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At least 307 records · Page 17

Probing the Sustainable Reduction of CO 2 , N 2 and NO 3 to Fuels and Chemicals using Non-Traditional Porphyrinoid Catalysts

For the last several decades, numerous strategies have been proposed to be able to interconvert electricity and commodity fuels for transportation and other applications. Even as solar and wind energy become more widely available, these renewable energy sources are not always available where the population is most dense or during peak times of energy demand. One plausible solution to the issue of electricity storage and transport is to use electricity to drive the formation of high-energy compounds and chemical fuels. As a result, the electrochemical conversion of CO 2 into chemical fuels has received major attention as a multi-pronged approach for electricity coversion, storage, and transport. Similar strategies are also attractive for conversion of N 2 and NO x into value added compounds such as ammonia. Metalloporphyrin and metallocorrole complexes are comprised of aromatic tetrapyrrole scaffolds and have been extensively studied as homogeneous catalysts for critical catalytic processes like the electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (eCO 2 RR) to generate CO as feedstock for the Fischer–Tropsch process to generate a variety of hydrocarbons as chemical fuels. Despite their significance and impact, efficiently driving such catalytic reduction processes is challenging for multiple reasons. Such processes require multiple-electron transfer events, as opposed to single-electron redox chemistry that forms high-energy singly-reduced intermediates. In addition, these electron transfer events must be coupled to proton-transfer steps and avoid application of high overpotentials where proton (H + ) reduction to generate H 2 (as well as other side-reactions) can lower the selectivity and energy efficiency of the eCO 2 RR process. Certain Fe(III) aromatic tetrapyrroles (e.g., porphyrins and corroles) have been reported to overcome these challenges, but are often difficult to synthesize and modify, and have a tendency to support single-electron redox chemistry at the metal as opposed to multielectron redox involving the ligand and metal in concert. Other families of tetrapyrroles in which all four meso-carbons are reduced (i.e., sp 3 -hybridized) are also known in the literature. These non-aromatic tetrapyrroles are known as porphyrinogens and support multi-electron redox chemistry which has been elaborated by several groups, prompting researchers to consider whether these scaffolds may improve the kinetics and efficiencies of multi-electron steps attendant to activation of thermodynamically stable small-molecule substrates such as CO 2 , N 2 , NO 3 − , and NO 2 − . Although porphyrinogens support multi-electron redox properties, the four sp 3 -hybridized meso-carbons inherent to the tetrapyrrole core completely disrupt π-conjugation between pyrrolic units, which compromises the photochemical properties of porphyrinogens in comparison to that of traditional porphyrinoids. Moreover, the highly reducing nature of porphyrinogens predisposes these platforms to extreme air and water sensitivity. Accordingly, such metalated porphyrinogens are often pyrophoric and/or incompatible with many common organic solvents (CH 2 Cl 2 , CHCl 3 , CH 3 CN, EtOAc, etc.). Hence, reports of efficient small-molecule activation or catalysis supported by porphyrinogens have been limited. To overcome the instability of porphyrinogens while retaining the scaffold’s attractive multi-electron redox properties, we have directed attention to establishing less-well studied groups of non-aromatic tetrapyrroles (i.e., phlorins, biladienes, and isocorroles). These non-traditional tetrapyrroles each contain just a single sp 3 -hybridized meso-carbon, which ablates the platforms aromaticity but still provides an extended π-framework. In addition to developing innovative platforms that may be used to sustainably generate value-added chemicals, fuels, and ammonia via either photo- or electrocatalytic approaches our work also has significantly broadened our understanding of how to prepare and modulate the properties of non-aromatic tetrapyrroles for other applications. Our efforts entailed a synergistic partnership and active collaborations with Drs. David C. Grills and Mehmed Z. Ertem (both of Brookhaven National Lab) to better characterize isocorroles (and related non-aromatic tetrapyrroles) using a variety of advanced spectroscopic and theoretical methods. Our combined efforts have shown that the combination of properties that isocorroles (and related tetrapyrroles) provide results in good chemical stability paired with unique redox and photochemical characteristics that are not typically supported by simple and/or unadorned aromatic tetrapyrroles. Beside redox chemistry, the photochemistry of isocorroles and other non-aromatic tetrapyrroles containing one sp 3 -hybridized meso-carbon is also appealing due to their absorption in the long-visible to near-IR regions, which are essential for photocatalysis and related applications that benefit from direct excitation at these wavelengths. The results reported vastly improve our understanding of non-aromatic tetrapyrrole synthesis, properties and utility for activation of small molecule substrates such as O 2 and CO 2 in the presence of weak cationic organic acids.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synergizing Electron and Heat Flows in Photocatalyst for Direct Conversion of Captured CO 2

