Electrocatalytic N_(2) reduction under ambient-condition is considered to be the most appealing strategy to the conventional Haber-Bosch process for synthetic ammonia to alleviate greenhouse emissions and reduce envir...Electrocatalytic N_(2) reduction under ambient-condition is considered to be the most appealing strategy to the conventional Haber-Bosch process for synthetic ammonia to alleviate greenhouse emissions and reduce environmental pollution, mainly powered by renewable energy. Recent years, rapid advances have been gained in this attractive research field, and numerous electrocatalysts have been exploited. However, its conversion efficiency is still far behind the requirement of industrial applications owing to the breakage of the N≡N triple bond, which is an energetically challenging kinetically complex multistep reaction and the strong competing reaction of hydrogen evolution reaction. Recently, main group metal-based catalysts have been demonstrated promising application prospect for ammonia production, significantly boosting their further application in this field. However, a comprehensive review of main group metal-based catalysts towards electrochemical ammonia production applications is still lacking. In this review, the fundamentals of N_(2) reduction, such as the reaction pathways, the reaction potential and the challenges of N_(2) reduction have been comprehensively discussed. And then, the role, mechanism, and effect of each main group element-based catalysts used for N_(2) reduction (Li, K, Al, Ga, Sn, Sb, Bi, and their compounds) are systematically summarized. Finally, several state-of-the-art strategies to promote their NRR catalytic performance, as well as the existing problems and prospects are put forward. This review is expected to guide the design and establishment of more efficient electrocatalytic N_(2) reduction systems based on main group metal elements in the future.展开更多
The physical trend of group-I/tellurides is unexpected and contrary to the conventional wisdom. The present firstprinciples calculations give fundamental insights into the extent to which group-Ⅱ telluride compounds ...The physical trend of group-I/tellurides is unexpected and contrary to the conventional wisdom. The present firstprinciples calculations give fundamental insights into the extent to which group-Ⅱ telluride compounds present special properties upon mixing the d valence character. Our results provide explanations for the unexpected experimental observations based on the abnormal binding ordering of metal d electrons and their strong perturbation to the band edge states. The insights into the binary tellurides are useful for the study and control of the structural and chemical perturbation in their ternary alloys and heterostructures.展开更多
Designing catalysts with highly active,selectivity,and stability for electrocatalytic CO_(2)to formate is currently a severe challenge.Herein,we developed an electronic structure engineering on carbon nano frameworks ...Designing catalysts with highly active,selectivity,and stability for electrocatalytic CO_(2)to formate is currently a severe challenge.Herein,we developed an electronic structure engineering on carbon nano frameworks embedded with nitrogen and sulfur asymmetrically dual-coordinated indium active sites toward the efficient electrocatalytic CO_(2)reduction reaction.As expected,atomically dispersed In-based catalysts with In-S_(1)N_(3)atomic interface with asymmetrically coordinated exhibited high efficiency for CO_(2)reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR)to formate.It achieved a maximum Faradaic efficiency(FE)of 94.3%towards formate generation at−0.8 V vs.reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE),outperforming that of catalysts with In-S2N2 and In-N4 atomic interface.And at a potential of−1.10 V vs.RHE,In-S_(1)N_(3)achieves an impressive Faradaic efficiency of 93.7%in flow cell.The catalytic performance of In-S_(1)N_(3)sites was confirmed to be enhanced through in-situ X-ray absorption near-edge structure(XANES)measurements under electrochemical conditions.Our discovery provides the guidance for performance regulation of main group metal catalysts toward CO_(2)RR at atomic scale.展开更多
Photoabsorption charge separation/transfer and surface reaction are the three main factors influencing the efficiency of photocatalysis.Band structure engineering has been extensively applied to improve the light abso...Photoabsorption charge separation/transfer and surface reaction are the three main factors influencing the efficiency of photocatalysis.Band structure engineering has been extensively applied to improve the light absorption of photocatalysts,however,most of the developed photocatalysts still suffer from low photocatalytic performance due to the limited active site(s)and fast recombination of photogenerated charge carriers.In this work,atomically dispersed main group magnesium(Mg)is introduced onto CdS monodispersed nanospheres,which greatly enhances the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction.The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction rate reaches 30.6 mmol·gcatalyst^(-1)·h^(-1),which is about 11.8 and 2.5 times that of pure CdS and Pt(2 wt.%)-CdS.The atomically dispersed Mg on CdS acts as an electron sink to trap photogenerated electrons,and at the same time,greatly reduces the Gibbs free energy of hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and accelerates HER.展开更多
