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A Dynamically Stabilized Single‐Nickel Electrocatalyst for Selective Reduction of Oxygen to Hydrogen Peroxide
Author(s) -
Wang Tingting,
Zeng Zhongming,
Cao Lingyun,
Li Zhe,
Hu Xuefu,
An Bing,
Wang Cheng,
Lin Wenbin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201804312
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , nickel , electrochemistry , faraday efficiency , catalysis , hydrogen peroxide , chemistry , selectivity , metal , adsorption , inorganic chemistry , oxygen , hydrogen , electrode , organic chemistry
On‐location electrochemical generation of H 2 O 2 is of great current interest. Herein, selective two‐electron reduction of O 2 to H 2 O 2 by a single [Ni II (H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ cation that is dynamically associated with a negatively charged metal–organic layer (MOL) by hydrogen bonding and coulombic interactions is reported. In contrast, Ni II centers covalently immobilized on the MOL reduce O 2 to H 2 O in a four‐ electron process. Oxygen adsorption by [Ni II (H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ followed by two‐electron reduction generates neutral [Ni II (H 2 O) 4 (OH)(OOH)] 0 , which momentarily disconnects from the negatively charged MOL to avoid the injection of additional electrons. Release of H 2 O 2 from [Ni II (H 2 O) 4 (OH)(OOH)] 0 regenerates [Ni II (H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ , which regains affinity to the MOL. Such dynamically associated Ni II single‐metal electrocatalysts ensure high selectivity and represent a new strategy for generating selective catalysts for electrochemical production of important chemicals.