Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116686
Ni Yi , Qi Xiao , Jilun Song, Shulin Wang, Yingru Wang, Liang Cao
Rational design of multicomponent alloy electrocatalysts is complicated by vast composition space and finite-temperature surface disorder. Here we develop a multiscale framework that links surface thermodynamics to site-resolved energetics for Ag–Au–Cu–Pd–Pt high-entropy alloy (HEA) nanoparticles in CO2-to-CO reduction. A cluster-expansion Hamiltonian combined with Metropolis Monte Carlo sampling captures temperature-dependent surface segregation and generates realistic equilibrium surface structures. A compact, strain-aware neural network trained on DFT *CO adsorption energies—using ligand, coordination, and strain descriptors—enables high-throughput prediction of adsorption energetics across diverse local environments. Coupled via a Sabatier-type volcano, these predictions yield composition–activity maps that reveal a robust Cu-rich activity window (75–85%). Representative formulations such as Cu0.85Pt0.15 and Ag0.05Au0.05Cu0.8Pt0.05Pd0.05 exhibit up to ∼5-fold and ∼10-fold higher activity than Cu(111) and equimolar HEAs, respectively, after annealing at 1500 K. DFT-validated analysis identifies a transferable local motif—Cu-atop sites embedded in Cu-enriched first- and second-neighbor shells—that tunes *CO binding toward the volcano optimum and rationalizes the Cu-rich activity ridges. Treating “high entropy” as a design strategy rather than a strict composition rule provides experimentally accessible composition windows and annealing conditions, as well as a reusable workflow for optimizing multicomponent alloy electrocatalysts.
{"title":"Finite-temperature composition–activity maps reveal Cu-rich windows for CO2-to-CO reduction on Ag–Au–Cu–Pd–Pt high-entropy alloys","authors":"Ni Yi , Qi Xiao , Jilun Song, Shulin Wang, Yingru Wang, Liang Cao","doi":"10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116686","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116686","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rational design of multicomponent alloy electrocatalysts is complicated by vast composition space and finite-temperature surface disorder. Here we develop a multiscale framework that links surface thermodynamics to site-resolved energetics for Ag–Au–Cu–Pd–Pt high-entropy alloy (HEA) nanoparticles in CO<sub>2</sub>-to-CO reduction. A cluster-expansion Hamiltonian combined with Metropolis Monte Carlo sampling captures temperature-dependent surface segregation and generates realistic equilibrium surface structures. A compact, strain-aware neural network trained on DFT *CO adsorption energies—using ligand, coordination, and strain descriptors—enables high-throughput prediction of adsorption energetics across diverse local environments. Coupled via a Sabatier-type volcano, these predictions yield composition–activity maps that reveal a robust Cu-rich activity window (75–85%). Representative formulations such as Cu<sub>0.85</sub>Pt<sub>0.15</sub> and Ag<sub>0.05</sub>Au<sub>0.05</sub>Cu<sub>0.8</sub>Pt<sub>0.05</sub>Pd<sub>0.05</sub> exhibit up to ∼5-fold and ∼10-fold higher activity than Cu(111) and equimolar HEAs, respectively, after annealing at 1500 K. DFT-validated analysis identifies a transferable local motif—Cu-atop sites embedded in Cu-enriched first- and second-neighbor shells—that tunes *CO binding toward the volcano optimum and rationalizes the Cu-rich activity ridges. Treating “high entropy” as a design strategy rather than a strict composition rule provides experimentally accessible composition windows and annealing conditions, as well as a reusable workflow for optimizing multicomponent alloy electrocatalysts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Catalysis","volume":"455 ","pages":"Article 116686"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-05DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116672
Wanyi Li , Wenbiao Zhang , He Li , Yi Tang , Yahong Zhang
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) holds promise in catalysis due to its edge-confined activity, but its structural rigidity and strong in-plane Mo-S bonding limit the exposure of active sites. Herein, we propose a high-curvature support-induced method using ultrasmall ZSM-5 subcrystals (Z-5-SC) to tailor the formation of NiMoS2 on them. The high curvature and abundant external silanol groups of Z-5-SC induce tensile strain and strong interfacial anchoring, generating short and curved NiMoS2 slabs with enhanced sulfur vacancies and Ni-Mo-S phase formation. Compared to nanocrystalline zeolite supports, the NiMoS2/Z-5-SC exhibits 7.3-fold higher hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity toward 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (kHDS = 0.624 h−1), rapid hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) response with minimized HDS suppression in simultaneous HDS and HDN reactions, and excellent cycling stability over 15 cycles. This work presents an effective curvature-engineering strategy to enhance the catalytic potential of MoS2, offering new insights into the design of engineered two-dimensional materials for hydrotreating and beyond.
