Retaining the self-released chalcogenate at reconstructed cobalt sites by self-transformed carbonate regulation for boosted oxygen evolution

The in-situ generated oxyanions at electrochemically reconstructed catalysts from metal-based nonoxide compounds have been proven to significantly accelerate oxygen evolution reaction(OER)kinetics.However,it remains a challenge to retain these self-released oxyanions at reconstructed catalysts,hindering its utilization as a tool to develop efficient OER catalysts.Here,we demonstrate a versatile selftransformed carbonate regulation strategy to efficiently retain the self-released chalcogenate at Co oxyhydroxides reconstructed from carbon-incorporated Co selenides under OER conditions.These selftransformed CO_(3)^(2-)can induce electron accumulation and narrow d bond at Co sites to facilitate the Co3d-O 2p orbital hybridization between Co sites and SeO_(x)^(2-)for enhanced SeO_(x)^(2-)retention,which can accelerate the rate-limiting step for^(*)OOH formation during OER.Relative to CoOOH-SeO_(x)^(2-)with limited SeO_(x)^(2-)residues,CoOOH-CO_(3)^(2-)/SeO_(x)^(2-)with elevated SeO_(x)^(2-)retention by CO_(3)^(2-)regulation exhibited a 5.6-fold increase in current density and a remarkable lower Tafel slope towards OER.This strategy paves a rational avenue to design efficient catalysts for electrooxidation reactions through finely regulating self-released oxyanions at reconstructed structures.

Chalcogen heteroatoms doped nickel-nitrogen-carbon single-atom catalysts with asymmetric coordination for efficient electrochemical CO_(2) reduction

The electronic configuration of central metal atoms in single-atom catalysts(SACs)is pivotal in electrochemical CO_(2) reduction reaction(eCO_(2)RR).Herein,chalcogen heteroatoms(e.g.,S,Se,and Te)were incorporated into the symmetric nickel-nitrogen-carbon(Ni-N_(4)-C)configuration to obtain Ni-X-N_(3)-C(X:S,Se,and Te)SACs with asymmetric coordination presented for central Ni atoms.Among these obtained Ni-X-N_(3)-C(X:S,Se,and Te)SACs,Ni-Se-N_(3)-C exhibited superior eCO_(2)RR activity,with CO selectivity reaching~98% at-0.70 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE).The Zn-CO_(2) battery integrated with Ni-Se-N_(3)-C as cathode and Zn foil as anode achieved a peak power density of 1.82 mW cm^(-2) and maintained remarkable rechargeable stability over 20 h.In-situ spectral investigations and theoretical calculations demonstrated that the chalcogen heteroatoms doped into the Ni-N_(4)-C configuration would break coordination symmetry and trigger charge redistribution,and then regulate the intermediate behaviors and thermodynamic reaction pathways for eCO_(2)RR.Especially,for Ni-Se-N_(3)-C,the introduced Se atoms could significantly raise the d-band center of central Ni atoms and thus remarkably lower the energy barrier for the rate-determining step of ^(*)COOH formation,contributing to the promising eCO_(2)RR performance for high selectivity CO production by competing with hydrogen evolution reaction.

氧族元素间共价单键参与的无机反应机理

结合一些热力学数据和动力学过程,运用亲电和亲核的概念,初步阐释了一些O―O键、S―S键参与的氧化还原反应的机理,并利用Gaussian09程序的计算对一些已有的机理和猜想进行了验证,以此说明无机反应机理的一些规律。

Hierarchical N-doped porous carbon hosts for stabilizing tellurium in promoting Al-Te batteries

Aluminum batteries are attractive in electrochemical energy storage due to high energy density and lowcost aluminum,while the energy density is limited for the lack of favorable positive electrode materials to match aluminum negative electrodes.Tellurium positive electrode is intrinsically electrically conductive among chalcogen and holds high theoretical specific capacity(1260.27 mAh g^(-1)) and discharge voltage plateau(~1,5 V).However,the chemical and electrochemical dissolution of Te active materials results in the low material utilization and poor cycling stability.To enhance the electrochemical performance,herein a nitrogen doped porous carbon(N-PC) is derived from zeolite imidazolate framework(ZIF-67)as an effective tellurium host to suppress the undesired shuttle effect.In order to inhibit the volume expansion of N-PC during the charge/discharge process,the reduced graphene oxide(rGO) nanosheets are introduced to form a stable host materials(N-PC-rGO) for stabilizing Te.The physical encapsulation and chemical confinement to soluble tellurium species are achieved.N-PC-rGO-Te positive electrode exhibits an improved initial specific capacity and long-term cycling performance at a current density of 500 mA g^(-1)(initial specific capacity:935.5 mAh g^(-1);after 150 cycles:467.5 mAh g^(-1)), highlighting a promising design strategy for inhibiting chemical and electrochemical dissolution of Te.

