Balancing electron transfer and intermediate adsorption ability of metallic Ni-Fe-RE-P bifunctional catalysts via 4f-2p-3d electron interaction for enhanced water splitting

Balancing electron transfer and intermediate adsorption ability of bifunctional catalysts via tailoring electronic structures is crucial for green hydrogen production,while it still remains challenging due to lacking efficient strategies.Herein,one efficient and universal strategy is developed to greatly regulate electronic structures of the metallic Ni-Fe-P catalysts via in-situ introducing the rare earth(RE)atoms(Ni-Fe-RE-P,RE=La,Ce,Pr,and Nd).Accordingly,the as-prepared optimal Ni-Fe-Ce-P/CC self-supported bifunctional electrodes exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity and excellent stability with the low overpotentials of 247 and 331 mV at 100 mA cm^(-2) for HER and OER,respectively.In the assembled electrolyzer,the Ni-Fe-Ce-P/CC as bifunctional electrodes displayed low operation potential of 1.49 V to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm^(-2),and the catalytic performance can be maintained for 100 h.Experimental results combined with density functional theory(DFT)calculation reveal that Ce doping leads to electron decentralization and crystal structure distortion,which can tailor the band structures and d-band center of Ni-Fe-P,further increasing conductivity and optimizing intermediate adsorption energy.Our work not only proposes a valuable strategy to regulate the electron transfer and intermediate adsorption of electrocatalysts via RE atoms doping,but also provides a deep under-standing of regulation mechanism of metallic electrocatalysts for enhanced water splitting.

P-induced electron transfer interaction for enhanced selective hydrogenation rearrangement of furfural to cyclopentanone

Optimizing the intrinsic activity of non-noble metal by precisely tailoring electronic structure offers an appealing way to construct cost-effective catalysts for selective biomass valorization.Herein,we reported a P-doping bifunctional catalyst(Ni-P/mSiO_(2))that achieved 96.6%yield for the hydrogenation rearrangement of furfural to cyclopentanone at mild conditions(1 MPaH_(2),150°C).The turnover frequency of Ni-P/mSiO_(2)was 411.9 h^(-1),which was 3.2-fold than that of Ni/mSiO_(2)(127.2 h^(-1)).Detailed characterizations and differential charge density calculations revealed that the electron-deficient Niδ+species were generated by the electron transfer from Ni to P,which promoted the ring rearrangement reaction.Density functional theory calculations illustrated that the presence of P atoms endowed furfural tilted adsorb on the Ni surface by the C=O group and facilitated the desorption of cyclopentanone.This work unraveled the connection between the localized electronic structures and the catalytic properties,so as to provide a promising reference for designing advanced catalysts for biomass valorization.

Analysis of the electron transfer pathway in small laccase by EPR and UV-vis spectroscopy coupled with redox titration

Bacterial small laccases(SLAC) are promising industrial biocatalysts due to their ability to oxidize a broad range of substrates with exceptional thermostability and tolerance for alkaline p H. Electron transfer between substrate, copper centers, and O2is one of the key steps in the catalytic turnover of SLAC. However, limited research has been conducted on the electron transfer pathway of SLAC and SLAC-catalyzed reactions, hindering further engineering of SLAC to produce tunable biocatalysts for novel applications. Herein, the combinational use of electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR) and ultraviolet-visible(UV-vis) spectroscopic methods coupled with redox titration were employed to monitor the electron transfer processes and obtain further insights into the electron transfer pathway in SLAC. The reduction potentials for type 1 copper(T1Cu), type 2 copper(T2Cu) and type 3copper(T3Cu) were determined to be 367 ± 2 mV, 378 ± 5 m V and 403 ± 2 mV,respectively. Moreover, the reduction potential of a selected substrate of SLAC, hydroquinone(HQ), was determined to be 288 mV using cyclic voltammetry(CV). In this way, an electron transfer pathway was identified based on the reduction potentials. Specifically,electrons are transferred from HQ to T1Cu, then to T2Cu and T3Cu, and finally to O2.Furthermore, superhyperfine splitting observed via EPR during redox titration indicated a modification in the covalency of T2Cu upon electron uptake, suggesting a conformational alteration in the protein environment surrounding the copper sites, which could potentially influence the reduction potential of the copper sites during catalytic processes. The results presented here not only provide a comprehensive method for analyzing the electron transfer pathway in metalloenzymes through reduction potential measurements, but also offer valuable insights for further engineering and directed evolution studies of SLAC in the aim for biotechnological and industrial applications.

