Weiting Yu

Review of Pt-Based Bimetallic Catalysis: From Model Surfaces to Supported Catalysts

Supported Catalysts Weiting Yu,† Marc D. Porosoff,† and Jingguang G. Chen*,†,‡,§ †Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation, Department of Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States ‡Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States Chemistry Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States

Highly porous non-precious bimetallic electrocatalysts for efficient hydrogen evolution

A robust and efficient non-precious metal catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction is one of the key components for carbon dioxide-free hydrogen production. Here we report that a hierarchical nanoporous copper-titanium bimetallic electrocatalyst is able to produce hydrogen from water under a mild overpotential at more than twice the rate of state-of-the-art carbon-supported platinum catalyst. Although both copper and titanium are known to be poor hydrogen evolution catalysts, the combination of these two elements creates unique copper-copper-titanium hollow sites, which have a hydrogen-binding energy very similar to that of platinum, resulting in an exceptional hydrogen evolution activity. In addition, the hierarchical porosity of the nanoporous copper-titanium catalyst also contributes to its high hydrogen evolution activity, because it provides a large-surface area for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution, and improves the mass transport properties. Moreover, the catalyst is self-supported, eliminating the overpotential associated with the catalyst/support interface.

Selective Hydrodeoxygenation of Biomass‐Derived Oxygenates to Unsaturated Hydrocarbons using Molybdenum Carbide Catalysts

Which cleavage do you prefer? With a combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, surface science studies, and reactor evaluations, Mo(2)C is identified as a highly selective HDO catalyst to selectively convert biomass-derived oxygenates to unsaturated hydrocarbons through selective C-O bond scissions without C-C bond cleavage. This provides high-value HDO products for utilization as feedstocks for chemicals and fuels; this also reduces the overall consumption of H2 .

Differentiation of O-H and C-H Bond Scission Mechanisms of Ethylene Glycol on Pt and Ni/Pt Using Theory and Isotopic Labeling Experiments

Understanding and controlling bond-breaking sequences of oxygenates on transition metal catalysts can greatly impact the utilization of biomass feedstocks for fuels and chemicals. The decomposition of ethylene glycol, as the simplest representative of biomass-derived polyols, was studied via density functional theory (DFT) calculations to identify the differences in reaction pathways between Pt and the more active Ni/Pt bimetallic catalyst. Comparison of the computed transition states indicated three potentially feasible paths from ethylene glycol to C1 oxygenated adsorbates on Pt. While not important on Pt, the pathway to 1,2-dioxyethylene (OCH(2)CH(2)O) is favored energetically on the Ni/Pt catalyst. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) experiments were conducted with deuterated ethylene glycols for comparison with DFT results. These experiments confirmed that decomposition of ethylene glycol on Pt proceeds via initial O-H bond cleavage, followed by C-H and the second O-H bond cleavages, whereas on the Ni/Pt surface, both O-H bonds are cleaved initially. The results are consistent with vibrational spectra and indicate that tuning of the catalyst surface can selectively control bond breaking. Finally, the significant mechanistic differences in decomposition of polyols compared to that of monoalcohols and hydrocarbons serve to identify general trends in bond scission sequences.

Glycolaldehyde as a Probe Molecule for Biomass Derivatives: Reaction of C—OH and C═O Functional Groups on Monolayer Ni Surfaces

Controlling the activity and selectivity of converting biomass derivatives to syngas (H(2) and CO) is critical for the utilization of biomass feedstocks as renewable sources for chemicals and fuels. One key chemistry in the conversion is the selective bond scission of the C-OH and C═O functionalities, which are present in many biomass derivatives. Because of the high molecular weight and low vapor pressure, it is relatively difficult to perform fundamental surface science studies of C6 sugars, such as glucose and fructose, using ultrahigh vacuum techniques. Glycolaldehyde (HOCH(2)CH═O) is the smallest molecule that contains both the C-OH and C═O functional groups, as well as the same C/O ratio as C6 sugars, and thus is selected as a probe molecule in the current study to determine how the presence of the C═O bond affects the reaction mechanism. Using a combination of density functional theory calculations and experimental measurements, our results indicate that the reaction pathway of glycolaldehyde to produce syngas can be enhanced by supporting monolayer Ni on a Pt substrate, which shows higher activity than either of the parent metals. Furthermore, the Pt substrate can be replaced by tungsten monocarbide to achieve similar activity and selectivity, indicating the possibility of using Ni/WC to replace Ni/Pt as active and selective catalysts with higher stability and lower cost.

Reaction Pathways of Biomass‐Derived Oxygenates over Metals and Carbides: From Model Surfaces to Supported Catalysts

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass‐derived oxygenates into renewable fuels and chemicals requires the control of bond‐scission sequences. For example, selective CO/CO bond scission is needed to reduce the oxygen content and thus increase the energy density to produce renewable fuels. On the other hand, the control of CC bond scission is desired for producing H2 and suppressing side products from CO/CO bond‐scission reactions. In this review, recent advances in the utilization of bimetallic and metal carbide catalysts that demonstrate enhanced performance and/or low cost for the selective CC and CO/CO bond‐scission reactions, are summarized. Furthermore, the importance of combining density function theory (DFT) calculations, microkinetic modeling, and ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) experiments on single‐crystal model surfaces with reactor evaluations over the corresponding powder catalysts is illustrated. General trends and future opportunities for the control of bond‐scission sequences of biomass‐derived oxygenates are also discussed.