{"title":"Zeolite subcrystal-induced formation of short and curved NiMoS2 slabs toward highly efficient hydrodesulfurization","authors":"Wanyi Li , Wenbiao Zhang , He Li , Yi Tang , Yahong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116672","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116672","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Molybdenum disulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>) holds promise in catalysis due to its edge-confined activity, but its structural rigidity and strong in-plane Mo-S bonding limit the exposure of active sites. Herein, we propose a high-curvature support-induced method using ultrasmall ZSM-5 subcrystals (Z-5-SC) to tailor the formation of NiMoS<sub>2</sub> on them. The high curvature and abundant external silanol groups of Z-5-SC induce tensile strain and strong interfacial anchoring, generating short and curved NiMoS<sub>2</sub> slabs with enhanced sulfur vacancies and Ni-Mo-S phase formation. Compared to nanocrystalline zeolite supports, the NiMoS<sub>2</sub>/Z-5-SC exhibits 7.3-fold higher hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity toward 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (<em>k<sub>HDS</sub></em> = 0.624 h<sup>−1</sup>), rapid hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) response with minimized HDS suppression in simultaneous HDS and HDN reactions, and excellent cycling stability over 15 cycles. This work presents an effective curvature-engineering strategy to enhance the catalytic potential of MoS<sub>2</sub>, offering new insights into the design of engineered two-dimensional materials for hydrotreating and beyond.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Catalysis","volume":"455 ","pages":"Article 116672"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145903496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-05DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116670
Qingwei Meng , Hui Luo , Fucheng Chen , Lungang Chen , Jinliang Song , Xiaorui Du , Yiyuan Zhou , Anqi Wang , Xiaoping Wu , Tiejun Wang
The non-oxidative dehydrogenation of ethanol (EDH) to acetaldehyde represents a promising route for biomass resource utilization. Although Cu/ZnO catalysts are widely employed industrially, their application in EDH remains underexplored. This study investigates the impact of precursor composition—using aurichalcite, zinc malachite, and their mixtures—on the structure and EDH performance of derived Cu/ZnO catalysts. The precursor composition significantly modulates the oxygen vacancy concentration in the catalysts, thereby tuning electronic metal-support (Cu-ZnO) interactions and the relative abundances of Cu0 and defective Znδ+ species. The aurichalcite-derived catalyst exhibits the smallest Cu particle size, highest oxygen vacancy and Cu0 content, facilitating the formation of abundant oxygen vacancy-Cu0 dual-active-sites at the Cu-ZnO interface. In situ DRIFTS characterization demonstrate that oxygen vacancies play a critical role in the adsorption of ethanol, and the oxygen vacancy-Cu0 dual-active sites facilitate the cleavage of the α-C–H bond, thereby enhancing the rate of ethanol dehydrogenation. Mechanism studies reveal that the oxygen vacancy promotes adsorption via the ethanol C-O or O–H bond, while adjacent metallic Cu⁰&Cu+ activates and cleaves the C–H and O–H bonds. This oxygen vacancy-metal dual-active-sites synergistically enhances the intrinsic activity for ethanol dehydrogenation. Furthermore, catalyst with lower acidity and basicity were found to favor acetaldehyde selectivity. The catalyst derived from the mixed-phase precursor demonstrated optimal performance, achieving 63 % ethanol conversion and 90.2 % acetaldehyde selectivity at 270 °C under a WHSV of 1 h−1, with a catalyst lifetime exceeding 230 h. This work provides valuable insights for designing efficient Cu/ZnO catalysts for selective acetaldehyde production via ethanol dehydrogenation.
