Regulating the Coordination Environment of MOF‐Templated Single‐Atom Nickel Electrocatalysts for Boosting CO2 Reduction

The general synthesis and control of the coordination environment of single‐atom catalysts (SACs) remains a great challenge. Herein, a general host–guest cooperative protection strategy has been developed to construct SACs by introducing polypyrrole (PPy) into a bimetallic metal–organic framework. As an example, the introduction of Mg²⁺ in MgNi‐MOF‐74 extends the distance between adjacent Ni atoms; the PPy guests serve as N source to stabilize the isolated Ni atoms during pyrolysis. As a result, a series of single‐atom Ni catalysts (named Ni_SA‐N_x‐C) with different N coordination numbers have been fabricated by controlling the pyrolysis temperature. Significantly, the Ni_SA‐N₂‐C catalyst, with the lowest N coordination number, achieves high CO Faradaic efficiency (98 %) and turnover frequency (1622 h^?1), far superior to those of Ni_SA‐N₃‐C and Ni_SA‐N₄‐C, in electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction. Theoretical calculations reveal that the low N coordination number of single‐atom Ni sites in Ni_SA‐N₂‐C is favorable to the formation of COOH* intermediate and thus accounts for its superior activity.     

A Versatile Iron–Tannin‐Framework Ink Coating Strategy to Fabricate Biomass‐Derived Iron Carbide/Fe‐N‐Carbon Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Reduction

The conversion of biomass into valuable carbon composites as efficient non‐precious metal oxygen‐reduction electrocatalysts is attractive for the development of commercially viable polymer electrolyte membrane fuel‐cell technology. Herein, a versatile iron–tannin‐framework ink coating strategy is developed to fabricate cellulose‐derived Fe₃C/Fe‐N‐C catalysts using commercial filter paper, tissue, or cotton as a carbon source, an iron–tannin framework as an iron source, and dicyandiamide as a nitrogen source. The oxygen reduction performance of the resultant Fe₃C/Fe‐N‐C catalysts shows a high onset potential (i.e. 0.98 V vs the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)), and large kinetic current density normalized to both geometric electrode area and mass of catalysts (6.4 mA cm^?2 and 32 mA mg^?1 at 0.80 V vs RHE) in alkaline condition. This method can even be used to prepare efficient catalysts using waste carbon sources, such as used polyurethane foam.     

A Graphene‐Supported Single‐Atom FeN5 Catalytic Site for Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Electrochemical conversion of CO₂ into valued products is one of the most important issues but remains a great challenge in chemistry. Herein, we report a novel synthetic approach involving prolonged thermal pyrolysis of hemin and melamine molecules on graphene for the fabrication of a robust and efficient single‐iron‐atom electrocatalyst for electrochemical CO₂ reduction. The single‐atom catalyst exhibits high Faradaic efficiency (ca. 97.0 %) for CO production at a low overpotential of 0.35 V, outperforming all Fe‐N‐C‐based catalysts. The remarkable performance for CO₂‐to‐CO conversion can be attributed to the presence of highly efficient singly dispersed FeN₅ active sites supported on N‐doped graphene with an additional axial ligand coordinated to FeN₄. DFT calculations revealed that the axial pyrrolic nitrogen ligand of the FeN₅ site further depletes the electron density of Fe 3d orbitals and thus reduces the Fe–CO π back‐donation, thus enabling the rapid desorption of CO and high selectivity for CO production.     

Ionic Liquids as Precursors for Efficient Mesoporous Iron‐Nitrogen‐Doped Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts

A ferrocene‐based ionic liquid (Fe‐IL) is used as a metal‐containing feedstock with a nitrogen‐enriched ionic liquid (N‐IL) as a compatible nitrogen content modulator to prepare a novel type of non‐precious‐metal–nitrogen–carbon (M‐N‐C) catalysts, which feature ordered mesoporous structure consisting of uniform iron oxide nanoparticles embedded into N‐enriched carbons. The catalyst Fe¹⁰@NOMC exhibits comparable catalytic activity but superior long‐term stability to 20 wt % Pt/C for ORR with four‐electron transfer pathway under alkaline conditions. Such outstanding catalytic performance is ascribed to the populated Fe (Fe₃O₄) and N (N2) active sites with synergetic chemical coupling as well as the ordered mesoporous structure and high surface area endowed by both the versatile precursors and the synthetic strategy, which also open new avenues for the development of M‐N‐C catalytic materials.     

