Focus 26 January 2021

Catalysis

Catalysis lies at the heart of the chemical industry. It encompasses heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalysis and biocatalysis. This page showcases our recent publications that report cutting edge research across the field of catalysis.

Featured articles

Essential features of weak current for excellent enhancement of NO_x reduction over monoatomic V-based catalyst

Achieving high NH₃ selective catalytic reduction activity at ultra-low temperatures (below 150 °C) remains a challenge for V-based catalysts. Here the authors explore the electron scissors effect of current-assisted catalysis, which enables a monoatomic V-based catalyst to exhibit exceptional denitration performance at ultra-low temperatures.
- Daying Zheng
- Kaijie Liu
- Shuyan Song
ArticleOpen Access6 Aug 2024 Nature Communications
Elucidation of hemilabile-coordination-induced tunable regioselectivity in single-site Rh-catalyzed heterogeneous hydroformylation

Unveiling the regulatory mechanism of regioselectivity in hydroformylation has been a significant challenge. Here the authors successfully demonstrate how hemilabile coordination influences regioselectivity by employing various in situ techniques.
- Benhan Fan
- Miao Jiang
- Yunjie Ding
ArticleOpen Access14 Aug 2024 Nature Communications
High-entropy-perovskite subnanowires for photoelectrocatalytic coupling of methane to acetic acid

Incorporating immiscible metals in high-entropy oxides creates unique catalytic sites but results in low specific surface areas due to the high formation temperature. Here the authors report low temperature synthesis of periodically aligned high-entropy LaMnO3 oxides and polyoxometalate heterostructures for photoelectrochemical coupling of methane into acetic acid under mild conditions.
- Siyang Nie
- Liang Wu
- Xun Wang
ArticleOpen Access6 Aug 2024 Nature Communications
Understanding the in-situ transformation of Cu_xO interlayers to increase the water splitting efficiency in NiO/n-Si photoanodes

The buried interface beneath the solid-liquid junction is crucial for photoelectrochemical device efficiency and requires precise characterization for optimization. Here the authors probe the in situ transformation of a Cu_xO interlayer at the NiO/n-Si interface by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and improve solar-to-hydrogen efficiency to 4.56%.
- Chao Feng
- Zhi Liu
- Yanbo Li
ArticleOpen Access31 Jul 2024 Nature Communications
Covalently linked molecular catalysts in conjugated polymer dots boost photocatalytic alcohol oxidation in neutral condition

A strategy of covalently grafting molecular catalysts to polymer backbones in polymer dots photocatalysts is proposed in this work, realizing a groundbreaking photocatalytic oxidation of various alcohols in neutral conditions.
- Sicong Wang
- Mariia V. Pavliuk
- Haining Tian
ArticleOpen Access8 Aug 2024 Nature Communications
Simultaneously activating molecular oxygen and surface lattice oxygen on Pt/TiO₂ for low-temperature CO oxidation

Developing high-performance Pt-based catalysts with low Pt loading is crucial but challenging for CO oxidation. Here, the authors report a novel Pt/TiO₂ catalyst consisting of Pt–Ti intermetallic single-atom alloy and Pt nanoparticles to efficiently catalyze CO oxidation.
- Tengfei Zhang
- Peng Zheng
- Fabing Su
ArticleOpen Access9 Aug 2024 Nature Communications
Atom-pair engineering of single-atom nanozyme for boosting peroxidase-like activity

Designing and enhancing the performance of metal single-atom nanozymes (SAzymes) through atom-pair engineering is important yet difficult. Here the authors develop the atom-pair engineering of Zn-SA/CNCl SAzyme by concurrently creating Zn-N₄ sites as catalytic sites and Zn-N₄Cl₁ sites as catalytic regulators.
- Shengjie Wei
- Wenjie Ma
- Yadong Li
ArticleOpen Access12 Aug 2024 Nature Communications
An in situ exploration of how Fe/N/C oxygen reduction catalysts evolve during synthesis under pyrolytic conditions

Fe-N-C material is promising catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Here the authors visualize the formation of Fe-N4 sites using in situ heating microscopy, providing theoretical guidance for rational catalyst design of Fe-N-C materials.
- Shuhu Yin
- Hongyuan Yi
- Shigang Sun
ArticleOpen Access24 Jul 2024 Nature Communications
Nanoscale covalent organic frameworks for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production

