Here we propose a new concept of"molecule aging":with some special treatment,a molecule could be"aged"by losing some unknown tiny particles or pieces from atoms in the molecule,Such"aging"...Here we propose a new concept of"molecule aging":with some special treatment,a molecule could be"aged"by losing some unknown tiny particles or pieces from atoms in the molecule,Such"aging"or loss of unknown tiny particles does not change apparently its molecular structure or chemical composition,but some physicochemical properties could be changed irreversibly.We further confirm such"molecule aging"via a long-term electron attacking to age water(H2O)molecules.The IR spectra show no structural difference between the fresh water and the aged one,while the NMR spectra show that the electron attacking can decrease the size of water clusters.Such facts indicate that the electron attacking indeed can"affect"the structure of water molecule slightly but without damaging to its basic molecule frame.Further exploration reveals that the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)activity of the aged water molecule is lower than the fresh water on the same Pt/C electrocatalyst.The density functional theory calculations indicate that the shortened O-H bond in H2O indeed can present lower HER activity,so the observed size decrease of water clusters from NMR probably could be attributed to the shortening of O-H bond in water molecules.Such results indicate significantly that the molecule aging can produce materials with new functions for new possible applications.展开更多
Electrochemical CO2reduction is a typical surface-mediated reaction,with its reaction kinetics and product distributions largely dependent on the dynamic evolution of reactive species at the cathode–catholyte inte...Electrochemical CO2reduction is a typical surface-mediated reaction,with its reaction kinetics and product distributions largely dependent on the dynamic evolution of reactive species at the cathode–catholyte interface and on the resultant mass transport within the hydrodynamic boundary layer in the vicinity of the cathode.To resolve the complex local reaction environment of branching CO2reduction pathways,we here present a dif-ferential electrochemical mass spectroscopic(DEMS)approach for Cu electrodes to investigate CO2mass trans-port,the local concentration gradients of buffering anions,and the Cu surface topology effects on CO2electrolysis selectivity at a temporal resolution of~400 ms.As a proof of concept,these tuning knobs were validated on an anion exchange membrane electrolyzer,which delivered a Faradaic efficiency of up to 40.4%and a partial current density of 121 mA cm-2for CO2-to-C2H4valorization.This methodology,which bridges the study of fundamental surface electrochemistry and the upgrading of practical electrolyzer performance,could be of general interest in helping to achieve a sustainable circular carbon economy.展开更多
Electrochemically converting CO2into value-added chemicals is a promising approach to mitigate anthropogenic carbon emissions,yet largely limited to short-chained C1–C3products.Herein,we demonstrate a tandem...Electrochemically converting CO2into value-added chemicals is a promising approach to mitigate anthropogenic carbon emissions,yet largely limited to short-chained C1–C3products.Herein,we demonstrate a tandem artificial synthesis of biodegradable polyhydroxybutyrate(PHB)plastic from CO2building blocks.Batch synthesis of defects-enriched Bi catalyst is firstly demonstrated by plasma bombardment and following in situ electrochemical reduction,which delivers a HCOOH Faradaic efficiency above 80%at tunable concentration from 2 to 250 mM,an energy efficiency up to 41%,and a single-pass carbon conversion efficiency up to 60%.Annular dark field and second electron microscopic analysis,density functional theory(DFT)calcualtions,coupled with H-type and solid-state electrolyzer assessments,point out the vital role of defective and/or stepped Bi surface sites in promoting CO2-to-HCOOH conversion.Thereafter,as-synthesized high-purity HCOOH is used as the sole carbon source for C-chain growth within microbial fermentation reactor with Ralstonia eutropha,where activated formate dehydrogenase and increased metabolites related to Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle are found to be responsible for the enhanced polyester accumulation.展开更多
Electrochemical attenuated total reflection surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy(ATR-SEIRAS)plays an important role in deciphering interfacial reaction mechanisms at molecular level.However,the corrosive ...Electrochemical attenuated total reflection surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy(ATR-SEIRAS)plays an important role in deciphering interfacial reaction mechanisms at molecular level.However,the corrosive etching of Si internal reflection element by OH−largely impedes reliable SEIRAS measurements in strong alkaline electrolytes.Herein,a dense and chemically inert nanocrystalline diamond(NCD)film is successfully fabricated at a thickness of~120 nm through hot filament chemical vapor deposition on a micromachined Si wafer to insulate the OH−etching.A reversible interfacial water feature without spectral interference of Si-O band is obtained in 1.0 mol·L–1KOH on Au/NCD/Si film electrode.Afterwards,electrochemical CO reduction reaction on Cu film electrode is explored in different KOH concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 3.0 mol·L-1as a model reaction.A redshift of COLband,as well as its lower intensity but faster depletion kinetics,is noted with increasing electrolyte pH,whereas COBis identified as an inert spectator accumulating on Cu surface.Our present work demonstrates the alkaline resistant feature of diamond/Si composite internal reflection element,which could be a powerful platform to study electrocatalytic reactions in strong alkaline media.展开更多
基金funded by the Key Research and Development Program sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology(MOST)(2022YFA1203400)National Natural Science Foundation of China(21925205,22072145,21372155,22005294,and 22102172)。
摘要Here we propose a new concept of"molecule aging":with some special treatment,a molecule could be"aged"by losing some unknown tiny particles or pieces from atoms in the molecule,Such"aging"or loss of unknown tiny particles does not change apparently its molecular structure or chemical composition,but some physicochemical properties could be changed irreversibly.We further confirm such"molecule aging"via a long-term electron attacking to age water(H2O)molecules.The IR spectra show no structural difference between the fresh water and the aged one,while the NMR spectra show that the electron attacking can decrease the size of water clusters.Such facts indicate that the electron attacking indeed can"affect"the structure of water molecule slightly but without damaging to its basic molecule frame.Further exploration reveals that the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)activity of the aged water molecule is lower than the fresh water on the same Pt/C electrocatalyst.The density functional theory calculations indicate that the shortened O-H bond in H2O indeed can present lower HER activity,so the observed size decrease of water clusters from NMR probably could be attributed to the shortening of O-H bond in water molecules.Such results indicate significantly that the molecule aging can produce materials with new functions for new possible applications.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFB4102000,2022YFA1505100,2022YFA1503803)the NSFC(22002088)+1 种基金the Shanghai Sailing Program(20YF1420500)the Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan(22dz1205500).