Recent advances in cobalt-, nickel-, and iron-based chalcogen compounds as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells

The electroactive materials used in the counter electrode(CE)are of great concern as they influence the photovoltaic performances of dye-sensitized solar cells.The main functions of CE materials are collecting electrons from the external circuit and transferring them to the electrolyte and realizing the catalytic reduction of the redox species(I3^– or Co^3+)present in the electrolyte.The research hotspot of CE materials is seeking functional materials that display high efficiency,low cost,and good electrochemical stability and can substitute the benchmark platinum electrode.Chalcogen compounds of cobalt,nickel,and iron have been widely applied as CE materials and exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performances owing to their unique electrical properties,similar energies of adsorption of I atoms as platinum,excellent catalytic activities,and good chemical stabilities.In this review,we trace the developments and performances of chalcogen compounds of iron,cobalt,and nickel as CE materials and present the latest research directions for improving the electrocatalytic performances.We then highlight the optimization strategies for further improving their performances,such as fabrication of architectures,regulation of the components,synthesis of composites containing carbon materials,and elemental doping.

Synthesis and Morphological Evolution of CuGaS2 Nanostructures via a Polyol Method

Using ethylene glycol as solvent and reductant, CuCl2-2H2O, （NH2）2CS and self-prepared GaCl3 as the starting materials, CuGaS2 nanostrucutures were synthesized on a large scale at 220℃. Powder X-ray diffraction. transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy＂ and X-ray＂ photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the products. It demonstrated the evolution of the CuGaS2 particles from spherical assemblies to flowerlike morphology, over time, at 220℃. Simultaneously, we elucidated the specific roles of reaction temperature, reaction time and solvent in the formation of the final CuGaS2 nanostructures. A possible formation mechanism of CuGaS2 nanostrucutures was also discussed. The room temperature photoluminescence spectrum showed blue-shift and an increase of intensity, with a decrease in the sizes of CuGaS2 particles.

Methane oxidative carbonylation catalyzed by rhodium chalcogen halides over carbon supports

Gas phase carbonylation of methane is studied in the presence of molecular oxygen over pure carbon carriers and carbon supported rhodium chalcogen halides. Activated carbons and fullerene blacks have been used as carbon supports. XPS and IR-spectroscopy data show the formation of rhodium chalcogen halides in solids prepared by different methods. We have found that the productivity of acetic acid by carbon supported rhodium chalcogen halides depends strongly on the carbon carrier and the method of the catalyst preparation. Namely, the catalyst with highest productivity for the acetic acid is prepared by synthesizing the rhodium chalcogen halide over the carbon support followed by thermal destruction. We have also found that rhodium chalcogen halides over activated carbons are more active compared with fullerene supported catalysts.

Physical properties of ternary thallium chalcogenes Tl2MQ3（M = Zr, Hf; Q = S, Se, Te） via ab-initio calculations

We have reported a first principles study of structural, mechanical, electronic, and thermoelectric properties of the monoclinic ternary thallium chalcogenes Tl2MQ3(M = Zr, Hf;Q = S, Se, Te). The electronic band structure calculations confirm that all compounds exhibit semiconductor character. Especially, Tl2ZrTe3 and Tl2HfTe3 can be good candidates for thermoelectric materials, having narrow band gaps of 0.169 eV and 0.21 eV, respectively. All of the compounds are soft and brittle according to the second-order elastic constant calculations. Low Debye temperatures also support the softness. We have obtained the transport properties of the compounds by using rigid band and constant relaxation time approximations in the context of Boltzmann transport theory. The results show that the compounds could be considered for room temperature thermoelectric applications(ZT ~ 0.9).