Electrical contact materials are generally Ag-or Cu-based composites and play a critical role in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of electrical equipments and electronic instruments.The MAX(M is an early transi...Electrical contact materials are generally Ag-or Cu-based composites and play a critical role in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of electrical equipments and electronic instruments.The MAX(M is an early transition metal,A is an element from III or IV main groups,and X is carbon or/and nitrogen)phase ceramics display a unique combination of properties and may serve as an ideal reinforcement phase for electrical contact materials.The biological materials evolved in nature generally exhibit three-dimensional(3D)interpenetrating-phase architectures,which may offer useful inspiration for the architectural design of electrical contact materials.Here,a series of bi-continuous Ag-Ti_(3)SiC_(2) MAX phase composites with high ceramic contents exceeding 50 vol.%and having micron-and ultrafine-scaled 3D interpenetrating-phase architectures,wherein both constituents were continuous and mutually interspersed,were exploited by pressureless infiltration of Ag melt into partially sintered Ti_(3)SiC_(2) scaffolds.The mechanical and electrical properties as well as the friction and wear performance of the composites were investigated and revealed to be closely dependent on the ceramic contents and characteristic structural dimensions.The composites exhibited a good combination of properties with high hardness over 2.3 GPa,high flexural strength exceeding 530 MPa,decent fracture toughness over 10 MPa·m^(1/2),and good wear resistance with low wear rate at an order of 10^(-5)mm^(3)/(N·m),which were much superior compared to the counterparts made by powder metallurgy methods.In particular,the hardness,electrical conductivity,strength,and fracture toughness of the composites demonstrated a simultaneous improvement as the structure was refined from micron-to ultrafine-scales at equivalent ceramic contents.The good combination of properties along with the facile processing route makes the Ag-Ti_(3)SiC_(2)3D interpenetrating-phase composites appealing for electrical contact applications.展开更多
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52071171)the Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program-Pan Deng Scholars(XLYC1802005)+4 种基金the Liaoning Bai-QianWan Talents Program(LNBQW2018B0048)the National Science Fund of Liaoning Province for Excellent Young Scholars(2019-YQ-04)the Key Project of Scientific Research of the Education Department of Liaoning Province(LZD201902)the Department of Education of Liaoning Province(LQN201903 and LQN202008)the Foundation for Young Scholars of Liaoning University(LDQN2019007).
文摘Electrocatalytic N_(2) reduction under ambient-condition is considered to be the most appealing strategy to the conventional Haber-Bosch process for synthetic ammonia to alleviate greenhouse emissions and reduce environmental pollution, mainly powered by renewable energy. Recent years, rapid advances have been gained in this attractive research field, and numerous electrocatalysts have been exploited. However, its conversion efficiency is still far behind the requirement of industrial applications owing to the breakage of the N≡N triple bond, which is an energetically challenging kinetically complex multistep reaction and the strong competing reaction of hydrogen evolution reaction. Recently, main group metal-based catalysts have been demonstrated promising application prospect for ammonia production, significantly boosting their further application in this field. However, a comprehensive review of main group metal-based catalysts towards electrochemical ammonia production applications is still lacking. In this review, the fundamentals of N_(2) reduction, such as the reaction pathways, the reaction potential and the challenges of N_(2) reduction have been comprehensively discussed. And then, the role, mechanism, and effect of each main group element-based catalysts used for N_(2) reduction (Li, K, Al, Ga, Sn, Sb, Bi, and their compounds) are systematically summarized. Finally, several state-of-the-art strategies to promote their NRR catalytic performance, as well as the existing problems and prospects are put forward. This review is expected to guide the design and establishment of more efficient electrocatalytic N_(2) reduction systems based on main group metal elements in the future.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10847111 and 61006091)the Startup Project for Ph. D. of Guangdong University of Technology (Grant No. 083034)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of South China University of Technology (Grant No. 2009ZM0022)
文摘The physical trend of group-I/tellurides is unexpected and contrary to the conventional wisdom. The present firstprinciples calculations give fundamental insights into the extent to which group-Ⅱ telluride compounds present special properties upon mixing the d valence character. Our results provide explanations for the unexpected experimental observations based on the abnormal binding ordering of metal d electrons and their strong perturbation to the band edge states. The insights into the binary tellurides are useful for the study and control of the structural and chemical perturbation in their ternary alloys and heterostructures.