Metal–Organic‐Framework‐Derived Hollow N‐Doped Porous Carbon with Ultrahigh Concentrations of Single Zn Atoms for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Conversion

The development of efficient and low energy‐consumption catalysts for CO₂ conversion is desired, yet remains a great challenge. Herein, a class of novel hollow porous carbons (HPC), featuring well dispersed dopants of nitrogen and single Zn atoms, have been fabricated, based on the templated growth of a hollow metal–organic framework precursor, followed by pyrolysis. The optimized HPC‐800 achieves efficient catalytic CO₂ cycloaddition with epoxides, under light irradiation, at ambient temperature, by taking advantage of an ultrahigh loading of (11.3 wt %) single‐atom Zn and uniform N active sites, high‐efficiency photothermal conversion as well as the hierarchical pores in the carbon shell. As far as we know, this is the first report on the integration of the photothermal effect of carbon‐based materials with single metal atoms for catalytic CO₂ fixation.     

1‐Ferrocenylmethyl‐3‐(2,4,6‐trimethylbenzyl)‐1H‐imidazolidin‐3‐ium iodide and trans‐bis(3‐benzyl‐1‐ferrocenylmethyl‐1H‐imidazolidin‐2‐ylidene)diiodidopalladium(II)

Owing to increasing interest in the use of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) based on imidazolidinium ions as ligands in the design of highly efficient transition‐metal‐based homogeneous catalysts, the characterizations of the 1‐ferrocenylmethyl‐3‐(2,4,6‐trimethylbenzyl)imidazolidin‐3‐ium iodide salt, [Fe(C₅H₅)(C₁₉H₂₄N₂)]I, (I), and the palladium complex trans‐bis(3‐benzyl‐1‐ferrocenylmethyl‐1H‐imidazolidin‐2‐ylidene)diiodidopalladium(II), [Fe₂Pd(C₅H₅)₂(C₁₆H₁₇N₂)₂I₂], (II), are reported. Compound (I) has two iodide anions and two imidazolidinium cations within the asymmetric unit (Z′ = 2). The two cations have distinctly different conformations, with the ferrocene groups orientated exo and endo with respect to the N‐heterocyclic carbene. Weak C—H donor hydrogen bonds to both the iodide anions and the π system of the mesitylene group combine to form two‐dimensional layers perpendicular to the crystallographic c direction. Only one of the formally charged imidazolidinium rings forms a near‐linear hydrogen bond with an iodide anion. Complex (II) shows square‐planar coordination around the Pd^II metal, which is located on an inversion centre (Z′ = 0.5). The ferrocene and benzyl substituents are in a trans–anti arrangement. The Pd—C bond distance between the N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands and the metal atom is 2.036 (7) Å. A survey of related structures shows that the lengthening of the N—C bonds and the closure of the N—C—N angle seen here on metal complexation is typical of similar NHCs and their complexes.     

Ordered Porous Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Matrix with Atomically Dispersed Cobalt Sites as an Efficient Catalyst for Dehydrogenation and Transfer Hydrogenation of N‐Heterocycles

Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have been explored widely as potential substitutes for homogeneous catalysts. Isolated cobalt single‐atom sites were stabilized on an ordered porous nitrogen‐doped carbon matrix (ISAS‐Co/OPNC). ISAS‐Co/OPNC is a highly efficient catalyst for acceptorless dehydrogenation of N‐heterocycles to release H₂. ISAS‐Co/OPNC also exhibits excellent catalytic activity for the reverse transfer hydrogenation (or hydrogenation) of N‐heterocycles to store H₂, using formic acid or external hydrogen as a hydrogen source. The catalytic performance of ISAS‐Co/OPNC in both reactions surpasses previously reported homogeneous and heterogeneous precious‐metal catalysts. The reaction mechanisms are systematically investigated using first‐principles calculations and it is suggested that the Eley–Rideal mechanism is dominant.     

Iron Carbide Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Mesoporous Fe‐N‐Doped Carbon Nanofibers for Efficient Electrocatalysis

Exploring low‐cost and high‐performance nonprecious metal catalysts (NPMCs) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells and metal–air batteries is crucial for the commercialization of these energy conversion and storage devices. Here we report a novel NPMC consisting of Fe₃C nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous Fe‐N‐doped carbon nanofibers, which is synthesized by a cost‐effective method using carbonaceous nanofibers, pyrrole, and FeCl₃ as precursors. The electrocatalyst exhibits outstanding ORR activity (onset potential of ?0.02 V and half‐wave potential of ?0.140 V) closely comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C catalyst in alkaline media, and good ORR activity in acidic media, which is among the highest reported activities of NPMCs.     