Abstract We report a ternary hybrid photocatalyst architecture with tailored interfaces that boost the utilization of solar energy for photochemical CO 2 reduction by synergizing electron and heat flows in the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst comprises cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) molecules assembled on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that are decorated with nearly monodispersed cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs). The CdS QDs absorb visible light and generate electron‐hole pairs. The CNTs rapidly transfer the photogenerated electrons from CdS to CoPc. The CoPc molecules then selectively reduce CO 2 to CO. The interfacial dynamics and catalytic behavior are clearly revealed by time‐resolved and in situ vibrational spectroscopies. In addition to serving as electron highways, the black body property of the CNT component can create local photothermal heating to activate amine‐captured CO 2 , namely carbamates, for direct photochemical conversion without additional energy input.

Choi, Chungseok↗

Local microenvironment tuning induces switching between electrochemical CO 2 reduction pathways

Gas diffusion layers (GDL) have become a critical component in electrochemical CO 2 reduction (CO 2 R) systems because they can enable high current densities needed for industrially relevant productivity. Besides this function, it is often assumed that the choice of catalyst and electrolyte play much more important roles than the GDL in influencing the observed product selectivity. Here, we show that tuning of the GDL pore size can be used to control the local microenvironment of the catalyst and hence, effect significant changes in catalytic outcomes. This concept is demonstrated using sputtered Ag films on hydrophobic PTFE substrates with 6 different pore sizes. Although Ag is known to be a predominantly CO generating catalyst, we find that smaller pore sizes favor the generation of formate up to a faradaic efficiency of 43%. Combined experimental and simulation results show that this is due to the influence of the pore size on CO 2 mass transport, which alters the local pH at the electrode, resulting in reaction pathway switching between CO and formate. Importantly, our results highlight the importance of the local microenvironment as an experimental knob that can be rationally tuned for controlling product selectivity: a key consideration in the design of CO 2 R systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synergizing Electron and Heat Flows in Photocatalyst for Direct Conversion of Captured CO 2

We report a ternary hybrid photocatalyst architecture with tailored interfaces that boost the utilization of solar energy for photochemical CO 2 reduction by synergizing electron and heat flows in the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst comprises cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) molecules assembled on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that are decorated with nearly monodispersed cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs). The CdS QDs absorb visible light and generate electron-hole pairs. The CNTs rapidly transfer the photogenerated electrons from CdS to CoPc. The CoPc molecules then selectively reduce CO 2 to CO. Here, the interfacial dynamics and catalytic behavior are clearly revealed by time-resolved and in situ vibrational spectroscopies. In addition to serving as electron highways, the black body property of the CNT component can create local photothermal heating to activate amine-captured CO 2 , namely carbamates, for direct photochemical conversion without additional energy input.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis and Characterization of Pt‐Ag Icosahedral Nanocages with Enhanced Catalytic Activity toward Oxygen Reduction

Abstract There is an urgent need to develop cost‐effective electrocatalysts based on Pt for a broad spectrum of applications, including those vital to the operation of fuel cells. Hollowing out the interior of Pt nanocrystals offers a simple and viable strategy for maximizing the utilization efficiency of this precious metal while enhancing the electrocatalytic performance. Herein, we report the synthesis and electrocatalytic evaluation of Pt−Ag icosahedral nanocages with an average wall thickness of 1.6 nm. The Pt atoms are coated on the surface of Ag icosahedral seeds, leading to the formation of Ag@Pt nL core‐shell icosahedral nanocrystals with tunable shell thicknesses. The core‐shell nanocrystals are then converted to icosahedral nanocages by selectively etching away the Ag in the core. The as‐obtained nanocages with a composition of Pt 4.5 Ag exhibit an almost 3‐fold enhancement in specific activity toward oxygen reduction relative to the commercial Pt/C in acid media.

Wang, Wenxia↗

Photoelectrochemical CO 2 Reduction to CO Enabled by a Molecular Catalyst Attached to High-Surface-Area Porous Silicon