{"title":"Synergistic catalysis of oxygen vacancy-Cu0 dual-active-site derived from Cu-Zn mineral salt for boosting ethanol dehydrogenation into acetaldehyde","authors":"Qingwei Meng , Hui Luo , Fucheng Chen , Lungang Chen , Jinliang Song , Xiaorui Du , Yiyuan Zhou , Anqi Wang , Xiaoping Wu , Tiejun Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116670","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116670","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The non-oxidative dehydrogenation of ethanol (EDH) to acetaldehyde represents a promising route for biomass resource utilization. Although Cu/ZnO catalysts are widely employed industrially, their application in EDH remains underexplored. This study investigates the impact of precursor composition—using aurichalcite, zinc malachite, and their mixtures—on the structure and EDH performance of derived Cu/ZnO catalysts. The precursor composition significantly modulates the oxygen vacancy concentration in the catalysts, thereby tuning electronic metal-support (Cu-ZnO) interactions and the relative abundances of Cu<sup>0</sup> and defective Zn<sup>δ+</sup> species. The aurichalcite-derived catalyst exhibits the smallest Cu particle size, highest oxygen vacancy and Cu<sup>0</sup> content, facilitating the formation of abundant oxygen vacancy-Cu<sup>0</sup> dual-active-sites at the Cu-ZnO interface. In situ DRIFTS characterization demonstrate that oxygen vacancies play a critical role in the adsorption of ethanol, and the oxygen vacancy-Cu<sup>0</sup> dual-active sites facilitate the cleavage of the α-C–H bond, thereby enhancing the rate of ethanol dehydrogenation. Mechanism studies reveal that the oxygen vacancy promotes adsorption via the ethanol C-O or O–H bond, while adjacent metallic Cu⁰&Cu<sup>+</sup> activates and cleaves the C–H and O–H bonds. This oxygen vacancy-metal dual-active-sites synergistically enhances the intrinsic activity for ethanol dehydrogenation. Furthermore, catalyst with lower acidity and basicity were found to favor acetaldehyde selectivity. The catalyst derived from the mixed-phase precursor demonstrated optimal performance, achieving 63 % ethanol conversion and 90.2 % acetaldehyde selectivity at 270 °C under a WHSV of 1 h<sup>−1</sup>, with a catalyst lifetime exceeding 230 h. This work provides valuable insights for designing efficient Cu/ZnO catalysts for selective acetaldehyde production via ethanol dehydrogenation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Catalysis","volume":"455 ","pages":"Article 116670"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145903489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-05DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116671
Shaoyuan Sun , Dezheng Li , Huimin Liu , Chao Wang , Manqi Zhao , Heting Hou , Yonghua Zhao , Qijian Zhang , Dehua He , Yiming Lei
Catalytic dry reforming of methane (DRM) can convert greenhouse gases (CO2 and CH4) into syngas (CO + H2) so as to be expected to realize carbon neutrality and green energy production. Ni-based catalysts with low cost and high efficiency are promising for DRM field. However, the rapid cracking of CH4 on Ni surface becomes a double-edged sword, resulting in high efficiency and undesired carbon accumulation. To improve the anti-carbon accumulation ability, the catalytic communities have proposed effective strategies, represented by i) regulation and stabilization of small metal nanoparticles, ii) regulation of the support improving oxidation of deposited carbon. Herein, we highlight their effects in enhancing anti-carbon accumulation ability and discuss their anti-carbon accumulation abilities under realistic DRM reaction conditions, aiming at inspiring more interesting studies toward DRM and even the whole catalytic field.