Nanosizing covalent organic frameworks using surfactants provides greatly improved water dispersibility and light-harvesting properties, leading to dramatically enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production performance. Here the authors observe a reverse concentration-dependent photocatalytic phenomeno, whereby a higher photocatalytic activity is found at a lower catalyst concentration.
- Wei Zhao
- Liang Luo
- Andrew I. Cooper
ArticleOpen Access1 Aug 2024 Nature Communications
Keto-anthraquinone covalent organic framework for H₂O₂ photosynthesis with oxygen and alkaline water

Hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis is an important reaction that suffers from poor activity due to the high energy barrier of hydrogen extraction in water. Here, we report a keto-form anthraquinone framework that shows promising performance in alkaline conditions.
- Xiangcheng Zhang
- Silian Cheng
- Lizhi Zhang
ArticleOpen Access26 Mar 2024 Nature Communications
Depolymerization mechanisms and closed-loop assessment in polyester waste recycling

Polyester waste is increasingly accumulating in the environment, and alcoholysis recycling offers a sustainable management solution. This study demonstrates the use of an oxygen vacancy-rich catalyst to transform waste blended polyester/textiles into high-value monomers.
- Jingjing Cao
- Huaxing Liang
- Xinglin Lu
ArticleOpen Access25 Jul 2024 Nature Communications
Confining platinum clusters in indium-modified ZSM-5 zeolite to promote propane dehydrogenation

Designing highly active and stable catalytic sites is often challenging due to complex synthesis procedures and the agglomeration of active sites during high-temperature reactions. Here the authors present a two-step method to synthesize Pt clusters in In-modified ZSM-5, resulting in superior propane dehydrogenation performance.
- Yong Yuan
- Erwei Huang
- Jingguang G. Chen
ArticleOpen Access2 Aug 2024 Nature Communications
Solar-driven highly selective conversion of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone using surface atom engineered BiVO₄ photoanodes

Photoelectrochemical oxidation of glycerol to produce dihydroxyacetone is limited by its low selectivity. Here, a bismuth vanadate photoanode enriched with a bismuth-rich surface and containing oxygen vacancies was utilized to overcome this dilemma.
- Yuan Lu
- Byoung Guan Lee
- Jong Hyeok Park
ArticleOpen Access28 Jun 2024 Nature Communications
Visualizing the gas-sensitive structure of the CuZn surface in methanol synthesis catalysis

Industrial methanol synthesis uses materials based on Cu and ZnO. We present high-resolution imaging of active surfaces which reveals how Zn species are transported at the active Cu interface in diffusion processes controlled by the reactant gas composition.
- Sigmund Jensen
- Mathias H. R. Mammen
- Jeppe V. Lauritsen
ArticleOpen Access8 May 2024 Nature Communications
Coupling photocatalytic CO₂ reduction and CH₃OH oxidation for selective dimethoxymethane production

This study unravels the efficient photocatalytic route for synthesizing dimethoxymethane by coupling CO2 reduction integrated with CH3OH oxidation by using a silver and tungsten comodified blue titanium dioxide catalyst under mild conditions.
- Yixuan Wang
- Yang Liu
- Hyoyoung Lee
ArticleOpen Access18 Jul 2024 Nature Communications
Heteroatom doping enables hydrogen spillover via H⁺/e⁻ diffusion pathways on a non-reducible metal oxide

Hydrogen spillover is typically associated with reducible metal oxides and considered relevant for various hydrogen-related technologies. Here, the authors demonstrate that a non-reducible MgO doped with heteroatom Al enables hydrogen spillover similarly to reducible metal oxides.
- Kazuki Shun
- Kohsuke Mori
- Hiromi Yamashita
ArticleOpen Access31 Jul 2024 Nature Communications
Facet sensitivity of iron carbides in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

The impact of facets on Fischer-Tropsch synthesis has primarily been explored through theoretical studies or on single-crystal surfaces, lacking experimental data on practical catalysts. Here, the authors provide experimental evidence of the facet sensitivity of iron carbides during syngas conversion by creating {202} and {112} χ-Fe₅C₂ facets.
- Wenlong Wu
- Jiahua Luo
- Jie Zeng
ArticleOpen Access19 Jul 2024 Nature Communications
A solution for 4-propylguaiacol hydrodeoxygenation without ring saturation

