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At least 1,693 records · Page 94

Theoretical Modeling of Electrochemical Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer

Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) plays an essential role in a wide range of electrocatalytic processes. Here, a vast array of theoretical and computational methods have been developed to study electrochemical PCET. These methods can be used to calculate redox potentials and pKa values for molecular electrocatalysts, proton-coupled redox potentials and bond dissociation free energies for PCET at metal and semiconductor interfaces, and reorganization energies associated with electrochemical PCET. Periodic density functional theory can also be used to compute PCET activation energies and perform molecular dynamics simulations of electrochemical interfaces. Various approaches for maintaining a constant electrode potential in electronic structure calculations and modeling complex interactions in the electric double layer (EDL) have been developed. Theoretical formulations for both homogeneous and heterogeneous electrochemical PCET spanning the adiabatic, nonadiabatic, and solvent-controlled regimes have been developed and provide analytical expressions for the rate constants and current densities as functions of applied potential. The quantum mechanical treatment of the proton and inclusion of excited vibronic states have been shown to be critical for describing experimental data, such as Tafel slopes and potential dependent kinetic isotope effects. The calculated rate constants can be used as input to microkinetic models and voltammogram simulations to elucidate complex electrocatalytic processes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Revealing Hidden Quinones Through Diagnostic MS² Fragmentation of Peptide–Quinone Adducts

Quinones are redox-active components of natural organic matter that mediate electron transfer and influence biogeochemical processes, but many quinones in pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) remain unresolved because they ionize poorly by mass spectrometry. Here, we present a peptide-tagging approach to improve detection of cysteine-reactive electrophiles in PyOM, with quinones expected to be a dominant subset based on reaction chemistry and selectivity experiments. A cysteine-containing peptide was used to form Michael-addition adducts, enhancing electrospray ionization and enabling untargeted screening by high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. The method was benchmarked with five quinone standards and applied to extracts from charred plant material as a discovery-level screen for cysteine-reactive targets. We identified 98 quinone-candidate adducts (mean neutral mass ~603 Da), of which more than 70% were not detectable in native MS1 data. Among formula-assigned features, hidden quinone candidates had median (O+N)/C of 0.391 and normalized oxidation state of carbon of -0.281, consistent with relatively low polarity and low oxidation state. These results reveal a previously inaccessible pool of hidden redox-active compounds in PyOM and provide a framework for prioritizing quinone-like electrophiles for confirmation and incorporation into models of fire-driven biogeochemical cycling.

LC-MS/MS↗

Synthesis, Characterization, and Water Oxidation Activity of Isomeric Ru Complexes

The synthesis and characterization of the isomeric ruthenium complexes with the general formula cis- and trans-[Ru(trpy)(qc)X] n+ (trpy is 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine, qc is 8-quinolinecarboxylate, cis-1 and trans-1, X = Cl, n = 0; cis-2 and trans-2, X=OH2, n = 1) with respect to the relative disposition of the carboxylate and X ligands are reported. For comparison purposes, another set of ruthenium complexes with general formula cis- and trans-[Ru(trpy)(pic)(OH 2 )]+ (pic is 2-picolinate (cis-3, trans-3)) have been prepared. The complexes with a qc ligand show a more distorted geometry compared to the complexes with a pic ligand. In all of the cases, the trans isomers show lower potential values for all of the redox couples relative to the cis isomers. Furthermore, complexes cis-2 and trans-2 with six-member chelate rings show higher catalytic activity than cis-3 and trans-3. Overall, it was shown that the electronic perturbation to the metal center exerted by different orientation and geometry of the ligands significantly influences both redox properties and catalytic performance.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis and Characterization of Pyridine Dipyrrolide Uranyl Complexes

The first actinide complexes of the pyridine dipyrrolide (PDP) ligand class, ( Mes PDP Ph )UO 2 (THF) and ( Cl2Ph PDP Ph )UO 2 (THF), are reported as the U VI uranyl adducts of the bulky aryl substituted pincers ( Mes PDP Ph ) 2– and ( Cl2Ph PDP Ph ) 2– (derived from 2,6-bis(5-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine (H 2 Mes PDP Ph , Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl), and 2,6-bis(5-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine (H 2 Cl2Ph PDP Ph , Cl 2 Ph = 2,6-dichlorophenyl), respectively). Following the in situ deprotonation of the proligand with lithium hexamethyldisilazide to generate the corresponding dilithium salts (e.g., Li 2 Ar PDP Ph , Ar = Mes of Cl 2 Ph), salt metathesis with [UO 2 Cl 2 (THF) 2 ] 2 afforded both compounds in moderate yields. The characterization of each species has been undertaken by a combination of solid- and solution-state methods, including combustion analysis, infrared, electronic absorption, and NMR spectroscopies. In both complexes, single-crystal X-ray diffraction has revealed a distorted octahedral geometry in the solid state, enforced by the bite angle of the rigid meridional ( Ar PDP Ph ) 2– pincer ligand. The electrochemical analysis of both compounds by cyclic voltammetry in tetrahydrofuran (THF) reveals rich redox profiles, including events assigned as U VI /U V redox couples. Here, a time-dependent density functional theory study has been performed on ( Mes PDP Ph )UO 2 (THF) and provides insight into the nature of the transitions that comprise its electronic absorption spectrum.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Cobalt(II) Phthalocyanine Substituents Tune the Electrocatalytic CO 2 Conversion to Methanol

