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Harnessing the Wisdom in Colloidal Chemistry to Make Stable Single‐Atom Catalysts
Author(s) -
Hülsey Max J.,
Zhang Jiaguang,
Yan Ning
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201802304
Subject(s) - steric effects , catalysis , nanotechnology , ligand (biochemistry) , atom (system on chip) , colloid , materials science , combinatorial chemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry , computer science , biochemistry , receptor , embedded system
Research on single‐atom catalysts (SACs), or atomically dispersed catalysts, has been quickly gaining momentum over the past few years. Although the unique electronic structure of singly dispersed atoms enables uncommon—sometimes exceptional—activities and selectivities for various catalytic applications, developing reliable and general procedures for preparing stable, active SACs in particular for applications under reductive conditions remains a major issue. Herein, the challenges associated with the synthesis of SACs are highlighted semiquantitatively and three stabilization techniques inspired by colloidal science including steric, ligand, and electrostatic stabilization are proposed. Some recent examples are discussed in detail to showcase the power of these strategies in the synthesis of stable SACs without compromising catalytic activity. The substantial further potential of steric, ligand, and electrostatic effects for developing SACs is emphasized. A perspective is given to point out opportunities and remaining obstacles, with special attention given to electrostatic stabilization where little is done so far. The stabilization strategies presented herein have a wide applicability in the synthesis of a series of new SACs with improved performances.