{"title":"Pivotal strategies towards stable Ni-based catalysts for dry reforming of methane: resisting carbon accumulation","authors":"Shaoyuan Sun , Dezheng Li , Huimin Liu , Chao Wang , Manqi Zhao , Heting Hou , Yonghua Zhao , Qijian Zhang , Dehua He , Yiming Lei","doi":"10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116671","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116671","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Catalytic dry reforming of methane (DRM) can convert greenhouse gases (CO<sub>2</sub> and CH<sub>4</sub>) into syngas (CO + H<sub>2</sub>) so as to be expected to realize carbon neutrality and green energy production. Ni-based catalysts with low cost and high efficiency are promising for DRM field. However, the rapid cracking of CH<sub>4</sub> on Ni surface becomes a double-edged sword, resulting in high efficiency and undesired carbon accumulation. To improve the anti-carbon accumulation ability, the catalytic communities have proposed effective strategies, represented by i) regulation and stabilization of small metal nanoparticles, ii) regulation of the support improving oxidation of deposited carbon. Herein, we highlight their effects in enhancing anti-carbon accumulation ability and discuss their anti-carbon accumulation abilities under realistic DRM reaction conditions, aiming at inspiring more interesting studies toward DRM and even the whole catalytic field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Catalysis","volume":"455 ","pages":"Article 116671"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145903491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116668
Yu-Nan Yi , Xiao-Dan Guan , Xin-Yu Peng , Xiaobing Shi
NiOOH is regarded as the most active species for selective methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), but the high oxidation energy of NiOOH makes it hard to directly synthesize, except under high anodic polarization. Besides, the high active β-NiOOH is prone to be irreversibly over-oxidized to less active and unstable γ-NiOOH. Herein, we propose a cobalt-mediated strategy to promote the in-situ generation of active β-NiOOH at ultralow applied potential on Ni3S2 nanosheets and prevent overoxidation of β-NiOOH to γ-NiOOH during MOR, this promoting effect is confirmed by the in-situ Raman spectroscopy analysis. Furthermore, DFT calculations reveal that substitution of slight Co atoms for Ni atoms in Ni3S2 weakens the Ni–S bonds and formation energy of S vacancies, as well as enhancing the *OH adsorption at Ni sites, thereby promoting the in-situ generation and stabilizing of β-NiOOH. Consequently, the optimal Ni2.94Co0.06S2@NF catalyst exhibts superior MOR performance, with a potential of 1.41 V vs. RHE at 100 mA cm−2 and above 97 % of FEformate at ∼300 mA cm−2. This study provides a deep insight into modulating surface reconstruction of Ni-based nanocatalyst to promote in-situ generating of real and robust active site for MOR and other nucleophile oxidation reactions.
NiOOH被认为是甲醇选择性氧化反应(MOR)中最活跃的物质,但NiOOH的高氧化能使得它很难直接合成,除非在高阳极极化条件下。此外,高活性的β-NiOOH容易被不可逆过氧化生成活性较低且不稳定的γ-NiOOH。在此,我们提出了一种钴介导的策略,以促进Ni3S2纳米片在超低电位下原位生成活性β-NiOOH,并防止β-NiOOH在MOR过程中过度氧化为γ-NiOOH,这种促进作用通过原位拉曼光谱分析得到证实。此外,DFT计算表明,Ni3S2中少量的Co原子取代Ni原子削弱了Ni - S键和S空位的形成能,增强了Ni位点对*OH的吸附,从而促进了β-NiOOH的原位生成和稳定。因此,最优Ni2.94Co0.06S2@NF催化剂表现出优异的MOR性能,在100 mA cm - 2时与RHE的电位为1.41 V,在~ 300 mA cm - 2时与fe甲酸的电位超过97%。该研究为调控镍基纳米催化剂的表面重构以促进MOR等亲核试剂氧化反应的原位生成真实而稳健的活性位点提供了深入的见解。
{"title":"Promoting the in-situ generation and stabilizing of active β-NiOOH on nickel sulfide nanosheet for superior electrochemical methanol oxidation","authors":"Yu-Nan Yi , Xiao-Dan Guan , Xin-Yu Peng , Xiaobing Shi","doi":"10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116668","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116668","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>NiOOH is regarded as the most active species for selective methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), but the high oxidation energy of NiOOH makes it hard to directly synthesize, except under high anodic polarization. Besides, the high active β-NiOOH is prone to be irreversibly over-oxidized to less active and unstable γ-NiOOH. Herein, we propose a cobalt-mediated strategy to promote the <em>in-situ</em> generation of active β-NiOOH at ultralow applied potential on Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub> nanosheets and prevent overoxidation of β-NiOOH to γ-NiOOH during MOR, this promoting effect is confirmed by the <em>in-situ</em> Raman spectroscopy analysis. Furthermore, DFT calculations reveal that substitution of slight Co atoms for Ni atoms in Ni<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub> weakens the Ni–S bonds and formation energy of S vacancies, as well as enhancing the *OH adsorption at Ni sites, thereby promoting the <em>in-situ</em> generation and stabilizing of β-NiOOH. Consequently, the optimal Ni<sub>2.94</sub>Co<sub>0.06</sub>S<sub>2</sub>@NF catalyst exhibts superior MOR performance, with a potential of 1.41 V vs. RHE at 100 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> and above 97 % of <em>FE</em><sub>formate</sub> at ∼300 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>. This study provides a deep insight into modulating surface reconstruction of Ni-based nanocatalyst to promote <em>in-situ</em> generating of real and robust active site for MOR and other nucleophile oxidation reactions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Catalysis","volume":"455 ","pages":"Article 116668"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145895292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116667