Cobalt phthalocyanine (Co(II)Pc) and its derivatives are promising molecular electrocatalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 to CO and methanol (CH 3 OH). Despite increasing interest, a detailed mechanistic understanding of how ligand substituents influence catalytic activity, selectivity, and efficiency remains limited. In this study, we employ density functional theory (DFT) to systematically investigate the influence of electron-donating groups (EDGs) and electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs) on the electronic structure and redox properties of the Co(II)Pc electrocatalyst, and to elucidate CO 2 RR mechanistic pathways. Our results reveal that EWGs cause a positive shift in the reduction potentials, favor CO 2 binding over protonation of the Co metal center and promote downstream methanol formation at mild potentials. EDGs show opposite trends including favorable protonation steps, promoting a negative shift in the reduction potential, and facilitating the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which competes with the desired CO 2 RR pathway. Notably, CO dissociation is thermodynamically and kinetically unfavorable across all systems, positioning the redox potential versus CO dissociation energy as a key factor for methanol selectivity. Furthermore, these insights provide a predictive framework for rational catalyst design and underscore the critical role of electronic tuning in advancing molecular electrocatalysts for sustainable CO 2 conversion.

Alcohols↗

“How Should I Think about Voltage? What Is Overpotential?”: Establishing an Organic Chemistry Intuition for Electrochemistry

Redox reactions are ubiquitous in organic synthesis and intrinsic to organic electrosynthesis. The language and concepts used to describe reactions in these domains are sufficiently different to create barriers that hinder broader adoption and understanding of electrochemical methods. To bridge these gaps, this Synopsis compares chemical and electrochemical redox reactions, including concepts of free energy, voltage, kinetic barriers, and overpotential. Furthermore, this discussion is intended to increase the accessibility of electrochemistry for organic chemists lacking formal training in this area.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Combined Effects of Hemicolligation and Ion Pairing on Reduction Potentials of Biphenyl Radical Cations

Here, formal reduction potentials of highly oxidizing and short-lived radical cations of substituted biphenyls generated by pulse radiolysis in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) were measured using a redox equilibrium ladder method. The effect of halide ion–radical interactions on reduction potentials of biphenyls was examined by utilizing the ability of DCE to release Cl – in the vicinity of the radical cation. The Hammett correlation of measured potentials across a range of over 700 mV shows saturation at high Hammett sigma values. This effect has been explained by both ion-pairing and hemicolligation interactions between biphenyl radical cations and Cl – and appears to modulate reduction potentials by as much as 400 mV. This finding offers a convenient way to manipulate the energetics of electron transfer involving organic redox species.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Electrochemical Structure of the Plasma–Liquid Interface

Nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma in contact with a liquid yields a variety of energetic photons, ions, and electrons, which can be transported into the plasma–liquid interface (PLI). Similar to the electrochemical interface formed between a solid electrode and electrolyte in conventional electrochemical systems, the charge-transfer process across the PLI is able to promote reduction–oxidation (redox) reactions. However, in the case of free plasma jets in contact with liquids, the absence of solid electrodes obscures the spatial locations of the electrochemical half-reactions. Herein, we present a spatial electrochemical measurement technique used to characterize an aqueous solution in contact with an atmospheric pressure plasma jet. The technique is based on measuring the potential difference between two identical Ag/AgCl electrochemical electrodes positioned at different locations within the solution. More specifically, electrochemical maps were made by measuring the potential of one electrochemical electrode positioned at different locations near the PLI with respect to the other electrochemical electrode positioned far away from the PLI in the bulk solution. Regions in the map with negative and positive potential differences between these electrochemical electrodes were used to identify the electrodeless cathode and anode, respectively. Here, visualization of the spatial distribution of molecular colorimetric redox indicators by multispectral imaging revealed that reduction was occurring near the plasma jet centerline while oxidation was occurring further away in solution, which constitutes an independent confirmation of the electrochemical maps.