A high-surface-area p-type porous Si photocathode containing a covalently immobilized molecular Re catalyst is highly selective for the photoelectrochemical conversion of CO 2 to CO. It gives Faradaic efficiencies of up to 90% for CO at potentials of –1.7 V (versus ferrocenium/ferrocene) under 1 sun illumination in an acetonitrile solution containing phenol. Here, the photovoltage is approximately 300 mV based on comparisons with similar n-type porous Si cathodes in the dark. Using an estimate of the equilibrium potential for CO 2 reduction to CO under optimized reaction conditions, photoelectrolysis was performed at a small overpotential, and the onset of electrocatalysis in cyclic voltammograms occurred at a modest underpotential. The porous Si photoelectrode is more stable and selective for CO production than the photoelectrode generated by attaching the same Re catalyst to a planar Si wafer. Further, facile characterization of the porous Si-based photoelectrodes using transmission mode FTIR spectroscopy leads to highly reproducible catalytic performance.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Copper-Doped Tin Oxides Supported on Mesoporous Carbon Xerogel for Boosting the Electrochemical Reduction of CO 2 to Formate in Bicarbonate Solution Coupled with CO 2

The electrochemical reduction of CO 2 into valuable products at mild reaction conditions and using cheap renewable electrical energy are goals to sustain a low-carbon economy. Among the various CO 2 reduction reaction products, formic acid (FA) has received significant attention because of its low Gibbs free energy input requirement and the simple reduction reaction involving the transfer of 2 electrons and 2 protons. In this work, a copper-doped tin oxide catalyst supported on a mesoporous carbon xerogel was shown to enhance the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 to formate in a bicarbonate solution coupled with CO 2 . We observed that the synergistic SnCu oxides enhance the selectivity toward formate from 58.6% for Sn oxide and 28.7% for Cu oxide to over 71.2% for the SnCu oxides. The observed rate of formate production with SnCu oxide was 2.8 times higher compared to the rate of Cu oxide and about 1.5 times higher than with the Sn oxide catalyst. Our results reveal that selectivity for formate comes partly from the electrolysis of the bicarbonate solution and partly from continuous CO 2 gas purged into the solution. The contribution from the electrolysis of bicarbonate solution ranges from 15% to 40% when the concentration of bicarbonate solution ranges from 100 mM to 1 M. Chronoamperometric measurements for stability revealed that Cu oxide and Sn oxide showed stable current density for less than 30 h while under the same conditions, the stable current density was observed for more than 50 h with SnCu oxide catalyst. Additionally, the selectivity toward formate increased by 6% when the reactor pressure was increased from near ambient pressure to 4 psig. Our lab-scale electrochemical cell with SnCu oxide supported on the mesoporous carbon xerogel enhances the CO 2 solubility, minimizes the precipitation of salts that can degrade the catalytic performance, and suppresses the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction, demonstrating the feasibility of using our catalyst and system for the electrochemical conversion of CO 2 into formate with high selectivity, productivity, and stability. Furthermore, this could have significant implications for the mitigation of CO 2 emissions and the development of a sustainable chemical industry.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Deep learning of electrochemical CO 2 conversion literature reveals research trends and directions

Large-scale and openly available material science databases are mainly composed of computer simulation results rather than experimental data. Some examples include the Materials Project, Open Quantum Materials Database, and Open Catalyst 2022. Unfortunately, building large-scale experimental databases remains challenging due to the difficulties in consolidating locally distributed datasets. In this work, focusing on the catalysis literature of CO 2 reduction reactions (CO 2 RRs), we present a machine learning (ML)-based protocol for selecting highly relevant papers and extracting important experimental data. First, we report a document embedding method (Doc2Vec) for collecting papers of greatest relevance to the specific target domain, which yielded 3154 CO 2 RR-related papers from six publishers. Next, we developed named entity recognition (NER) models to extract twelve entities related to material names (catalyst, electrolyte, etc.) and catalytic performance (Faradaic efficiency, current density, etc.). Further, among several tested models, the MatBERT-based approach achieved the highest accuracy, with an average F1-score of 90.4% and an F1-score of 95.2% in a boundary relaxation evaluation scheme. The accurate and accelerated NER-based data extraction from a large volume of catalysis literature enables temporal trend analyses of the CO 2 RR catalysts, products, and performances, revealing the potentially effective material space in CO 2 RRs. While this work demonstrates the effectiveness of our ML-based text mining methods for specifically CO 2 RR literature, the methods and approach are applicable to and may be used to accelerate the development of other catalytic chemical reactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Catalytic Performance and Near-Surface X-ray Characterization of Titanium Hydride Electrodes for the Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction Reaction

The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) on titanium introduces significant surface reconstruction and forms titanium hydride (TiH x , 0 < x ≤ 2). With ex situ grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), we demonstrated near-surface TiH2 enrichment with increasing NO3RR applied potential and duration. This quantitative relationship facilitated electrochemical treatment of Ti to form TiH 2 /Ti electrodes for use in NO3RR, thereby decoupling hydride formation from NO 3 RR performance. A wide range of NO 3 RR activity and selectivity on TiH2/Ti electrodes between -0.4 and -1.0 VRHE was observed and analyzed with density functional theory (DFT) calculations on TiH 2 (111). Finally, this work underscores the importance of relating NO 3 RR performance with near-surface electrode structure to advance catalyst design and operation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Institute for Catalysis in Energy Processes (ICEP) (Final Report)

