A review on the synthesis of transition metal nitride nanostructures and their energy related applications

Transition metal nitrides(TMN)have recently grabbed immensely appealing as ideal active materials in energy storage and catalysis fields on account of their remarkable electrical conductivity,excellent chemical stability,wide band gap and tunable morphology.Both pure TMN and TMN-based materials have been extensively studied concerned with their preparation approaches,nanostructures,and favored performance in various applications.However,the processes towards synthesis of TMN are numerous and complex.Choosing appropriate method to obtain target TMN with desired structure is crucial,which further affects its practical application performance.Herein,this review offers a timely and comprehensive summary of the synthetic ways to TMN and their application in energy related domains.The synthesis section is categorized into in-situ and ex-situ based on where the N element in TMN origins from.Then,overviews on the energy related applications including energy storage,electrocatalysis and photocatalysis are discussed.In the end,the problems to be solved and the development trend of the synthesis and application of transition metal nitrides are prospected.

Recent advances in pseudocapacitor electrode materials: Transition metal oxides and nitrides

Faraday pseudocapacitors take both advantages of secondary battery with high energy density and supercapacitors with high power density,and electrode material is the key to determine the performance of Faraday pseudocapacitors.Transition metal oxides and nitrides,as the two main kinds of pseudocapacitor electrode materials,can enhance energy density while maintaining high power capability.Recent advances in designing nanostructured architectures and preparing composites with high specific surface areas based on transition metal oxides and nitrides,including ruthenium oxides,nickel oxides,manganese oxides,vanadium oxides,cobalt oxides,iridium oxides,titanium nitrides,vanadium nitrides,molybdenum nitrides and niobium nitrides,are addressed,which would provide important significances for deep researches on pseudocapacitor electrode materials.

Preparation and properties of transition metal nitrides caged in N-doped hollow porous carbon sphere for oxygen reduction reaction

A series of transition metal nitrides(MxNy,M=Fe,Co,Ni)nanoparticle(NP)composites caged in N-doped hollow porous carbon sphere(NHPCS)were prepared by impregnation and heat treatment methods.These composites combine the high catalytic activity of nitrides and the high-efficiency mass transfer characteristics of NHPCS.The oxygen reduction reaction results indicate that Fe2N/NHPCS has the synergistic catalytic performance of higher onset potential(0.96 V),higher electron transfer number(~4)and higher limited current density(1.4 times as high as that of commercial Pt/C).In addition,this material is implemented as the air catalyst for zinc−air battery that exhibits considerable specific capacity(795.1 mA·h/g)comparable to that of Pt/C,higher durability and maximum power density(173.1 mW/cm2).

Regulating non-precious transition metal nitrides bifunctional electrocatalysts through surface/interface nanoengineering for air-cathodes of Zn-air batteries

Zn-air batteries(ZABs),especially the secondary batteries,have engrossed a great interest because of its high specific energy,economical and high safety.However,due to the insufficient activity and stability of bifunctional electrocatalysts for air-cathode oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER)processes,the practical application of rechargeable ZABs is seriously hindered.In the effort of developing high active,stable and cost-effective electrocatalysts,transition metal nitrides(TMNs)have been regarded as the candidates due to their high conductivity,strong corrosion-resistance,and bifunctional catalytic performance.In this paper,the research progress in TMNs-based material as ORR and OER electrocatalysts for ZABs is discussed with respect to their synthesis,chemical/physical characterization,and performance validation/optimization.The surface/interface nanoengineering strategies such as defect engineering,support binding,heteroatom introduction,crystal plane orientation,interface construction and small size effect,the physical and chemical properties of TMNs-based electrocatalysts are emphasized with respect to their structures/morphologies,composition,electrical conductivity,specific surface area,chemical stability and corrosion resistance.The challenges of TMNs-based materials as bifunctional air-cathode electrocatalysts in practical application are evaluated,and numerous research guidelines to solve these problems are put forward for facilitating further research and development.

Origin of superior pseudocapacitive mechanism of transition metal nitrides

Large-scale deployment of Internet of Things (IoT),a revolutionary innovation for a better world,is hampered by the limitation of energy self-sufficiency.Constructing transition metal nitride (TMN)-based micro-supercapacitors is a possible solution by taking advantage of the high conductivity,large specific capacitance,and large tap density of the materials.However,the pseudocapacitive storage mechanism of TMNs is still unclear consequently impeding the design of microdevices.Herein,the functions and mechanism of TMNs with different metal oxynitride (TMNO_(x)) concentrations in pseudocapacitive electrodes are investigated systematically by in situ Raman scattering,ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,as well as ion isolation and substitution cyclic voltammetry.It is found that the specific capacitances of TMNs depend on the TMNO_(x) concentrations and the N–M–O site is responsible for the large pseudocapacitance via the Faradic reaction between TMNO_(x) and OH^(-).Our study elucidates the mechanism pertaining to pseudocapacitive charge storage of TMNs and provides insights into the design and optimization of TMNO_(x) as well as other electrode materials for pseudocapacitors.

