Anchoring Sites Engineering in Single‐Atom Catalysts for Highly Efficient Electrochemical Energy Conversion Reactions. Issue 41 (3rd September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Yufei; Jiang, Wen‐Jie; Zhang, Jinqiang; Lovell, Emma C.; Amal, Rose; Han, Zhaojun; Lu, Xunyu
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 33:Issue 41(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-09-03
• Subjects: anchoring points -- coordination shell -- geometric and electronic states -- single‐atom catalysts -- structure–property relationship; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202102801
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have been at the frontier of research field in catalysis owing to the maximized atomic utilization, unique structures and properties. The atomically dispersed and catalytically active metal atoms are necessarily anchored by surrounding atoms. As such, the structure and composition of anchoring sites significantly influence the catalytic performance of SACs even with the same metal element. Significant progress has been made to understand structure–activity relationships at an atomic level, but in‐depth understanding in precisely designing highly efficient SACs for the targeted reactions is still required. In this review, various anchoring sites in SACs are summarized and classified into five different types (doped heteroatoms, defect sites, surface atoms, metal sites, and cavity sites). Then, their impacts on catalytic performance are elucidated for electrochemical reactions based on their distance from the metal center (first coordination shell and beyond). Further, SACs anchored on two typical types of hosts, carbon‐ and metal‐based materials, are highlighted, and the effects of anchoring points on achieving the desirable atomic structure, catalytic performance, and reaction pathways are elaborated. At last, insights and outlook to the SAC field based on current achievements and challenges are presented. Abstract : Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) with isolated metal atoms stabilized on various supports by surrounding atoms have emerged as a new frontier. The atomic structure and composition of anchoring sites significantly influence the catalytic performance of SACs. An overview of the correlation between the property of anchoring points and catalytic performance to guide the design of SACs is provided.