Efficient Catalytic Sites Research Articles

Yolk-shell Fe@FeNx nanoparticles decorated N-doped mesoporous carbon as highly active electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reactions

Iron/nitrogen co-doped carbon materials (Fe/N-C) have been extensively investigated as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts in alkaline medium. Here, Fe3O4 nanoparticles decorated carbon black is encapsulated with polypyrrole and subsequently utilized as a precursor to synthesize a highly efficient ORR catalyst through pyrolysis. Interestingly, this catalyst consists of yolk-shell Fe@FeNx and N-doped porous carbon, demonstrating a synergistically improved ORR activity. It shows better durability, Pt-comparable activity, and superior tolerance against methanol crossover under alkaline conditions. Control experiments confirm that yolk-shell Fe@FeNx nanoparticles provide efficient catalytic sites and facilitate charge transfer in ORRs. Thus, this study provides a new kind of Fe/N-C electrocatalyst synthesized to be nitride rather than carbide simply with a heat-treatment under N2 atmosphere.

A Unique Ru-N 4 -P Coordinated Structure Synergistically Waking Up the Nonmetal P Active Site for Hydrogen Production

Numerous experiments have demonstrated that the metal atom is the active center of monoatomic catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), while the active sites of nonmetal doped atoms are often neglected. By combining theoretical prediction and experimental verification, we designed a unique ternary Ru-N4-P coordination structure constructed by monodispersed Ru atoms supported on N,P dual-doped graphene for highly efficient hydrogen evolution in acid solution. The density functional theory calculations indicate that the charge polarization will lead to the most charge accumulation at P atoms, which results in a distinct nonmetallic P active sites with the moderate H∗ adsorption energy. Notably, these P atoms mainly supply highly efficient catalytic sites with ultrasmall absorption energy of 0.007 eV. Correspondingly, the Ru-N4-P demonstrated outstanding HER performance not only in an acidic condition but also in alkaline environment. Notably, the performance of Ru-NPC catalyst at high current is even superior to the commercial Pt/C catalysts, whether in acidic or alkaline medium. Our in situ synchrotron radiation infrared spectra demonstrate that a P-Hads intermediate is continually emerging on the Ru-NPC catalyst, actively proving the nonmetallic P catalytically active site in HER that is very different with previously reported metallic sites.

CuxCo3-xO4 ultra-thin film as efficient anodic catalysts for anion exchange membrane water electrolysers

CuxCo3-xO4 ultra-thin films, deposited by magnetron sputtering at oblique angles have been used as anodic catalysts in anion exchange membrane water electrolysers. It has been demonstrated that the used deposition procedure provides porous and amorphous samples with a strict control of the total catalyst load and Co/Cu ratio. Electrocatalytic tests showed a maximum performance for the oxygen evolution reaction at Co/Cu atomic ratio around 1.8. The optimized anodic catalyst presented a long-term stability confirmed by accelerated lifetime tests together with the chemical surface analysis of the used samples. The effect of the crystallization of a single layer CuxCo3-xO4 and a multilayer (CuO/Co3O4)n anodic catalyst samples was also investigated. The observed loss of catalytic performance found in both cases may prove that a particular local chemical environment around the Co and Cu sites acts as an efficient catalytic site for the oxygen evolution reaction. A catalyst film with the optimum Co/Cu atomic ratio was incorporated into a Membrane Electrode Assembly, using a sputtered Ni film as cathode. Current density values up to 100 mA cm−2 at 2.0 V were obtained in 1.0 M KOH electrolyte. Upon normalization by the amount of catalyst, this performance is one of the highest reported in literature.

High efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from formaldehyde over sensitized Ag@Ag-Pd alloy catalyst under visible light irradiation

The development of an active but cheaper catalyst is critical for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen from renewable source. In this study, we develop a high active catalyst for hydrogen evolution from formaldehyde via alloying of Pd with Ag and sensitization with a dye eosin Y (EY). The XRD, XPS, TEM and HRTEM characterizations indicate that the catalyst exhibits a core-shell structure (Ag core and Ag-Pd shell). Alloying Pd with Ag not only provides more efficient catalytic sites than single component Pd catalyst, but greatly promotes the efficient electron transfer and prolongs the lifetime of photogenerated electrons, enhances the charge separation efficiency and the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity significantly. The catalyst activity for hydrogen is highly dependent on the adsorption energies of HCHO and H2O molecules on metal surface of the alloy catalyst. Our results disclose a new route to high efficient catalyst development for solar hydrogen generation from formaldehyde.