Catalytic perfomance of rhodium chalcogen halides and rhodium chalcogenides over silica supports in methane oxidative carbonylation

The gas phase methane oxidative carbonylation was studied in the presence of molecular oxygen over silica materials including their mechanical mixtures with rhodium chalcogen chlorides obtained in non-aqueous inorganic media. The formation of Rh4SCl7, Rh4S9Cl2, Rh4SesCl3 and Rh3Se3Cl solids was confirmed by elemental analysis, IR absorption spectroscopy, XPS and X-ray diffraction. Silica, vanadium-, and molybdenum-containing mesoporous molecular sieves have been used as supports. It was found that productivity of oxygenates （methanol, methyl acetate and acetic acid） depends mainly on the method of the catalyst preparation and the type of the support.

Electron-rich Polynuclear Transition Metal Clusters:Ⅰ.The Clusters with Chalcogen Bridges and Phosphine Ligands

This paper presents a versatile method for synthesizing electron-rich polynuclear transition metal clusters with chalcogen bridges and phosphine ligands.The reactions of transition metal complexes(R3P)2MX2(M=Co,Ni;R=Ph,Bu,Et;X=Cl,Br) with bridging reagents Na2Ex (E=S,Se;x=1.2) are described.The geometric and electronic structures of a series of polynuclear transition metal clusters with trianglar M3 units are also discussed.

Chalcogen Bonds in Small-Organic Molecule Compounds Derived from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD)

Growing interest in non-covalent interactions involving chalcogen atoms has been ascribed to their importance in crystal engineering, molecular recognition and macromolecular edifices. The present study is dealing with chalcogen bonds involving divalent Sulphur, Selenium and Tellurium atoms, acting as sigma-hole donors, in small-molecule compounds using the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) in conjunction with ab initio calculations. Results derived from CSD surveys and computational study revealed that nucleophiles formed complexes with the chalcogen-bond donors R1-X-R2 (X = S, Se or Te). The main forces stabilizing the complexes were chalcogen bonds, enhanced by dispersion interactions. Complexation pattern and energetics show that nucleophile bonding at divalent S, Se and Te atoms is a relatively strong and directed interaction. The bond consists of a charge transfer from a nucleophile atom lone pair to an X-R1 or X-R2 antibonding orbital.

Perturbation of autophagy pathways in murine alveolar macrophage by 2D TMDCs is chalcogen-dependent

Increasing risks of incidental and occupational exposures to two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides(2D TMDCs)due to their broad application in various areas raised their public health concerns.While the composition-dependent cytotoxicity of 2D TMDCs has been well-recognized,how the outer chalcogenide atoms and inner transition metal atoms differentially contribute to their perturbation on cell homeostasis at non-lethal doses remains to be identified.In the present work,we compared the autophagy induction and related mechanisms in response to WS_(2),NbS_(2),WSe_(2)and Nb Se_(2)nanosheets exposures in MH-S murine alveolar macrophages.All these 2D TMDCs had comparable physicochemical properties,overall cytotoxicity and capability in triggering autophagy in MH-S cells,but showed outer chalcogen-dependent subcellular localization and activation of autophagy pathways.Specifically,WS_(2)and NbS_(2)nanosheets adhered on the cell surface and internalized in the lysosomes,and triggered m TOR-dependent activation of autophagy.Meanwhile,WSe_(2)and Nb Se_(2)nanosheets had extensive distribution in cytoplasm of MH-S cells and induced autophagy in an m TOR-independent manner.Furthermore,the 2D TMDCs-induced perturbation on autophagy aggravated the cytotoxicity of respirable benzo[a]pyrene.These findings provide a deeper insight into the potential health risk of environmental 2D TMDCs from the perspective of homeostasis perturbation.