Generation of Nanoparticle,Atomic‐Cluster,and Single‐Atom Cobalt Catalysts from Zeolitic Imidazole Frameworks by Spatial Isolation and Their Use in Zinc–Air Batteries

The size effect of transition‐metal nanoparticles on electrocatalytic performance remains ambiguous especially when decreasing the size to the atomic level. Herein, we report the spatial isolation of cobalt species on the atomic scale, which was achieved by tuning the zinc dopant content in predesigned bimetallic Zn/Co zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZnCo‐ZIFs), and led to the synthesis of nanoparticles, atomic clusters, and single atoms of Co catalysts on N‐doped porous carbon. This synthetic strategy allowed an investigation of the size effect on electrochemical behavior from nanometer to Ångström dimensions. Single‐atom Co catalysts showed superior bifunctional ORR/OER activity, durability, and reversibility in Zn–air batteries compared with the other derivatives and noble‐metal Pt/C+RuO₂, which was attributed to the high reactivity and stability of isolated single Co atoms. Our findings open up a new avenue to regulate the metal particle size and catalytic performance of MOF derivatives.     

catena‐Poly[[diaquadiisothiocyanatoiron(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole]: a one‐dimensional coordination polymer

In the title complex, [Fe(NCS)₂(C₄H₂N₆)₂(H₂O)₂]_n, the Fe^II atom is on an inversion centre and the 4,4′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole (btr) group is bisected by a twofold axis through the central N—N bond. The coordination geometry of the Fe^II atom is elongated distorted FeN₄O₂ octahedral, where the cation is coordinated by two N atoms from the triazole rings of two btr groups, two N atoms from NCS⁻ ligands and two water molecules. Btr is a bidentate ligand, coordinating one Fe^II atom through a peripheral N atom of each triazole ring, leading to a one‐dimensional polymeric (chain) structure extending along [101]. The chains are further connected through a network of O—H...N and C—H...S hydrogen bonds.     

Generation of Nanoparticle,Atomic‐Cluster,and Single‐Atom Cobalt Catalysts from Zeolitic Imidazole Frameworks by Spatial Isolation and Their Use in Zinc–Air Batteries

The size effect of transition‐metal nanoparticles on electrocatalytic performance remains ambiguous especially when decreasing the size to the atomic level. Herein, we report the spatial isolation of cobalt species on the atomic scale, which was achieved by tuning the zinc dopant content in predesigned bimetallic Zn/Co zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZnCo‐ZIFs), and led to the synthesis of nanoparticles, atomic clusters, and single atoms of Co catalysts on N‐doped porous carbon. This synthetic strategy allowed an investigation of the size effect on electrochemical behavior from nanometer to Ångström dimensions. Single‐atom Co catalysts showed superior bifunctional ORR/OER activity, durability, and reversibility in Zn–air batteries compared with the other derivatives and noble‐metal Pt/C+RuO₂, which was attributed to the high reactivity and stability of isolated single Co atoms. Our findings open up a new avenue to regulate the metal particle size and catalytic performance of MOF derivatives.     

Synthesis,Coordination Chemistry and Bonding of Strong N‐Donor Ligands Incorporating the 1H‐Pyridin‐(2E)‐Ylidene (PYE) Motif

A range of N‐donor ligands based on the 1H‐pyridin‐(2E)‐ylidene (PYE) motif have been prepared, including achiral and chiral examples. The ligands incorporate one to three PYE groups that coordinate to a metal through the exocyclic nitrogen atom of each PYE moiety, and the resulting metal complexes have been characterised by methods including single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy to examine metal–ligand bonding and ligand dynamics. Upon coordination of a PYE ligand to a proton or metal‐complex fragment, the solid‐state structures, NMR spectroscopy and DFT studies indicate that charge redistribution occurs within the PYE heterocyclic ring to give a contribution from a pyridinium–amido‐type resonance structure. Additional IR spectroscopy and computational studies suggest that PYE ligands are strong donor ligands. NMR spectroscopy shows that for metal complexes there is restricted motion about the exocyclic C? N bond, which projects the heterocyclic N‐substituent in the vicinity of the metal atom causing restricted motion in chelating‐ligand derivatives. Solid‐state structures and DFT calculations also show significant steric congestion and secondary metal–ligand interactions between the metal and ligand C? H bonds.     

Thermolysis of Noble Metal Nanoparticles into Electron‐Rich Phosphorus‐Coordinated Noble Metal Single Atoms at Low Temperature

Noble metal single atoms coordinated with highly electronegative atoms, especially N and O, often suffer from an electron‐deficient state or poor stability, greatly limiting their wide application in the field of catalysis. Herein we demonstrate a new PH₃‐promoted strategy for the effective transformation of noble metal nanoparticles (MNPs, M=Ru, Rh, Pd) at a low temperature (400 °C) into a class of thermally stabilized phosphorus‐coordinated metal single atoms (MPSAs) on g‐C₃N₄ nanosheets via the strong Lewis acid–base interaction between PH₃ and the noble metal. Experimental work along with theoretical simulations confirm that the obtained Pd single atoms supported on g‐C₃N₄ nanosheets exist in the form of PdP₂ with a novel electron‐rich feature, conceptionally different from the well‐known single atoms with an electron‐deficient state. As a result of this new electronic property, PdP₂‐loaded g‐C₃N₄ nanosheets exhibit 4 times higher photocatalytic H₂ production activity than the state‐of‐art N‐coordinated PdSAs supported on g‐C₃N₄ nanosheets. This enhanced photocatalytic activity of phosphorus‐coordinated metal single atoms with an electron‐rich state was quite general, and also observed for other active noble metal single atom catalysts, such as Ru and Rh.     

