Zhu Debin*, Ma Wenge, Xing Xiaobo . Application of Electrochemiluminescence Assay in Nucleic Acid Detection[J]. Progress in Chemistry
Feng Xiaomiao, Li Ruimei, Yang Xiaoyan, Hou Wenhua. Application of Novel Carbon Nanomaterials to Electrochemistry[J]. Progress in Chemistry
Song Yingpan, Feng Miao, Zhan Hongbing*. Application of Graphene Edge Effect in Electrochemical Biosensors[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2013, 25(05): 698-706.
The unique structure of basal planes and edges in graphene endows graphene specific properties, such as the much higher heterogeneous electron transfer rate, capacitance, local density of states and structural defects, functional groups of edges than basal planes. These inherent features of graphene, which have a great role in promoting its electrochemical performance, are the embodiment of the edge effect. This paper introduces the influence of edge effect on the electrochemical performance of graphene, gives a review and prospect of graphene with different morphology characteristics, such as graphene nanoflakes, nanosheets, nanoplatelets, nanowalls, nanofibers, nanoribbons, and quantum dots, applying in the electrochemical biosensing field. Contents 1 Introduction 2 Edge effect of electrochemical performances: from graphite to graphene 2.1 Edge effect of electrochemical performances in graphite 2.2 Edge effect of electrochemical performances in graphene 3 Two- and quasi two-dimensional graphene-based electrochemical biosensors 4 One- and zero-dimensional graphene-based electr-ochemical biosensors 5 Conclusion and prospect
Xiao Yong, Wu Song, Yang Zhaohui, Zheng Yue, Zhao Feng. Isolation and Identification of Electrochemically Active Microorganisms[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2013, 25(10): 1771-1780.
Bioelectrochemical system (BES), in which electrode reaction is driven by electrochemically active microorganisms (EAM) to recovery energy, degrade contaminants and synthesize high additional value compounds, is a promising biotechnology. EAM is the basis of BES, microorganisms-electrode interaction plays a key role in BES functioning. In contrast with the expanding of BES function, especially BES cathode, the diversity of isolated EAM is limited, and most of them are applied in anode to generate a high power density. In addition, the understanding of microorganisms-electrode interaction mostly confines in Geobacter and Shewanella genus. In this article, we review medium, culture condition and microorganisms identification, as well as cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry for the isolation and identification of EAMs. We further highlight the research trends of expanding EAM diversity and of microorganisms-electrode interaction, which would promote the application of BES in environmental control and bioenergy production.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Electrochemically active microorganisms 3 Microorganism isolation 3.1 Culture medium 3.2 Culture condition 4 Microorganism biological identification 4.1 16S/18S rRNA gene sequencing and analysis 4.2 Morphological, physiological and biochemical characterization 5 Characterization of electrochemical activity 5.1 Cyclic voltammetry 5.2 Differential pulse voltammetry and square wave voltammetry 5.3 Chronoamperometry 6 Outlook
Cao Tianyu, Shi Yixiang, Cai Ningsheng. Electrochemical Reduction of NOx with Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2013, 25(10): 1648-1655.
Electrochemical reduction of NOx pollutant based on solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) is one of the promising technologies for post-combustion NOx emission control. NOx can be splitted with electric current instead of reductants in SOEC. This technology can avoid the risk of secondary pollution due to the leakage of reductants and can effectively reduce the sub-system for reductant storage and conversion which is usually complicated and space consuming. The working principles of SOECs for NOx reduction, the NOx conversion electrode materials, the SOEC structure features and the construction of SOEC stacks are summarized in details. The state of art, the key issues and the forefront of research are reviewed. Considering the characteristics of the NOx decomposition reaction, the performance evaluation indexes of NOx electrochemical reduction cell are proposed. Several novel concepts for practical cell designing such as additional electro-catalyst layer, porous electrolyte, symmetrical electrodes and the NOx storage agent are illustrated. The potential developing direction for NOx electrochemical reduction in SOEC is discussed.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 NOx reduction on SOECs 2.1 Basic theory 2.2 Judgments of cell performance 3 NOx reduction electrode materials 3.1 Noble metal electrodes 3.2 Mixed oxide electrodes 3.3 Perovskite electrodes 4 Art of NOx electrolyzer designing 4.1 Different types of NOx electrolyzers 4.2 Electrochemical NOx reduction stacks 5 Prospect of NOx electrolyzer researching 5.1 Mechanism of NOx electrochemical reduction 5.2 Material research 5.3 Principles of NOx electrolyzer designing
Wu Yiping, Guo Lianghong. Photoelectrochemical Sensors for the Detection of DNA Damage[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2014, 26(01): 1-9.
