Atomic Scale Materials for Emerging Robust Catalysis

Abstract

Atomic scale materials (ASMs) have drawn great interest from researchers in the field of catalysis, due to their novel structures and attractive properties. As a kind of high‐efficiency catalyst, ASMs exhibit massive active sites, fast charge diffusion rates, and maximum atomic utilization, which endow them with a superior catalytic performance. Herein, the current progress in the development of ASMs for core catalytic systems is summarized, which focuses on the distinct structural characteristics and great catalytic advantages of ASMs, as well as their underlying catalytic mechanism for various reactions. Significantly, it is indicated that ASMs are promising catalysts for robust catalysis, which possess high catalytic activity, good selectivity, long‐term stability, excellent poisoning tolerance, and strong conditional adaptability in catalytic applications, and are gradually applied in the field of industrialization. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of ASMs in the field of catalysis are discussed. This review provides a new impetus for the fundamental design and further exploration of catalysts.

Single-Atom Metal Anchored Zr6-Cluster-Porphyrin Framework Hollow Nanocapsules with Ultrahigh Active-Center Density for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction

“…To address the above problems, single-atom metal catalysts are promising because their electronic structures could be significantly optimized once prepared as single atoms, resulting in beneficial physiochemical properties for catalytic applications. 13 For examples, atomically dispersed inexpensive metal species (Fe, Co, Ni, etc.) with unsaturated coordination environments can provide a high density of active atomic centers for high-performance catalysis.…”

Densely Populated Single Atom Catalysts

“…Electrochemical energy storage and conversion technology have been widely studied to produce sustainable and renewable energy . Many advanced clean energy technologies, such as fuel cells, metal air batteries, and water splitting, etc., require highly active catalysts to lower the energy barrier and increase the reaction rate with an efficient and stable route.…”

Electrospun One-Dimensional Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Insights into Structure–Activity Relationship

“…Similar to Fe–N–C, Co–N–C, Ni–N–C, Cu–N–C, and their related electrospun nanofibers have also been widely developed as ORR catalysts, ,− and will not be discussed in detail here. However, it is worth mentioning that, in addition to pore engineering, designing single-atom metal sites in the M–N–C catalysts is an effective way to increase the density of active centers. ,,, For example, Wu et al. synthesized atomically dispersed Co–N–C porous nanofibers (Co–N–PCNFs) through the two-step thermal treatment of electrospun Zn,Co-ZIFs/PAN/PVP precursors .…”

“…However, it is worth mentioning that, in addition to pore engineering, designing single-atom metal sites in the M−N−C catalysts is an effective way to increase the density of active centers. 7,16,113,120 For example, Wu et al synthesized atomically dispersed Co−N−C porous nanofibers (Co−N−PCNFs) through the two-step thermal treatment of electrospun Zn,Co-ZIFs/PAN/PVP precursors. 113 The hierarchically porous 1D architecture enabled abundant active sites, fast mass transfer, and favorable electronic conductivity.…”