In our most recent publication we performed ab initio calculations to construct ORR overpotential maps and describe the availability and spatial distribution of catalytic active sites on phosphorus-nitrogen co-doped graphene. The results are published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry C. Eduardo Gracia-Espino. J. Phys. Chem. C, 120, 27849–27857 (2016) DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b09425 Abstract Ab initio calculations are performed to investigate how the simultaneous introduction of phosphorus and nitrogen into graphene modifies the availability and spatial distribution of catalytic active sites for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A phosphoryl group (R3-P=O) is selected as a representative for the phosphorus doping, and the ORR is studied under alkaline conditions where a 4e- mechanism is used to determine the limiting step and overpotential (ηORR) along the entire graphene surface. A scanning procedure is used to construct ηORR maps for pristine-, N-, P-, and diverse PN co-doped graphenes. The results indicate that a single N (P) atom activates up to 17 (3) C atoms, while the simultaneous introduction of P and N activates up to 55 C atoms equivalent to 57% of the surface. Additionally, PN co-doped graphenes reveals that the relative location of both dopants has significant effects on the ORR performance, where a P-N separation distance of at least 4 Å minimize the localization of electronic states on the neighboring C atoms and improves the quantity and distribution of active sites. The results shows the importance of designing synthesis procedures to control the dopant concentration and spatial distribution to maximize the number of active sites. Furthermore, the ηORR maps reveal features that could be obtained by scanning tunneling microscopy allowing to experimentally identify and possibly quantify the catalytic active sites on carbon-based materials.
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We report the production of a hybrid catalyst electrode comprising semicrystalline molybdenum sulfide (MoS2+x) attached on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes. The nitrogen-doping of the carbon nanotubes stabilizes a semicrystalline structure of MoS2+x with a high exposure of active sites for HER resulting in enhanced catalytic activity. The results are published in the journal of Advanced Functional Materials. Joakim Ekspong, Tiva Sharifi, Andrey Shchukarev, Alexey Klechikov, Thomas Wågberg, and Eduardo Gracia-Espino. Adv. Funct. Mater, 2016. DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201601994 Abstract Finding an abundant and cost-effective electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for a global production of hydrogen from water electrolysis. This work reports an exceptionally large surface area hybrid catalyst electrode comprising semicrystalline molybdenum sulfide (MoS2+x) catalyst attached on a substrate based on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs), which are directly grown on carbon fiber paper (CP). It is shown here that nitrogen-doping of the carbon nanotubes improves the anchoring of MoS2+x catalyst compared to undoped carbon nanotubes and concurrently stabilizes a semicrystalline structure of MoS2+x with a high exposure of active sites for HER. The well-connected constituents of the hybrid catalyst are shown to facilitate electron transport and as a result of the good attributes, the MoS2+x/N-CNT/CP electrode exhibits an onset potential of −135 mV for HER in 0.5 m H2SO4, a Tafel slope of 36 mV dec−1, and high stability at a current density of −10 mA cm−2.
The photocatalytic performance of nanosized metal (Pt or Pd)-decorated TiO2 nanofibers (NFs) with CdSe quantum dots were tested for activation and reduction of CO2 under UV-B light. The CO2 photoreduction mechanism is proposed to take place via a hydrogenation pathway from first principles calculations. This work was performed in collaboration with the University of Oulu and the Åbo Akademi University, the manuscript is published in the journal of Nano Research. Anjana Sarkar, Eduardo Gracia-Espino, Thomas Wågberg, Andrey Shchukarev, Melinda Mohl, Anne-Riikka Rautio, Olli Pitkänen, Tiva Sharifi, Krisztian Kordas, Jyri-Pekka Mikkola. Nano Research, 2016 DOI:10.1007/s12274-016-1087-9 AbstractNanosized metal (Pt or Pd)-decorated TiO2 nanofibers (NFs) were synthesized by a wet impregnation method. CdSe quantum dots (QDs) were then anchored onto the metal-decorated TiO2 NFs. The photocatalytic performance of these catalysts was tested for activation and reduction of CO2 under UV-B light. Gas chromatographic analysis indicated the formation of methanol, formic acid, and methyl formate as the primary products. In the absence of CdSe QDs, Pd-decorated TiO2 NFs were found to exhibit enhanced performance compared to Pt-decorated TiO2 NFs for methanol production. However, in the presence of CdSe, Pt-decorated TiO2 NFs exhibited higher selectivity for methanol, typically producing ∼90 ppmg−1·h−1 methanol. The CO2 photoreduction mechanism is proposed to take place via a hydrogenation pathway from first principles calculations, which complement the experimental observations.
We report an ex-situ co-doping methods that enables rapid diffusion of Sn4+ and Be2+ dopants into hematite (α–Fe2O3) lattices without altering the nanorod morphology. Sn/Be co-doping results in a remarkable enhancement in photocurrent (1.7 mA/cm2) compared to pristine α–Fe2O3 (0.7 mA/cm2). The sequence in which the ex-situ co-doping is carried out is very crucial, as Be/Sn co-doping sequence induces many under-coordinated O atoms resulting in a higher micro-strain and lower charge separation efficiency resulting undesired electron recombination. These results are published in the journal of Scientific Reports.
Abstract For ex-situ co-doping methods, sintering at high temperatures enables rapid diffusion of Sn4+ and Be2+ dopants into hematite (α–Fe2O3) lattices, without altering the nanorod morphology or damaging their crystallinity. Sn/Be co-doping results in a remarkable enhancement in photocurrent (1.7 mA/cm2) compared to pristine α–Fe2O3 (0.7 mA/cm2), and Sn4+ mono-doped α-Fe2O3 photoanodes (1.0 mA/cm2). From first-principles calculations, we found that Sn4+ doping induced a shallow donor level below the conduction band minimum, which does not contribute to increase electrical conductivity and photocurrent because of its localized nature. Additionally, Sn4+-doping induce local micro-strain and a decreased Fe-O bond ordering. When Be2+ was co-doped with Sn4+-doped α–Fe2O3 photoanodes, the conduction band recovered its original state, without localized impurities peaks, also a reduction in micro-strain and increased Fe-O bond ordering is observed. Also the sequence in which the ex-situ co-doping is carried out is very crucial, as Be/Sn co-doping sequence induces many under-coordinated O atoms resulting in a higher micro-strain and lower charge separation efficiency resulting undesired electron recombination. Here, we perform a detailed systematic characterization using XRD, FESEM, XPS and comprehensive electrochemical and photoelectrochemical studies, along with sophisticated synchrotron diffraction studies and extended X-ray absorption fine structure.
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