The highly selective catalytic hydrogenation of CO_(2)to CO over transition metal nitrides

Three transition metal-like facet centered cubic structured transition metal nitrides,γ-Mo_(2)N,β-W_(2)N andδ-NbN,are synthesized and applied in the reaction of CO_(2)hydrogenation to CO.Among the three nitride catalysts,theγ-Mo_(2)N exhibits superior activity to target product CO,which is 4.6 and 76 times higher than the other two counterparts ofβ-W_(2)N andδ-NbN at 600℃,respectively.Additionally,γ-Mo_(2)N exhibits excellent stability on both cyclic heating-cooling and high space velocity steady state operation.The deactivation degree of cyclic heating-cooling evaluation after 5 cycles and long-term stability performance at 773 and 873 K in 50 h are all less than 10%.In-situ XRD and kinetic studies suggest that theγ-Mo_(2)N itself is able to activate both of the reactants CO_(2)and H_(2).Below 400℃,the reaction mainly occurs at the surface ofγ-Mo_(2)N catalyst.CO_(2)and H_(2)competitively adsorbe on the surface of catalyst and CO_(2)is the relatively stronger surface adsorbate.At a higher temperature,the interstitial vacancies of theγ-Mo_(2)N can be reversibly filled with the oxygen from CO_(2)dissociation.Both of the surface and bulk phase sites ofγ-Mo_(2)N participate in the high temperature CO_(2)hydrogenation pathway.

Hollow Ni Mo-based nitride heterojunction with super-hydrophilic/aerophobic surface for efficient urea-assisted hydrogen production

Hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and urea oxidation reaction(UOR)are key reactions of the watercycling associated catalytic process/device.The design of catalysts with a super-hydrophilic/aerophobic structure and optimized electron distribution holds great promise.Here,we have designed a threedimensional(3D)hollow Ni/NiMoN hierarchical structure with arrayed-sheet surface based on a onepot hydrothermal route for efficient urea-assisted HER based on a simple hydrothermal process.The Ni/NiMoN catalyst exhibits super-hydrophilic/aerophobic properties with a small droplet contact angle of 6.07°and an underwater bubble contact angle of 155.7°,thus facilitating an escape of bubbles from the electrodes.Density functional theory calculations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate the optimized electronic structure at the interface of Ni and NiMoN,which can promote the adsorption/desorption of reactants and intermediates.The virtues combining with a large specific surface area endow Ni/NiMoN with efficient catalytic activity of low potentials of 25 mV for HER and 1.33 V for UOR at10 mA cm^(-2).The coupled HER and UOR system demonstrates a low cell voltage of 1.42 V at 10 mA cm^(-2),which is approximately 209 mV lower than water electrolysis.

Remote heteroepitaxy of transition metal dichalcogenides through monolayer hexagonal boron nitride

As a very promising epitaxy technology,the remote epitaxy has attracted extensive attention in recent years,in which graphene is the most used interlayer material.As an isomorphic of graphene,two-dimensional(2D)hexagonal boron nitride(h-BN),is another promising interlayer for the remote epitaxy.However,there is a current debate on the feasibility of using h-BN as interlayer in the remote epitaxy.Herein,we demonstrate that the potential field of sapphire can completely penetrate monolayer h-BN,and hence the remote epitaxy of ZrS_(2) layers can be realized on sapphire substrates through monolayer h-BN.The field of sapphire can only partially penetrate the bilayer h-BN and result in the mixing of remote epitaxy and van der Waals(vdWs)epitaxy.Due to the weak interfacial scattering and high crystalline quality of ZrS_(2) epilayer,the ZrS_(2) photodetector with monolayer h-BN shows the best performance,with an on/off ratio of more than 2×10^(5) and a responsivity up to 379 mA·W^(-1).This work provides an efficient approach to prepare single-crystal transition metal dichalcogenides and their heterojunctions with h-BN,which have great potential in developing large-area 2D electronic devices.

