Metallic single-atoms confined in carbon nanomaterials for the electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, and hydrogen evolution reactions

Abstract

Carbon nanomaterials confined with metal single-atom have shown great potential in electrocatalysis because of their unique physicochemical properties such as high-effeciency, high-mass activity, and maximum atom-utilization for the reactions involved...

Atomically Dispersed Transition Metal-Nitrogen-Carbon Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysts for Zinc-Air Batteries: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

“…On the one hand, N is more electronegative and reactive than carbon, which makes the interactions between the metal and N atoms stronger [ 75 ]. The introduction of N into the carbon lattice by chemically bonding with adjacent carbon atoms plays a crucial role in anchoring isolated metal atoms [ 5 , 31 ]. On the other hand, N atoms in the carbon network cannot only adjust the electronic structure of adjacent carbon atoms to make charge redistribution but also reduce the adsorption energy of oxygen-containing substances.…”

“…On the other hand, N atoms in the carbon network cannot only adjust the electronic structure of adjacent carbon atoms to make charge redistribution but also reduce the adsorption energy of oxygen-containing substances. It was identified that pyridinic N, graphitic N, and regulated carbon atoms are important sources of catalytic activity [ 5 , 16 , 31 ]. In general, the metal atom forms M-N 4 by coordinating with four N atoms such as pyridine and pyrrole N, which can influence the adsorption efficiency of the reactant on the surface of the catalyst and ultimately affect the catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability toward ORR and OER [ 59 , 77 ].…”

“…Besides N-doping, other heteroatoms (e.g., S, P, B, and O) can also provide sites to anchor isolated metal atoms, improving the metal atom deposition in carbon materials [ 54 , 59 ]. In addition, they can destroy the electric neutrality of the carbon matrix and refine the charge and spin distribution to effectively form additional active sites, which will increase the amount and the reactivity of active sites simultaneously [ 5 , 61 , 75 ]. Based on pristine M-N-C catalyst, inserting secondary heteroatoms with a discrepancy in electron spin density and electronegativity can modulate the coordination environment and correspondingly alter electronic configurations of the M-N-C sites.…”

Rapid Controllable Synthesis of Atomically Dispersed Co on Carbon under High Voltage within One Minute

“…Atomically dispersed metal catalysts (ADMCs) supported by carbon have attracted increasing attention. [ 1–9 ] The maximum metal‐atom efficiency of ADMCs combined with the specific features of the carbon support, such as high electronic conductivity, strong corrosion resistance, tunable morphology, and ordered porosity, makes them efficient catalysts in numerous reactions. [ 10–14 ] In particular, metal single sites embedded in N‐doped carbon ( M /N‐C) ( M = Co, Fe, Ni, etc.)…”

Platinum Nanoparticles Decorated IrO2@MWCNT as an Improved Catalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

“…Usually, depositing the catalysts onto suitable supports is a typical select to improve its electrochemical performance. In this regard, various conductive carbonaceous materials such as active carbon, [19] carbon black [20,21] and graphene [22–25] were considered as support materials for IrO 2 catalyst, which will play their largest roles during the process of catalyst preparation and water electrolysis [12,26] . Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for example gain particular interest as an ideal conductive substrate [27] .…”