DNA is a kind of genetic material that encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and many viruses. DNA damage occurs frequently in organisms. Some endogenous and exogenous chemicals have been found to induce structural damages to nuclear DNA by base oxidation or modification. If unrepaired, these damaged DNA may lead to gene mutation and even tumor generation. Due to their short response time, high sensitivity, low cost and ease of miniaturization, electrochemical DNA sensors are well qualified for the rapid screening of industrial and environmental chemicals for their potential geno-toxicity. This review article first introduces briefly the types and working mechanisms of current electrochemical DNA sensors. Then it describes in more detail the work on electrochemical and photoelectrochemical sensors for the detection of DNA damage, based largely on the work of our own laboratory, including general type sensors for the rapid screening of industrial and environmental chemicals with potential geno-toxicity, as well as specific type sensors for the identification and quantification of DNA damage products such as 8-oxodGuo and methylated DNA bases. In the end, the existing problems and future research directions of the DNA damage electrochemical sensors are discussed.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Types of DNA electrochemical sensors 3 Electrochemical sensors for DNA damage detection 4 Photoelectrochemical sensors for DNA damage detection 4.1 Photoelectrochemical detection method 4.2 Sensing mechanisms for DNA damage detection 4.3 General-type sensors 4.4 Specific-type sensors 4.5 Investigation of chemical-induced DNA damage 5 Conclusions and perspectives
Li Qingchuan, Cao Lixin, Hu Haifeng, Wang Kai, Yan Peisheng. Electrochemical Biosensors for Aflatoxin Analysis[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2014, 26(04): 657-664.
Aflatoxin is a kind of biotoxins with acute toxicity and strong carcinogenicity. Quick and accurate analysis is one of the most effective methods to minimize or avoid its hazard. Electrochemical biosensor has drawn widespread attention of domestic and foreign researchers for aflatoxin analysis,due to its rapidity,high degree of sensitivity and specificity, combined with its easiness to be miniaturized. So far, immunosensor, enzyme sensor, and DNA biosensor have been applied to electrochemical biosensing of aflatoxin. In this paper, the research progress of different kinds of sensors for aflatoxin analysis is reviewed. The importance of new materials and advanced technologies for immunoassay of aflatoxin is particularly highlighted. Main problems and trends in electrochemical biosensing of aflatoxin are discussed and prospected.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Electrochemical immunosensor 2.1 Nanomaterials 2.2 Ionic liquids 2.3 Conducting polymers 2.4 Others 3 Electrochemical enzyme sensor 4 Electrochemical DNA sensor 5 Conclusion and outlook
Sun Bing, Ai Shiyun. Fabrication and Application of Photoelectrochemical Sensor[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2014, 26(05): 834-845.
Photoelectrochemical sensor is a dynamically developed and promising analytical method, based on the photoelectrochemical process and chemical or biological probing recognition. Benefitting from the separation of the excitation source (light) and electrochemical detection signal (photocurrent), the photoelectrochemical sensor possesses many intrinsic advantages, such as higher sensitivity with low background signals, simpler and low-cost instruments, and inherent miniaturization. It has received an increasing attention and shows an extensive application potential in rapid and high-throughput biological and chemical assays. Under light irradiation, the photocurrent is recorded on the basis of the electron transfer among the photoelectrochemical materials in excited state, electrode surface, and electrolyte. Depending on the photocurrent change resulting from the interactions between various sensing elements and their target analytes, the quantitative photocurrent-analyte relationship is obtained. There are two key portions in the development of photoelectrochemical sensor: the fabrication of the photosensitive layer and the assembly of the molecular recognition layer at the transducer surface. The design and fabrication of photosensitizer, deriving from photoelectrochemically active species and the exploitation of exquisite sensing mechanisms are of extreme importance in the achievements of acceptable sensitivity. In this paper, the sensing principle of photoelectrochemical sensor, lasted applications, design and fabrication of photosensitizer and developments of sensing strategies are reviewed.
