The outstanding photocatalytic performance of ozone-modified TiO2 is due to its high adsorption ability for toluene and the abundant surface hydroxyl groups, which produce very reactive OH·radicals under irradiation. Furthermore, the O2 generated via ozone dissociation could combine with the photogenerated electrons to form superoxide radicals which are also conductive to the toluene degradation.

In Situ TEM Observation on Martensitic Transformation during Tensile Deformation of SUS304 Metastable Austenitic Stainless Steel

Through in situ transmission electron microscopy observation on SUS304 metastable austenitic stainless steel during stretching at room temperature,it is found that e martensite plates were induced preferentially from the sites of dislocation pile-ups.With increasing deformation,some of ε thin martensite platelets disappear and reversibly transform toγ austenite without heating treatment,which is different from the previous result that ε martensite can entirely transform toα＇martensite.Then,some of deformation twins appear and grow along the vertical direction of ε martensite due to（111）_γ⊥（1010）_ε.Moreover,it is directly observed that multiple transformation mechanisms via γ→ε→γ,γ→ε,γ→α′,γ→ε→α′,γ→ deformation twins →α′ can co-exist.

An In Situ Film-to-Film Transformation Approach toward Highly Crystalline Covalent Organic Framework Films

Fabrication of highly crystalline covalent organic framework(COF)films with tunable thickness and good substrate adaptability remains a substantial challenge.Here,we have developed an effective approach for fabricating crystalline COF films based on elaborately designed bifunctional A_(2)B_(2) monomers.Typically,amorphous drop-casted monomer[e.g.,1,4-bis(4-formylphenyl)-2,5-bis((4-aminophenyl)ethynyl))benzene(BFBAEB)]films were directly transformed into corresponding highly crystalline BFBAEB-COF film upon in situ vapor-assisted self-polycondensation in high yields(93-97%).The thickness of the BFBAEB-COF film could be modulated readily by varying the monomer concentration.These crystalline COF films could be grown on various substrates,including silicon,indium-doped tin oxide(ITO),glass,and gold.Moreover,such an in situ film-tofilm transformation approach has been demonstrated as versatile and applicable to different A2B2 monomers.This work provides a novel pathway toward homogeneous and highly crystalline COF films,representing a key step forward to explore the application of COFs.

Effects of Activation Atmospheres on Structure and Activity of Mo-based Catalyst for Synthesis of Higher Alcohols

Activated carbon supported Mo-based catalysts were prepared and reduced under different activation atmospheres, including pure H2, syngas （H2/CO=2/1）, and pure CO. The cat- alysts structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction , X-ray absorption fine structure, and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. The catalytic per- formance for the higher alcohol synthesis from syngas was tested. The pure H2 treatment showed a high reduction capacity. The presence of a large amount of metallic CoO and low valence state Mo^φ＋ （0〈φ〈2） on the surface suggested a super activity for the CO dissoci- ation and hydrogenation, which promoted hydrocarbons formation and reduced the alcohol selectivity. In contrast, the pure CO-reduced catalyst had a low reduction degree. The Mo and Co species at the catalyst mainly existed in the form of Mo^4＋ and Co^2＋. The syngas- reduced catalyst showed the highest activity and selectivity for the higher alcohols synthesis. We suggest that the syngas treatment had an appropriate reduction capacity that is between those of pure H2 and pure CO and led to the coexistence of multivalent Co species as well as the enrichment of Mo~＋ on the catalyst＇s surface. The synergistic effects between these active species provided a better cooperativity and equilibrium between the CO dissociation, hydrogenation and CO insertion and thus contributed beneficially to the formation of higher alcohols.

Reaction Mechanism of H2-Assisted C3H6-SCR over Ag-CexZr Catalyst as Investigated by In situ FTIR

A series of silver-doped cerium zirconium oxide(Ag-CevZr)samples was synthesized successfully for selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide(NO)with hydrogen and propene(H2/C3H6-SCR)under excess oxygen condition.The catalytic activity test proved that Ag-Ce0.4Zr exhibited the best C3H6-SCR activity.Hydrogen(H2)significantly enlianced NO conversion and widened the temperature window.Multi-technology characterizations were conducted to ascertain the properties of fabricated catalysts including X-ray diflraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectrometry(FTIR),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and H2 temperature programmed reduction(H2-TPR).In situ FTIR results demonstrated that various types of nitrates and chelating nitrite were generated on Ag-CexZr after introduction of NO.Besides,adding H2 could increase the concentration of bidentate nitrate and chelated bidentate nitrate dramatically,especially for Ce0.4Zr catalyst.Transient reaction between pre-adsorbing NO and C3H/C3H6+H2 illuminated that the most active intermediate was chelating nitrite,which was promoted significantly by H2 participation.Furthermore,adding H2 improved the formation of organo-nitro(R-N02),which was the key intennediate in C3H6-SCR.The reaction mechanism over Ag-CexZr catalysts was proposed at 200℃ as follows:nitric oxide(NO)+pr opene(C 3H6)+hy dr ogen(H2)+oxy gen(O2)→chelating nitrite (N O2-)+acry late-type species(CxHyOz)→organo-nitro(R-NO2)→isocyanate(-NCO)+cyanide(—CN)→nitrogen(N2).

