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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NiCo alloy nanoparticles anchored on mesoporous Mo_(2)N nanosheets as efficient catalysts for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural electrooxidation and hydrogen generation

Construction of highly active and stable bifunctional catalysts for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation reaction(HMFOR)and hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)is meaningful but remains a challenge.Herein,the NiCo–Mo_(2)N heterostructure nanosheets catalyst with excellent HMFOR/HER performance is obtained by a simple hydrothermal and calcination method.The heterogeneous interface between NiCo and Mo_(2)N induces electron redistribution,regulating the electronic structure of the catalyst and thus optimizing the adsorption/desorption behavior of HMFOR/HER intermediates.Consequently,NiCo–Mo_(2)N/NF exhibits superior catalytic activity with a potential of 1.14 V_(RHE)/−17 mV_(RHE)(HMFOR/HER)at±10 mA cm^(−2),and the HMF conversion rate,FDCA yield,and Faradaic efficiency(FE)are∼100%,99.98%,and 98.65%,respectively.Besides,it only requires a low voltage of 1.36 V to achieve 100 mA cm^(−2)for HMFOR-assisted H2 production.This study provides a strategy for the development of efficient bifunctional catalysts for sustainable production of high value-added products and hydrogen.

Heterointerface engineering of Ni/Ni_(3)N hierarchical nanoarrays for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution

Ni-based transition metal nitrides(TMNs)have been regarded as promising substitutes for noble-metal electrocatalysts towards the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)due to their low cost,excellent chemical stability,high electronic conductivity,and unique electronic structure.However,facile green synthesis and rational microstructure design of Ni-based TMNs electrocatalysts with high HER activity remain challenging.In this work,we report the fabrication of Ni/Ni_(3)N heterostructure nanoarrays on carbon paper via a one-step magnetron sputtering method under low temperature and N2 atmosphere.The Ni/Ni_(3)N hierarchical nanoarrays exhibit an excellent HER catalytic activity with a low overpotential of 37 mV at 10 mA·cm^(−2)and robust long-term durability over 100 h.Furthermore,the Ni/Ni_(3)N||NiFeOH(NiFeOH=NiFe bimetallic hydroxide)electrolyzer requires a small voltage of 1.54 V to obtain 10 mA·cm^(−2)for water electrolysis.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations reveal that the heterointerface between Ni and Ni_(3)N could directly induce electron redistribution to optimize the electronic structure,which accelerates the dissociation of water molecules and the subsequent hydrogen desorption,and thus boosting the HER kinetics.

Recent advance in electromagnetic shielding of MXenes

As a new type of two-dimensional material,MXene’s unique layered structure,outstanding electrical conductivity,low density,tunable surface chemistry,and solution processability make it receive extensive attention in various fields,especially for the lightweight shielding mate rials since the report on electromagnetic interference(EMI) shielding of 2D Ti3 C2 Tx in 2016.In this review,the progress on the MXe nes material including their synthetic strategies,prope rties and EMI application is highlighted.First,the recent advance on the different synthesis methods and properties of MXene is summarized.According to their intrinsic characteristics,the application of MXene in EMI fields is then discussed.Finally,the challenges and perspective on the future development of MXene in low-cost preparation and practical application are proposed.

Ultrathin ZnIn_(2)S_(4)Nanosheets-Supported Metallic Ni_(3)FeN for Photocatalytic Coupled Selective Alcohol Oxidation and H_(2)Evolution

Photocatalytic anaerobic organic oxidation coupled with H_(2)evolution represents an advanced solar energy utilization strategy for the coproduction of clean fuel and fine chemicals.To achieve a high conversion efficiency,the smart design of efficient catalysts by the right combination of semiconductor light harvesters and cocatalyst is highly required.Herein,we report a composite photocatalyst composed of noble metal-free transition metal nitride Ni_(3)FeN decorated on 2D ultrathin ZnIn_(2)S_(4)(ZIS)nanosheets for selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols to aldehydes pairing with H_(2)production.In the composite,ultrathin ZIS serves as a light harvester that greatly shortens the diffusion length of photogenerated charges,while the metallic nitride Ni_(3)FeN acts as an advanced cocatalyst which not only captures the photoelectrons generated from the ultrathin ZIS to promote the charge separation,but also provides active sites to lower the overpotential and accelerate the H_(2)reduction.The best photocatalytic performance is found on ZIS/1.5%M-Ni_(3)FeN,which shows a H_(2)generation rate of 2427.9μmol g^(^(-1))h^(-1)and a benzaldehyde(BAD)production rate of 2460μmol g^(-1)h^(-1),about 7.8-fold as high as that of bare ZIS.This work is anticipated to endorse the exploration of transition metal nitrides as high-performance cocatalysts to promote the coupled photocatalytic organic transformation and H_(2)production.

Electrical and Corrosion Properties of Titanium Aluminum Nitride Thin Films Prepared by Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition

Titanium-aluminum-nitride（TiAlN） films were grown by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition（PEALD）on 316 L stainless steel at a deposition temperature of 200 °C. A supercycle, consisting of one AlN and ten TiN subcycles, was used to prepare TiAlN films with a chemical composition of Ti（0.25）Al（0.25）N（0.50）. The addition of AlN to TiN resulted in an increased electrical resistivity of TiAlN films of 2800 μΩ cm, compared with 475 μΩ cm of TiN films, mainly due to the high electrical resistivity of AlN and the amorphous structure of TiAlN. However, potentiostatic polarization measurements showed that amorphous TiAlN films exhibited excellent corrosion resistance with a corrosion current density of 0.12 μA/cm^2, about three times higher than that of TiN films, and about 12.5 times higher than that of 316 L stainless steel.