Electrocatalytic NO reduction reaction to generate NH3 under ambient conditions offers an attractive alternative to the energy-extensive Haber–Bosch route; however, the challenge still lies in the development of cost-effective and high-performance electrocatalysts. Herein, nanoporous VN film is first designed as a highly selective and stable electrocatalyst for catalyzing reduction of NO to NH3 with a maximal Faradaic efficiency of 85% and a peak yield rate of 1.05 × 10–7 mol·cm–2·s–1 (corresponding to 5,140.8 μg·h–1·mgcat.–1) at –0.6 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode in acid medium. Meanwhile, this catalyst maintains an excellent activity with negligible current density and NH3 yield rate decays over 40 h. Moreover, as a proof-of-concept of Zn–NO battery, it delivers a high power density of 2.0 mW·cm–2 and a large NH3 yield rate of 0.22 × 10–7 mol·cm–2·s–1 (corresponding to 1,077.1 μg·h–1·mgcat.–1), both of which are comparable to the best-reported results. Theoretical analyses confirm that the VN surface favors the activation and hydrogenation of NO by suppressing the hydrogen evolution. This work highlights that the electrochemical NO reduction is an eco-friendly and energy-efficient strategy to produce NH3.

High-efficiency electrocatalytic NO reduction to NH
 3 by nanoporous VN

Rechargeable aqueous Zn–CO2 batteries show great promise in meeting severe environmental problems and energy crises due to their combination of CO2 utilization and energy output, as well as advantages of high theoretical energy density, abundant raw materials, and high safety. Developing high‐efficiency and stable CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) electrocatalysts is of critical importance for the promotion of this technology. Atomically dispersed metal‐based catalysts (ADMCs), with extremely high atom‐utilization efficiency, tunable coordination environments, and superior intrinsic catalytic activity, are emerging as promising candidates for Zn–CO2 batteries. Herein, some recent developments in atomically dispersed metal‐based catalysts for Zn–CO2 batteries are summarized, including transition metal and non‐transition metal sites. Moreover, various synthetic strategies, characterization methods, and the relationship between active site structures and CO2RR activity/Zn–CO2 battery performance are introduced. Finally, some challenges and perspectives are also proposed for the future development of ADMCs in Zn–CO2 batteries.

Atomically Dispersed Metal‐Based Catalysts for Zn–CO2 Batteries

Active-site and interface engineering of cathode materials for aqueous Zn—gas batteries

MoC nanocrystals confined in N-doped carbon nanosheets toward highly selective electrocatalytic nitric oxide reduction to ammonia

B-doped MoS2 for nitrate electroreduction to ammonia.

Polycrystalline SnSx nanofilm enables CO2 electroreduction to formate with high current density.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2022.166113

Recent advances in non-noble metal-based bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall seawater splitting

Effect of mechanical properties of rice stem and its fiber on the strength of straw rope

Rice threshing state prediction of threshing cylinder undergoing unbalanced harmonic response

This paper studies the dynamic response of the support beam under the unbalanced excitation of the rice threshing system. The differential equation of motion of the supporting beam under the action of harmonic force is established by the modal superposition method, and its dynamic response is analyzed. It is found that the initial vibration of the supporting beam will fluctuate greatly when it is excited by the unbalanced force. In response to this problem, the application of composite beams as the support structure of the threshing system is proposed. The composite beam is mainly composed of uniform and isotropic Euler–Bernoulli beams that are parallel to each other, and the two beams are connected by elastic spring elements. Then, the vibration response of the composite beam structure under unbalanced forces is studied. The results show that the vibration of the composite beam is more stable when it is excited by the unbalanced drum. The overall vibration response amplitude is smaller than that with single support, and the vibration reduction effect is obvious. When the stiffness changes, the change trend of the response amplitude of beam 1 and beam 2 is opposite, that is, the stiffness increases, the vibration amplitude of beam 1 decreases, and the amplitude of beam 2 increases. This shows that the composite beam is suitable for the support structure of the harvester.

Xinzhong Wang

Papers

Polycrystalline SnSx nanofilm enables CO2 electroreduction to formate with high current density.

Recent advances in non-noble metal-based bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall seawater splitting

Effect of mechanical properties of rice stem and its fiber on the strength of straw rope

Rice threshing state prediction of threshing cylinder undergoing unbalanced harmonic response

Response of Composite Beam Structure under Unbalanced Excitation of Rice Threshing System