Large anisotropic negative thermal expansion in Cu-TDPAT metalorganic framework:A combined in situ X-ray diffraction and DRIFTS study

Cu-TDPAT(H_(6)TDPAT=2,4,6-tris(3,5-dicarboxylphenylamino)-1,3,5-triazine),a stable nanoporous metal-organic framework with rht topology,has sparked broad interest as an adsorbent for several chemical separation processes.In this work,in situ synchrotron diffraction experiments followed by sequential LeBail refinements reveal that Cu-TDPAT shows unusually large anisotropic negative thermal expansion(NTE).The PASCal crystallography tool,used to analyze the magnitude of the NTE,reveals an average volumetric thermal expansion coefficientαv=-20.3 MK^(-1).This value is significantly higher than the one reported for Cu-BTC(also known as HKUST-1),which contains the same Cu-paddlewheel building unit,αv=-12 MK^(-1).In situ synchrotron single crystal X-ray diffraction and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy(DRIFTS)were employed to shed light on the NTE mechanism.Using these two methods,we were able to elucidate the three main structural motions that are responsible for the NTE effect.The more pronounced NTE behavior of Cu-TDPAT is attributed to the lower symmetry combined with the more complex ligand structure when compared to Cu-BTC.The knowledge obtained in this work is important for understanding the behavior of the adsorbent under transient variable temperature conditions in fixed adsorption beds.

N_(2)photofixation promoted by in situ photoinduced dynamic iodine vacancies at step edge in Bi_(5)O_(7)I nanotubes

Heterogeneous photosynthesis is a promising route for sustainable ammonia production,which can utilize renewable energy and water as the hydrogen source under ambient condition.In this study,a series of Bi_(5)O_(7)I(BOI)nanosheets and nanotubes are synthesized,the surface tensile strain is formed by curling the nanosheets into nanotubes to tune the concentration and location of dynamic vacancies.Scanning transmission electron microscopy(STEM)with spherical aberration correction confirms the presence of intrinsic areal defects on the surface of the BOI nanotube resulted from surface tensile strain.The presence of areal defects lowers the formation energy of I vacancies(IV)at step edge site,thus the IV with higher concentration would be favorably generated under visible light.Rapid scan in situ Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR)analysis in the aqueous media reveals that the IV promotes photocatalytic N_(2) activation and reduction,proceeds through an associative alternating mechanism.Specially,after turning off the light,the surface vacancy sites can be reoccupied by I−ions,which enables the protection and regeneration of photocatalyst surface in an aerobic and dark environment.This work provides an innovative strategy to tune concentration and location of dynamic surface vacancies on photocatalysts by building surface tensile strain for advancing sustainable ammonia production.

Phosphorus-doping-tuned PtNi concave nanocubes with high-index facets for enhanced methanol oxidation reaction

Surface engineering has been found to be an efficient strategy to boost the catalytic performance of noble-metal-based nanocatalysts.In this work,a small amount of P was doped to the surface of PtNi concave cube(P-PtNi CNC).Interestingly,the P-PtNi CNC nanocatalyst shows an enhanced methanol oxidation reaction(MOR)performance with achieving 8.19 times of specific activity than that of comercial Pt/C.The electrochemical in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)results reveal that the surface P doping promotes the adsorption energy of OH,enhancing the resistance against CO poisoning.Therefore,the intermediate adsorbed CO(COads)reacted with adsorbed OH(OHads)through the Langmuir–Hinshelwood(LH)mechanism to generate CO_(2)and release surface active sites for further adsorption.This work provides a promising strategy via the incorporation of non-metallic elements into the PtNi alloys bounded with high-index facets(HIFs)as efficient fuel cell catalysts.

Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrobenzene in Ionic Liquid BMImAc

Ionic liquid,1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate（BMImAc）,was used in the electrochemical reduction of nitrobenzene.The electro-reduction of nitrobenzene on platinum electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry（CV）,in situ Fourier transform infrared（FTIR） spectroscopy and constant-potential electrolysis.The experimental results show that electrochemical reduction process of nitrobenzene was controlled by diffusion,the main reduction product was azobenzen at-1.45 V,and the influences of scan rate and temperature on the electrochemical behaviors were obviously.A reduction mechanism of nitrobenzene in an ionic liquid was a probable ‘nitrobenzene→nitrosobenzene→azobenzene→aniline＇ main reductive reaction route.