Conduction mechanism studies on electron transfer of disordered system

Using the negative eigenvalue theory and the infinite order perturbation theory, a new method was developed to solve the eigenvectors of disordered systems. The result shows that eigenvectors change from the extended state to the localized state with the increase of the site points and the disordered degree of the system. When electric field is exerted, the electrons transfer from one localized state to another one. The conductivity is induced by the electron transfer. The authors derive the formula of electron conductivity and find the electron hops between localized states whose energies are close to each other, whereas localized positions differ from each other greatly. At low temperature the disordered system has the character of the negative differential dependence of resistivity and temperature.

Coupling ferromagnetic ordering electron transfer channels and surface reconstructed active species for spintronic electrocatalysis of water oxidation

Sluggish reaction kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction(OER), resulting from multistep proton-coupled electron transfer and spin constriction, limits overall efficiency for most reported catalysts. Herein, using modeled ZnFe_(2-x)Ni_xO_(4)(0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) spinel oxides, we aim to develop better OER electrocatalyst through combining the construction of ferromagnetic(FM) ordering channels and generation of highly active reconstructed species. The number of symmetry-breaking Fe–O–Ni structure links to the formation of FM ordering electron transfer channels. Meanwhile, as the number of Ni^(3+)increases, more ligand holes are formed, beneficial for redirecting surface reconstruction. The electro-activated ZnFe_(1.6)Ni_(0.4)O_(4) shows the highest specific activity, which is 13 and 2.5 times higher than that of ZnFe_(2)O_(4) and unactivated ZnFe_(1.6)Ni_(0.4)O_(4), and even superior to the benchmark IrO_(2) under the overpotential of 350 mV. Applying external magnetic field can make electron spin more aligned, and the activity can be further improved to 39 times of ZnFe_(2)O_(4). We propose that intriguing FM exchange-field interaction at FM/paramagnetic interfaces can penetrate FM ordering channels into reconstructed oxyhydroxide layers, thereby activating oxyhydroxide layers as spin-filter to accelerate spin-selective electron transfer. This work provides a new guideline to develop highly efficient spintronic catalysts for water oxidation and other spin-forbidden reactions.

Electro-enzyme coupling systems for selective reduction of CO_(2)

To address the energy crisis and alleviate the rising level of CO_(2)in the atmosphere,various CO_(2)capture and utilization(CCU)technologies have been developed.The use of electro-enzyme coupling systems is a promising strategy for the sustainable production of fuels,chemicals and materials using CO_(2)as the feedstock.In this review,the recent progresses in the development of electro-enzyme coupling systems for the selective reduction of CO_(2)are systematically summarized.We first provide a brief background about the significance and challenges in the direct conversion of CO_(2)into value-added chemicals.Next,we describe the materials and strategies in the design of electrodes,as well as the common enzymes used in the electro-enzyme coupling systems.Then,we focus on the state-of-the-art routes for the electro-enzyme coupling conversion of CO_(2)into a variety of compounds(formate,CO,methanol,C≥2chemicals)by a single enzyme or multienzyme systems.The emerging approaches and materials used for the construction of electro-enzyme coupling systems to enhance the electron transfer efficiency and the catalytic activity/stability are highlighted.The main challenges and perspectives in the integration of enzymatic and electrochemical strategies are also discussed.