Linzhu Cao , Tianye Gao , Tianyu Qiu , Xin Tao
Precisely tuning the excitonic effect of porous organic semiconductors is essential to achieve efficient photosynthesis of singlet oxygen (1O2) from ground state oxygen (3O2) via energy transfer pathway. In this study, a linkage engineering strategy is proposed to tune the excitonic effect of cyclooctatetrathiophene-based porous organic semiconductor photocatalysts. It is found that altering linear linkers significantly influence the excitonic effect of these semiconductors. Notably, the highly twisted dimethylfluorene-linked COTh-based polymeric system possesses higher exciton binding energy and improved intersystem crossing (ISC) efficiency, which are favorable for photoinduced 1O2 generation through energy transfer pathway. PAF-374 achieved a record-high 1O2 generation rate (133.8 μM min−1) with 98 % selectivity in aerobic photocatalytic system when using furfuryl alcohol as probe. This unique performance enables potential applications for photocatalytic drug synthesis (modafinil and artemisinin) and wastewater treatment over this photocatalyst system. In addition, a detailed structure–property correlation is revealed by theoretical calculations.
{"title":"Optimal photosynthesis of 1O2 via energy transfer over linker-engineered cyclooctatetrathiophene-based porous aromatic frameworks","authors":"Linzhu Cao , Tianye Gao , Tianyu Qiu , Xin Tao","doi":"10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116667","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcat.2026.116667","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Precisely tuning the excitonic effect of porous organic semiconductors is essential to achieve efficient photosynthesis of singlet oxygen (<sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub>) from ground state oxygen (<sup>3</sup>O<sub>2</sub>) via energy transfer pathway. In this study, a linkage engineering strategy is proposed to tune the excitonic effect of cyclooctatetrathiophene-based porous organic semiconductor photocatalysts. It is found that altering linear linkers significantly influence the excitonic effect of these semiconductors. Notably, the highly twisted dimethylfluorene-linked COTh-based polymeric system possesses higher exciton binding energy and improved intersystem crossing (ISC) efficiency, which are favorable for photoinduced <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> generation through energy transfer pathway. PAF-374 achieved a record-high <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> generation rate (133.8 μM min<sup>−1</sup>) with 98 % selectivity in aerobic photocatalytic system when using furfuryl alcohol as probe. This unique performance enables potential applications for photocatalytic drug synthesis (modafinil and artemisinin) and wastewater treatment over this photocatalyst system. In addition, a detailed structure–property correlation is revealed by theoretical calculations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Catalysis","volume":"455 ","pages":"Article 116667"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145895312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2025.116663
Ye Xu , Timm McNeese
Sulfonamides are a group of synthetic compounds widely used in human and veterinarian medicine (a.k.a. sulfa drugs) and can accumulate in the environment. We show theoretically that ceria can catalyze the hydrolysis of sulfonamides via S − N bond scission over a pair of Ce-O lattice sites, where Olatt attacks the S center and displaces the N center in a nucleophilic substitution, yielding a primary amine and a sulfonic acid as products. Our calculations shed light on how different substituents on the S and N centers affect S − N bond scission by comparing non-aromatic vs. aromatic groups, homo- vs. heterocyclic aromaticity, and further functionalization of the aromatic groups. Stabilizing the S and N centers is found to have the opposite effects on the facility of S -− N bond scission. The desorption of sulfonic acid is strongly endothermic in the gas phase but is calculated to be facilitated by solvation effects when sulfonic acid undergoes acid-base titration with the amine product to form an oxyanion and a pyridinium cation, or when it self-ionizes to a zwitterion.
