Recent Progress of Diatomic Catalysts: General Design Fundamentals and Diversified Catalytic Applications

Abstract

In recent years, some experiments and theoretical work have pointed out that diatomic catalysts not only retain the advantages of monoatomic catalysts, but also introduce a variety of interactions, which exceed the theoretical limit of catalytic performance and can be applied to many catalytic fields. Here, the interaction between adjacent metal atoms in diatomic catalysts is elaborated: synergistic effect, spacing enhancement effect (geometric effect), and electronic effect. With regard to the classification and characterization of various new diatomic catalysts, diatomic catalysts are classified into four categories: heteronuclear/homonuclear, with/without carbon carriers, and their characterization measures are introduced and explained in detail. In the aspect of preparation of diatomic catalysts, the widely used atomic layer deposition method, metal–organic framework derivative method, and simple ball milling method are introduced, with emphasis on the formation mechanism of diatomic catalysts. Finally, the effective control strategies of four diatomic catalysts and the key applications of diatomic catalysts in electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, thermal catalysis, and other catalytic fields are given.

Recent Progress of Hollow Carbon Nanocages: General Design Fundamentals and Diversified Electrochemical Applications

“…Dual-site single-atom catalysts (or diatomic catalysts) are expected to achieve effective regulation of multiple reaction processes (or synergistic catalytic effects of two sites). [144] Recently, Yu et al reported that atomically dispersed Fe-Ni dual atoms embedded in a N-doped carbon matrix (cubic carbon nanocages) (FeNi SAs/NC) were successfully developed with remarkable electrocatalytic activity in ORR and OER (see Figure 26 for details). [207] The FeNi NPs-NH 3 was obtained from FeNi-MOF/DPA by calcination at 500 °C for 2 h under an ammonia stream.…”

Retrospective insights into recent MXene-based catalysts for CO2electro/photoreduction: how far have we gone?

“…Apart from that, in recent years, diatomic catalysts (DACs) have arisen as a member of the monoatomic catalyst family. 191 By inserting the additional metal atom to produce homogeneous element DACs or heterogeneous element diatomic catalysts DACs, the linkage between the two metal atoms can efficiently overcome some of the limitations of SACs such as poor metal loading, a limited contact area between atoms and supporting materials, and weak interactions. 192,193 Thence, in contrast to monatomic catalysts, diatomic catalysts provide more atomic loading, engagement between diatomic sites, and a broader range of catalytic performances, especially boosted activity and product selectivity in the CO 2 RR.…”

Emerging materials for electrochemical CO2reduction: progress and optimization strategies of carbon-based single-atom catalysts

“…216 In addition to breaking the linear relationship between the adsorption strengths of individual reaction intermediates, the diatomic catalysts also inherit all the advantages of SACs, with increased metal loading and further adjustment of the catalyst's electronic structure. [217][218][219] DACs can be divided into two types depending on the catalytic centers: (i) mononuclear hetero-monoatomic; (ii) binuclear diatomic pairs. 220 Mononuclear hetero-monoatomic is the combination of two different metal center SACs, and the two metal centers are stochastically and independently distributed on the carrier.…”