B18-Core EXAFS
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[29913]
Open Access
Abstract: To bridge the gap between oxygen reduction electrocatalysts development and their implementation in real proton exchange membrane fuel cell electrodes, an important aspect to be understood is the interaction between the carbon support, the active sites, and the proton conductive ionomer as it greatly affects the local transportations to the catalyst surface. Here we show that three Pt/C catalysts, synthesized using the polyol method with different carbon supports (low surface area Vulcan, high surface area Ketjenblack, and biomass-derived highly ordered mesoporous carbon), revealed significant variations in ionomer-catalyst interactions. The Pt/C catalysts supported on ordered mesoporous carbon derived from biomass showed the best performance under the gas diffusion electrode configuration. Through a unique approach of operando X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy combined with gas sorption analysis, we were able to demonstrate the beneficial effect of mesopore presence for optimal ionomer-catalyst interaction at both molecular and structural level.
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Oct 2024
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E01-JEM ARM 200CF
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James
King
,
Zhipeng
Lin
,
Federica
Zanca
,
Hui
Luo
,
Linda
Zhang
,
Patrick
Cullen
,
Mohsen
Danaie
,
Michael
Hirscher
,
Simone
Meloni
,
Alin
Elena
,
Petra A.
Szilagyi
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[25791]
Open Access
Abstract: Controlled nanocluster growth via nanoconfinement is an attractive approach as it allows for geometry control and potential surface-chemistry modification simultaneously. However, it is still not a straight-forward method and much of its success depends on the nature and possibly concentration of functionalities on the cavity walls that surround the clusters. To independently probe the effect of the nature and number of functional groups on the controlled Pd nanocluster growth within the pores of the metal-organic frameworks, Pd-laden UiO-66 analogues with mono- and bi-functionalised linkers of amino and methyl groups were successfully prepared and studied in a combined experimental-computational approach. The nature of the functional groups determines the strength of host-guest interactions, while the number of functional groups affects the extent of Pd loading. The interplay of these two effects means that for a successful Pd embedding, mono-functionalised host matrices are more favourable. Interestingly, in the context of the present and previous research, we find that host frameworks with functional groups displaying higher Lewis basicity are more successful at controlled Pd NC growth via nanoconfinement in MOFs.
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Sep 2024
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I20-EDE-Energy Dispersive EXAFS (EDE)
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Xiaoqiang
Liang
,
Sen
Wang
,
Jingyu
Feng
,
Zhen
Xu
,
Zhenyu
Guo
,
Hui
Luo
,
Feng
Zhang
,
Wen
Chen
,
Lei
Feng
,
Chengan
Wan
,
Maria-Magdalena
Titirici
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[28663]
Abstract: Electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under neutral or near-neutral conditions has attracted research interest due to its environmental friendliness and economic sustainability in comparison with currently available acidic and alkaline conditions. However, it is challenging to identify electrocatalytically active species in the OER procedure under neutral environments due to non-crystalline forms of catalysts. Crystalline metal-organic framework (MOF) materials could provide novel insights into electrocatalytical active species because of their well-defined structures. In this study, we synthesized two isostructural two-dimensional (2D) MOFs [Co(HCi)2(H2O)2·2DMF]n (Co-Ci-2D) and [Ni(HCi)2(H2O)2·2DMF]n (Ni-Ci-2D) (H2Ci = 1H-indazole-5-carboxylic acid, DMF = N, N-Dimethyl-formamide) to investigate their OER performance in a neutral environment. Our results indicate that Co-Ci-2D holds a current density of 3.93 mA cm-2 at 1.8 V vs. RHE and a OER durability superior to the benchmark catalyst IrO2. Utilizing the advantages of structural transformation of MOF materials which are easier to characterize and analyze compared to ill-defined amorphous materials, we found out that a mononuclear coordination compound [Co(HCi)2(H2O)4] (Co-Ci-mono-A) and its isomer (Co-Ci-mono-B) were proven to be active species of Co-Ci-2D in the neutral OER process. For Ni-Ci-2D, mononuclear coordination compounds similar to structures of the cobalt material (Ni-Ci-mono-A and Ni-Ci-mono-B) together with NiHPO4 formed by the precipitation were confirmed as active species for the neutral OER catalysis. Additionally, the difference in OER activities between Co-Ci-2D and Ni-Ci-2D, approximately one order of magnitude, originates primarily from the opposite tendency of bond length changes in coordination octahedron after being treated by the PBS solution. These findings contribute to a better comprehension of the OER procedure in the neutral media.
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Apr 2023
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E01-JEM ARM 200CF
I20-EDE-Energy Dispersive EXAFS (EDE)
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Hui
Luo
,
Victor Y.
Yukuhiro
,
Pablo S.
Fernández
,
Jingyu
Feng
,
Paul
Thompson
,
Reshma R.
Rao
,
Rongsheng
Cai
,
Silvia
Favero
,
Sarah J.