General synthesis of transition metal nitride arrays by ultrafast flash Joule heating within 500 ms

Transition metal nitrides(TMNs)are considered as viable alternatives to noble metal catalysts owing to their versatile electronic structure and favorable catalytic performance.However,the conventional synthetic processes for TMNs suffer from high energy consumption and low production yield.In this study,a range of TMNs and their hetero-composite arrays were successfully synthesized via an ultrafast flash Joule heating technology within 0.5 s.As a proof concept,the nitrides and hetero-composites were applied for the electrocatalytic hydrazine oxidation reaction(HzOR),in which the Co_(4)N/Mo_(16)N_(7)arrays shows the best performance with a geometric current density of 100 mA cm^(-2)at 23 mV(vs.reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE)).This work paves a new way for the ultrafast synthesis of TMNs which could meet the ever-increased energy crisis.

Ammonia Decomposition over Bimetallic Nitrides Supported on g-Al_2O_3

A series of monometallic nitrides and bimetallic nitrides were prepared by temperature-programmed reaction with NH3. The effects of Co, Ni and Fe additives and the synergic action between Fe, Co, Ni and Mo on the ammonia decomposition activity were investigated. TPR-MS, XRD were also carried out to obtain better insight into the structure of the bimetallic nitride. The results of ammonia decomposition activity show that bimetallic nitrides are more active than monometallic nitrides or bimetallic oxides.

Role of transition metal oxides in g-C_(3)N_(4)-based heterojunctions for photocatalysis and supercapacitors

g-C_(3)N_(4) emerges as a star 2D photocatalyst due to its unique layered structure,suitable band structure and low cost.However,its photocatalytic application is limited by the fast charge recombination and low photoabsorption.Rationally designing g-C_(3)N_(4)-based heterojunction is promising for improving photocatalytic activity.Besides,g-C_(3)N_(4) exhibits great potentials in electrochemical energy storage.In view of the excellent performance of typical transition metal oxides(TMOs)in photocatalysis and energy storage,this review summarized the advances of TMOs/g-C_(3)N_(4) heterojunctions in the above two areas.Firstly,we introduce several typical TMOs based on their crystal structures and band structures.Then,we summarize different kinds of TMOs/g-C_(3)N_(4) heterojunctions,including type Ⅰ/Ⅱ heterojunction,Z-scheme,p-n junction and Schottky junction,with diverse photocatalytic applications(pollutant degradation,water splitting,CO_(2) reduction and N_(2) fixation)and supercapacitive energy storage.Finally,some promising strategies for improving the performance of TMOs/g-C_(3)N_(4) were proposed.Particularly,the exploration of photocatalysis-assisted supercapacitors was discussed.

Paired formate and H_(2) productions via efficient bifunctional Ni-Mo nitride nanowire electrocatalysts

Electrocatalytic water splitting provides a potentially sustainable approach for hydrogen production,but is typically restrained by kinetically slow anodic oxygen evolution reaction(OER)which is of lesser value.Here,free-standing,hetero-structured Ni_(3)N-Ni_(0.2)Mo_(0.8)N nanowire arrays are prepared on carbon cloth(CC)electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and glycerol oxidation reaction(GOR)to formate with a remarkably high Faradaic efficiency of 96%.A two-electrode electrolyzer for GOR-assisted hydrogen production operates with a current density of 10 mA cm^(-2)at an applied cell voltage of 1.40 V,220 mV lower than for alkaline water splitting.In-situ Raman measurements identify Ni(Ⅲ)as the active form of the catalyst for GOR rather than Ni(IV)and in-situ Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy measurements reveal pathways for GOR to formate.From density functional theory(DFT)calculations,the Ni_(3)N-Ni_(0.2)Mo_(0.8)N heterostructure is beneficial for optimizing adsorption energies of reagents and intermediates and for promoting HER and GOR activities by charge redistribution across the heterointerface.The same electrode also catalyzes conversion of ethylene glycol from polyethylene terephthalate(PET)plastic hydrolysate into formate.The combined results show that electrolytic H_(2) and formate production from alkaline glycerol and ethylene glycol solutions provide a promising strategy as a cost-effective energy supply.