Electron transfer properties of double quantum dot system in a fluctuating environment

Using the innovative method of the additional Bloch vector,the electron transfer properties of a double quantum dot(DQD) system measured by a quantum point contact(QPC) in a fluctuating environment are investigated.The results show that the environmental noises in transverse and longitudinal directions play different roles in the dynamical evolution of the open quantum systems.Considering the DQD with symmetric energy level,the Fano factor exhibits a slight peak with the increase of transverse noise amplitude σ_(T),which provides a basis for distinguishing dynamical phenomena caused by different directional fluctuation noises in symmetric DQD structures by studying the detector output.In the case of asymmetric DQD,the dependence of a detector current involving the level displacement is distinct when increasing the transverse noise damping coefficient τ_(T) and the longitudinal noise damping coefficient τ_(ε) respectively.Meanwhile,the transverse noise damping coefficient τ_(T) could significantly reduce the Fano factor and enhance the stability of the quantum system compared with the longitudinal one.The Fano factors with stable values as the enhancement of noise amplitudes show different external influences from the detector measurement,and provide a numerical reference for adjusting the noise amplitudes in both transverse and longitudinal directions appropriately in a microscopic experimental process to offset the decoherence effect caused by the measurements.Finally,the research of average waiting time provides unique insights to the development of single electron transfer theory in the short-time limit.

Energy Transfer and Electron Transfer in Composite System of Carbon Quantum Dots/Rhodamine B Molecules

In this work, we investigated the energy transfer (EnT) and electron transfer (ET) processes as well as their relationship in the carbon quantum dots/rhodamine B (CQDs/RhB) including o-CQDs/Rh B and m-CQDs/RhB systems by using photoluminescence spectroscopy in combination with steady-state and transient absorption spectroscopy. We found that the ET process is negligible in the o-CQDs/RhB system with an EnT efficiency as high as 73.2%,while it becomes pronounced in the m-CQDs/RhB system whose EnT efficiency is lower than 33.5%. Such an interplay of En T and ET processes revealed in the prototypical composite system consisting of carbon quantum dots and dye molecules would provide helpful insights for applications of relevance to exciton quenching.

Solvent Reorganization Energy and Electronic Coupling for Intramolecular Electron Transfer in BiphenyI-Acceptor Anion Radicals

A novel algorithm was designed and implemented to realize the numerical calculation of the solvent reorganization energy for electron transfer reactions, on the basis of nonequilibrium solvation theory and the dielectric polarizable continuum model. Applying the procedure to the well-investigated intramoleeular electron transfer in biphenyl-androstane-naphthyl and biphenyl-androstane-phenanthryl systems, the numerical results of solvent reorganization energy were determined to be around 60 k J/mol, in good agreement with experimental data. Koopman＇s theorem was adopted for the calculation of the electron transfer coupling element, associated with the linear reaction coordinate approximation. The values for this quantity obtained are acceptable when compared with experimental results.

Theoretical Study of Electron Transferin Bimolecular System of NH_3 and H_2O

Mulliken, NPA, MK and CHelpG population analyses have been accomplished at the level of MP2/6-31G（d,p） for the title system. The variations of four kinds of charges on NH3 with intermolecular distance infer that electron transfers from NH3 to H2O. MK and CHelpG population analyses indicate more electron transfer than Mulliken and NPA ones. The atomic charges resulted from MK and CHelpG schemes infer that electron transfers from N in NH3 to H in H2O, which confirms that this bimolecular complex possesses linear structure as H3N…HOH.

PHOTOINDUCED INTRAMOLECULAR ELECTRON TRANSFER IN A NOVEL ZINC PHTHALOCYANINE-VIOLOGEN-FERROCENE TRIAD SYSTEM

A novel triad system zinc phthalocyanine-viologen-ferrocene has been synthesized.Photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer in the new triad system was investigated by fluorescence quenching experiment and nanosecond flash photolysis technique,giving a final long-living charge- separated state.A mechanism of two-step charge separation was suggested.

ELECTRON TRANSFER AND PHOTOCHEMICAL VALENCE ISOMERIZATION IN ANTHRACENE AND NORBORNADIENE SYSTEMS

To harvest the sun light and to promote the amount of energy stored,a new binary compound which links a sensitizer(electron donor), anthracene,and substrate(electron acceptor),norbornadiene,in a non- conjugated manner without increase in molecular weight was synthesized.The inter-and intramolecular photosensitized isomerization and the mechanism were studied.