Collaborative integration of Fe-N_(x)active center into defective sulfur/selenium-doped carbon for efficient oxygen electrocatalysts in liquid and flexible Zn-air batteries

Strategic active site organization is imperative for the advancement of effective and long-lasting catalysts of oxygen reduction reactions.However,the controllable multi-active site design is a highly intricate topic for catalyst synthesis.Employing pre-trapping and post-activation strategy,Fe-N bonding structure and S,Se functionalized heteroatom are integrated into a conductive porous carbon.In this process,the nitrogen-abundant polymer 1,3,5-triformylbenzene-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene(Tf-TAPA)adsorbs Fe^(3+)under the intrinsically metal anchoring ability of N atoms and simultaneously in-situ assembles longchain thiophene-S.Subsequently,the Fe^(3+)is transformed into Fe-N_(x)moieties with the conversion of the organic chain to incompletely graphitized carbon.Furthermore,the alteration of the electronic configuration achieved through the introduction of dual-atom S and Se leads to a pronounced enhancement in catalytic efficiency.Benefitting from the Fe-N_(x)bonding structure,dense structural defects,and conductive carbon networks,the resultant Fe-S,Se/NCNs possesses a positive half-wave potential of 0.86 V and a 90%current retention rate,outstripping the Pt/C benchmark.Moreover,the liquid and flexible ZAB driven by Fe-S,Se/NCNs achieves large power densities of 259.7 and 164.7 m W/cm^(2),respectively.This study provides a new comprehension in developing an efficient and stable M-N-C oxygen electrocatalyst.

Chalcogenoviologen Enhanced Host–Guest Recognition

In the field of supramolecular chemistry,cyclophanes with novel properties are highly sought after since they can be tailored to fulfill specific tasks.In this article,we incorporate chalcogenoviologen-based units into tetracationic cyclophanes,resulting in enhanced host–guest recognition.The cyclophanes can be tuned through the addition of chalcogen bridging atoms—S,Se,and Te—which enhance their rigidity,regulate bond rotation and introduce additional steric bulk.Three cyclophanes containing chalcogen bridging atoms were synthesized and characterized in both the solution and solid states.The energy barriers for their interconversion between syn-and anti-conformations in solution were found to be correlated with chalcogen atom size.The photophysical properties of the cyclophanes are strongly dependent on the chalcogen atomic number,with intersystem crossing rates increasing from S to Se to Te.UV–vis-NIR spectroscopic and fluorometric titrations revealed that the chalcogenoviologenbased cyclophanes exhibit significantly stronger binding with electron-rich guests compared to the well-known,unsubstituted cyclobis(paraquat-pphenylene).This enhancement in binding can be attributed to restricted rotation within the chalcogenoviologen units.This research provides insight into the rational design and tailored synthesis of cationic cyclophanes.

Synthesis and applications of thiosulfonates and selenosulfonates as free-radical reagents

Chalcogenative sulfones(thiosulfonates and selenosulfonates), as reactants for organic transformations,are widely used and interesting because of their potential to react with nucleophiles, electrophiles, and free radicals. As stable radical reagents, the synthesis and applications of chalcogenative sulfones have opened up a novel pathway to synthesize many kinds of compounds containing sulfur or selenium motifs. However, despite the numerous recent works on the synthesis and applications of thiosulfonates and selenosulfonates as radical reagents, no review has yet provided a summary of the literature. In this paper, we aim to review the synthesis and applications strategies of chalcogenative sulfones as radical reagents reported over the past several decades. Different types of catalysis are discussed in this review:(i) metal catalysis;(ii) visible-light catalysis;(iii) synergistic catalysis;and(iiii) other types. Concurrently,in visible-light catalysis and metallaphotoredox catalysis sections, we highlight that developing relatively environmentally friendly synthetic methods in this area is always a great challenge, but also a persistent pursuit. Finally, the scopes, limitations, mechanisms, and existing problems of some reactions are described briefly.

Chalcogen Effect of Atom Substitution on the Properties of Tris(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl(TTM)Radical

Luminescent open-shell organic radicals have recently been regarded as one of the most potential materials in organic light-emitting diodes(OLEDs).Herein,we have synthesized two new organic radicals,namely tris{4-[4-(tert-butyl)phenoxy]-2,6-dichlorophenyl}methane radical(TTM-O)and tris(4-{[4-(tert-butyl)-phenyl]thio}-2,6-dichlorophenyl)methane radical(TTM-S),by the substitution of chalcogen atom elements at the para position of conventional tris(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl(TTM)radical moiety.Interestingly,both TTM-O and TTM-S exhibited significantly enhanced photostability compared with the unsubstituted TTM radical parent.Moreover,the chalcogen atom also had a crucial impact on the photoluminescence quantum yield(PLQY)of the radicals,i.e.,the PLQY of TTM-S was greatly enhanced compared to TTM radical while TTM-O was nearly non-emissive.Particularly,TTM-S showed intense PLQY of 37.54%and 185-fold longer photostability than that in cyclohexane solution of TTM.