Haigh
,
James R.
Durrant
,
Ifan E. L.
Stephens
,
Maria-Magdalena
Titirici
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[28663, 25476]
Open Access
Abstract: Pt-based bimetallic electrocatalysts are promising candidates to convert surplus glycerol from the biodiesel industry to value-added chemicals and coproduce hydrogen. It is expected that the nature and content of the elements in the bimetallic catalyst can not only affect the reaction kinetics but also influence the product selectivity, providing a way to increase the yield of the desired products. Hence, in this work, we investigate the electrochemical oxidation of glycerol on a series of PtNi nanoparticles with increasing Ni content using a combination of physicochemical structural analysis, electrochemical measurements, operando spectroscopic techniques, and advanced product characterizations. With a moderate Ni content and a homogenously alloyed bimetallic Pt–Ni structure, the PtNi2 catalyst displayed the highest reaction activity among all materials studied in this work. In situ FTIR data show that PtNi2 can activate the glycerol molecule at a more negative potential (0.4 VRHE) than the other PtNi catalysts. In addition, its surface can effectively catalyze the complete C–C bond cleavage, resulting in lower CO poisoning and higher stability. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy and UV–vis spectroscopy suggest that glycerol adsorbs strongly onto surface Ni(OH)x sites, preventing their oxidation and activation of oxygen or hydroxyl from water. As such, we propose that the role of Ni in PtNi toward glycerol oxidation is to tailor the electronic structure of the pure Pt sites rather than a bifunctional mechanism. Our experiments provide guidance for the development of bimetallic catalysts toward highly efficient, selective, and stable glycerol oxidation reactions.
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Nov 2022
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E01-JEM ARM 200CF
I20-EDE-Energy Dispersive EXAFS (EDE)
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[28663, 28698]
Open Access
Abstract: Iron-based single-site catalysts hold immense potential for achieving highly selective chemical processes, with the added advantage of iron being an earth-abundant metal. They are widely explored in electrocatalysis for oxygen reduction and display promising catalytic activity for organic transformations. In particular, FeNx@C catalysts are active for the reduction of nitroarene into aromatic amines. Yet, they are difficult to mass-produce, and most preparation methods fail to avoid single site aggregation. Here we prepared FeNx@C catalysts from bio-derived compounds, xylose and haemoglobin, in a simple two-step process. Since haemoglobin naturally contains FeNx single-sites, we successfully repurposed them into hydrogenation catalytic centers and avoided their aggregation during the preparation of the material. Their single-site nature was demonstrated by aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption techniques. They were shown to be active for transfer hydrogenation of nitroarenes into anilines, with excellent substrate selectivity and recyclability, as demonstrated by the preserved yield across seven catalytic cycles. We also showed that FeNx@C could be used to prepare 2-phenylbenzimidazole through a reduction/condensation tandem. Our work shows for the first time the viability of biomass precursors to prepare Fe single-site hydrogenation catalysts.
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Sep 2022
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E01-JEM ARM 200CF
I20-EDE-Energy Dispersive EXAFS (EDE)
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Jesus
Barrio
,
Angus
Pedersen
,
Jingyu
Feng
,
Saurav Ch.
Sarma
,
Mengnan
Wang
,
Alain Y.
Li
,
Hossein
Yadegari
,
Hui
Luo
,
Mary P.
Ryan
,
Maria-Magdalena
Titirici
,
Ifan E. L.
Stephens
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[28663, 28698]
Open Access
Abstract: Single-atom catalysts, in particular the Fe–N–C family of materials, have emerged as a promising alternative to platinum group metals in fuel cells as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. Numerous theoretical studies have suggested that dual atom catalysts can appreciably accelerate catalytic reactions; nevertheless, the synthesis of these materials is highly challenging owing to metal atom clustering and aggregation into nanoparticles during high temperature synthesis treatment. In this work, dual metal atom catalysts are prepared by controlled post synthetic metal-coordination in a C2N-like material. The configuration of the active sites was confirmed by means of X-ray adsorption spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy. During oxygen reduction, the catalyst exhibited an activity of 2.4 ± 0.3 A gcarbon−1 at 0.8 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode in acidic media, comparable to the most active in the literature. This work provides a novel approach for the targeted synthesis of catalysts containing dual metal sites in electrocatalysis.
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Feb 2022
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B18-Core EXAFS
I22-Small angle scattering & Diffraction
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Jingyu
Feng
,
Rongsheng
Cai
,
Emanuele
Magliocca
,
Hui
Luo
,
Luke
Higgins
,
Giulio L. Fumagalli
Romario
,
Xiaoqiang
Liang
,
Angus
Pedersen
,
Zhen
Xu
,
Zhenyu
Guo
,
Arun
Periasamy
,
Dan
Brett
,
Thomas S.
Miller
,
Sarah J.