{"title":"Theoretical investigation of decomposition and hydrolysis of sulfonamides on CeO2(111)","authors":"Ye Xu , Timm McNeese","doi":"10.1016/j.jcat.2025.116663","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcat.2025.116663","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sulfonamides are a group of synthetic compounds widely used in human and veterinarian medicine (a.k.a. sulfa drugs) and can accumulate in the environment. We show theoretically that ceria can catalyze the hydrolysis of sulfonamides via S − N bond scission over a pair of Ce-O lattice sites, where O<sub>latt</sub> attacks the S center and displaces the N center in a nucleophilic substitution, yielding a primary amine and a sulfonic acid as products. Our calculations shed light on how different substituents on the S and N centers affect S − N bond scission by comparing non-aromatic vs. aromatic groups, homo- vs. heterocyclic aromaticity, and further functionalization of the aromatic groups. Stabilizing the S and N centers is found to have the opposite effects on the facility of S -− N bond scission. The desorption of sulfonic acid is strongly endothermic in the gas phase but is calculated to be facilitated by solvation effects when sulfonic acid undergoes acid-base titration with the amine product to form an oxyanion and a pyridinium cation, or when it self-ionizes to a zwitterion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Catalysis","volume":"455 ","pages":"Article 116663"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145895324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2025.116665
Yongqi Kuang , Jiawen Ma , Sibudjing Kawi , Shuzhuang Sun , Yuqianer Zeng , Lina Liu
CO2 reforming of tar reaction (CRT) is a promising method for simultaneous removal and conversion of CO2 and tar in syngas from the biomass gasification technology, which is essential for utilization and upgrading of syngas. However, the deactivation of supported Ni catalysts by sintering and carbon deposits remains the most challenging issue. In this study, (Mg, Al, Ce)Ox nanosheet-supported Ni-based catalysts with varying Ce/Ni ratios (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) were constructed from freeze-dried Ni–Ce–Mg–Al LDH precursors with the thermally dried Ni–Ce0.2–Mg–Al LDH as a reference. The result suggested that freeze drying favored the achievement of loose nanosheets and highly dispersed metals. With the optimized Ce dosage (Ce/Ni = 0.2), the Ni–Ce0.2–F–R catalyst exhibited the most superior activity and stability over 40h time-on-stream. The possible reason is that Ni–Ce0.2–F–R catalyst possessed abundant and homogeneously distributed Ni–CeO2 interface, which accelerated the electron transfer from CeO2 to Ni via Ni–Ov–Ce structure (Ov, oxygen vacancy). An electron-rich state of Ni was thus achieved, which could effectively activate the C–H and C–C bonds. Furthermore, the abundant oxygen defects and stronger alkaline sites of the CeO2 support promoted the adsorption and activation of CO2, which was conducive to the elimination of coke adjacent Ni metal sites. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) suggested that the abundant surface-active oxygen species facilitated the deep oxidation and ring opening of the benzene ring.