Solvents play a crucial role in catalysis, affecting both activity and selectivity. Here the authors demonstrate how solvent affinity to the catalyst surface influences the reaction pathways of 4-propylguaiacol.
- Zihao Zhang
- Qiang Li
- Patrick Hemberger
ArticleOpen Access27 Jul 2024 Nature Communications
Gradient-concentration RuCo electrocatalyst for efficient and stable electroreduction of nitrate into ammonia

Achieving stable and high-activity nitrate electroreduction to ammonia in low concentrations nitrate is critical but challenging. Here, the authors present a Co-based electrocatalyst with gradient-doped Ru atoms, showing a continuous ammonia production at −1000 mA/cm² in 2000 ppm nitrate electrolyte.
- Xinhong Chen
- Yumeng Cheng
- Sisi He
ArticleOpen Access25 Jul 2024 Nature Communications
CO₂ electrolysis to multi-carbon products in strong acid at ampere-current levels on La-Cu spheres with channels

Efficient electroreduction of CO2 to multi-carbon products under strong acidic condition is highly challenging. Here, the authors demonstrate that combining microenvironment modulation and La doping effect could promote multicarbon products generation in acidic electrolyte.
- Jiaqi Feng
- Limin Wu
- Buxing Han
ArticleOpen Access6 Jun 2024 Nature Communications
Accelerating CO₂ electrochemical conversion towards industrial implementation

Despite significant progress in CO2 conversion field, there remains a significant gap between fundamental research and the industrial demands. This Comment discusses key performance parameters for industrial applications and outlines current limitations in the field.
- Doris Segets
- Corina Andronescu
- Ulf-Peter Apfel
CommentOpen Access1 Dec 2023 Nature Communications
Pulsed laser induced plasma and thermal effects on molybdenum carbide for dry reforming of methane

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is a highly endothermic process, often limited by the severe thermocatalytic conditions it demands. Here the authors introduce a novel DRM method that employs a 16 W pulsed laser along with a cost-effective Mo₂C catalyst, allowing DRM to proceed under milder conditions.
- Yue Li
- Xingwu Liu
- Weijia Zhou
ArticleOpen Access28 Jun 2024 Nature Communications
Active species in chloroaluminate ionic liquids catalyzing low-temperature polyolefin deconstruction

The catalytic conversion of polyolefins into gasoline-range alkanes requires a comprehensive understanding of the catalytically active species and their corresponding performance. Here the authors tackle this need by examining the nuclearity of the chloroaluminate ions and their interactions with reaction intermediates.
- Wei Zhang
- Rachit Khare
- Johannes A. Lercher
ArticleOpen Access10 Jul 2024 Nature Communications
Active learning streamlines development of high performance catalysts for higher alcohol synthesis

Developing efficient catalysts for syngas-based higher alcohol synthesis (HAS) remains challenging. Here the authors successfully demonstrate an active learning strategy by integrating Bayesian optimization into experimental workflows to accelerate the design of highly active and stable FeCoCuZr catalysts for HAS.
- Manu Suvarna
- Tangsheng Zou
- Javier Pérez-Ramírez
ArticleOpen Access11 Jul 2024 Nature Communications
Redox dynamics and surface structures of an active palladium catalyst during methane oxidation

Palladium-based catalysts are highly effective for the complete oxidation of methane. Here, the authors employ operando transmission electron microscopy, near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations to investigate the active state and catalytic function of Pd nanoparticles in methane oxidation.
- Shengnan Yue
- C. S. Praveen
- Xing Huang
ArticleOpen Access1 Jun 2024 Nature Communications
Insight into selectivity of photocatalytic methane oxidation to formaldehyde on tungsten trioxide

Tungsten trioxide (WO₃) is considered the most promising photocatalyst for the highly selective oxidation of methane to formaldehyde, though the origins of its catalytic activity and reaction mechanism are still debated. Here, the authors use WO₃ with {001} and {110} facets as model photocatalysts, demonstrating that the photocatalytic oxidation of methane to formaldehyde in WO₃ depends on the surface structure, leading to different formaldehyde selectivity.
- Yingying Fan
- Yuheng Jiang
- Zhiyong Tang
ArticleOpen Access1 Jun 2024 Nature Communications
Zinc-indium-sulfide favors efficient C − H bond activation by concerted proton-coupled electron transfer

The knowledge of semiconductor photocatalysis in C − H bond activation remains limited. Here, the authors report comprehensive mechanistic studies to unveil the semiconductor-rare concerted proton-coupled electron transfer mechanism for C − H bond activation over Zn-In-S.
- Xuejiao Wu
- Xueting Fan
- Bert Sels
ArticleOpen Access11 Jun 2024 Nature Communications
Design and synthesis of broadband absorption covalent organic framework for efficient artificial photocatalytic amine coupling

