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The electrochemical alcohol oxidation reaction (AOR) is pivotal for the development of sustainable energy. The complete oxidation of alcohols has attracted extensive attention as a vital process in fuel cells. Moreover, as an alternative reaction to the oxygen evolution reaction, the selective oxidation of alcohols emerges as an effective means to lower the energy expenditure associated with electrolytic hydrogen production while yielding high‐value products. Nonprecious metal materials have been widely applied in the selective oxidation catalysis of alcohols due to their cost‐effectiveness and excellent durability. In recent years, leveraging the advantages of nonprecious metal materials in electrocatalytic AOR, researchers have delved into catalytic mechanisms and various efficient catalysts have been fabricated and evaluated. This review provides an overview of the current advancements in the electrocatalytic selective oxidation of diverse alcohols and the catalytic systems centered around nonprecious metal materials. It systematically summarizes the shared traits and distinctions in catalytic reaction characteristics across various systems, thereby laying the theoretical foundation for developing novel catalyst systems that are efficient, stable, and highly selective. This review will facilitate the utilization of nonprecious metal catalysts further toward the electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma etching treatment is an effective strategy to improve the electrocatalytic activity, but the improvement mechanism is still unclear. In this work, a nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotube‐encased iron nanoparticles (Fe@NCNT) catalyst is synthesized as the model catalyst, followed by plasma etching treatment with different parameters. The electrocatalytic activity improvement mechanism of the plasma etching treatment is revealed by combining the physicochemical characterizations and electrochemical results. As a result, highly active metal–nitrogen species introduced by nitrogen plasma etching treatment are recognized as the main contribution to the improved electrocatalytic activity, and the defects induced by plasma etching treatment also contribute to the improvement of the electrocatalytic activity. In addition, the prepared catalyst also demonstrates superior ORR activity and stability than the commercial Pt/C catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary single‐atom catalysts (BSACs) have demonstrated fascinating activities compared to single atom catalysts (SACs) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Notably, Fe SACs is one of the most promising ORR electrocatalysts, and further revealing the synergistic effects between Fe and other 3d transition metals (M) for FeM BSACs are very important to enhance bifunctional performance. Herein, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are first adapted to demonstrate the role of various transition metals on the bifunctional activity of Fe sites, and a notable volcano relationship is established through the generally accepted adsorption free energy that ΔG*OH for ORR, and ΔG*O−ΔG*OH for OER, respectively. Further, ten of the atomically dispersed FeM anchored on nitrogen‐carbon support (FeM‐NC) are successfully synthesized with typical atomic dispersion by a facile movable type printing method. The experimental data confirms the bifunctional activity diversity of FeM‐NC between the early‐ and late‐ transition metals, agrees very well with the DFT results. More importantly, the optimal FeCu‐NC shows the expected performance with high ORR and OER activity, thereby, the assembled rechargeable zinc–air battery delivers a high power density of 231 mW cm−2, and an impressive stability that can be stably operated over 300 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, titled "Understanding the improvement mechanism of plasma etching treatment on oxygen reduction reaction catalysts," explores the use of plasma etching as a method to synthesize and enhance the performance of electrocatalysts. The study reveals that the introduction of highly active metal-nitrogen species through nitrogen plasma etching treatment is the main factor contributing to the improved electrocatalytic activity. Additionally, the defects induced by plasma etching also play a role in the high performance of the catalysts. The authors of the article are Peng Rao, Yanhui Yu, Shaolei Wang, Yu Zhou, Xiao Wu, Ke Li, Anyuan Qi, Peilin Deng, Yonggang Cheng, Jing Li, Zhengpei Miao, and Xinlong Tian. [Extracted from the article]

For medium and low matured shale oil exploration, in situ upgrading could promote the oil recovery. There are two main disadvantages herein, high exploration temperature and large energy consumption. The new approach has been proposed to apply porous aluminosilicate catalysts for shale oil highly efficient upgrading at 350°C, H‐clin and Ni‐clin catalysts were prepared with natural clinoptilolite. Al‐SBA‐15 catalysts were synthesized by following one‐step crystallization procedure, and firstly employed for shale oil in situ upgrading. Kinetic studies of pyrolysis showed that the activation energy of organic matter conversion in shale was reduced from 113.80 kJ mol−1 to 37.28 kJ mol−1. After the catalyst addition, shale oil conversion temperature was declined, the reaction rate was increased, and the energy consumption of in situ upgrading was reduced. In Sinopec patented testing instrument, hydrocarbon generation and hydrocarbon expulsion unit, shale oil catalytic conversion showed increased hydrocarbon generation by 2%‐16%. Under the same reaction conditions, the Al‐SBA‐15 (Si/Al = 5) revealed the best activity for hydrocarbon generation, and the efficiency was elevated to 32.67%, twice as that of thermal conversion. The quality of catalytically produced oil was promoted, by improving the further cracking of bitumen to light oil and gas. The results have a breakthrough significance for intensifying the high‐efficiency hydrocarbon generation and expulsion process of low and medium matured shale oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (2,5‐FDCA) produced from 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) is a promising renewable alternative to terephthalic acid. In this work, we prepared a Cu−Ni bimetallic catalyst with a CuNi(OH)2 structure by incipient wetness impregnation. This catalyst gave a 9.2 mA cm−2 current density for 5‐HMF oxidation at 1.45 V vs RHE. Finally, 100 % conversion of HMF with 93.3 % yield of 2,5‐FDCA was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Carbon‐based materials have been regarded as the most promising alternatives to high‐cost and scarce Pt‐based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Thus, developing highly efficient carbon‐based catalysts becomes the key to realize the commercialization of fuel cells. In this Minireview, the recent advances in the carbon‐based ORR catalysts have been reviewed carefully, with particular attention paid to understanding of the types and structures of active sites, and the strategies used in manipulating the electron and geometry structures for better performances. Besides, we also discuss the challenges and directions for future research of carbon‐based catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]