Absorption↗

Leveraging Multiproton-Coupled Electron Transfer to Improve Ir(III) Photocatalyst Efficiency

In photoredox reactions, charge recombination (CR) limits quantum yields, hindering the efficient conversion of light energy into catalytic activity. To address this, we drew inspiration from redox relays in photosystem II (PSII) and developed a new series of iridium(III) complexes featuring covalently attached benzimidazole-phenol-pyridine (BIP-Py) groups to facilitate intramolecular multiproton-coupled electron transfer (MPCET). Herein, we evaluate the effects of MPCET through an extended and well-defined hydrogen-bond network to improve photocatalytic activity and mitigate rapid charge recombination. Infrared spectroelectrochemistry reveals pyridine protonation upon phenol oxidation, while visible spectroelectrochemistry and transient absorption spectroscopy confirm the electro- and photochemical formation of chargeseparated states (CSS) involving oxidized BIP, resulting from intramolecular proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). The application of the BIP-Py platform in a photocatalytic Nhydroxyphthalimide ester reduction reaction resulted in a ∼106-fold reduction in CR rate and a quantum yield enhancement of up to 157%. Our findings suggest that incorporating MPCET-based redox relays into photocatalyst frameworks is an effective strategy to enhance the efficiency of photocatalytic systems.

Catalysts↗

Atomic Origin of the Autocatalytic Reduction of Monoclinic CuO in a Hydrogen Atmosphere

Reducibility is key for the use of bulk metal oxides in chemical transformation involving redox reactions but probing microscopic processes of oxide reduction is challenging. This is because the insulating nature of bulk oxides restricts ion and electron spectroscopic measurements of oxide surfaces. Herein, using a combination of environmental transmission electron microscopy and atomistic modeling, we report direct in-situ atomic-scale observations of the surface and subsurface dynamics and show that the hydrogen induced CuO reduction occurs via the surface decay of Cu-O/Cu bilayer atomic steps, formation of partially reduced CuO superstructure by the self-ordering of O vacancies in the subsurface, and collapse of Cu-O layers in the bulk. In this work, all these substeps can be traced back to the progressively increased concentration and activity of O vacancies in the surface and subsurface of the oxide, thereby leading to the self-accelerated oxide reduction. These results demonstrate the microscopic details that may have broader applicability in modulating various redox processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Comparisons of bpy and phen Ligand Backbones in Cr-Mediated (Co-)Electrocatalytic CO 2 Reduction

Due to the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentrations, there is a need for the development of new strategies to enhance the selectivity and activity of the electrocatalytic conversion of CO 2 to value-added products. The incorporation of redox mediators (RMs) as co-catalysts to enhance the transfer of redox equivalents during catalysis has been gaining more attention in recent years across a variety of small molecule transformations. We have shown that using Cr-centered complexes with sulfone-based RMs leads to an enhancement of CO 2 reduction electrocatalysis under protic conditions via an inner-sphere mechanism. In these co-catalytic systems, an oxygen atom of the reduced RM binds to the Cr center to form a key intermediate stabilized by pancake bonding between the reduced aromatic components of the catalyst ligand backbone and the RM. This interaction facilitates the transfer of an electron and accesses a more kinetically favorable reaction pathway. Here, we show that expanding the aromatic character of the ligand backbone of the catalyst as well as the RM can cause a greater enhancement of co-electrocatalytic activity. These results suggest that further activity improvements can be achieved by focusing on the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters which control association between the catalyst and RM.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A Multidimensional Operando Study Showing the Importance of the Electrode Macrostructure in Lithium Sulfur Batteries

Lithium sulfur batteries are one of the most promising next-generation energy storage technologies, because of their impressive theoretical energy density, low materials cost, and relative safety. However, incomplete understanding of their underlying operation mechanisms has hindered their further development and commercialization. In this work, to gain a better understanding of the operation mechanisms in the lithium sulfur battery, three macroscopically different (woven and nonwoven) and microscopically similar (made from the same carbon fibers) free-standing carbon felts are used as the conductive matrices to show how the macrostructure influences the redox reactions and the electrochemical performance. Additionally, an operando radiography and simultaneous in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study are performed to highlight the differences of the carbon hosts and how they compare electrochemically in a lithium sulfur battery. The electrochemical results show that the carbon host with a more open structure results in increased capacity as well as a higher diffusion coefficient. The operando radiography shows that the open structures are more conducive to efficient redox reactivity in forming solid sulfur species, mostly in the form of elongated needlelike structures identified as β-S8, near the end of charge, which is corroborated by the impedance data. The data also reveal a “breathing” mechanism, where the polysulfides are pushed to the edges during discharge and pulled back during charge. Furthermore, it is also revealed that the “breathing” process is a limiting factor in the high rate performance. Overall, this study shows that there is a close relationship between the macrostructure of the carbon matrix and the electrochemical performance of the sulfur cathode.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Electron Transfer in Microemulsion-Based Electrolytes

