Yingxin Feng

Bio: Yingxin Feng is an academic researcher from Fuzhou University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Catalysis & Adsorption. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 9 publications receiving 210 citations. Previous affiliations of Yingxin Feng include Chalmers University of Technology.

Correlating DFT Calculations with CO Oxidation Reactivity on Ga-Doped Pt/CeO2 Single-Atom Catalysts

Abstract: Pt/CeO2 single-atom catalysts have recently attracted increasing interest due to excellent thermal stability, high atom efficiency, and high activity in catalysis In this study, by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we systematically compare the stability and CO oxidation reactivity of Pt single atoms supported on CeO2(111) (Pt/CeO2) and Ga-doped CeO2(111) (Pt/Ga–CeO2) It was found that the formation of an oxygen vacancy (OV) is very facile near a surface Ga-doping site (Pt/Ga–CeO2–OV) Significantly, the stability of Pt single atoms anchored on the Ga site was enhanced compared with those on the bare ceria surface In addition, our DFT results suggest a CO oxidation mechanism on Pt/Ga–CeO2–OV that differs from that on Pt/CeO2 In particular, the OV site plays an important role in activating the oxygen molecule, which then reacts with CO preadsorbed on Pt The calculated energy barrier on Pt/Ga–CeO2–OV is about 043 eV lower than that on the undoped catalyst, suggesting an enhanced r

A Pd/Monolayer Titanate Nanosheet with Surface Synergetic Effects for Precise Synthesis of Cyclohexanones

Abstract: A catalyst composed of monolayer nonstoichiometric titanate nanosheets (denoted as TN) and Pd clusters is constructed for precise synthesis of cyclohexanone from phenol hydrogenation with high conversion (>99%) and selectivity (>99%) in aqueous media under light irradiation. Experimental and DFT calculation results reveal that the surface exposed acid and basic sites on TN could interact with phenol molecules in a nonplanar fashion via a hexahydroxy hydrogen-bonding ring to form a surface coordination species. This greatly facilitates the adsorption and activation of phenol molecules and suppresses the further hydrogenation of cyclohexanone. Moreover, the surface Pd clusters serve as the active sites for the adsorption and dissociation of hydrogen molecules to provide active H atoms. The synergistic effect of the surface coordination species, TN and Pd clusters remarkably facilitate the high yield of cyclohexanone in photocatalysis. Finally, the possible thermo/photocatalytic mechanisms on Pd/TN are propo...

Selective hydrogenation of 1,3-butadiene catalyzed by a single Pd atom anchored on graphene: the importance of dynamics.

Abstract: The active-site structure, reaction mechanism, and product selectivity of the industrially important selective hydrogenation of 1,3-butadiene are investigated using first principles for an emerging single-atom Pd catalyst anchored on graphene. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the mono-π-adsorbed reactant undergoes sequential hydrogenation by Pd-activated H2. Importantly, the high selectivity towards 1-butene is attributed to the post-transition-state dynamics in the second hydrogenation step, which leads exclusively to the desorption of the product. This dynamical event prevails despite the existence of energetically preferred 1-butene adsorption on Pd, which would eventually lead to complete hydrogenation to butane and be thus inconsistent with experimental observations. This insight underscores the importance of dynamics in heterogeneous catalysis, which has so far been underappreciated.

Identification of Active Sites on High-PerformancePt/Al 2 O 3 Catalyst for Cryogenic CO Oxidation

Abstract: Exclusive Pt species supported on inert substrates have not achieved satisfactory performance for cryogenic CO oxidation because of the constraint of the competitive Langmuir–Hinshelwood process in...

Confined Catalysis in the g-C3N4/Pt(111) Interface: Feasible Molecule Intercalation, Tunable Molecule-Metal Interaction and Enhanced Reaction Activity of CO Oxidation

Abstract: The deposition of a two-dimensional (2D) atomic nanosheet on a metal surface has been considered as a new route for tuning the molecule–metal interaction and surface reactivity in terms of the confinement effect. In this work, we use first-principles calculations to systematically explore a novel nanospace constructed by placing a 2D graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheet over a Pt(111) surface. The confined catalytic activity in this nanospace is investigated using CO oxidation as a model reaction. With the inherent triangular pores in the g-C3N4 overlayer being taken advantage of, molecules such as CO and O2 can diffuse to adsorb on the Pt(111) surface underneath the g-C3N4 overlayer. Moreover, the mechanism of intercalation is also elucidated, and the results reveal that the energy barrier depends mainly on the properties of the molecule and the channel. Importantly, the molecule–catalyst interaction can be tuned by the g-C3N4 overlayer, considerably reducing the adsorption energy of CO on Pt(111)...