Interfacial Charge Transfer Induced Electronic Property Tuning of MoS_2 by Molecular Functionalization

The modulation of electrical properties of MoS_2 has attracted extensive research interest because of its potential applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices.Herein,interfacial charge transfer induced electronic property tuning of MoS_2 are investigated by in situ ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements.A downward band-bending of MoS_2-related electronic states along with the decreasing work function,which are induced by the electron transfer from Cs overlayers to MoS_2,is observed after the functionalization of MoS_2 with Cs,leading to n-type doping.Meanwhile,when MoS_2 is modified with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane(F_4-TCNQ),an upward band-bending of MoS_2-related electronic states along with the increasing work function is observed at the interfaces.This is attributed to the electron depletion within MoS_2 due to the strong electron withdrawing property of F_4-TCNQ,indicating p-type doping of MoS_2.Our findings reveal that surface transfer doping is an effective approach for electronic property tuning of MoS_2 and paves the way to optimize its performance in electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Boosted sodium ion storage performance in MnO_(2):Understanding the bond angle-mediated orbital overlap in MnO_(6)units for fast charge transfer

Symmetric six oxygen-coordinated Mn structural units(MnO6)in MnO2 with small Mn–O orbital overlap hamper electron transfer rates during energy storage.Herein,we report a novel bond angle modulation strategy to manipulate Mn–O orbital overlap in MnO2 through the construction of Mn vacancies(MnO2-VMn),aiming at expediting electron transfer,and thus enhancing energy storage performance.Both experimental and theoretical results disclose that the amplification of Mn–O–Mn bond angles exclusively augments the Mn(dx2-y2)-O(py)orbital overlap and triggers the electron redistribution in MnO2-VMn,inducing an augmented Mn dx2-y2 electron occupation.This heightened presence of active electrons in the Mn dx2-y2 orbital paves the way for accelerating electron transfer and ion transfer in MnO2-VMn.Notably,MnO2-VMn delivers an improved specific capacitance of 425 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and a superior rate capacity of 265 F g−1 at 20 A g−1.Furthermore,an asymmetric supercapacitor(MnO2-VMn//AC ASC)was fabricated,exhibiting a high energy density of 64.3 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 1000 W kg−1.Furthermore,theoretical insights uncover the profound implications of metal–oxygen–metal bond angle regulation on interatomic orbital overlap modulation.These revelations illuminate pathways for the design of advanced energy storage materials.

Promoting and controlling electron transfer of furfural oxidation efficiently harvest electricity,furoic acid,hydrogen gas and hydrogen peroxide

Conventional chemical oxidation of aldehydes such as furfural to corresponding acids by molecular oxygen usually needs high pressure to increase the solubility of oxygen in aqueous phase,while electrochemical oxidation needs input of external electric energy.Herein,we developed a liquid flow fuel cell(LFFC)system to achieve oxidation of furfural in anode for furoic acid production with co-production of hydrogen gas.By controlling the electron transfer in cathode for reduction of oxygen,efficient generation of electricity or production of H_(2)O_(2)were achieved.Metal oxides especially Ag_(2)O have been screened as the efficient catalyst to promote the oxidation of aldehydes,while liquid redox couples were used for promoting the kinetics of oxygen reduction.A novel alkaline-acidic asymmetric design was also used for anolyte and catholyte,respectively,to promote the efficiency of electron transfer.Such an LFFC system achieves efficient conversion of chemical energy of aldehyde oxidation to electric energy and makes full use the transferred electrons for high-value added products without input of external energy.With(VO_(2))_(2)SO_(4)as the electron carrier in catholyte for four-electron reduction of oxygen,the peak output power density(Pmax)at room temperature reached 261 mW/cm^(2)with furoic acid and H_(2)yields of 90%and 0.10 mol/mol furfural,respectively.With anthraquinone-2-sulfonate(AQS)as the cathodic electron carrier,Pmaxof 60 mW/cm^(2)and furoic acid,H_(2)and H_(2)O_(2)yields of 0.88,0.15 and 0.41 mol/mol furfural were achieved,respectively.A new reaction mechanism on furfural oxidation on Ag_(2)O anode was proposed,referring to one-electron and two-electron reaction pathways depending on the fate of adsorbed hydrogen atom transferred from furfural aldehyde group.