Coordinately unsaturated nickel single atom electrocatalyst for efficient CO_(2)conversion

Single-atom catalysts(SACs)have shown unexpected catalytic activity due to their unique electronic structure and coordination environment.Nonetheless,the synthesis of an atomically precise low-coordination single-atom catalyst remains a grand challenge.Herein,we report a coordinately unsaturated Ni-N_(3)single-atom electrocatalyst using a metal-organic framework(MOF)derived N-C support with abundant exposed N for excellent electrochemical CO_(2)reduction.The obtained Ni-N_(3)/NC active site exhibited highly efficient CO_(2)-to-CO conversion with a Faradaic efficiency of 94.6%at the current density of 100 mA/cm^(2).In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy(XAS)measurement suggested that the Ni atomic center with unsaturated coordination had the lower initial chemical state and higher charge transfer ability.In situ Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR)and theoretical calculation results revealed that the unsaturated catalytically active center could facilitate activation of CO_(2)and thus heighten CO_(2)electroreduction activity.These findings provided insights into the rational design of definitive coordination structure of SACs for boosting activity and selectivity.

Study on Oxidation Activity of CuCeZrO_x Doped with K for Diesel Engine Particles in NO/O_2

CuCeZrO_x and KCuCeZrO_x catalysts were synthesized and coated on the blank diesel particulate filter(DPF)substrate and a particulate matter(PM)loading apparatus was used for soot loading.The catalytic performances of soot oxidation were evaluated by temperature programmed combustion(TPC)test and characterization tests were conducted to investigate the physicochemical properties of the catalysts.The reaction mechanism in the oxidation process was analyzed with diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy.The results demonstrated that CuCeZrO_x catalyst exhibited high activities of soot oxidation at low temperature and the best results have been attained with Cu_(0.9)Ce_(0.05)Zr_(0.05)O_x over which the maximum soot oxidation rate decreased to 410~?C.Characterization tests have shown that catalysts containing 90%Cu have uniformly distributed grains and small particle sizes,which provide excellent oxidation activity by providing more active sites and forming a good bond between the catalyst and the soot.The low-temperature oxidation activity of soot could be further optimized due to the excellent elevated NO’s conversion rate by partially substituting Cu with K.The maximum particle oxidation rate can be easily realized at such a low temperature as 347~?C.

Highly efficient photo-thermal synergistic catalysis of CO_(2)methanation over La_(1-x)Ce_(x)NiO_(3)perovskite-catalyst

Solar-driven photo-thermal catalytic CO_(2)methanation reaction is a promising technology to alleviate the problems posed by greenhouse gases emissions.However,designing advanced photo-thermal catalysts remains a research challenge for CO_(2)methanation reaction.In this work,a series of ABO3(A=lanthanide,B=transition metal)perovskite catalysts with Ce-substituted LaNiO3(La_(1-x)Ce_(x)NiO_(3),x=0,0.2,0.5,0.8,1)were synthesized for CO_(2)methanation.The La_(0.2)Ce_(0.8)NiO_(3) exhibited the highest CH_(4) formation rate of 258.9 mmol·g^(-1)·hcat-1,CO_(2)conversion of 55.4%and 97.2%CH_(4) selectivity at 300℃with the light intensity of 2.9 W·cm^(-2).Then the catalysts were thoroughly analyzed by physicochemical structure and optical properties characterizations.The partial substitution of the A-site provided more active sites for the adsorption and activation of CO_(2)/H_(2).The sources of the active sites were considered to be the oxygen vacancies(O_(v))created by lattice distortions due to different species of ions(La^(3+),Ce^(4+),Ce^(3+))and exsolved Ni0 by H_(2)reduction.The catalysts have excellent light absorption absorbance and low electron-hole(e^(-)/h^(+))recombination rate,which greatly contribute to the excellent performance in photo-thermal synergistic catalysis(PTC)CO_(2)methanation.The results of in situ irradiated electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer(ISI-EPR)and ISI-X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)indicated that the aggregation of unpaired electrons near the defects and Ni metal(from La and Ce ions to Ov and Ni0)accelerated adsorption and activation of CO_(2)/H_(2).At last,the catalyst properties and structure were correlated with the proposed reaction mechanism from the in situ diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectrum(DRIFTS)measurements.The in situ precipitation of the B-site enhanced the dispersion of Ni,while its enriched photoelectrons upon illumination further promote hydrogen dissociation.More H^(*)spillover accelerated the rate-determining step(RDS)of HCOO*hydrogenation.This work provides the theoretical basis for the development of catalysts and industrial application.