CO2重整焦油反应(CRT)是生物质气化技术中合成气中CO2和焦油同时脱除和转化的一种有前景的方法,对合成气的利用和升级至关重要。然而,通过烧结和积碳使负载型镍催化剂失活仍然是最具挑战性的问题。在本研究中,以Ni- ce0.2 - Mg - Al LDH为参考,以冷冻干燥的Ni- Ce - Ce - Al LDH为前驱体,构建了不同Ce/Ni比率(0、0.1、0.2、0.3)的(Mg, Al, Ce)Ox纳米片负载的Ni基催化剂。结果表明,冷冻干燥有利于获得松散的纳米片和高度分散的金属。当Ce/Ni = 0.2时,Ni - ce0.2 - f - r催化剂在40h的反应时间内表现出最优的活性和稳定性。可能的原因是Ni - ce0.2 - f - r催化剂具有丰富且分布均匀的Ni - CeO2界面,通过Ni - Ov - ce结构(Ov,氧空位)加速了电子从CeO2向Ni的转移。镍的富电子态可以有效地激活C-H和C-C键。此外,CeO2载体丰富的氧缺陷和较强的碱性位点促进了CO2的吸附和活化,有利于消除邻近Ni金属位点的焦炭。原位漫反射红外傅里叶变换光谱(DRIFTS)表明,丰富的表面活性氧促进了苯环的深度氧化和开环。
{"title":"Enhanced charge transfer and oxygen vacancies by interface engineering for CO2 reforming of toluene","authors":"Yongqi Kuang , Jiawen Ma , Sibudjing Kawi , Shuzhuang Sun , Yuqianer Zeng , Lina Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jcat.2025.116665","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcat.2025.116665","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>CO<sub>2</sub> reforming of tar reaction (CRT) is a promising method for simultaneous removal and conversion of CO<sub>2</sub> and tar in syngas from the biomass gasification technology, which is essential for utilization and upgrading of syngas. However, the deactivation of supported Ni catalysts by sintering and carbon deposits remains the most challenging issue. In this study, (Mg, Al, Ce)O<sub>x</sub> <!-->nanosheet-supported Ni-based catalysts with varying Ce/Ni ratios (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) were constructed from freeze-dried Ni–Ce–Mg–Al LDH precursors with the thermally dried Ni–Ce<sub>0.2</sub>–Mg–Al LDH as a reference. The result suggested that freeze drying favored the achievement of loose nanosheets and highly dispersed metals. With the optimized Ce dosage (Ce/Ni = 0.2), the Ni–Ce<sub>0.2</sub>–F–R catalyst exhibited the most superior activity and stability over 40h time-on-stream. The possible reason is that Ni–Ce<sub>0.2</sub>–F–R catalyst possessed abundant and homogeneously distributed<!--> <!-->Ni–CeO<sub>2</sub> interface, which accelerated the electron transfer from CeO<sub>2</sub> to Ni via Ni–O<sub>v</sub>–Ce structure (Ov, oxygen vacancy). An electron-rich state of Ni was thus achieved, which could effectively activate the C–H and C–C bonds. Furthermore, the abundant oxygen defects and stronger alkaline sites of the CeO<sub>2</sub> support promoted the adsorption and activation of CO<sub>2</sub>, which was conducive to the elimination of coke adjacent Ni metal sites. <em>In situ</em> diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) suggested that the abundant surface-active oxygen species facilitated the deep oxidation and ring opening of the benzene ring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Catalysis","volume":"455 ","pages":"Article 116665"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145895321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2025.116664
Jiali Wang , Jiajun Lu , Xiuwen Zhao , Guichao Hu , Xiaobo Yuan , Junfeng Ren , Siyun Qi
Dynamic control of catalytic activity remains a major challenge for conventional single-atom catalysts (SACs) whose coordination environments are fixed after construction. In this work, CuInP2S6 (CIPS) was employed as a model ferroelectric support to explore how polarization switching modulates catalytic behavior in transition metal single atoms (TM@CIPS) for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER). Fifteen transition metals across the 3d-5d series were examined under two polarization states to evaluate the stability and catalytic properties. Polarization switching between upward and downward states was found to dynamically tune catalytic activity, markedly reducing OER overpotentials in systems such as Co@CIPS and Pt@CIPS by optimizing reaction pathways. This enhancement originated from polarization-induced redistribution of interfacial charge, which shifted the d-band center and modified TM-O bonding strength, thereby governing adsorption and reaction energetics. These results establish ferroelectric polarization as an effective strategy for real-time control of catalytic processes and provide fundamental insight for designing next-generation catalysts.