The Institute for Catalysis in Energy Processes (ICEP) was a multi-PI program located at the Northwestern University Center for Catalysis and Surface Science from 2006-2024. Over several renewal cycles and several organizing themes, ICEP addressed fundamental questions in catalysis science. In turn, the scientific questions addressed were directly relevant to the efficient use of the nation’s resources to produce fuels and commodity chemicals, harness alternate energy sources for chemical reactions such as light or electricity, reduce emissions and waste, and minimize the impact of our use of plastics. Selective oxidation, (oxidative) dehydrogenation, deNOx, CO 2 reduction, hydrogen release, polymer decomposition / depolymerization, and many other reactions of intense interest to the US Department of Energy were studied in the center. Major ICEP strengths were in catalyst synthesis, in measurements that elucidated catalyst properties, in reaction mechanisms and kinetics, and in predictive theory and modeling. ICEP researchers were often the inventors or developers of materials and methods that were brought to bear on the Institute’s catalytic systems. Key characterization tools advanced through this project included resonance Raman and related techniques, sum frequency generation, and X-ray standing wave spectroscopy. Center members relied extensively on computational tools such as density functional theory and microkinetic modeling to fully investigate catalyst structures and catalytic mechanisms. ICEP researchers were early developers of atomic layer deposition (ALD) for catalyst synthesis and were early pioneers of metal organic frameworks for catalysis. ICEP innovations are found in areas of intense research such as single-atom catalysts, catalytic deconstruction of plastics, and catalytic MOFs, to name a few. Research areas initiated by ICEP indirectly led to DOE EFRCs, startup companies, and other achievements. Over its 18 years of existence, ICEP involved two different PIs (Stair and Notestein) and 24 senior investigators across several academic disciplines at Northwestern University. There were tight collaborations with Argonne National Laboratory, including specialized equipment and experiments permanently located there. The center supported ~400 person-years of effort by graduate students and postdocs, either directly through DOE support or indirectly by leveraging independent support provided to the trainees, e.g. through the NSF GRFP or internal fellowships. The project resulted in 328 manuscripts and numerous conference presentations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Modulating CO 2 Electrocatalytic Conversion to the Organics Pathway by the Catalytic Site Dimension

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to organic chemicals provides a value-added route for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Here, we report a family of carbon-supported Sn electrocatalysts with the tin size varying from single atom, ultrasmall clusters to nanocrystallites. High single-product Faradaic efficiency (FE) and low onset potential of CO 2 conversion to acetate (FE = 90% @ –0.6 V), ethanol (FE = 92% @ –0.4 V), and formate (FE = 91% @ –0.6 V) were achieved over the catalysts of different active site dimensions. The CO 2 conversion mechanism behind these highly selective, size-modulated p-block element catalysts was elucidated by structural characterization and computational modeling, together with kinetic isotope effect investigation.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗

Exploring the Structure–Function Relationship in Iridium–Cobalt Oxide Catalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction across Different Electrolyte Media

Renewable hydrogen generation from water electrolysis offers a viable path to decarbonization if the costs can be reduced. The iridium-based anode catalyst is one of the most expensive components in electrolyzers. We propose reducing iridium usage by substituting Ir with Co, a more affordable metal, in the mixed oxide phase to enhance the catalytic activity while minimizing Ir consumption. A modified surfactant-assisted Adams fusion synthesis technique was developed as a scalable method for producing IrCo oxide nanoparticles. The synthesized material outperforms the commercial baseline, iridium oxide with carbon (IrOx_C), in both acidic and alkaline media. Acid etching (IrCo_ae) further enhances activity by selectively removing Co to expose more active sites. IrCo_ae achieved a significantly lower overpotential at 10 mA/cm 2 compared to IrOx_C, with reductions of approximately 18% under acidic conditions and 14% under alkaline conditions. This work demonstrates that the proposed synthesis method enables efficient Ir utilization and can be adapted to enhance catalyst stability for renewable hydrogen production.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to methanol over defect-laden hexagonal boron nitride: insights into reaction mechanisms

Abstract We present a density functional theory-based mechanistic understanding of CO 2 hydrogenation to value-added products on a nitrogen-vacancy (V N ) defect in hexagonal boron nitride ( dh -BN). Activation occurs through back-donation to the π * orbitals of CO 2 from the frontier orbitals (defect state) of the h- BN sheet that are localized near a nitrogen-vacancy. Subsequent hydrogenation to methanol (CH 3 OH) and formic acid (HCOOH) proceed through vacancy-facilitated co-adsorption of hydrogen and CO 2 . More importantly, our reaction pathway analyses complimented by microkinetic modeling indicate that dh -BN is potentially a low-temperature, selective catalyst for CO 2 reduction to methanol. Our findings are in agreement with experiments conducted in a mechanical reactor that show high selectivity towards methanol formation for CO 2 hydrogenation on defect induced h- BN.