Creating highly active materials that effectively harness solar spectra is essential for photocatalysis, though challenging. Here the authors introduce a novel donor-acceptor covalent organic framework with a broad absorption range of 200 nm to 900 nm, achieving efficient artificial photocatalytic amine coupling.
- Yuanding Fang
- Youxing Liu
- Yunqi Liu
ArticleOpen Access7 Jun 2024 Nature Communications
NIR-II emissive anionic copper nanoclusters with intrinsic photoredox activity in single-electron transfer

Copper nanoclusters have so far been limited in the types of organic transformations they can catalyze. Here the authors introduce a new NIR-II emissive anionic copper nanocluster with intrinsic photoredox activity, enabling efficient photocatalytic three-component radical couplings.
- Li-Juan Liu
- Mao-Mao Zhang
- Jian He
ArticleOpen Access1 Jun 2024 Nature Communications
Atomically dispersed MoNi alloy catalyst for partial oxidation of methane

The catalytic partial oxidation of methane (POM) is a promising technology for synthesizing syngas but suffers from severe over-oxidation on the catalyst surface. Here the authors demonstrate that regulating O* occupation in an atomically dispersed MoNi alloy can achieve high catalytic performance for POM.
- Zheyuan Ding
- Sai Chen
- Jinlong Gong
ArticleOpen Access31 May 2024 Nature Communications
Molecular tuning boosts asymmetric C-C coupling for CO conversion to acetate

This work presents a general surface molecular tuning strategy to promote the electrochemical reduction of CO.
- Jie Ding
- Fuhua Li
- Bin Liu
ArticleOpen Access29 Apr 2024 Nature Communications
Effect of crystal facets in plasmonic catalysis

Crystal facets are known to be important in traditional heterogeneous catalysis, yet this effect has not been studied in plasmon-assisted catalysis. Here, the authors investigate the impact facets have on CO₂ reduction using plasmonic Au NPs.
- Yicui Kang
- Simão M. João
- Emiliano Cortés
ArticleOpen Access9 May 2024 Nature Communications
Facilitating the dry reforming of methane with interfacial synergistic catalysis in an Ir@CeO_2−x catalyst

Dry reforming of methane is an attractive route to convert greenhouse gases into valuable syngas. Here, the authors demonstrate design strategy to prepare efficient catalysts towards activation of both C–H and C = O bonds and provide atomic-level insights into interfacial synergistic catalysis.
- Hui Wang
- Guoqing Cui
- Min Wei
ArticleOpen Access4 May 2024 Nature Communications
Redox-induced controllable engineering of MnO₂-Mn_xCo_3-xO₄ interface to boost catalytic oxidation of ethane

The exploration of heterogeneous interfaces between metal oxides has received limited attention. Here the authors demonstrated the creation of MnO₂-Mn_xCo_3-xO₄ interfaces through controlled chemical reduction processes, effectively altering electron distribution and yielding a superior catalyst for ethane oxidation.
- Haiyan Wang
- Shuang Wang
- Xinwen Guo
ArticleOpen Access15 May 2024 Nature Communications
Atomically dispersed asymmetric cobalt electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen peroxide production in neutral media

The relationship between the structural configurations of M-N-C electrocatalysts and their performances in neutral environments has been insufficiently investigated. Here the authors demonstrate that an ultralow metal-loaded Co-N-C electrocatalyst, featuring the asymmetric Co-C/N/O configuration, exhibit exceptional efficiency in electrochemically producing hydrogen peroxide under neutral conditions.
- Longxiang Liu
- Liqun Kang
- Guanjie He
ArticleOpen Access14 May 2024 Nature Communications
Embedding biocatalysts in a redox polymer enhances the performance of dye-sensitized photocathodes in bias-free photoelectrochemical water splitting

A robust and efficient dye-sensitized NiO bio-hybrid photocathode based on a redox polymer and [FeFe]- hydrogenase has been developed to couple with a BiVO₄ photoanode for water splitting without applied bias.
- Fangwen Cheng
- Olha Pavliuk
- Haining Tian
ArticleOpen Access13 Apr 2024 Nature Communications
Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of acetonitrile to ethylamine in acid

