Vol.:(0123456789)
Topics in Current Chemistry (2019) 377:4
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-018-0229-9
1 3
REVIEW
Dispersive Single‑Atom Metals Anchored on Functionalized
Nanocarbons for Electrochemical Reactions
Jin‑Cheng Li
1,2,3
· Zidong Wei
4
· Dong Liu
3
· Dan Du
3
· Yuehe Lin
3
·
Minhua Shao
1,2
Received: 11 August 2018 / Accepted: 29 December 2018 / Published online: 8 January 2019
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
Abstract
The use of dispersive single-atom metals anchored on functionalized carbon nanomaterials as electrocatalysts for electrochemical energy conversion reactions represents a burgeoning area of research, due to their unique characteristics of low
coordination number, uniform coordination environment, and maximum atomic utilization. Here we highlight the advanced synthetic methods, characterization techniques, and electrochemical applications for carbon-based single-atom metal catalysts, and provide illustrative correlations between molecular/electronic structures
and specific catalytic activity for O 2 reduction, water splitting, and other emerging
reactions including CO 2 reduction, H 2 O 2 production, and N 2 reduction. We also discuss fundamental principles for the future design of carbon-based single-atom metal
catalysts for specific electrochemical reactions. In addition, we explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in further work with carbon-based singleatom metal electrocatalysts.
Keywords Single-atom metal catalysts · Oxygen reduction · Water splitting · Carbon
dioxide reduction · Nitrogen reduction
* Minhua Shao
kemshao@ust.hk
1
Fok Ying Tung Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,
Guangzhou 511458, People’s Republic of China
2
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science
and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
3
School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman,
WA 99164, USA
4
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044,
People’s Republic of China
Reprinted from the journal
127
Chapter 5 was originally published as Li, J.-C., Wei, Z., Liu, D., Du, D., Lin, Y. & Shao, M. Topics in Current
Chemistry (2019) 377: 4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-018-0229-9.
Topics in Current Chemistry (2019) 377:4
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-018-0229-9
1 3
REVIEW
Dispersive Single‑Atom Metals Anchored on Functionalized
Nanocarbons for Electrochemical Reactions
Jin‑Cheng Li
1,2,3
· Zidong Wei
4
· Dong Liu
3
· Dan Du
3
· Yuehe Lin
3
·
Minhua Shao
1,2
Received: 11 August 2018 / Accepted: 29 December 2018 / Published online: 8 January 2019
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
Abstract
The use of dispersive single-atom metals anchored on functionalized carbon nanomaterials as electrocatalysts for electrochemical energy conversion reactions represents a burgeoning area of research, due to their unique characteristics of low
coordination number, uniform coordination environment, and maximum atomic utilization. Here we highlight the advanced synthetic methods, characterization techniques, and electrochemical applications for carbon-based single-atom metal catalysts, and provide illustrative correlations between molecular/electronic structures
and specific catalytic activity for O 2 reduction, water splitting, and other emerging
reactions including CO 2 reduction, H 2 O 2 production, and N 2 reduction. We also discuss fundamental principles for the future design of carbon-based single-atom metal
catalysts for specific electrochemical reactions. In addition, we explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in further work with carbon-based singleatom metal electrocatalysts.
Keywords Single-atom metal catalysts · Oxygen reduction · Water splitting · Carbon
dioxide reduction · Nitrogen reduction
* Minhua Shao
kemshao@ust.hk
1
Fok Ying Tung Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,
Guangzhou 511458, People’s Republic of China
2
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science
and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
3
School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman,
WA 99164, USA
4
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044,
People’s Republic of China
Reprinted from the journal
127
Chapter 5 was originally published as Li, J.-C., Wei, Z., Liu, D., Du, D., Lin, Y. & Shao, M. Topics in Current
Chemistry (2019) 377: 4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-018-0229-9.