Nano-encapsulation: overcoming conductivity limitations by growing MOF nanoparticles in meso-porous carbon enables high electrocatalytic performance
Abstract Among the methods employed for carbon capture, the electroreduction of CO2 offers both a reduction in CO2 levels and the possibility of recycling it into commodity chemicals. However, the most efficient catalysts for this reaction are precious metals. To achieve cost-effective processes, ot...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-03-01
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| Series: | NPG Asia Materials |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41427-022-00459-4 |
| _version_ | 1797274170045759488 |
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| author | Krishnamoorthy Sathiyan Asmita Dutta Vered Marks Ohad Fleker Tomer Zidki Richard D. Webster Arie Borenstein |
| author_facet | Krishnamoorthy Sathiyan Asmita Dutta Vered Marks Ohad Fleker Tomer Zidki Richard D. Webster Arie Borenstein |
| author_sort | Krishnamoorthy Sathiyan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Among the methods employed for carbon capture, the electroreduction of CO2 offers both a reduction in CO2 levels and the possibility of recycling it into commodity chemicals. However, the most efficient catalysts for this reaction are precious metals. To achieve cost-effective processes, other elements should be used. Transition-metal atoms coordinated with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibit high performance as electrocatalysts. However, the isolating natures of MOFs limit their utilization as electrocatalysts. In this study, we grew MOF nanoparticles inside hierarchically mesoporous carbon instead of mixing the MOFs with conductive carbon. The incorporated MOF nanoparticles showed improved properties compared with those of MOFs mixed with carbon, indicating strong electronic interactions in the composites. The encapsulated MOF nanoparticles demonstrated high electric conductivity while preserving their original crystallinity. When used as electrodes in CO2 electroreduction, the MOFs exhibited a high electroactive coverage of 155 nmol cm−2. Moreover, in a CO2-saturated electrolyte, the composites exhibited excellent electrochemical performance, including a small onset potential (−0.31 V vs. RHE) and large reduction currents (−18 mA. cm−2 at −1.0 V); these were considerably higher than those usually reported for MOF-based materials except in CO electroreduction. Importantly, the composite produced valuable hydrogenated commodity chemicals, including formic acid. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:54:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7610f330f4cb47828acf86536d700ea3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1884-4057 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:54:32Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | NPG Asia Materials |
| spelling | doaj.art-7610f330f4cb47828acf86536d700ea32024-03-05T19:29:34ZengNature PortfolioNPG Asia Materials1884-40572023-03-0115111010.1038/s41427-022-00459-4Nano-encapsulation: overcoming conductivity limitations by growing MOF nanoparticles in meso-porous carbon enables high electrocatalytic performanceKrishnamoorthy Sathiyan0Asmita Dutta1Vered Marks2Ohad Fleker3Tomer Zidki4Richard D. Webster5Arie Borenstein6Department of Chemical Sciences, Ariel UniversityDepartment of Chemical Sciences, Ariel UniversityDepartment of Chemical Sciences, Ariel UniversityNesher Israeli Cement EnterprisesDepartment of Chemical Sciences, Ariel UniversityDivision of Chemistry & Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological UniversityDepartment of Chemical Sciences, Ariel UniversityAbstract Among the methods employed for carbon capture, the electroreduction of CO2 offers both a reduction in CO2 levels and the possibility of recycling it into commodity chemicals. However, the most efficient catalysts for this reaction are precious metals. To achieve cost-effective processes, other elements should be used. Transition-metal atoms coordinated with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibit high performance as electrocatalysts. However, the isolating natures of MOFs limit their utilization as electrocatalysts. In this study, we grew MOF nanoparticles inside hierarchically mesoporous carbon instead of mixing the MOFs with conductive carbon. The incorporated MOF nanoparticles showed improved properties compared with those of MOFs mixed with carbon, indicating strong electronic interactions in the composites. The encapsulated MOF nanoparticles demonstrated high electric conductivity while preserving their original crystallinity. When used as electrodes in CO2 electroreduction, the MOFs exhibited a high electroactive coverage of 155 nmol cm−2. Moreover, in a CO2-saturated electrolyte, the composites exhibited excellent electrochemical performance, including a small onset potential (−0.31 V vs. RHE) and large reduction currents (−18 mA. cm−2 at −1.0 V); these were considerably higher than those usually reported for MOF-based materials except in CO electroreduction. Importantly, the composite produced valuable hydrogenated commodity chemicals, including formic acid.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41427-022-00459-4 |
| spellingShingle | Krishnamoorthy Sathiyan Asmita Dutta Vered Marks Ohad Fleker Tomer Zidki Richard D. Webster Arie Borenstein Nano-encapsulation: overcoming conductivity limitations by growing MOF nanoparticles in meso-porous carbon enables high electrocatalytic performance NPG Asia Materials |
| title | Nano-encapsulation: overcoming conductivity limitations by growing MOF nanoparticles in meso-porous carbon enables high electrocatalytic performance |
| title_full | Nano-encapsulation: overcoming conductivity limitations by growing MOF nanoparticles in meso-porous carbon enables high electrocatalytic performance |
| title_fullStr | Nano-encapsulation: overcoming conductivity limitations by growing MOF nanoparticles in meso-porous carbon enables high electrocatalytic performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nano-encapsulation: overcoming conductivity limitations by growing MOF nanoparticles in meso-porous carbon enables high electrocatalytic performance |
| title_short | Nano-encapsulation: overcoming conductivity limitations by growing MOF nanoparticles in meso-porous carbon enables high electrocatalytic performance |
| title_sort | nano encapsulation overcoming conductivity limitations by growing mof nanoparticles in meso porous carbon enables high electrocatalytic performance |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41427-022-00459-4 |
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