报告题目：Atomically Engineered Catalytic Materials for Solar Energy Conversion

主 讲 人：杨化桂 教授

          华东理工大学、澳大利亚Griffith University

报告时间：11月5日（周二）上午10：00—12：00

报告地点：李薰楼四楼 468 会议室

报告简介：

The current energy and environmental issues are driving the development of new sustainable energy sources. In particular, solar energy as one of the best sources of renewable energy has attracted significant attention as a promising way to solve these problems. Herein, we studied the atomically engineered catalytic materials to enhanced the solar energy conversion. Using first-principle quantum chemical calculations, we studied the electrocatalytic process of redox mediators in dye-sensitized solar cells and predicted electrocatalytic activity of potential semiconductor counter electrodes. Based on the theoretical predictions, we successfully screened out α-Fe₂O₃, In₂O₃ and RuO₂ etc as new counter electrode catalysts, which demonstrate promising electrocatalytic activity towards triiodide reduction at a rate comparable to platinum.^{[1, 2]} Furthermore, we also explored the active sites of Pt/TiO₂ photocatalyst on atomic level by a collaborative analysis from both experimental and theoretical work; metallic Pt⁰ nanoparticles have little contribution to the activity of solar water splitting and by contrast, oxidized species Pt^δ+ truly take the role of the catalytic active sites.^[3] In addition, we found that Pt in oxidation state demonstrates remarkable hydrogen oxide reaction suppression ability.^[4] These results would open a door for rethinking of the principles of conventional photocatalysis, and may also stimulate novel ideas for the design and optimization of new heterogeneous photocatalysts.

References:

[1] Yu Hou, Dong Wang, Xiao Hua Yang, Wen Qi Fang, Bo Zhang, Hai Feng Wang, Guan Zhong Lu, P. Hu, Hui Jun Zhao, Hua Gui Yang, Nature Communications, 2013, 4, 1583.

[2] Yu Hou, Zu Peng Chen, Dong Wang, Bo Zhang, Shuang Yang, Hai Feng Wang, P. Hu, Hui Jun Zhao, Hua Gui Yang, Small, 2013, doi: 10.1002/smll.201300653.

[3] Jun Xing, Hai Bo Jiang, Jian Fu Chen, Yu Hang Li, Long Wu, Shuang Yang, Li Rong Zheng, Hai Feng Wang, P. Hu, Hui Jun Zhao, Hua Gui Yang, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2013, DOI: 10.1039/C3TA13167J.

[4] Yu Hang Li, Jun Xing, Zong Jia Chen, Zhen Li, Feng Tian, Lirong Zheng, Hai Feng Wang, P. Hu, Hui Jun Zhao, Hua Gui Yang. Nature Communications, 2013, 4, 2500.