The use of flowing electrochemical reactors, for example, in redox flow batteries and in various electrosynthesis processes, is increasing. This technology has the potential to be of central significance in the increased deployment of renewable electricity for carbon-neutral processes. A key element of optimizing efficiency of electrochemical reactors is the combination of high solution conductivity and reagent solubility. In this work, we show a substantial rate of charge transfer for an electrochemical reaction occurring in a microemulsion containing electroactive material is loaded inside the nonpolar (toluene) subphase of the microemulsion. The measured rate constant translates to an exchange current density comparable to that in redox flow batteries. The rate could be controlled by the surfactant, which maintains partitioning of reactants and products by forming an interfacial region with ions in the aqueous phase in close proximity. The hypothesized echanism is evocative of membrane-bound enzymatic reactions. Achieving sufficient rates of electrochemical reaction is the product of an effort designed to establish a reaction condition that meets the requirements of electrochemical reactors using microemulsions to realize a separation of conducting and reactive elements of the solution, opening a door to the broad use of microemulsions to effect controlled electrochemical reactions as steps in more complex processes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electrochemistry at Back-Gated, Ultrathin ZnO Electrodes: Field-Effect Modulation of Heterogeneous Electron Transfer Rate Constants by 30× with Enhanced Gate Capacitance

We report steady-state voltammetry of outer-sphere redox species at back-gated ultrathin ZnO working electrodes in order to determine electron transfer rate constants k ET as a function of independently-controlled gate bias, V G . We demonstrate that k ET can be modulated as much as 30-fold by application of V G ≤ 8 V. Key to this demonstration was integrating the ultrathin (5 nm) ZnO on a high dielectric constant (k) insulator, HfO 2 (30 nm), which was grown on a Pd metal gate. The high-k HfO 2 dramatically decreased the required V G values and increased the gate-induced charge in ZnO compared to previous studies. Importantly, the enhanced gating power of the Pd/HfO 2 /ZnO stack meant it was possible to observe a non-monotonic dependence of k ET on V G , which reflects the inherent density of redox acceptor states in solution. Furthermore, this work adds to the growing body of literature demonstrating that electrochemical kinetics (i.e., rate constants and overpotentials) at ultrathin working electrodes can be tuned by V G , independent of the conventional electrochemical working electrode potential.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Buried Interfaces in Organic Photocathodes for H 2 Evolution: Fermi-Level Pinning and Recombination

Herein, we demonstrate how Fermi-level pinning at buried contacts impacts solar fuel generation in all-polymer photocathodes by systematically comparing the effects of work function, hydroxyl coverage, and hydrogen evolution using chemically modified indium tin oxide (ITO) supports. Photovoltages and net photocathode performance are improved when the ITO is passivated using phosphonic acids, independent of work function, suggesting that the passivation reduces Fermi-level pinning at the buried interface arising from blended heterojunction interactions with surface metal hydroxyls. Transient photovoltage decay reveals differences in recombination mechanisms, supported by light intensity-dependent measurements. Briefly, nonpassivated, hydrophilic contacts exhibit trap-assisted recombination, while passivated, hydrophobic contacts follow bimolecular recombination. We then investigate changes in electroactivity of hole-transfer processes as a function of scan rate and repetitive cycling using a diffusion-controlled molecular redox probe, analogous to a hole-only device achieved via the electrolyte. The nonpassivated buried contacts exhibit higher overpotentials for oxidation, indicative of hole injection/extraction barriers. We observe irreversible electron transfer via the hole-transport level of the blended heterojunction and a strong cycle dependence, consistent with changes in the hole trap state density. Passivation results in more reversible redox behaviors, consistent with more Ohmic-like contacts. Collectively, these results provide context toward the realization of durable organic photoelectrodes with optimized photovoltages and net solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies via fundamental understanding of the rates of carrier generation, recombination, and transport in high-dielectric aqueous environments and opportunities to characterize buried interfaces under device-relevant electric fields.

buried interfaces↗

Kinetic Model for the Reduction of Cu II Sites by NO + NH 3 and Reoxidation of NH 3 -Solvated Cu I Sites by O 2 and NO in Cu-SSZ-13