Interfacial electronic coupling of V-doped Co_(2)P with high-entropy MXene reduces kinetic energy barrier for efficient overall water splitting

Developing efficient,low-cost non-noble metal-based bifunctional catalysts to achieve excellent hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER)kinetics in alkaline media is challenging but very meaningful.However,improving the electronic structure of the catalyst to optimize the adsorption of intermediates and reduce the reaction energy barrier is the key to improve the reaction efficiency.Herein,a V-doped Co_(2)P coupled with high-entropy MXene heterostructure catalyst(V-Co_(2)P@HE)was prepared by a two-step electrodeposition and controlled phosphorization process.The analyses of X-ray absorption spectroscopy,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations jointly show that the introduction of V and the strong electron coupling between the two components optimize the adsorption energy of water molecules and reaction intermediates.Benefiting from the abundant active sites and optimizing intermediate adsorption energy and heterogeneous interface electronic structure,V-Co_(2)P@HE has excellent HER and OER activity and long-term stability under alkaline condition.In particular,when assembled as cathode and anode,the bifunctional V-Co_(2)P@HE catalyst can drive a current density of 10 mA cm^(-2)with only 1.53 V.This work provides new strategies for the application of highentropy MXene and the design of novel non-noble metal-based bifunctional electrolytic water catalysts.

^(15)N/^(14)N Isotopic Exchange in the Dissociative Adsorption of N_(2) on Tantalum Nitride Cluster Anions Ta_(3)N_(3)

Adsorption and activation of dinitrogen(N_(2)) is an indispensable process in nitrogen fixation.Metal nitride species continue to attract attention as a promsing catalyst for ammonia synthesis.However,the detailed mechanisms at a molecular level between reactive nitride species and N_(2) remain unclear at elevated temperature,which is important to understand the temperature effect and narrow the gap between the gas phase system and condensed phase system.Herein,the ^(15)N/^(14)N isotopic exchange in the reaction between tantalum nitride cluster anions Ta_(3)^(14)N_(3)^(-) and ^(15)N_(2) leading to the regeneration of ^(14)N_(2)/^(14)N^(15)N was observed at elevated temperature(393-593 K)using mass spectrometry.With the aid of theoretical calculations,the exchange mechanism and the effect of temperature to promote the dissociation of N_(2) on Ta_(3)N_(3)^(-) were elucidated.A comparison experiment for Ta_(3)^(14)N_(4)^(-)/^(15)N_(2) couple indicated that only desorption of ^(15)N_(2) from Ta_(3)^(14)N_(4)^(15)N_(2)^(-) took place at elevated temperature.The different exchange behavior can be well understood by the fact that nitrogen vacancy is a requisite for the dinitrogen activation over metal nitride species.This study may shed light on understanding the role of nitrogen vacancy in nitride species for ammonia synthesis and provide clues in designing effective catalysts for nitrogen fixation.

Development of Transition Metal Nitrides as Oxygen and Hydrogen Electrocatalysts

With the increasing demand for energy, various emerging energy storage/conversion technologies have gradually penetrated human life, providing numerous conveniences. The practical application efficiency is often affected by the slow kinetics of hydrogen or oxygen electrocatalytic reactions(hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions, oxygen evolution and reduction reactions) among the emerging devices. Therefore, the researchers devote to finding cost-effective electrocatalysts. Non-noble metal catalysts have low cost and good catalytic activity, but poor stability, agglomeration, dissolution, and other problems will occur after a long cycle, such as transition metal oxides and carbides. Transition metal nitrides(TMNs) stand out among all kinds of non-noble metal catalysts because of the intrinsic platinum-like electrocatalytic activities, relatively high conductivity, and wide range of tunability. In this review, the applications of TMNs in electrocatalytic fields are summarized based on the number of metals contained in TMNs. The practical application potentials of TMNs in fuel cell, water splitting, zinc-air battery and other electrochemical energy storage/conversion devices are also listed. Finally, the design strategies and viewpoints of TMNs-based electrocatalyst are summarized. The potential challenges of TMNs-based electrocatalyst in the development of electrocatalytic energy devices in the future are prospected.

Nanostructured transition metal nitride composites as energy storage material

There are growing demands for the next generation lithium ion batteries with high energy density as well as high power performance for renewable energy storage and electric vehicles application.Recently,nanoscale materials with outstanding energy storage capability have received considerable attention due to their unique effect caused by the reduced dimensions.This review describes some recent developments of our group in research of transition metal nitride nanocomposites in application of energy storage,especially for lithium ion battery and supercapacitor.The strategies of mixed conduction(electron and ion) network with a favorable charge transportation interface in the design of the nanocomposites for such devices are highlighted.

