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Definitive Structural Identification toward Molecule‐Type Sites within 1D and 2D Carbon‐Based Catalysts
Author(s) -
Jiang Hongliang,
He Qun,
Wang Changda,
Liu Hengjie,
Zhang Youkui,
Lin Yunxiang,
Zheng Xusheng,
Chen Shuangming,
Ajayan Pulickel M.,
Song Li
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201800436
Subject(s) - catalysis , materials science , graphene , carbon fibers , bimetal , transition metal , carbon nanotube , pyrolysis , molecule , nanotechnology , atom (system on chip) , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , chemistry , composite number , composite material , computer science , engineering , embedded system
Developing facile preparation routes and atomic‐level characterization methods for single‐atom catalysts is highly desirable but still challenging. Herein, a general strategy is proposed to construct transition metal single atoms within 1D and 2D carbon supports. The carbon supports, typically graphene and carbon nanotubes, are coated with various transition metal‐containing bimetal hydroxides, followed by polydopamine coating and high‐temperature pyrolysis. X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy measurements and simulations efficiently indicate that single atoms (Co, Fe, or Cu) are captured within the applied carbon supports, distinctively forming exclusive molecule‐type sites. As a proof‐of‐concept application, the obtained catalysts exhibit remarkable performance for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction, even surpassing commercial Pt/C catalyst. The developed versatile route opens up new avenues for the design of carbon‐based catalysts with definite molecular active sites. The atomic‐level structural identifications provide significant guidance for mechanistic studies toward single‐atom catalysts.