Selective Hydrogenation over Supported Metal Catalysts: From Nanoparticles to Single Atoms

Abstract: Selective catalytic hydrogenation has wide applications in both petrochemical and fine chemical industries, however, it remains challenging when two or multiple functional groups coexist in the substrate. To tackle this challenge, the "active site isolation" strategy has been proved effective, and various approaches to the site isolation have been developed. In this review, we have summarized these approaches, including adsorption/grafting of N/S-containing organic molecules on the metal surface, partial covering of active metal surface by metal oxides either via doping or through strong metal-support interaction, confinement of active metal nanoparticles in micro- or mesopores of the supports, formation of bimetallic alloys or intermetallics or core@shell structures with a relatively inert metal (IB and IIB) or nonmetal element (B, C, S, etc.), and construction of single-atom catalysts on reducible oxides or inert metals. Both advantages and disadvantages of each approach toward the site isolation have been discussed for three types of chemoselective hydrogenation reactions, including alkynes/dienes to monoenes, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes/ketones to the unsaturated alcohols, and substituted nitroarenes to the corresponding anilines. The key factors affecting the catalytic activity/selectivity, in particular, the geometric and electronic structure of the active sites, are discussed with the aim to extract fundamental principles for the development of efficient and selective catalysts in hydrogenation as well as other transformations.

Single-Atom Catalysts across the Periodic Table.

Abstract: Isolated atoms featuring unique reactivity are at the heart of enzymatic and homogeneous catalysts. In contrast, although the concept has long existed, single-atom heterogeneous catalysts (SACs) have only recently gained prominence. Host materials have similar functions to ligands in homogeneous catalysts, determining the stability, local environment, and electronic properties of isolated atoms and thus providing a platform for tailoring heterogeneous catalysts for targeted applications. Within just a decade, we have witnessed many examples of SACs both disrupting diverse fields of heterogeneous catalysis with their distinctive reactivity and substantially enriching our understanding of molecular processes on surfaces. To date, the term SAC mostly refers to late transition metal-based systems, but numerous examples exist in which isolated atoms of other elements play key catalytic roles. This review provides a compositional encyclopedia of SACs, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the introduction of this term. By defining single-atom catalysis in the broadest sense, we explore the full elemental diversity, joining different areas across the whole periodic table, and discussing historical milestones and recent developments. In particular, we examine the coordination structures and associated properties accessed through distinct single-atom-host combinations and relate them to their main applications in thermo-, electro-, and photocatalysis, revealing trends in element-specific evolution, host design, and uses. Finally, we highlight frontiers in the field, including multimetallic SACs, atom proximity control, and possible applications for multistep and cascade reactions, identifying challenges, and propose directions for future development in this flourishing field.

A Theory/Experience Description of Support Effects in Carbon-Supported Catalysts.

Abstract: The support plays an important role for supported metal catalysts by positioning itself as a macromolecular ligand, which conditions the nature of the active site and contributes indirectly but also sometimes directly to the reactivity. Metal species such as nanoparticles, clusters, or single atoms can be deposited on carbon materials for various catalytic reactions. All the carbon materials used as catalyst support constitute a large family of compounds that can vary both at textural and at structural levels. Today, the recent developments of well-controlled synthesis methodologies, advanced characterization techniques, and modeling tools allow one to correlate the relationships between metal/support/reactant at the molecular level. Based on these considerations, in this Review article, we wish to provide some answers to the question "How and why anchoring metal nanoparticles, clusters, or single atoms on carbon materials for catalysis?". To do this, we will rely on both experimental and theoretical studies. We will first analyze what sites are available on the surface of a carbon support for the anchoring of the active phase. Then, we will describe some important effects in catalysis inherent to the presence of a carbon-type support (metal-support interaction, confinement, spillover, and surface functional group effects). These effects will be commented on by putting into perspective catalytic results obtained in numerous reactions of thermal catalysis, electrocatalysis, or photocatalysis.

Theoretical Understandings of Graphene-based Metal Single-Atom Catalysts: Stability and Catalytic Performance.

Abstract: Research on heterogeneous single-atom catalysts (SACs) has become an emerging frontier in catalysis science because of their advantages in high utilization of noble metals, precisely identified active sites, high selectivity, and tunable activity. Graphene, as a one-atom-thick two-dimensional carbon material with unique structural and electronic properties, has been reported to be a superb support for SACs. Herein, we provide an overview of recent progress in investigations of graphene-based SACs. Among the large number of publications, we will selectively focus on the stability of metal single-atoms (SAs) anchored on different sites of graphene support and the catalytic performances of graphene-based SACs for different chemical reactions, including thermocatalysis and electrocatalysis. We will summarize the fundamental understandings on the electronic structures and their intrinsic connection with catalytic properties of graphene-based SACs, and also provide a brief perspective on the future design of efficient SACs with graphene and graphene-like materials.