Urchin-like non-precious-metal bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts: Boosting the catalytic activity via the In-situ growth of heteroatom (N, S)-doped carbon nanotube on mesoporous cobalt sulfide/carbon spheres

We successfully design and construct urchin-like non-precious-metal bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts via a two-step pyrolysis process, where nitrogen, sulfur co-doped carbon nanotube frameworks are grafted onto mesoporous cobalt sulfide/nitrogen, sulfur co-doped carbon spheres. The urchin-like structure grants large electrochemically active area, good electron and mass transfer capability, as well as excellent structural stability. Nitrogen, sulfur co-doped carbon can synergistically enhance the catalytic activity of cobalt sulfide sites, and also contribute to the exposure of heteroatom-induced active sites, such as, pyridinic N, graphitic N, and C-S-C. Hence, benefiting from the unique architecture and efficient catalytic sites, the resulting catalysts demonstrate excellent bifunctional catalytic activities with a positive half-wave potential of 0.860 V vs. RHE for oxygen reduction reaction and low overpotential of ∼390 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 for oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline medium, which can rank them among one of the most promising cobalt-based bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts reported previously.

Effects of water on low-overpotential CO2 reduction in ionic liquid studied by sum-frequency generation spectroscopy

We used vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy (SFG) to investigate low-overpotential CO2 reduction on a polycrystalline Ag electrode using room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluorborate (EMIM-BF4) electrolyte mixtures with 0.3 mol%, 45 mol% and 77 mol% water. Adding water dramatically increases CO2 reduction efficiency up to 87.5 mol%. We found added water reduces the (negative) threshold potential for CO2 reduction from -1.33 V to -0.9 V. Added water also moved the potentials of the nonresonant (NR) SFG minima and caused the CO Stark shift to increase in concert with the reduction threshold. In previous work (N. García Rey and D. D. Dlott, J. Phys. Chem. C, 2015, 119, 20892-20899), with nearly-dry RTIL electrolyte (0.3 mol% water), we concluded a potential-driven structural transition of RTIL in the double layer controlled CO2 reduction. At lower water concentrations, where CO2 reduction was less efficient, CO product appeared primarily on Ag atop sites. At higher water concentrations where CO2 reduction efficiency was greater, adsorbed CO was observed on multiply-bonded sites, which are likely more efficient catalytic sites.

An Efficient Electrocatalyst Derived from Bamboo Leaves for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

AbstractBamboo leaves are carbonized and tailored into an efficient electrocatalyst as an alternative to noble‐metal‐based catalysts of oxygen reduction. Surprisingly, in comparison to the commercial Pt/C, the as‐prepared catalyst shows higher methanol tolerance, resistance to CO poisoning and stability, and similar electrocatalytic activity. The high electrocatalytic activity probably arises from the hierarchical porous structure for fast mass transport and its inherently existing N, S or Fe as efficient catalytic sites. This work offers a facile approach to use inexpensive biomass as a promising and inexpensive electrocatalyst material in fuel cell applications, and suggests a performance‐enhancement mechanism for the biomass‐derived catalyst.

Tuning the catalytic property of nitrogen-doped graphene for cathode oxygen reduction reaction

Based on first principles method, the catalytic property of nitrogen-doped graphene is investigated for cathode oxygen reduction reaction. It is revealed that nitrogen clusters other than the isolated one are the most efficient catalytic sites for oxygen reduction. Codoping boron (or Fe, Co) can effectively stabilize these otherwise high energy clusters while keeping the cluster's high activity. Clusters with three or four nitrogens are found to be optimal. Theoretically, catalytic properties similar to or even superior to platinum can be obtained. The results can act as guiding principles for designing new functional materials via codoping.

Study of Catalytic Sites on Ruthenium For Hydrogenation of N-ethylcarbazole: Implications of Hydrogen Storage via Reversible Catalytic Hydrogenation

Hydrogen storage is a significant challenge for the development and viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Storage of molecular hydrogen in nitrogen-substituted polyunsaturated aromatic organic molecules through reversible catalytic hydrogenation and dehydrogenation is a promising approach. The success of developing a catalytic hydrogen storage concept is highly dependent on finding an efficient catalyst; however, understanding how molecules interact with metal catalytic sites is, at present, rather limited. In this work, a combined experimental and theoretical study is conducted to identify efficient catalytic sites on metallic surfaces and to understand the reaction mechanism for the forward hydrogenation reaction. It is clearly revealed from experimentation that hydrogenation of N-ethylcarbazole, a typical nitrogen-substituted polyunsaturated aromatic organic molecule, is taking place in a stepwise manner over metal catalysts. Because of steric constraints at terrace sites, the kinetically stable pyrrole intermediate, formed by partial hydrogenation of N-ethylcarbazole, cannot be readsorbed once desorbed into solution. Therefore further hydrogenation occurs at the low coordinated sites where no similar steric hindrance is encountered. Thus, the mechanism for hydrogenation involves an unusual shuttling of partially hydrogenated intermediates from terrace sites to higher indexed sites via solution. First-principles calculations confirm that the pyrrole intermediate can strongly adsorb to various low coordination sites, typically steps on the vicinal (109) surface, while the adsorption is extremely weak on flat (001) terraces. This work is the first example of catalytic site analysis to account for observed activity, selectivity and recyclability of a typical metal catalyst for catalytic hydrogen storage, which could lead to rational design of superior materials.

