The effect of defects on the catalytic activity of single Au atom supported carbon nanotubes and reaction mechanism for CO oxidation.

The mechanism of CO oxidation by O2 on a single Au atom supported on pristine, mono atom vacancy (m), di atom vacancy (di) and the Stone Wales defect (SW) on single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) surface is systematically investigated theoretically using density functional theory. We determine that single Au atoms can be trapped effectively by the defects on SWCNTs. The defects on SWCNTs can enhance both the binding strength and catalytic activity of the supported single Au atom. Fundamental aspects such as adsorption energy and charge transfer are elucidated to analyze the adsorption properties of CO and O2 and co-adsorption of CO and O2 molecules. It is found that CO binds stronger than O2 on Au supported SWCNT. We clearly demonstrate that the defected SWCNT surface promotes electron transfer from the supported single Au atom to O2 molecules. On the other hand, this effect is weaker for pristine SWCNTs. It is observed that the high density of spin-polarized states are localized in the region of the Fermi level due to the strong interactions between Au (5d orbital) and the adjacent carbon (2p orbital) atoms, which influence the catalytic performance. In addition, we elucidate both the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) and Eley-Rideal (ER) mechanisms of CO oxidation by O2. For the LH pathway, the barriers of the rate-limiting step are calculated to be 0.02 eV and 0.05 eV for Au/m-SWCNT and Au/di-SWCNT, respectively. To regenerate the active sites, an ER-like reaction occurs to form a second CO2 molecule. The ER pathway is observed on Au/m-SWCNT, Au/SW-SWCNT and Au/SWCNT in which the Au/m-SWCNT has a smaller barrier. The comparison with a previous study (Lu et al., J. Phys. Chem. C, 2009, 113, 20156-20160.) indicates that the curvature effect of SWCNTs is important for the catalytic property of the supported single Au. Overall, Au/m-SWCNT is identified as the most active catalyst for CO oxidation compared to pristine SWCNT, SW-SWCNT and di-SWCNT. Our findings give a clear description on the relationship between the defects in the support and the catalytic properties of Au and open a new avenue to develop carbon nanomaterial-based single atom catalysts for application in environmental and energy related fields.

Unraveling the coordination structure-performance relationship in Pt1/Fe2O3 single-atom catalyst.

Heterogeneous single-atom catalyst (SAC) opens a unique entry to establishing structure-performance relationship at the molecular level similar to that in homogeneous catalysis. The challenge lies in manipulating the coordination chemistry of single atoms without changing single-atom dispersion. Here, we develop an efficient synthetic method for SACs by using ethanediamine to chelate Pt cations and then removing the ethanediamine by a rapid thermal treatment (RTT) in inert atmosphere. The coordination chemistry of Pt single atoms on a Fe2O3 support is finely tuned by merely adjusting the RTT temperature. With the decrease in Pt-O coordination number, the oxidation state of Pt decreases, and consequently the hydrogenation activity increases to a record level without loss of chemoselectivity. The tunability of the local coordination chemistry, oxidation states of the metal, and the catalytic performance of single atoms reveals the unique role of SACs as a bridge between heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis.

Bio-inspired Construction of Advanced Fuel Cell Cathode with Pt Anchored in Ordered Hybrid Polymer Matrix.

The significant use of platinum for catalyzing the cathodic oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) has hampered the widespread use of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The construction of well-defined electrode architecture in nanoscale with enhanced utilization and catalytic performance of Pt might be a promising approach to address such barrier. Inspired by the highly efficient catalytic processes in enzymes with active centers embedded in charge transport pathways, here we demonstrate for the first time a design that allocates platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) at the boundaries with dual-functions of conducting both electrons by aid of polypyrrole and protons via Nafion(®) ionomer within hierarchical nanoarrays. By mimicking enzymes functionally, an impressive ORR activity and stability is achieved. Using this brand new electrode architecture as the cathode and the anode of a PEMFC, a high mass specific power density of 5.23 W mg(-1)Pt is achieved, with remarkable durability. These improvements are ascribed to not only the electron decoration and the anchoring effects from the Nafion(®) ionomer decorated PPy substrate to the supported Pt NPs, but also the fast charge and mass transport facilitated by the electron and proton pathways within the electrode architecture.

Supported Au nanoparticles as efficient catalysts for aerobic homocoupling of phenylboronic acid.

Au nanoparticles with small sizes (1-4 nm) were effectively formed on Mg-Al mixed oxides (Au/MAO), which showed superior catalytic performances and good recyclability in aerobic homocoupling of phenylboronic acid.

Macroporous 'bubble' graphene film via template-directed ordered-assembly for high rate supercapacitors.

A three-dimensional bubble graphene film, with controllable and uniform macropores and tailorable microstructure, was fabricated by a facile hard templating strategy and exhibit extraordinary electrochemical capacitance with high rate capability (1.0 V s(-1)).