Proton exchange membrane electrolyzers hold promise for ethylamine synthesis from acetonitrile, yet local acidity fosters proton reduction. Here, authors systematically screen metal catalysts, verifying their effectiveness in such electrolyzers.
- Chongyang Tang
- Cong Wei
- Xiangfeng Duan
ArticleOpen Access15 Apr 2024 Nature Communications
Thermally stable Ni foam-supported inverse CeAlO_x/Ni ensemble as an active structured catalyst for CO₂ hydrogenation to methane

An inverse CeAlO_x/Ni/Ni-foam structured catalyst with high thermal stability and water resistance is shown to be effective at CO₂ methanation across a wide temperature range because of efficient heat/mass transport.
- Xin Tang
- Chuqiao Song
- Lili Lin
ArticleOpen Access10 Apr 2024 Nature Communications
Single-zinc vacancy unlocks high-rate H₂O₂ electrosynthesis from mixed dioxygen beyond Le Chatelier principle

The principle of Le Chatelier is a fundamental concept in textbooks, serving as a guiding principle for controlling chemical and catalytic systems. In this study, the authors present an oxygen electroreduction system based on a single zinc vacancy catalyst, which operates in a manner that extends “beyond” Le Chatelier’s principle.
- Qi Huang
- Baokai Xia
- Sheng Chen
ArticleOpen Access16 May 2024 Nature Communications
Correlating activities and defects in (photo)electrocatalysts using in-situ multi-modal microscopic imaging

Physicochemical heterogeneity poses a significant constraint in photocatalyst advancement. Here the authors introduce a multimodal optical microscopy platform to assess activity and defects concurrently in photoelectrocatalysts, revealing that disorder can unexpectedly enhance local photoelectrocatalytic performance in certain instances.
- Camilo A. Mesa
- Michael Sachs
- Raj Pandya
ArticleOpen Access9 May 2024 Nature Communications
Plasma-assisted manipulation of vanadia nanoclusters for efficient selective catalytic reduction of NO_x

Achieving supported nanoclusters with unique geometric and electronic structures continues to pose a challenge. Here, the authors introduce a plasma-assisted treatment approach for generating supported metal oxide nanoclusters, facilitated by the rapid transformation of monomeric dispersed metal oxides.
- Yong Yin
- Bingcheng Luo
- Xiang Li
ArticleOpen Access27 Apr 2024 Nature Communications
Reverse water gas-shift reaction product driven dynamic activation of molybdenum nitride catalyst surface

Catalyst activation commonly occurs during reactions. This study demonstrates that the surface’s active structure in nitride catalysts during the reverse water gas-shift reaction varies with the partial pressure of reaction products, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity through positive feedback between catalytic activity and the evolution of MoNx’s active structure.
- Hui Xin
- Rongtan Li
- Xinhe Bao
ArticleOpen Access10 Apr 2024 Nature Communications
Electric-field-assisted proton coupling enhanced oxygen evolution reaction

Manganese complexes have long been utilized by nature to catalyze the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) but mirroring their efficiency in artificial electrochemical systems has proven difficult. This study centers on alpha-manganese dioxide (α-MnO₂), which closely mimics natural Mn^IV-O-Mn^III-H_xO motifs, presenting a novel method for manipulating proton coupling within the OER process using an external electric field.
- Xuelei Pan
- Mengyu Yan
- Liqiang Mai
ArticleOpen Access18 Apr 2024 Nature Communications
Upgrading CO₂ to sustainable aromatics via perovskite-mediated tandem catalysis

The transformation of CO2 with renewable hydrogen into high-value products presents a sustainable route for net-zero chemical manufacture. Here the authors introduce a LaFeO3 perovskite-mediated tandem conversion of CO2, achieving remarkable performance by separating the CO2 hydrogenation and C-C coupling domains in the catalyst system.
- Guo Tian
- Zhengwen Li
- Fei Wei
ArticleOpen Access8 Apr 2024 Nature Communications
Low-nuclearity CuZn ensembles on ZnZrO_x catalyze methanol synthesis from CO₂

The ideal metal selection and atomic-level arrangement for catalysts in CO₂ hydrogenation are still uncertain. Here, copper is identified as the most effective promoter for enhancing ZnZrO_x catalysts when precisely structured into CuZn ensembles, offering new insights for designing superior catalysts for CO₂-based methanol synthesis.
- Thaylan Pinheiro Araújo
- Georgios Giannakakis
- Javier Pérez-Ramírez
ArticleOpen Access10 Apr 2024 Nature Communications

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