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In Situ Thermal Atomization To Convert Supported Nickel Nanoparticles into Surface‐Bound Nickel Single‐Atom Catalysts
Author(s) -
Yang Jian,
Qiu Zongyang,
Zhao Changming,
Wei Weichen,
Chen Wenxing,
Li Zhijun,
Qu Yunteng,
Dong Juncai,
Luo Jun,
Li Zhenyu,
Wu Yuen
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201808049
Subject(s) - nickel , catalysis , nanoparticle , carbon fibers , materials science , chemical engineering , atom (system on chip) , metal , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , metallurgy , composite material , organic chemistry , composite number , computer science , engineering , embedded system
The arrangement of the active sites on the surface of a catalysts can reduce the problem of mass transfer and enhance the atom economy. Herein, supported Ni metal nanoparticles can be transformed to thermal stable Ni single atoms, mostly located on the surface of the support. Assisted by N‐doped carbon with abundant defects, this synthetic process not only transform the nanoparticles to single atoms, but also creates numerous pores to facilitate the contact of dissolved CO 2 and single Ni sites. The proposed mechanism is that the Ni nanoparticles could break surface C−C bonds drill into the carbon matrix, leaving pores on the surface. When Ni nanoparticles are exposed to N‐doped carbon, the strong coordination splits Ni atoms from Ni NPs. The Ni atoms are stabilized within the surface of carbon substrate. The continuous loss of atomic Ni species from the NPs would finally result in atomization of Ni NPs. CO 2 electroreduction testing shows that the surface enriched with Ni single atoms delivers better performance than supported Ni NPs and other similar catalysts.