Factors Affecting the Catalytic Performance of Nano‐catalysts

Abstract

Comprehensive Summary Nano‐catalysis plays a vital role in the industrially chemical transformations. The increasingly severe energy crisis and environmental issues spur scientists to exploit novel nano‐catalysts in diverse fields. It is essential to understand the fundamental physicochemical properties of nano‐catalysts to develop efficient systems, whose design can be subsequently precisely tuned at the atomic level. In this review, we summarize several key factors affecting the catalytic activity of nano‐catalysts, including structure, composition, size, and interface, providing guidance for the atomic level control of high‐efficient nano‐catalysts. Finally, we present a brief conclusion and some thoughts on nano‐catalysis. What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group? Nanomaterials for catalysis and renewable energy. How do you supervise your students? I always encourage my students to innovate, persist and enjoy their researches. What is the most important personality for scientific research? Strong interest. What are your hobbies? What's your favorite book(s)? Reading, travelling and gaming. My favorite books are novels that give me a variety of different experiences. How do you keep balance between research and family? I always try to make time to be with my family, however busy I am.

Heterogeneous Iridium Single-Atom Molecular-like Catalysis for Epoxidation of Ethylene

“…Conceptually, catalysts that combine homogeneous and heterogeneous features are expected to be composed of defined active sites and insoluble in the reaction media during the reaction. The emerging single-atom catalysts (SACs) provide new opportunities to build a bridge between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, which can be utilized to study the structure–activity relationship of various reactions at the molecular level, by virtue of their well-defined active structures and ease of mechanistic investigation. − Compared with conventional nanoparticle catalysts, SACs often demonstrate different chemistries and reaction pathways; these differences are because the metal sites in SACs often carry partially positive charges and thus influence their electronic densities, the interaction between metal and reaction species, and even the adsorption mode of the reaction intermediates. − When there is a unique coordination structure between the SACs and the reactant, it could be expected that the catalytic system would have a selectivity (almost) exclusively for a specific product.…”

Unique (100) Surface Configuration Enables Promising Oxygen Reduction Performance for Pt3Co Nanodendrite Catalysts

“…26 In light of these results, more conclusive descriptors in addition to the surface index (e.g., generalized coordination number 27 ) have to be developed to deal with the real-world catalysts, 16,27 while those dedicated and underlying parameters also suggest more room to regulate the morphology and surface structure of Pt−M catalysts for promising properties. 28 In the present work, we here design and synthesize the Pt 3 Co nanodendrite (Pt 3 Co ND) structures that expose a dominant (100) surface for optimized oxophilicity and structural characteristic toward active and stable ORR. This ORR electrocatalyst exhibits nearly perfect stability and a 6.6-fold improvement in Pt mass activity compared with the Pt/C catalyst.…”

“…For example, the ORR activity of the Pt surface follows the order of Pt(110)≃Pt(111) ≫ Pt(100), and the premises considering (111) surfaces as the highly active structure for Pt 3 Co and Pt 3 Ni have led to the development of nanooctahedra, , which exhibit eight facets with (111) atomic arrangement. ,, However, as for practical Pt-based catalysts, e.g., NPs or polyhedral nanostructures, the coexistence of multiple surface facets and the formed surface defects including steps, kinks, and even the secondary metal segregation will cause the ORR performance deviate from the ideally predicted cases, and some even showed enhancement of performance. , For example, the presence of (100) terraces on Pt(111) surfaces is revealed as the critical characteristic to boost the ORR kinetics. , The Pt–Ni nanostructures dominated by (100) surfaces were found to possess higher ORR activity than that of conventional NPs enclosed mostly by (111) and (100) facets . In light of these results, more conclusive descriptors in addition to the surface index (e.g., generalized coordination number) have to be developed to deal with the real-world catalysts, , while those dedicated and underlying parameters also suggest more room to regulate the morphology and surface structure of Pt–M catalysts for promising properties …”

Cyanogel‐Induced PdCu Alloy with Pd‐Enriched Surface for Formic Acid Oxidation and Oxygen Reduction

“…[35][36][37][38][39] Moreover, 3D porous structure can facilitate mass/electron transfer between catalyst surface and substrate molecules, which is substantial for boosting the reaction kinetics and ultimate electrocatalytic properties. [40][41][42][43] Although the methods these advantages, the DOI: 10.1002/aesr.202200067 Pd-based catalysts with preferred morphologies and compositions are of great significance for boosting oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR) performance, but the development of facile preparation methods is challenging. Therefore, an unconventional strategy is proposed to synthesize palladium-copper cyanogel (Cu x [Pd(CN) 4 ] y •aH 2 O) and subsequently induce the formation of PdCu alloy nanocorals (ANCs), which has the advantages of being simple, green, and efficient.…”

“…[ 35–39 ] Moreover, 3D porous structure can facilitate mass/electron transfer between catalyst surface and substrate molecules, which is substantial for boosting the reaction kinetics and ultimate electrocatalytic properties. [ 40–43 ] Although the methods these advantages, the methods to synthesize 3D nanostructures are often complicated, commonly requiring two or more steps. [ 44 ] Therefore, it is meaningful to synthesize 3D nanostructured PdCu alloy catalysts by a simple and highly effective method.…”