Jiang, Tao (ORCID:0000000304197288)↗

Porous Two-dimensional Iron-Cyano Nanosheets for High-rate Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction

Ammonia (NH 3 ) is an essential ingredient in agriculture and a promising source of clean energy as a hydrogen carrier. The current major method for ammonia production, however, is the Haber–Bosch process that leads to massive energy consumption and severe environmental issues. Compared with nitrogen (N 2 ) reduction, electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO 3 RR), with a higher NH 3 yield rate and Faradaic efficiency, holds promise for efficient NH 3 production under ambient conditions. To achieve efficient NO 3 RR, electrocatalysts should exhibit high selectivity and Faradaic efficiency with a high NH 3 yield rate. In this work, we developed two-dimensional (2D) iron-based cyano-coordination polymer nanosheets (Fe-cyano NSs) following in situ electrochemical treatment for high-rate NO 3 RR. Owing to the strong adsorption of nitrate on Fe0 active sites generated via topotactic conversion and in situ electroreduction, 2D Fe-cyano electrocatalyst exhibits high catalytic activity with a yield rate of 42.1 mg h –1 mgcat –1 and a Faradaic efficiency of over 90% toward NH 3 production at –0.5 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE). Further electrochemical characterizations revealed that superhydrophilic surface and enhanced electrochemical surface area of the 2D porous nanostructures also contributed to the high-rate NO 3 RR activity. Finally, an electrolyzer toward NO 3 RR and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in a two-electrode configuration is constructed based on 2D Fe-cyano, achieving an energy efficiency of 26.2%. This work provides an alternative methodology toward topotactic conversion of transition metal nanosheets for NO 3 RR and reveals the often-overlooked contribution of hydrophilicity of the catalysts for high-rate electrocatalysis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Carbon dioxide and nitrogen reduction reactions using 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) and carbide/nitride (MXene) catalysts

Improving the carbon dioxide and nitrogen reduction reactions (CO 2 RR and NRR) can reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions while selectively producing chemicals needed for the fuel, plastic, and chemical industries. Efficient CO 2 RR can be used to replace fossil fuels as well as repurpose captured CO 2 , while new NRR pathways can be used to supplement or replace the energy intensive Haber–Bosch process for NH 3 generation with no CO 2 emissions. Therefore, this review article focuses on (photo)electrocatalytic and photocatalytic conversion of CO 2 and N 2 molecules into useful products, such as carbon monoxide, methanol, formic acid, and ammonia, using 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) and metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes). Additionally, these highly tunable 2D catalysts will be evaluated for their ability to selectively and efficiently undergo CO 2 RR and NRR by controlling defects, phases, edge sites, interfaces, and functional groups. We first address the CO 2 RR and NRR challenges, with a particular focus on theoretical mechanisms and minimum energy pathways. We follow this discussion with a detailed review of state-of-the-art 2D TMDC and MXene experimental catalysts for CO 2 RR and NRR (photo)electrocatalytic and photocatalytic reactions, and then address areas of opportunity for these catalytic reactions.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Solvent molecules form surface redox mediators in situ and cocatalyze O 2 reduction on Pd

Solvent molecules influence the reactions of molecular hydrogen and oxygen on palladium nanoparticles. Organic solvents activate to form reactive surface intermediates that mediate oxygen reduction through pathways distinct from reactions in pure water. Kinetic measurements and ab initio quantum chemical calculations indicate that methanol and water cocatalyze oxygen reduction by facilitating proton-electron transfer reactions. Methanol generates hydroxymethyl intermediates on palladium surfaces that efficiently transfer protons and electrons to oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide and formaldehyde. Formaldehyde subsequently oxidizes hydrogen to regenerate hydroxymethyl. Water, on the other hand, heterolytically oxidizes hydrogen to produce hydronium ions and electrons that reduce oxygen. These findings suggest that reactions of solvent molecules at solid-liquid interfaces can generate redox mediators in situ and provide opportunities to substantially increase rates and selectivities for catalytic reactions.

Adams, Jason S.↗