Dual Functionalized Interstitial N Atoms in Co<sub>3</sub>Mo<sub>3</sub>N Enabling CO<sub>2</sub> Activation
Kai Feng, Jiaming Tian, Jiajun Zhang, Zhengwen Li, Yuxin Chen, Kai Luo, Bin Yang, Binhang Yan
Abstract
The introduction of light elements into the interstitial sites of metals can significantly modify their surface structure and electronic properties and thus enhance the catalytic performance. However, it is still unclear how the interstitial light elements promote the catalytic activity. Herein, N atoms are incorporated into the bimetallic CoMo system to synthesize Co3Mo3N as an efficient catalyst for reverse water–gas shift (RWGS) reaction. Compared to CoMo, Co3Mo3N significantly promotes the catalytic performance, where the removal of O-containing intermediates is identified as the rate-determining step. The enhanced activity is attributed to the dual functions of interstitial N atoms in Co3Mo3N, which provide additional sites for supplying H atoms to facilitate the hydrogenation of O-containing intermediates and accept electrons from Mo to weaken the binding ability of Mo to O-containing intermediates. These dual functionalized interstitial N atoms promote the redox cycle during the RWGS process and thus improve the catalytic performance. Our work provides an understanding of the interstitial light element-promoted catalytic performance relationship.