CuS/CQDs/g-C_(3)N_(4)复合材料的合成及光催化性能

本工作以三水合硝酸铜(Cu(NO_(3))_(2)·3H_(2)O)、硫脲(CH_(4)N_(2)S)和柠檬汁为原料,基于水热法获得碳量子点(Carbon quantum dots,CQDs),采用超声震荡法成功合成了CuS/CQDs/g-C_(3)N_(4)三相复合光催化材料,构建了p-n型异质结。通过X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、光致发光光谱(PL)、氮气吸附-脱附测试(BET)和紫外-可见光漫反射光谱(UV-Vis DRS)等方法对材料的晶体结构、微观形貌和孔结构进行了详细表征。结果表明:三相复合材料界面结构构建良好,纯度高,各相分布均匀。光催化降解实验中,当CuS的含量为10%(质量分数)时,CuS/CQDs/g-C_(3)N_(4)复合材料的光催化降解效果达到最佳(72.1%)。复合材料在经过四次循环降解RhB后,其光催化降解效率仍然保持在65.2%。光催化实验结果表明,·O_(2)^(-)自由基是光催化降解产生的主要因素,h^(+)自由基的作用次之。

化学链合成氨中载氮体的设计与应用研究进展

氨不仅是氮肥生产的主要原料,也是可再生能源储存与转化过程中的能源载体之一。因此,开发温和条件下的合成氨技术是近年来重要的研究课题。化学链合成氨技术通过载氮体的传递作用,将合成氨反应解耦为固氮与释氨等多步反应,具有操作简便、反应温和、能耗低等优点。载氮体作为化学链合成氨的关键,起到传递能量及氮物种的作用,目前,载氮体固氮效率低,极大地限制了化学链合成氨技术的发展。基于此,本工作对化学链合成氨中载氮体的设计与应用研究进行综述。首先,对载氮体的设计理论进行了归纳与总结;其次,介绍了载氮体的研究现状,重点对如何提高载氮体的产氨速率以及如何提升晶格氮利用率等问题进行了综述;最后,对化学链合成氨技术所面临的机遇与挑战进行了研究,为今后载氮体的设计与开发提供了参考依据。

基于家蚕平板丝结构的柔性压力传感器制备及其传感性能

为获得基于天然平板丝结构的柔性压力传感器,以家蚕平板丝为柔性基底,在家蚕吐丝过程中循环喷洒过渡金属碳化物/氮化物和银纳米线作为导电材料,制备出具有天然多层结构的导电传感层复合材料。借助扫描电子显微镜和傅里叶红外光谱仪对制备的平板丝传感层进行形貌观察和结构分析,并通过优化传感层的层数开发出性能更优异的传感器。结果表明:具有2层传感层的传感器的灵敏度最高,在42.03~60.00 kPa的高压范围内灵敏度可达0.20 kPa^(-1),比仅有1层传感层的传感器灵敏度提高了20倍;该传感器响应/恢复时间均在1 s以内,且在施加不同压缩速率时仍能保持电流值稳定,可准确响应动态变化的压力,在超过1500次压力加载/卸载循环后传感性能依旧保持稳定;该传感器可很好地贴附到人体关节表面用于监测人体运动状态,通过按压时间长短来模拟摩斯密码,可用于信息加密传输和困境救援;将传感器制成传感阵列,可应用于压力位置轨迹追踪。

Cu掺杂WN松枝状自支撑纳米阵列的制备及其碱性析氢性能的研究

以偏钨酸铵、乙酸铜等为原料,通过控制掺杂比,采用简单的水热法,合成了形貌不同的前驱体,随后结合高温退火法,在碳纸上成功实现了Cu掺杂WN松枝状自支撑纳米阵列(Cu-WN-5:1)的原位生长;利用SEM、TEM、XRD、XPS等测试手段对样品的形貌和结构进行表征分析,进而利用电化学测试方法评估了催化剂的析氢性能。结果表明,W和Cu的掺杂比(n(W)/n(Cu))对催化剂的析氢性能具有重大影响;当n(W)/n(Cu)为5:1时,催化剂具有最优的析氢活性;Cu元素的成功掺杂改变了WN的电子结构,增加了其活性位点的数量,加速催化过程中的电荷转移速率,从而提升了材料的HER活性;Cu-WN-5:1在KOH浓度为1.0 mol/L、电流密度为10 mA/cm^(2)时所需的过电位为195 mV,Tafel斜率为192 mV/dec,说明Cu-WN-5:1具有较快的电化学析氢反应动力学速率;该材料在KOH浓度为1.0 mol/L的条件下持续反应36 h,表现出优异的长期稳定性。