Volume 56, Issue 45 pp. 13944-13960
Review

Single-Atom Electrocatalysts

Dr. Chengzhou Zhu

Dr. Chengzhou Zhu

School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164 USA

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Shaofang Fu

Shaofang Fu

School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164 USA

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Qiurong Shi

Qiurong Shi

School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164 USA

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Dr. Dan Du

Dr. Dan Du

School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164 USA

Key Laboratory of Pesticides and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079 P. R. China

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Prof. Yuehe Lin

Corresponding Author

Prof. Yuehe Lin

School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164 USA

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First published: 23 May 2017
Citations: 1,204

Graphical Abstract

When less is more: Single-atom electrocatalysts are characterized by high catalytic activity, selectivity, and maximum metal utilization. They hold great promise in various electrochemical applications, such as the oxygen reduction reaction, the hydrogen evolution reaction, and hydrocarbon conversion reactions for fuel cells.

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the production of sustainable and renewable energy. However, the electrochemical performances of the various systems are limited, and there is an intensive search for highly efficient electrocatalysts by more rational control over the size, shape, composition, and structure. Of particular interest are the studies on single-atom catalysts (SACs), which have sparked new interests in electrocatalysis because of their high catalytic activity, stability, selectivity, and 100 % atom utilization. In this Review, we introduce innovative syntheses and characterization techniques for SACs, with a focus on their electrochemical applications in the oxygen reduction/evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and hydrocarbon conversion reactions for fuel cells (electrooxidation of methanol, ethanol, and formic acid). The electrocatalytic performance is further considered at an atomic level and the underlying mechanisms are discussed. The ultimate goal is the tailoring of single atoms for electrochemical applications.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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