Organotellurium catalysis-enabled utilization of molecular oxygen as oxidant for oxidative deoximation reactions under solvent-free conditions

Catalyzed by commercially available(PhTe)2, molecular oxygen could be utilized as the mild, cheap and safe oxidant for oxidative deoximation reactions under solvent-free conditions. As the first report on organotellurium-catalyzed deoximation reaction, this work not only provides an efficient deoximation method, but also discloses new features of tellurium catalyst different from those of the organoselenium catalysts.

Chalcogen cathode and its conversion electrochemistry in rechargeable Li/Na batteries

Chalcogen elements,such as sulfur(S),selenium(Se),tellurium(Te)and the interchalcogen compounds,have been studied extensively as cathode materials for the next-generation rechargeable lithium/sodium(Li/Na)batteries.The high energy output of the Li/Na-chalcogen battery originates from the two-electron conversion reaction between chalcogen cathode and alkali metal anode,through which both electrodes are able to deliver high theoretical capacities.The reaction also leads to parasitic reactions that deteriorate the chemical environment in the battery,and different cathode-anode combinations show their own features.In this article,we intend to discuss the fundamental conversion electrochemistry between chalcogen elements and alkali metals and its potential influence,either positive or negative,on the performance of batteries.The strategies to improve the conversion electrochemistry of chalcogen cathode are also reviewed to offer insights into the reasonable design of rechargeable Li/Nachalcogen batteries.

Te-mediated electro-driven oxygen evolution reaction

In the 21^(st)century,the rapid development of human society has made people’s demand for green energy more and more urgent.The high-energy-density hydrogen energy obtained by fully splitting water is not only environmentally friendly,but also is expected to solve the problems caused by the intermittent nature of new energy.However,the slow kinetics and large overpotential of the oxygen evolution reaction(OER)limit its application.The introduction of Te element is expected to bring new breakthroughs.With the least electronegativity among the chalcogens,the Te element has many special properties,such as multivalent states,strong covalentity,and high electrical conductivity,which make it a promising candidate in electrocatalytic OER.In this review,we introduce the peculiarities of Te element,summarize Te doping and the extraordinary performance of its compounds in OER,with emphasis on the scientific mechanism behind Te element promoting the OER kinetic process.Finally,challenges and development prospects of the applications of Te element in OER are presented.

Uniform wurtzite MnSe nanocrystals with surface-dependent magnetic behavior

Manganese selenide （MnSe） possesses unique magnetic properties as an important magnetic semiconductor, but the synthesis and properties of MnSe nanocrystals are less developed compared to other semiconductor nanocrystals because of the inability to obtain high-quality MnSe, especially in the metastable wurtzite structure. Here, we have successfully fabricated wurtzite MnSe nanocrystals via a colloidal approach which affords uniform crystal sizes and tailored shapes. The selective binding strength of the amine surfactant is the determining factor in shape-control and shape-evolution. Bullet-shapes could be transformed into shuttle-shapes if part of the oleylamine in the reaction solution was replaced by trioctylamine, and tetrapod-shaped nanocrystals could be formed in trioctylamine systems. The three-dimensional （3D） structure of the bullet-shaped nanorods has been demonstrated by the advanced transmission electron microscope （TEM） 3D-tomography technology. High-resolution TEM （HRTEM） and electron energy-loss spectroscopy （EELS） show that planar-defect structures such as stacking faults and twinning along the [001] direction arise during the growth of bullet-shapes. On the basis of careful HRTEM observations, we propose a ＂quadra-twin core＂ growth mechanism for the formation of wurtzite MnSe nanotetrapods. Furthermore, the wurtzite MnSe nanocrystals show low- temperature surface spin-glass behavior due to their noncompensated surface spins and the blocking temperatures increase from 8.4 K to 18.5 K with increasing surface area/volume ratio of the nanocrystals. Our results provide a systematic study of wurtzite MnSe nanocrystals.