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Abstract The effect of rare earth (RE) single atoms on photocatalytic activity is very complex due to its special electronic configuration, which leads to few reports on the RE single atoms. Here, Dy3+single atom composite photocatalysts are successfully constructed based on both the special role of Dy3+and the special advantages of CdS/g‐C3N4heterojunction in the field of photocatalysis. The results show that an efficient way of electron transfer is provided to promote charge separation, and the dual functions of CO2molecular activation of rare‐earth single atom and 4flevels as electron transport bridge are fully exploited. It is exciting that under visible‐light irradiation, the catalytic performance of CdS:Dy3+/g‐C3N4is≈6.9 times higher than that of pure g‐C3N4. The catalytic performance of CdS:Dy3+and CdS:Dy3+/g‐C3N4are≈7 and≈13.7 times higher than those of pure CdS, respectively. Besides, not all RE ions are suitable for charge transfer bridges, which is not only related to the 4flevels of RE ions but also related to the bandgap structure of CdS and g‐C3N4. The pattern of combining single‐atom catalysis and heterojunction opens up new methods for enhancing photocatalytic activity.
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Computational Screening of Efficient Single‐Atom Catalysts Based on Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g‐C 3 N 4 ) for Nitrogen Electroreduction
Abstract The development of low‐cost and efficient electrocatalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) at ambient conditions is crucial for NH3synthesis and provides an alternative to the traditional Harber‐Bosch process. Herein, by means of density functional theory (DFT) computations, the catalytic performance of a series of single metal atoms supported on graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) for NRR is evaluated. Among all the candidates, the Gibbs free energy change of the potential‐determining step for five single‐atom catalysts (SACs), namely Ti, Co, Mo, W, and Pt atoms supported on g‐C3N4monolayer, is lower than that on the Ru(0001) stepped surface. In particular, the single tungsten (W) atom anchored on g‐C3N4(W@g‐C3N4) exhibits the highest catalytic activity toward NRR with a limiting potential of −0.35 V via associative enzymatic pathway, and can well suppress the competing hydrogen evolution reaction. The high NRR activity and selectivity of W@g‐C3N4are attributed to its inherent properties, such as significant positive charge and large spin moment on the W atom, excellent electrical conductivity, and moderate adsorption strength with NRR intermediates. This work opens up a new avenue of N2reduction for renewable energy supplies and helps guide future development of single‐atom catalysts for NRR and other related electrochemical process.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1736093
- PAR ID:
- 10461238
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Small Methods
- Volume:
- 3
- Issue:
- 6
- ISSN:
- 2366-9608
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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