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Rational Design of Single‐Atom Site Electrocatalysts: From Theoretical Understandings to Practical Applications
Author(s) -
Wang Yao,
Wang Dingsheng,
Li Yadong
Publication year - 2021
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.202008151
Subject(s) - materials science , rational design , nanotechnology , catalysis , oxygen reduction reaction , oxygen evolution , electrocatalyst , molecule , atom (system on chip) , combinatorial chemistry , computer science , chemistry , electrochemistry , electrode , organic chemistry , embedded system
Abstract Atomically dispersed metal‐based electrocatalysts have attracted increasing attention due to their nearly 100% atomic utilization and excellent catalytic performance. However, current fundamental comprehension and summaries to reveal the underlying relationship between single‐atom site electrocatalysts (SACs) and corresponding catalytic application are rarely reported. Herein, the fundamental understandings and intrinsic mechanisms underlying SACs and corresponding electrocatalytic applications are systemically summarized. Different preparation strategies are presented to reveal the synthetic strategies with engineering the well‐defined SACs on the basis of theoretical principle (size effect, metal–support interactions, electronic structure effect, and coordination environment effect). Then, an overview of the electrocatalytic applications is presented, including oxygen reduction reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, oxidation of small organic molecules, carbon dioxide reduction reaction, and nitrogen reduction reaction. The underlying structure–performance relationship between SACs and electrocatalytic reactions is also discussed in depth to expound the enhancement mechanisms. Finally, a summary is provided and a perspective supplied to demonstrate the current challenges and opportunities for rational designing, synthesizing, and modulating the advanced SACs toward electrocatalytic reactions.