Activating coordinative conjugated polymer via interfacial electron transfer for efficient CO_(2) electroreduction

With tunable local electronic environment,high mass density of MN4sites,and ease of preparation,metal-organic conjugated coordinative polymer(CCP) with inherent electronic conductivity provides a promising alternative to the well-known M-N-C electrocatalysts.Herein,the coordination reaction between Cu^(2+)and 1,2,4,5-tetraaminobenzene(TAB) was conducted on the surface of metallic Cu nanowires,forming a thin layer of CuN4-based CCP(Cu-TAB) on the Cu nanowire.More importantly,interfacial transfer of electrons from Cu core to the CuN4-based CCP nanoshell was observed within the resulting CuTAB@Cu,which was found to enrich the local electronic density of the CuN4sites.As such,the CuTAB@Cu demonstrates much improved affinity to the*COOH intermediate formed from the rate determining step;the energy barrier for C-C coupling,which is critical to convert CO_(2)into C2products,is also decreased.Accordingly,it delivers a current density of-9.1 mA cm^(-2)at a potential as high as 0.558 V(vs.RHE) in H-type cell and a Faraday efficiency of 46.4% for ethanol.This work emphasizes the profound role of interfacial interaction in tuning the local electronic structure and activating the CuN4-based CCPs for efficient electroreduction of CO_(2).

Influence of dye molecular structure on electron transfer in 2,9,16,23-tetracarboxy zinc phthalocyanine sensitized solar cell

2, 9, 16, 23-tetracarboxy zinc phthalocyanine （ZnTCPc） is synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and theoretical methods and it is used as a photosensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells （DSSC）. The excited lifetime, band gap and frontier orbital distribution of ZnTCPc are investigated by fluorescence spectra, cyclic voltammetry and quantum calculation. The results show that the excited lifetime and band gap are 0. 1 ns and 1.81 eV, respectively. Moreover, it is found that the highest occupied molecular orbital （HOMO） location is not shared by both the zinc metal and the isoindoline ligands, and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital（LUMO） location does not strengthen the interaction coupling between ZnTCPc and TiO：. As a result, the ZnTCPc-DSSC gains a short-circuit current density of 0. 147 mA/cm2, an open-circuit photovoltage of 277 mV, a fill factor of 0. 51 and an overall conversion efficiency of 0. 021%.

Theoretical Studies on the Mechanism of the Proton-transfer-coupled Electron Transfer Reactions Between Menaquinone Q_A and Ubiquinone Q_B in the Bacterial Photosynthetic Reaction Center of Rhodopseudomona viridis