摘要Electrochemical CO2reduction is a typical surface-mediated reaction,with its reaction kinetics and product distributions largely dependent on the dynamic evolution of reactive species at the cathode–catholyte interface and on the resultant mass transport within the hydrodynamic boundary layer in the vicinity of the cathode.To resolve the complex local reaction environment of branching CO2reduction pathways,we here present a dif-ferential electrochemical mass spectroscopic(DEMS)approach for Cu electrodes to investigate CO2mass trans-port,the local concentration gradients of buffering anions,and the Cu surface topology effects on CO2electrolysis selectivity at a temporal resolution of~400 ms.As a proof of concept,these tuning knobs were validated on an anion exchange membrane electrolyzer,which delivered a Faradaic efficiency of up to 40.4%and a partial current density of 121 mA cm-2for CO2-to-C2H4valorization.This methodology,which bridges the study of fundamental surface electrochemistry and the upgrading of practical electrolyzer performance,could be of general interest in helping to achieve a sustainable circular carbon economy.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Nos.2022YFB4102000 and 2022YFA1505100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22002088)+2 种基金the Shanghai Sailing Program(No.20YF1420500)the Leading Innovative and Entrepreneur Team Introduction Program of Zhejiang(No.2021R01012)the Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan(No.22dz1205500).
摘要Electrochemically converting CO2into value-added chemicals is a promising approach to mitigate anthropogenic carbon emissions,yet largely limited to short-chained C1–C3products.Herein,we demonstrate a tandem artificial synthesis of biodegradable polyhydroxybutyrate(PHB)plastic from CO2building blocks.Batch synthesis of defects-enriched Bi catalyst is firstly demonstrated by plasma bombardment and following in situ electrochemical reduction,which delivers a HCOOH Faradaic efficiency above 80%at tunable concentration from 2 to 250 mM,an energy efficiency up to 41%,and a single-pass carbon conversion efficiency up to 60%.Annular dark field and second electron microscopic analysis,density functional theory(DFT)calcualtions,coupled with H-type and solid-state electrolyzer assessments,point out the vital role of defective and/or stepped Bi surface sites in promoting CO2-to-HCOOH conversion.Thereafter,as-synthesized high-purity HCOOH is used as the sole carbon source for C-chain growth within microbial fermentation reactor with Ralstonia eutropha,where activated formate dehydrogenase and increased metabolites related to Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle are found to be responsible for the enhanced polyester accumulation.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFB4102000,2022YFA1503803 and 2022YFA1505100)National Natural Science Foundation of China(22002088,22272033,22241201 and 52175423)Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan(22dz1205500).
摘要Electrochemical attenuated total reflection surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy(ATR-SEIRAS)plays an important role in deciphering interfacial reaction mechanisms at molecular level.However,the corrosive etching of Si internal reflection element by OH−largely impedes reliable SEIRAS measurements in strong alkaline electrolytes.Herein,a dense and chemically inert nanocrystalline diamond(NCD)film is successfully fabricated at a thickness of~120 nm through hot filament chemical vapor deposition on a micromachined Si wafer to insulate the OH−etching.A reversible interfacial water feature without spectral interference of Si-O band is obtained in 1.0 mol·L–1KOH on Au/NCD/Si film electrode.Afterwards,electrochemical CO reduction reaction on Cu film electrode is explored in different KOH concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 3.0 mol·L-1as a model reaction.A redshift of COLband,as well as its lower intensity but faster depletion kinetics,is noted with increasing electrolyte pH,whereas COBis identified as an inert spectator accumulating on Cu surface.Our present work demonstrates the alkaline resistant feature of diamond/Si composite internal reflection element,which could be a powerful platform to study electrocatalytic reactions in strong alkaline media.