Mechanism of H2 Production by the [FeFe]H Subcluster of Di-Iron Hydrogenases: Implications for Abiotic Catalysts

To explore the possibility that the active center of the di-iron hydrogenases, the [FeFe] H subcluster, can serve by itself as an efficient hydrogen-producing catalyst, we perform comprehensive calculations of the catalytic properties of the subcluster in vacuo using first principles density functional theory. For completeness, we examine all nine possible geometrical isomers of the Fe(II)Fe(I) active-ready state and report in detail on the relevant ones that lead to the production of H 2. These calculations, carried out at the generalized gradient approximation level, indicate that the most efficient catalytic site in the isolated [FeFe] H subcluster is the Fe d center distal (d) to the [4Fe-4S] H cluster; the other iron center site, the proximal Fe p, also considered in this study, has much higher energy barriers. The pathways with the most favorable kinetics (lowest energy barrier to reaction) proceed along configurations with a CO ligand in a bridging position. The most favorable of these CO-bridging pathways start from isomers where the distal CN (-) ligand is in up position, the vacancy V in down position, and the remaining distal CO is either cis or trans with respect to the proximal CO. These isomers, not observed in the available enzyme X-ray structures, are only marginally less stable than the most stable nonbridging Fe d-CO-terminal isomer. Our calculations indicate that this CO-bridging CN-up isomer has a small barrier to production of H 2 that is compatible with the observed rate for the enzyme. These results suggest that catalysis of H 2 production could proceed on this stereochemically modified [FeFe] H subcluster alone, thus offering a promising target for functional bioinspired catalyst design.

Effect of oxidatively damaged DNA on the active site preorganization during nucleotide incorporation in a high fidelity polymerase from Bacillus stearothermophilus

We study the effect of the oxidative lesion 8-oxoguanine (8oxoG) on the preorganization of the active site for DNA replication in the closed (active) state of the Bacillus fragment (BF), a Klenow analog from Bacillus stearothermophilus. Our molecular dynamics and free energy simulations of explicitly solvated model ternary complexes of BF bound to correct dCTP/incorrect dATP opposite guanine (G) and 8oxoG bases in DNA suggest that the lesion introduces structural and energetic changes at the catalytic site to favor dATP insertion. Despite the formation of a stable Watson-Crick pairing in the 8oxoG:dCTP system, the catalytic geometry is severely distorted to possibly slow down catalysis. Indeed, our calculated free energy landscapes associated with active site preorganization suggest additional barriers to assemble an efficient catalytic site, which need to be overcome during dCTP incorporation opposite 8oxoG relative to that opposite undamaged G. In contrast, the catalytic geometry for the Hoogsteen pairing in the 8oxoG:dATP system is highly organized and poised for efficient nucleotide incorporation via the "two-metal-ion" catalyzed phosphoryl transfer mechanism. However, the free energy calculations suggest that the catalytic geometry during dATP incorporation opposite 8oxoG is considerably less plastic than that during dCTP incorporation opposite G despite a very similar, well organized catalytic site for both systems. A correlation analysis of the dynamics trajectories suggests the presence of significant coupling between motions of the polymerase fingers and the primary distance for nucleophilic attack (i.e., between the terminal primer O3' and the dNTP P(alpha.) atoms) during correct dCTP incorporation opposite undamaged G. This coupling is shown to be disrupted during nucleotide incorporation by the polymerase with oxidatively damaged DNA/dNTP substrates. We also suggest that the lesion affects DNA interactions with key polymerase residues, thereby affecting the enzymes ability to discriminate against non-complementary DNA/dNTP substrates. Taken together, our results provide a unified structural, energetic, and dynamic platform to rationalize experimentally observed relative nucleotide incorporation rates for correct dCTP/incorrect dATP insertion opposite an undamaged/oxidatively damaged template G by BF.

A phosphate‐binding subsite in bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A can be converted into a very efficient catalytic site

A general acid-base catalytic mechanism is responsible for the cleavage of the phosphodiester bonds of the RNA by ribonuclease A (RNase A). The main active site is formed by the amino acid residues His12, His119, and Lys41, and the process follows an endonucleolytic pattern that depends on the existence of a noncatalytic phosphate-binding subsite adjacent, on the 3'-side, to the active site; in this region the phosphate group of the substrate establishes electrostatic interactions through the side chains of Lys7 and Arg10. We have obtained, by means of site-directed mutagenesis, RNase A variants with His residues both at positions 7 and 10. These mutations have been introduced with the aim of transforming a noncatalytic binding subsite into a putative new catalytic active site. The RNase activity of these variants was determined by the zymogram technique and steady-state kinetic parameters were obtained by spectrophotometric methods. The variants showed a catalytic efficiency in the same order of magnitude as the wild-type enzyme. However, we have demonstrated in these variants important effects on the substrate's cleavage pattern. The quadruple mutant K7H/R10H/H12K/H119Q shows a clear increase of the exonucleolytic activity; in this case the original native active site has been suppressed, and, as consequence, its activity can only be associated to the new active site. In addition, the mutant K7H/R10H, with two putative active sites, also shows an increase in the exonucleolytic preference with respect to the wild type, a fact that may be correlated with the contribution of the new active site.