{"title":"Ferroelectric polarization switching regulates single-atom catalysis for water splitting","authors":"Jiali Wang , Jiajun Lu , Xiuwen Zhao , Guichao Hu , Xiaobo Yuan , Junfeng Ren , Siyun Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.jcat.2025.116664","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcat.2025.116664","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dynamic control of catalytic activity remains a major challenge for conventional single-atom catalysts (SACs) whose coordination environments are fixed after construction. In this work, CuInP<sub>2</sub>S<sub>6</sub> (CIPS) was employed as a model ferroelectric support to explore how polarization switching modulates catalytic behavior in transition metal single atoms (TM@CIPS) for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER). Fifteen transition metals across the <em>3d</em>-<em>5d</em> series were examined under two polarization states to evaluate the stability and catalytic properties. Polarization switching between upward and downward states was found to dynamically tune catalytic activity, markedly reducing OER overpotentials in systems such as Co@CIPS and Pt@CIPS by optimizing reaction pathways. This enhancement originated from polarization-induced redistribution of interfacial charge, which shifted the <em>d</em>-band center and modified TM-O bonding strength, thereby governing adsorption and reaction energetics. These results establish ferroelectric polarization as an effective strategy for real-time control of catalytic processes and provide fundamental insight for designing next-generation catalysts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Catalysis","volume":"454 ","pages":"Article 116664"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2025.116662
Dan Wang , Youxi Wang , Qingqing Wang , Xiaolin Tan , Zhe Li , Xuefeng Cui , Shijing Tan , Zhenyu Li , Bing Wang , Xiang Shao
Semiconductor oxide-based heterogeneous catalysis and/or photocatalysis provide pivotal solutions to global energy and environmental crises, yet a fundamental understanding of their atomic-level mechanisms lags far behind the practical applications. A typical example is the degradation of formaldehyde (FA) on ZnO surfaces. Although ZnO is extensively employed in sensing and removing FA from the atmosphere, the atomic-level reaction mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we combine scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) measurements, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to reveal the reaction process of FA on a ZnO() single-crystalline surface. We directly visualize two competing pathways: dissociation versus dimerization, with dimerization getting significantly accelerated upon ultraviolet (UV) irradiation at room temperature (RT). Furthermore, at elevated temperatures, intermediates react aggressively with surface lattice oxygen, generating abundant oxygen vacancies–a discovery that fundamentally advances our understanding of the Mars-van Krevelen mechanism for FA and similar organics on ZnO. These atomic-level insights open new avenues for designing highly efficient, environment friendly photocatalytic systems based on the semiconducting oxide materials.
{"title":"Atomistic visualization of formaldehyde degradation on the ZnO surface through a Mars-van Krevelen mechanism","authors":"Dan Wang , Youxi Wang , Qingqing Wang , Xiaolin Tan , Zhe Li , Xuefeng Cui , Shijing Tan , Zhenyu Li , Bing Wang , Xiang Shao","doi":"10.1016/j.jcat.2025.116662","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcat.2025.116662","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Semiconductor oxide-based heterogeneous catalysis and/or photocatalysis provide pivotal solutions to global energy and environmental crises, yet a fundamental understanding of their atomic-level mechanisms lags far behind the practical applications. A typical example is the degradation of formaldehyde (FA) on ZnO surfaces. Although ZnO is extensively employed in sensing and removing FA from the atmosphere, the atomic-level reaction mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we combine scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) measurements, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to reveal the reaction process of FA on a ZnO(<span><math><mrow><mn>10</mn><mover><mrow><mn>1</mn></mrow><mrow><mo>¯</mo></mrow></mover><mn>0</mn></mrow></math></span>) single-crystalline surface. We directly visualize two competing pathways: dissociation versus dimerization, with dimerization getting significantly accelerated upon ultraviolet (UV) irradiation at room temperature (RT). Furthermore, at elevated temperatures, intermediates react aggressively with surface lattice oxygen, generating abundant oxygen vacancies–a discovery that fundamentally advances our understanding of the Mars-van Krevelen mechanism for FA and similar organics on ZnO. These atomic-level insights open new avenues for designing highly efficient, environment friendly photocatalytic systems based on the semiconducting oxide materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":346,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Catalysis","volume":"454 ","pages":"Article 116662"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}