Contents 1 Photoelectrochemistry and photoelectrochemical process 2 Introduction to photoelectrochemical sensor 3 Photoelectrochemically active species for the design and fabrication of photoelectrochemical sensor 3.1 Organic photovoltaic molecule 3.2 Conducting polymer 3.3 Inorganic semiconductor and its composites 3.4 Other photovoltaic materials 4 Signal generating mechanism and sensing strategies 4.1 Direct charge transmission and redox reaction 4.2 Signal-off strategy derived from steric hindrance based on molecular recognition 4.3 Enzymatic inhibition and enzymatic catalysis 4.4 Local surface plasma resonance (LSPR) of noble metal nanoparticles and energy transfer in exciton-plasmon interaction (EPI) 4.5 Other probing strategies 5 Prospective of photoelectrochemical sensor
Gao Feifei, Wang Yuebo. Electrochemical Detection of Protein Phosphorylation[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2014, 26(05): 856-865.
The phosphorylation of proteins is a reversible post-translational modification, which is almost involved in all the life activities in organisms. Protein phosphorylation plays a significant role in specific genes expressing, cell proliferation and differentiation, especially in the further transduction of various life activities. Based on the changes of electrochemical signal, protein phosphorylation can be detected conveniently by electrochemical methods because of its high sensitivity and selectivity. This review summarizes several electrochemical methods for the detection of phosphorylation based on the electrode materials, and the common materials or molecules using for electrode modification. At the end of this review, the advantages and disadvantages, as well as a prospect of effective electrochemical detection of phosphorylation are given.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 The electrochemical detection for protein phosphorylation based on modified electrode 3 Several methods about electrode modification 3.1 Monolayer modified electrode 3.2 Multi molecular layer modified electrode 4 Several common modified electrodes used for electrochemical detection of protein phosphorylation 4.1 Electrochemical biosensor based on screen printed electrodes 4.2 Substrate peptide modified gold electrode 4.3 Glassy carbon electrodes 4.4 Indium tin oxide electrodes 4.5 Other modified electrodes 5 Conclusion and outlook
Kang Yiran, Cai Feng, Chen Hongyuan, Chen Minghai, Zhang Rui, Li Qingwen. Carbon Nanotube/Graphene Hybrid Nanostructures and Their Application in Supercapacitors[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2014, 26(09): 1562-1569.
In this paper, we review the preparation methods of carbon nanotube (CNT)/graphene composite materials for the electrode of supercapacitors, and introduce the developments of CNT/graphene/pseudo-capacitive material ternary composite materials with highly electrochemical performance. The rational designed CNT/graphene composite nanostructures could largely utilize the characteristics of carbon nanomaterials for electrochemical double-large supercapacitors, such as large specific area, high conductivity and befitting porous structure, and also achieve large mass loading of pseudo-capacitive materials with high dispersion for pseudo-capacitors. As a result, these composite materials are promising candidates for the electrode materials of high-performance supercapacitors with high capacitance, excellent rate performance and long lifetime.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 The preparation strategies of carbon nanotube/graphene composites 2.1 The assembling based on π-π interaction 2.2 The assembling based on electrostatic attraction 2.3 In-situ growth 2.4 Other methods 3 Ternary composite electrodes based on graphene, carbon nanotube and pseudo-capacitive materials 3.1 Carbon nanotube/graphene/conductive polymer 3.2 Carbon nanotube/graphene/metallic oxides (hydroxides) 4 Conclusion
Liu Lidan, Xiao Yong, Wu Yicheng, Chen Bilian, Zhao Feng. Electron Transfer Mediators in Microbial Electrochemical Systems[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2014, 26(11): 1859-1866.