In this work, a kinetic model is developed for the reduction of Cu II sites by NO + NH 3 and the reoxidation of NH 3 -solvated Cu I sites by O 2 and NO in Cu-SSZ-13. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and spatially resolved capillary inlet mass spectrometry (SpaciMS) measurements during transient reactor experiments are utilized to identify the rate parameters associated with NO + NH 3 RHC (reduction half-cycle), proposed to occur via two distinct pathways involving adsorbed NH 3 and gas-phase NH 3 . The resulting NO + NH 3 RHC model is validated using spatiotemporal N 2 measurements covering a wide range of temperatures (200–450 °C) and space velocities (53,000–640,000 h –1 ). N 2 O formation is observed and modeled during NO + NH 3 RHC, with quantitative validation under standard selective catalytic reduction (SCR) conditions. Experimentally measured enthalpic and entropic changes associated with O 2 adsorption on NH 3 -solvated Cu I (ZCu(NH 3 ) 2 ) complexes [ Kamasamudram, K. Catal. Today 2010 , 151 (3–4), 212-222], along with activation energies estimated computationally for the intercage diffusion of ZCu(NH 3 ) 2 complexes [ Paolucci, C. Science 2017 , 357 (6 354), 898-903], are incorporated into a mean field kinetic model for the low-temperature oxidation half-cycle (OHC). Significant NH 3 release is observed during the isothermal oxidation of Cu I sites, attributed to desorption of NH 3 ligands from NH 3 -solvated Cu II dimers (Z 2 Cu 2 (NH 3 ) 4 O 2 ). Reduction of these dimeric complexes leads to the consumption of one NO/Cu II , contradicting the expected reduction stoichiometry. Inclusion of a global Arrhenius rate for the NO titration of Z 2 Cu 2 (NH 3 ) 4 O 2 complexes provides accurate representations of standard SCR on reduced and oxidized catalysts, predicting transient NO and NH 3 consumption between 150 and 250 °C as a function of hydrothermal aging. Deactivation of low-temperature standard SCR by NH 3 is observed at high NH 3 pressures, modeled via the formation of superoxo amino (ZCu(NH 3 ) 3 OO*) complexes during NH 3 titration of Z 2 Cu 2 (NH 3 ) 4 O 2 complexes [ Negri, C. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020 , 142 (37), 15884-15896]. The redox kinetic model presented here provides a foundational description of active site redox during low-temperature standard SCR, combining the recent kinetic, spectroscopic, and computational findings on the mechanism of standard SCR over Cu-SSZ-13.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Transition Metal Dichalcogenides as Effective Catalysts for High-Rate Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

In today’s renaissance of high energy density secondary batteries, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries represent one of the most promising candidates for the next generation of renewable energy storage systems, due to sulfur’s high theoretical specific capacity of 1675 mAh g -1 and high earth abundance. However, despite decades of study, the issues associated with capacity fade via the polysulfide shuttle and sluggish kinetics remain. Through a rigorous and detailed electrochemical study of lithium polysulfides via rotating disk electrode voltammetry (RDE), we have investigated the kinetics of the redox reactions, and explored candidate catalysts to potentially overcome/mitigate the polysulfide shuttle effect. From these RDE studies, supported by comprehensive electronic-structure calculations of conversion-type surface reactions, we determined that WSe 2 can effectively catalyze the polysulfide redox reaction, though further studies are necessary to improve overall Li-S battery performance.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Charge Transfer Dynamics in Dye-Sensitized Photocatalysts Using Metal Complex Sensitizers with Long-Wavelength Visible Light Absorption Based on Singlet–Triplet Excitation

An Os(II) polypyridyl complex was applied as a photosensitizer in dye-sensitized photocatalyst systems based on Pt-intercalated HCa 2 Nb 3 O 10 and Pt-loaded TiO 2 . The Os(II) complex exhibits a spin-forbidden but partially allowed triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer ( 3 MLCT) transition, enabling broad visible light absorption up to 800 nm, which surpasses that of conventional Ru(II)-based dyes. Despite its shorter excited-state lifetime compared to Ru(II) complexes, efficient electron injection from the excited Os(II) dye into the semiconductor was confirmed. Under visible-light irradiation, the Os(II)- sensitized photocatalysts showed higher H 2 evolution activity than the Ru(II)-sensitized photocatalysts when sodium ascorbate was used as an electron donor, demonstrating effective utilization of long-wavelength visible light. In contrast, negligible H 2 evolution was observed when NaI was employed as a redox mediator for Z-scheme water splitting. Transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that the lack of activity stemmed from inefficient electron transfer from I − to oxidized Os(II). These findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate redox mediators to fully exploit long-wavelength dyes for overall water splitting under visible light.

artificial photosynthesis↗