November 24, 2023 This article has been reviewed according to Science X’s editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content’s credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread by Zhang Nannan, Chinese Academy of Sciences Scientists from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have synthesized an oxygen-coordinated Fe single atom and atom cluster catalyst that exhibits superior electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) production and biomass upgrading. The research is published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition .
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display(‘div-gpt-ad-1449240174198-2’); }); H 2 O 2 is a widely used chemical with applications in diverse fields such as environment, energy, and health care. While traditionally produced through energy-intensive processes, electrocatalytic synthesis offers a more environmentally friendly and efficient method using water and oxygen. However, this approach requires advanced electrocatalysts for high-yield and selective H 2 O 2 production, and further attention is needed to utilize the generated H 2 O 2 , particularly in electrochemical organic oxidation processes.
This offers significant potential for value-added applications beyond environmental remediation. For this study, the researchers used bacterial cellulose as an adsorption regulator and carbon source in combination with a multi-step approach involving wet chemical impregnation, pyrolysis, and acid etching processes to create a catalyst termed FeSAs/ACs-bacterial cellulose-derived carbon (BCC), consisting of oxygen-coordinated Fe single atoms (SAs) and atom clusters (ACs). The presence of both Fe SAs and clusters was confirmed using advanced imaging techniques such as aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy.
The atomic structure of Fe was also determined by X-ray fine structure absorption spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This catalyst showed excellent electrocatalytic performance and selectivity for the 2-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e – ORR) under alkaline conditions. Further H-cell experiments confirmed the accumulation of H 2 O 2 in the electrolyte.
The researchers coupled the in situ generated H 2 O 2 with the electro-Fenton process using ethylene glycol as the reactant and acidified 0. 1 M Na 2 SO 4 as the electrolyte. This resulted in a high rate of ethylene glycol conversion and high selectivity for formic acid , demonstrating that the electro-Fenton process has the potential to improve biomass-derived feedstocks through oxidative upgrading.
They also developed a three-phase flow cell based on the gas diffusion electrode to further improve the H 2 O 2 yield. Density functional theory analyses indicated that the actual catalytically active sites in the 2e – ORR process were the Fe clusters, and the electronic interaction between Fe single atoms and Fe clusters could significantly enhance the electrocatalytic performance toward 2e – ORR. This work will be helpful for the design and development of atomic-level electrocatalysts for high-efficiency 2e – ORR to H 2 O 2 and biomass upgrading.
More information: Hui Xu et al, Atomically Dispersed Iron Regulating Electronic Structure of Iron Atom Clusters for Electrocatalytic H2O2 Production and Biomass Upgrading, Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2023). DOI: 10. 1002/anie.
202314414 Journal information: Angewandte Chemie International Edition Provided by Chinese Academy of Sciences.
From: phys
URL: https://phys.org/news/2023-11-approach-electrocatalytic-ho-production-biomass.html