Extracellular electron transfer (EET) between electrochemically active microorganisms and electrodes plays a key role in microbial electrochemical systems (MESs) functioning of energy generation, bioremediation, etc. At present, researchers have a very limited understanding of the mechanism of EET, which is one of the major bottlenecks in application of MESs. Compared with direct electron transfer which requires a direct contact between microbial functional proteins and electrode, mediated electron transfer use electron transfer mediators (ETMs) which have reversible redox activities accompanies by high-efficiency EET for transporting electrons. ETMs serve as the middle electron acceptor, once reduced, can transfer electrons to terminal electron acceptor where upon it becomes re-oxidized. In principle, ETMs molecules could cycle thousands of times,thus, have a significant effect on the turnover of the terminal oxidant (e.g.iron) in certain circumstances.This review summarizes the recent advances of EET mechanisms with focus on mediated EET in MESs. Furthermore, we have highlighted the research trends of ETMs in MES,which will promote the practical applications of MESs in bioremediation, energy generation and so on.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Roles of electron transfer mediators in extracellular electron transfer 3 Properties of electron transfer mediators 4 Classification of electron transfer mediators 5 Electron transfer mediators and their electron transfer mechanism 5.1 Exogenous electron transfer mediators 5.2 Endogenous electron transfer mediators 6 Outlook
Cao Ya, Zhu Xiaoli, Zhao Jing, Li Hao, Li Genxi. Electrochemical Analysis of Tumor Marker Proteins[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2015, 27(1): 1-10.
With the development of monoclonal antibody and immunological detection technology, the detection of tumor marker proteins becomes the most important method for early screening and diagnosis of cancer. On the other hand, with the development of molecular recognition and surface assembly techniques, electrochemical analysis displays some unique advantages in biological analysis, such as simple operation, easy-to-miniaturize nature, low cost, sensitivity, and so on. Especially in recent years, various antibodies, aptamers and peptides that can specifically bind with tumor marker proteins have been screened out. Various nanomaterials and nanotechnologies have been explored in the application to electrochemical analysis. Many novel techniques for molecule labeling, surface self-assembly, and signal amplification have been proposed. So, electrochemical analysis obtains unprecedented opportunities in the quantitative detection of tumor marker proteins, and more and more achievements are reported. In this review, by commenting on some typical work conducted in the lab of the authors, we summarize the recent research progress on the electrochemical analysis of tumor marker proteins and make an outlook on the trends of the related research fields in the future.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Electrochemical immunoassay based on antibody 3 Electrochemical analysis based on aptamer 4 Electrochemical analysis based on polypeptide 5 Electrochemical analysis based on other recognition elements 6 Conclusion and outlook
Yang Yin, Fan Mengxing, Guo Zhihui, Zhang Hui, Wu Ping, Cai Chenxin. Electrochemical Analysis for DNA Methylation[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2014, 26(12): 1977-1986.
DNA methylation, which refers to methyltransferases (MTases)-catalyzed covalent addition of a methyl group to adenine or cytosine residues in the specific DNA sequence, is one of the hottest research areas on epigenetic modification of genomic DNA. According to numerous studies, DNA methylation may cause the change of DNA structure, stability and interaction mode between DNA and protein, thus affecting gene expression, which may lead to many neurodegenerative diseases, immune system diseases and even cancer. Therefore, development of sensitive, selective, simple, and economical methods for DNA methylation determination is highly required. With increasing progress in the methylation studies, a series of detecting techniques has been developed to match various requirements of methylation studies. All of these study methods can be divided into four groups: genome-wide methylation extent analysis, gene-specific methylation analysis, methylation transferase activity analysis and new methylated sites screening. Among these methods, electrochemical techniques have been widely used for DNA methylation determination and MTases activity. Here we briefly review the detection of DNA methylation. Then more detail in the work on the electrochemical method are described, including direct electrochemical analysis methods, indirect electrochemical analysis methods, electrogenerated chemiluminescence methods and photoelectrochemical methods. In the end, the prospects of DNA methylation analysis are introduced.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Analysis methods for DNA methylation 3 Electrochemical analysis methods for DNA methylation 3.1 Direct electrochemical analysis methods for DNA methylation 3.2 Indirect electrochemical analysis methods for DNA methylation 3.3 Electrogenerated chemiluminescence methods for analysis of DNA methylation 3.4 Photoelectrochemical methods for analysis of DNA methylation 4 Conclusion