基金the Anhui Provincial Department of Education(No.KJ2021A1125)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12374390)+1 种基金Ningbo 3315 Innovative Teams Program(No.2019A-14-C)the member of Youth Innovation Promotion Association Foundation of CAS,China(No.2023310).
文摘Designing catalysts with highly active,selectivity,and stability for electrocatalytic CO_(2)to formate is currently a severe challenge.Herein,we developed an electronic structure engineering on carbon nano frameworks embedded with nitrogen and sulfur asymmetrically dual-coordinated indium active sites toward the efficient electrocatalytic CO_(2)reduction reaction.As expected,atomically dispersed In-based catalysts with In-S_(1)N_(3)atomic interface with asymmetrically coordinated exhibited high efficiency for CO_(2)reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR)to formate.It achieved a maximum Faradaic efficiency(FE)of 94.3%towards formate generation at−0.8 V vs.reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE),outperforming that of catalysts with In-S2N2 and In-N4 atomic interface.And at a potential of−1.10 V vs.RHE,In-S_(1)N_(3)achieves an impressive Faradaic efficiency of 93.7%in flow cell.The catalytic performance of In-S_(1)N_(3)sites was confirmed to be enhanced through in-situ X-ray absorption near-edge structure(XANES)measurements under electrochemical conditions.Our discovery provides the guidance for performance regulation of main group metal catalysts toward CO_(2)RR at atomic scale.
基金We are grateful for the financial support from the Natural Science Foundation of China(51979081)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.B200202103)+2 种基金Ministry of Education of Singapore(Tier 1:RG4/20 and Tier 2:MOET2EP10120-0002)Agency for Science,Technology and Research(AME IRG:A20E5c0080)PAPD。
文摘Photoabsorption charge separation/transfer and surface reaction are the three main factors influencing the efficiency of photocatalysis.Band structure engineering has been extensively applied to improve the light absorption of photocatalysts,however,most of the developed photocatalysts still suffer from low photocatalytic performance due to the limited active site(s)and fast recombination of photogenerated charge carriers.In this work,atomically dispersed main group magnesium(Mg)is introduced onto CdS monodispersed nanospheres,which greatly enhances the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction.The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction rate reaches 30.6 mmol·gcatalyst^(-1)·h^(-1),which is about 11.8 and 2.5 times that of pure CdS and Pt(2 wt.%)-CdS.The atomically dispersed Mg on CdS acts as an electron sink to trap photogenerated electrons,and at the same time,greatly reduces the Gibbs free energy of hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and accelerates HER.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation(51772283,22072140)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(WK2060000032)the Hong Kong Scholars Program(XJ2019022)。
基金supports from the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2020YFA0710404)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52173269),the KC Wong Education Foundation(No.GJTD-2020-09)the Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program,and the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS(No.2019191).
文摘Electrical contact materials are generally Ag-or Cu-based composites and play a critical role in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of electrical equipments and electronic instruments.The MAX(M is an early transition metal,A is an element from III or IV main groups,and X is carbon or/and nitrogen)phase ceramics display a unique combination of properties and may serve as an ideal reinforcement phase for electrical contact materials.The biological materials evolved in nature generally exhibit three-dimensional(3D)interpenetrating-phase architectures,which may offer useful inspiration for the architectural design of electrical contact materials.Here,a series of bi-continuous Ag-Ti_(3)SiC_(2) MAX phase composites with high ceramic contents exceeding 50 vol.%and having micron-and ultrafine-scaled 3D interpenetrating-phase architectures,wherein both constituents were continuous and mutually interspersed,were exploited by pressureless infiltration of Ag melt into partially sintered Ti_(3)SiC_(2) scaffolds.The mechanical and electrical properties as well as the friction and wear performance of the composites were investigated and revealed to be closely dependent on the ceramic contents and characteristic structural dimensions.The composites exhibited a good combination of properties with high hardness over 2.3 GPa,high flexural strength exceeding 530 MPa,decent fracture toughness over 10 MPa·m^(1/2),and good wear resistance with low wear rate at an order of 10^(-5)mm^(3)/(N·m),which were much superior compared to the counterparts made by powder metallurgy methods.In particular,the hardness,electrical conductivity,strength,and fracture toughness of the composites demonstrated a simultaneous improvement as the structure was refined from micron-to ultrafine-scales at equivalent ceramic contents.The good combination of properties along with the facile processing route makes the Ag-Ti_(3)SiC_(2)3D interpenetrating-phase composites appealing for electrical contact applications.
