Single-Atom Catalysts: Synthetic Strategies and Electrochemical Applications

Abstract

The performance and the cost of electrocatalysts play the two most vital roles in the development and application of energy conversion technologies. Singleatom catalysts (SACs) are recently emerging as a new frontier in catalysis science. With maximum atom-utilization efficiency and unique properties, SACs exhibit great potential for enabling reasonable use of metal resources and achieving atomic economy. However, fabricating SACs and maintaining the metal centers as atomically dispersed sites under synthesis and catalysis conditions are challenging. Here, we highlight and summarize recent advances in wet-chemistry synthetic methods for SACs with special emphasis on how to achieve the stabilization of single metal atoms against migration and agglomeration. Moreover, we summarize and discuss the electrochemical applications of SACs with a focus on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR). At last, the current issues and the prospects for the development of this field are discussed.

Recent Progress in Defective Carbon‐Based Oxygen Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Zink‐Air Batteries

“…[58] Of special interest is the single-atom catalysts (SACs) that combines the merits of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, and touches the limit in availability factor. [26,59] The strong interlinking between metal atoms and the support could facilitate the charge transfer, stabilize the atomically dispersed structure and affect the reactive performance. [26,59] The strong interlinking between metal atoms and the support could facilitate the charge transfer, stabilize the atomically dispersed structure and affect the reactive performance.…”

Rational Design of Graphene‐Supported Single Atom Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…[4] These heterogeneous catalysts have been applied toward different energy applications such as HER, oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with limited electrochemical activity. [6] On the other hand, the homogeneity of single atom sites eases more selectivity toward a specific product. [5] Single atom catalysts (SACs) supported on a solid substrate can open up a new era in the field of heterogeneous catalysis research, offering a single active site with full atom utilization and high catalytic activity toward numerous chemical reactions.…”

Single‐Atom Ru Doping Induced Phase Transition of MoS2 and S Vacancy for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…A lack of controllable SAC synthesis has hindered their development. The high surface free energy of metals at atomic scale dispersion causes the accumulation of metals and the formation of clusters . A typical and useful strategy to prevent this aggregation is the usage of a suitable support material that can strongly interact with metal atoms, and SACs with unprecedented catalytic activity can therefore be prepared …”