Li Minrui, Guo Yongliang, Yang Baoping, Guo Junhong, Cui Jinfeng. Electrochemical Analyses of Anion Recognition Based on Urea Derivatives[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2015, 27(5): 559-570.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Mechanism of electrochemical analyses of anion recognition 3 Anion receptors with redox unit 3.1 Anion receptors based on ferrocene 3.2 Others 4 Prospects
Rao Honghong, Xue Zhonghua, Wang Xuemei, Zhao Guohu, Hou Huihui, Wang Hui. Electrochemical Sensors Based on Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2016, 28(2/3): 337-352.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Preparation of ERGO modified electrodes 2.1 Indirect electrochemically reduced method 2.2 Direct electrochemically reduced method 3 Classification of ERGO modified electrodes 3.1 Intrinsical ERGO modified electrodes 3.2 The composite modified electrodes based on inorganic nanoparticles and ERGO 3.3 The composite modified electrodes based on organic compounds and ERGO 3.4 The composite modified electrodes based on inorganic-organic and ERGO 4 Electrocatalytic and electrochemical applications of ERGO modified electrodes 4.1 Electrochemical analysis of small molecules 4.2 Electrochemical analysis of molecules containing aromatic structure 4.3 Electrochemical analysis of biological molecules (protein and DNA) 5 Conclusion and outlook
He Huichao, Sean P. Berglund, Buddie Mullins, Zhou Yong, Ke Gaili, Dong Faqin. Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy for Photoelectrochemical Energy Research[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2016, 28(6): 908-916.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 SECM operation modes 2.1 Feedback mode 2.2 Generation-collection mode 3 SECM used as tool for photoelectrochemical energy research 4 SECM used as screening technique for developing metal ion doped WO3 photocatalysts 5 Conclusion and outlook
Yang Yukun, Wang Xiaomin, Fang Guozhen, Yun Yaguang, Guo Ting, Wang Shuo. Electrochemiluminescence Analysis Based on Molecular Imprinting Technique[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2016, 28(9): 1351-1362.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Common ECL system and ECL mechanism 2.1 Annihilation type ECL mechanism 2.2 Co-reactant type ECL mechanism 3 Research advances of MIPs-based ECL analysis 3.1 MIPs-ECL sensor based on solid-state light-emitting electrode 3.2 MIPs-ECL sensor based on non-solid-state Light-emitting electrode 3.3 MIPs based-solid phase extraction coupled with ECL 4 Conclusion
Xing Liwen, Ma Zhanfang. Non-Enzymatic Electrochemical Sensors Based on Carbon Nanomaterials for Simultaneous Detection of Ascorbic Acid, Dopamine, and Uric Acid[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2016, 28(11): 1705-1711.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Carbon nanomaterials-based non-enzymatic electrochemical sensors for simultaneous detection of ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid 2.1 One-dimensional carbon nanomaterials 2.2 Two-dimensional carbon nanomaterials 2.3 Zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials 2.4 Three-dimensional carbon nanomaterials 3 Conclusion
Tian Liang, Yao Chen, Wang Yihong*. Recent Advances in Electrochemical Biosensors for In Vitro Diagnostic[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2016, 28(12): 1824-1833.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Biosensor technology 3 Application of electrochemical biosensor technology 3.1 Electrochemical DNA biosensor 3.2 Electrochemical immunosensor 3.3 Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) electrochemical biosensor 3.4 Glucose electrochemical biosensor 3.5 Hydrogen peroxide electrochemical biosensor 3.6 Electrochemical biosensor for small molecules of metabolite detection 4 Conclusion
Qing Mao*, Weiyun Jing, Yue Shi. Basic Principles and Applications of Nonlinear Spectroscopy Analysis in Electrochemistry[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2017, 29(2/3): 210-215.
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Linearity and nonlinearity of an electrochemical system 3 Manifestations of the frequency response behaviors of an electrochemical system 4 Numerical simulation and experimental characterization of the frequency response spectroscopy 5 Application of the nonlinear spectroscopy analysis in electrochemistry 6 Conclusion
Xinxin Jiang, Chengjun Zhao, Chunju Zhong, Jianping Li*. The Electrochemical Sensors Based on MOF and Their Applications[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2017, 29(10): 1206-1214.