The mechanism of the proton_transfer_coupled electron transfer (PT_ET) reactions between the menaquinone Q A (MQ 1) and ubiquinone Q B (UQ 1) in the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center of Rhodopseudomona viridis was studied by using the B3LYP/6_31G(d) method. The changes of standard Gibbs free energy ΔG 0 of all possible reactions followed the ET reaction (1) were calculated. The results indicated that: (1) according to the ΔG 0 values of corresponding reactions, UQ 1 could not accept two electrons from MQ - 1 continually without the coupled proton transfer reactions. Because of ΔG 0 2b 0, ΔG 0 3b 0 and ΔG 0 4b 0, the corresponding PT_ET reactions could take place along with reactions (2b), (3b) and (4b) sequentially; (2) on the gaseous condition, the first and second transferred protons (H +(1) and H +(2)) from the surrounding amino acid residues or water molecules will combine with the oxygen No.7 and oxygen No.8 of UQ 1, respectively. On the condition of protein surroundings (by SCRF model, ε =4.0), the results are converse but the energy difference between the combination of H +(1) and H +(2) with UQ - 1 is quite small. The difference of ΔG 0 values between the corresponding reactions in gaseous surroundings and the SCRF model is not significant; (3) the PT_ET reactions between MQ 1 - and UQ 1 - should be as follows: MQ 1 -+UQ 1→MQ 1+UQ 1 - (1) UQ 1 - ( O (7) )+H +( HisL 190)→UQ 1H(2b) ( Gas ) or UQ 1 - ( O (8) )+H +(H 2O)→UQ 1H (2b') ( SCRF ) or UQ 1 - ( O (8) )+H + ( ArgL 217)→UQ 1H(2b') ( SCRF ) MQ 1 -+UQ 1H→MQ 1+UQ 1H - (3b) ( Gas ) MQ 1 -+UQ 1H→MQ 1+UQ 1H -(3b') ( SCR F) UQ 1H -+H +(H 2O)→UQ 1H 2(4b) ( Gas ) or UQ 1H -+H + ( ArgL 217)→UQ 1H 2 (4b) ( Gas ) or UQ 1H -+H + ( HisL 190)→UQ 1H 2 (4b') ( SCRF )

Photochemical Hydrogen Abstraction and Electron Transfer Reactions of Tetrachlorobenzoquinone with Pyrimidine Nucleobases

Pentachlorophenol, a widespread environmental pollutant that is possibly carcinogenic to humans, is metabolically oxidized to tetrachloroquinone （TCBQ） which can result in DNA damage. We have investigated the photochemical reaction dynamics of TCBQ with two pyrimidine type nucleobases （thymine and uracil） upon UVA （355 ran） excitation using the technique of nanosecond time-resolved laser flash photolysis. It has been found that 355 nm excitation populates TCBQ molecules to their triplet state 3TCBQ＊, which are highly reactive towards thymine or uracil and undergo two parallel reactions, the hydrogen abstraction and electron transfer, leading to the observed photoproducts of TCBQH. and TCBQ.- in transient absorption spectra. The concomitantly produced nucleobase radicals and radical cations are expected to induce a series of oxidative or strand cleavage damage to DNA afterwards. By characterizing the photochemical hydrogen abstraction and electron transfer reactions, our results provide potentially important molecular reaction mechanisms for understanding the carcinogenic effects of pentachlorophenol and its metabolites TCBQ.

Precision tuning of highly efficient Pt-based ternary alloys on nitrogen-doped multi-wall carbon nanotubes for methanol oxidation reaction

The electrochemical methanol oxidation is a crucial reaction in the conversion of renewable energy.To enable the widespread adoption of direct methanol fuel cells(DMFCs),it is essential to create and engineer catalysts that are both highly effective and robust for conducting the methanol oxidation reaction(MOR).In this work,trimetallic PtCoRu electrocatalysts on nitrogen-doped carbon and multi-wall carbon nanotubes(PtCoRu@NC/MWCNTs)were prepared through a two-pot synthetic strategy.The acceleration of CO oxidation to CO_(2) and the blocking of CO reduction on adjacent Pt active sites were attributed to the crucial role played by cobalt atoms in the as-prepared electrocatalysts.The precise control of Co atoms loading was achieved through precursor stoichiometry.Various physicochemical techniques were employed to analyze the morphology,element composition,and electronic state of the catalyst.Electrochemical investigations and theoretical calculations confirmed that the Pt_(1)Co_(3)Ru_(1)@NC/MWCNTs exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance and durability for the process of MOR.The enhanced MOR activity can be attributed to the synergistic effect between the multiple elements resulting from precisely controlled Co loading content on surface of the electrocatalyst,which facilitates efficient charge transfer.This interaction between the multiple components also modifies the electronic structures of active sites,thereby promoting the conversion of intermediates and accelerating the MOR process.Thus,achieving precise control over Co loading in PtCoRu@NC/MWCNTs would enable the development of high-performance catalysts for DMFCs.