Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2023, Vol. 47: 32-66.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64392-X

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Syntheses and applications of single-atom catalysts for electrochemical energy conversion reactions

Qi-Ni Zhan, Ting-Yu Shuai, Hui-Min Xu, Chen-Jin Huang, Zhi-Jie Zhang, Gao-Ren Li*()   

  1. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, China
  • Received:2022-10-21 Accepted:2022-12-22 Online:2023-04-18 Published:2023-03-20
  • Contact: *E-mail: ligaoren@scu.edu.cn (G. Li).
  • About author:Prof. Gao-Ren Li (College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University) received his B.A. degree from East China University of Technology in 2000, and Ph.D. degree from Sun Yat-sen University in 2005. From September 2005 to September 2021, he worked in School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen Universtiy. Since October 2021, he has been working in College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University. His current research interests mainly focus on electrocatalysis, especially water splitting and electrochemical conversion of CO2.
  • Supported by:
    National Basic Research Program of China(2016YFA0202603);National Natural Science Foundation of China(91645104);Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province(2023NSFSC0086);Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(YJ2021156)

Abstract:

Singe-atom catalysts (SACs), as heterogeneous catalysts, have attracted increasing attention in recent years owing to their numerous advantages in the field of electrocatalysis, such as a high atom-utilization rate and unique structural characteristics. In this review, we introduce various preparation methods for obtaining SACs based on top-down and bottom-up synthesis strategies and the corresponding research progress made in recent years. We also focus on the electrocatalytic applications of SACs containing noble metals (Pt, Pd, Ir, etc.) and non-noble metals (Fe, Cu, Co, etc.) in the oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, carbon dioxide reduction reaction, and nitrogen reduction reaction. Finally, the future challenges and prospects of monatomic catalysts are also discussed.

Key words: Single atom catalyst, Electrocatalysis, Oxygen evolution reaction, Hydrogen evolution reaction, Oxygen reduction reaction, CO2 reduction reaction, Nitrogen reduction reaction