Advanced theoretical insights into energetically favorable and structurally stable boron-doped graphitic carbon nitride for effective catalytic removal of nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide from industrial flue gases
摘要
In this study, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are employed to evaluate the applicability of a boron-doped graphitic carbon nitride (B@g-C3N4) nanosheet for the reduction of nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon monoxide (CO). From the results, it is clear that the B-doping of graphitic carbon nitride is favorable energetically, and the resulting B@g-C3N4 is both physically and thermodynamically stable. Nitrous oxide molecule spontaneously dissociates upon interaction with the B@g-C3N4 surface from its oxygen side without requiring an external supply of energy, releasing -2.54 eV of energy. The adsorption energy of N2O on the B@g-C3N4 is more negative than that of CO implying that N2O will predominately occupy the catalyst surface in the presence of CO. The subsequent CO + Oad reaction efficiently removes the oxygen atom which is covalently bonded with the active side of the B@g-C3N4 surface, proceeding with a minimal energy barrier of 0.05 eV significantly lower than previously reported catalysts. Stability tests reveal that the catalytic activity of B@g-C3N4 remains unaffected in the presence of H2O and O2 species. These findings suggest that B@g-C3N4 is a promising and efficient catalyst for the removal of N2O and CO from flue gases.
Graphical Abstract