Yongming Zhu, Yunpeng Jiang, Huili Hu*. Preparation and Application of Nanometer NCS in Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2017, 29(11): 1422-1434.
Yanqun Shan, Xiaoying Wang*. Electrochemical Aptasensor for Detection of Ochratoxin A[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2018, 30(6): 797-808.
Chenxi Liang, Lixin Cao*, Yuejuan Zhang, Peisheng Yan. Electrochemical Biosensors for Marine Toxins Analysis[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2018, 30(7): 1028-1034.
Kai Han, Nuo Li, Hongqi Ye, Kai Han*. Synthesis of Two-Dimensional MXene and Their Applications in Electrochemical Energy Storage[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2018, 30(7): 932-946.
Xiaochun Tian, Xue'e Wu, Feng Zhao, Yanxia Jiang, Shigang Sun. Research on Mechanisms of Microbial Extracellular Electron Transfer by Electrochemical Integrated Technologies[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2018, 30(8): 1222-1227.
Xiaoyan Wei, Gang Wang*, Anfeng Li, Yizhou Quan, Jinwei Chen, Ruilin Wang*. Application of Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2018, 30(11): 1701-1721.
Miao Gong, Xiaoying Wang, Xiaoning Wang. Electrochemical Sensing Detection of Biomarkers in Hematological Malignancies[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2019, 31(6): 894-905.
Hematological malignancies(HM) is a kind of malignant disease of hematology system which seriously threatens human health, mainly involving bone marrow, blood and lymphatic tissue. The quantification of biomarkers in hematological malignancies is the key for fine stratification analysis, personalized targeted therapy and prognostic improvement. In this paper, the specific types and the commonly used detection methods at home and abroad of the hematological malignancies related biomarkers are summarized and compared. Specifically, the latest application of new electrochemical biosensor for the hematological malignancies related biomarkers is mainly described. Furthermore, the summary of its future directions and the potential applications is given, which provides reference for the further research and application of the biomarkers in hematological malignancies.
Wenhao Wu, Wen Lei, Liqiong Wang, Sen Wang, Haijun Zhang. Preparation of Single Atom Catalysts[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2020, 32(1): 23-32.
Single atom catalysts, as catalysts with atomic scale, have a wide range of applications in the fields of hydrogen production, CO oxidation, photocatalysts, etc. Extensive efforts of experimental/theoretical studies show that the strong metal support interactions and the changes in electronic structure are the main reasons for the high selectivity and catalytic activity of the single atom catalysts. This paper mainly summarizes the recent researches on the preparation methods including coprecipitation method, successive reduction method and wet-impregnation method, catalytic performance and high catalytic selectivity of single atom catalysts. And finally, the prospects for future investigations of single atom catalysts are proposed.
Fenya Guo, Hongwei Li, Mengzhe Zhou, Zhengqi Xu, Yueqing Zheng, Tingting Li. Electroreduction of Nitrogen to Ammonia Catalyzed by Non-Noble Metal Catalysts under Ambient Conditions[J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2020, 32(1): 33-45.
Ammonia is an important chemical for producing fertilizer and also an important carbon-free energy carrier. Haber-Bosch process is the main method to synthesize ammonia. However, it suffers from some severe problems, such as the high energy consumption, the massive emission of greenhouse gas CO2 and the poor catalytic efficiency. Recently, ammonia synthesis based on electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) by using renewable energy under mild reaction conditions has attracted wide research attention. In addition, the raw materials (N2 + H2O) are earth abundant. Although great advances have been achieved in electrocatalytic NRR field, some challenges including the high-cost of noble metal based electrocatalysts, the low ammonia yield and unsatisfactory Faradaic efficiency, as well as the unexplored catalytic mechanism of NRR still exist. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in electrocatalytic NRR field based on heterogeneous catalysts. Firstly, we discuss the catalytic thermodynamics and reaction mechanisms towards NRR. Secondly, a range of recently reported non-noble metal included catalysts are surveyed, including transition metal oxides/nitrides/sulfides, metal-free materials and single-metal-atom catalysts. Then, some promising strategies to enhance the catalytic activity, selectivity and efficiency are proposed, and the main methods for the determination of ammonia are also mentioned. Finally, the challenges remaining to be solved are summarized, and future perspectives are also presented.