Haigh
,
Bhoopesh
Mishra
,
Maria-Magdalena
Titirici
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[26201, 27900]
Open Access
Abstract: Atomically dispersed transition metal-nitrogen-carbon catalysts are emerging as low-cost electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells. However, a cost-effective and scalable synthesis strategy for these catalysts is still required, as well as a greater understanding of their mechanisms. Herein, iron, nitrogen co-doped carbon spheres (Fe@NCS) have been prepared via hydrothermal carbonization and high-temperature post carbonization. It is determined that FeN4 is the main form of iron existing in the obtained Fe@NCS. Two different precursors containing Fe2+ and Fe3+ are compared. Both chemical and structural differences have been observed in catalysts starting from Fe2+ and Fe3+ precursors. Fe2+@NCS-A (starting with Fe2+ precursor) shows better catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction. This catalyst is studied in an anion exchange membrane fuel cell. The high open-circuit voltage demonstrates the potential approach for developing high-performance, low-cost fuel cell catalysts.
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Aug 2021
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B18-Core EXAFS
E01-JEM ARM 200CF
E02-JEM ARM 300CF
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Hui
Luo
,
Ying
Liu
,
Stoichko D.
Dimitrov
,
Ludmilla
Steier
,
Shaohui
Guo
,
Xuanhua
Li
,
Jingyu
Feng
,
Fei
Xie
,
Yuanxing
Fang
,
Andrei
Sapelkin
,
Xinchen
Wang
,
Maria-Magdalena
Titirici
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[22447, 20116]
Open Access
Abstract: Single-atom catalysis has become the most active new frontier in energy conversion applications due to its remarkable catalytic activity and low material consumption. However, the issue of atom aggregation during the synthesis process or catalytic reaction must be overcome. In this work, we have developed a one-step photo-deposition process to fabricate Pt single-atom catalysts (SACs) on nitrogen doped carbon dots (NCDs). The Pt–NCDs were then hybridized with TiO2 to achieve high hydrogen generation activity and to understand the fundamentals at the Pt/NCD/TiO2 interface. The synergistic effect of Pt SAC and NCDs with maximized atomic efficiency of Pt and improved charge transfer capability provides a new strategy to rationally design a multi-scale photocatalyst structure to achieve high H2 evolution efficiency. The facile synthesis process also holds great potential for various applications such as electrocatalysis, heterogeneous catalysis and drug delivery, providing a promising way to reduce the high cost of noble metals.
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Jul 2020
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E02-JEM ARM 300CF
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Colum
O'Leary
,
Emanuela
Liberti
,
Gerardo
Martinez
,
Christopher
Allen
,
Chen
Huang
,
Mathias
Rothmann
,
Hui
Luo
,
Judy
Kim
,
Laura
Herz
,
Hazel
Assender
,
Lewys
Jones
,
Angus
Kirkland
,
Peter
Nellist
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[20431, 22317]
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Jul 2020
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E01-JEM ARM 200CF
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Hui
Luo
,
Stoichko D.
Dimitrov
,
Matyas
Daboczi
,
Ji-Seon
Kim
,
Qian
Guo
,
Yuanxing
Fang
,
Marc-Antoine
Stoeckel
,
Paolo
Samorì
,
Oliver
Fenwick
,
Ana Belen
Jorge Sobrido
,
Xinchen
Wang
,
Maria-Magdalena
Titirici
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[22447]
Abstract: Carbon dots on photoactive semiconductor nanomaterials have represented an effective strategy for enhancing their photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity. By carefully designing and manipulating carbon dots/support composite, a high photocurrent could be obtained. Currently, there is not much fundamental understanding of how the interaction between such materials can facilitate the reaction process. This hinders the wide applicability in PEC devices. To address this need of improving the fundamental understanding of carbon dots/semiconductor nanocomposite, we have taken the TiO2 case as a model semiconductor system with nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs). We present here with in-depth investigation of the structural hybridization and energy transitions in the NCDs/TiO2 photoelectrode via high-resolution scanning transmission microscopy (HR-STEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), UV-Vis absorption, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Mott-Schottky (M-S), time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) and ultra-violet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), which shed some light on the charge transfer process at the carbon dots and TiO2 interface. We show that N doping in carbon dots can effectively prolong the carrier lifetime, and the hybridisation of NCDs and TiO2 is able not only to extend TiO2 light response into the visible range but also to form heterojunction at the NCDs/TiO2 interface with properly aligned band structure that allows a spatial separation of the charges. This work is arguably the first to report the direct probing of the band positions of carbon dots-TiO2 nanoparticle composite in a PEC system for understanding the energy transfer mechanism, demonstrating the favourable role of NCDs in the photocurrent response of TiO2 for water oxidation process. This study reveals the importance of combining structural, photophysical and electrochemical experiments to develop a comprehensive understanding of the charge injection/electronic communication between the carbon dots and their current collectors or catalyst supports.
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Mar 2020
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