Synchrotron X‐Ray‐Driven Nitrogen Reduction on an AgCu Thin Film

Abstract

Nitrogen (N2) is an essential element for life, but kinetically stable N2 in the atmosphere needs to be reduced to biologically available forms as a nutrient for organisms. Abiotic nitrogen fixation is critical to the origin of life on the early Earth, which is due to lightning or mineral‐based reduction. Here, synchrotron X‐ray‐induced silver nitrate formation on a silver copper (AgCu) thin‐film is reported. Time‐resolved X‐ray diffraction measurements show that under intense X‐ray exposure, initially formed silver oxides (AgOx) are quickly converted to silver nitrate (AgNO3). Interestingly, AgNO3 is first formed in its high‐temperature phase with a space group of R3cH, which gradually transforms to the room temperature phase with a space group of Pbca under continuous X‐ray irradiation. The result not only provides a new clue about the abiotic nitrogen reduction prior to life but also demonstrates a novel strategy of materials synthesis using synchrotron X‐rays.

Synergistically Designed Dual Interfaces to Enhance the Electrochemical Performance of MoO2/MoS2 in Na‐ and Li‐Ion Batteries

“…For Mo3d spectrum of MoO 2 /MoS 2 /C (Figure 2c), the peaks at 226.6, 229.4, and 232.5 eV can be attributed to S2s, Mo3d 5/2 , and Mo3d 3/2 , respectively. [ 29 ] The high‐resolution S 2p spectrum displays two peaks at 162.3 and 163.5 eV (Figure 2d), corresponding to S 2p 3/2 and S 2p 1/2 , respectively. [ 30,31 ] Interestingly, Mo 3d and S 2p spectra from MoO 2 /MoS 2 /C shifted toward low energy relative to MoO 2 /MoS 2 , indicating electron transfer from C to MoO 2 /MoS 2 .…”

Optimization Strategies Toward Functional Sodium‐Ion Batteries

“…The 9.6% Sn-MoSe 2 @GN exhibits superior electrochemical performance for SIBs. [64] After 1600 cycles, the specific capacity remained at 268.5 mAh g −1 at 1 A g −1 . The elemental doping alters the charge/ion state, bandgap, and crystal structure stability of active materials by modifying their intrinsic crystal structure, which increases the electronic conductivity and interlayer distance and provides additional pseudocapacitance.…”

The roles of the oxygen vacancies caused by the ion doping method in catalytic materials and their applications in advanced oxidation processes

“…Cations for doping can be chosen from conventional metal ions and a restricted range of non-metal cations. Doping with metal ions is frequently utilised to augment catalyst functionality, which may result in the emergence of OVs in metal oxides, such as Ru doped FeOOH, 14 Zr doped CeO 2 , 15 and Ca doped NdBaInO 4 . 16 A more specific example is that L's team synthesized multiple copies of CeO 2 with OVs successfully by doping of transition metals (Fe, Co, Zn, Zr, Cr, and Cu) and lanthanide metals (Sm, Nd, and La).…”

“…Besides, the energy level is regulated by both OVs and doping. 14,72 Dopants often result in a dominant energy level between the CB and VB that can adsorb intrinsically excited electrons. For instance, when carbon is doped into the interstitial of the In 2 O 3 lattice, it induces the emergence of OVs.…”

“…73 Some studies based on first principles calculations also confirmed that the combination of OVs and dopants has a synergistic effect on narrowing the band gap of catalysts. 14,74…”