Non‐metal Single‐Iodine‐Atom Electrocatalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Common‐metal‐based single‐atom catalysts (SACs) are quite difficult to design due to the complex synthesis processes required. Herein, we report a single‐atom nickel iodide (SANi‐I) electrocatalyst with atomically dispersed non‐metal iodine atoms. The SANi‐I is prepared via a simple calcination step in a vacuum‐sealed ampoule and subsequent cyclic voltammetry activation. Aberration‐corrected high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron‐based X‐ray absorption spectroscopy are applied to confirm the atomic‐level dispersion of iodine atoms and detailed structure of SANi‐I. Single iodine atoms are found to be isolated by oxygen atoms. The SANi‐I is structural stable and shows exceptional electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In situ Raman spectroscopy reveals that the hydrogen adatom (H_ads) is adsorbed by a single iodine atom, forming the I‐H_ads intermediate, which promotes the HER process.     

N‐Doped Sub‐3 nm Co Nanoparticles as Highly Efficient and Durable Aerobic Oxidative Coupling Catalysts

A nano‐coating associated with sulfuric acid leaching protocol was developed to prepare N‐doped sub‐3 nm Co‐based nanoparticle catalyst (Co?N/C) using melamine–formaldehyde resin as the N‐containing precursor, active carbon as the support, and Co(NO₃)₂ as the Co‐containing precursor. By thermal treatment under nitrogen atmosphere at 800 °C and leached with sulfuric acid solution, a stable and highly dispersive Co?N coordination structure was uniformly dispersed on the formed Co?N/C catalyst with a Co loading of 0.47 wt % and Co nanoparticle size of 2.55 nm. The Co?N/C catalyst was characterized with XRD, XPS, Raman, SEM, TEM, ICP, and elemental analysis. The Co?N/C catalyst showed extremely high catalytic efficiency with a TON of 257 for the aerobic oxidative coupling of aldehydes with methanol to directly synthesize methyl esters with molecular oxygen as the final oxidant. The Co?N/C catalyst also showed broad substrate range and stable recyclability. After recycling for 7 times, no obvious deactivation was detected. It was confirmed that the sub‐3 nm Co?N coordination structure formed between metallic Co nanoparticles and pyridinic nitrogen doping into graphitic layers functions as the active site to activate molecular oxygen for the β‐H elimination from generated hemiacetal intermediates to produce methyl esters. The nano‐coating associated with acid leaching protocol provides a novel strategy to prepare highly efficient non‐precious metal‐based catalysts.     

Identification of Catalytic Sites for Oxygen Reduction in Metal/Nitrogen‐Doped Carbons with Encapsulated Metal Nanoparticles

The development of metal‐N‐C materials as efficient non‐precious metal (NPM) catalysts for catalysing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as alternatives to platinum is important for the practical use of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, metal‐N‐C materials have high structural heterogeneity. As a result of their high‐temperature synthesis they often consist of metal‐N_x sites and graphene‐encapsulated metal nanoparticles. Thus it is hard to identify the active structure of metal‐N‐C catalysts. Herein, we report a low‐temperature NH₄Cl‐treatment to etch out graphene‐encapsulated nanoparticles from metal‐N‐C catalysts without destruction of co‐existing atomically dispersed metal‐N_x sites. Catalytic activity is much enhanced by this selective removal of metallic nanoparticles. Accordingly, we can confirm the spectator role of graphene‐encapsulated nanoparticles and the pivotal role of metal‐N_x sites in the metal‐N‐C materials for ORR in the acidic medium.     

A Dinuclear Ruthenium‐Based Water Oxidation Catalyst: Use of Non‐Innocent Ligand Frameworks for Promoting Multi‐Electron Reactions

Insight into how H₂O is oxidized to O₂ is envisioned to facilitate the rational design of artificial water oxidation catalysts, which is a vital component in solar‐to‐fuel conversion schemes. Herein, we report on the mechanistic features associated with a dinuclear Ru‐based water oxidation catalyst. The catalytic action of the designed Ru complex was studied by the combined use of high‐resolution mass spectrometry, electrochemistry, and quantum chemical calculations. Based on the obtained results, it is suggested that the designed ligand scaffold in Ru complex 1 has a non‐innocent behavior, in which metal–ligand cooperation is an important part during the four‐electron oxidation of H₂O. This feature is vital for the observed catalytic efficiency and highlights that the preparation of catalysts housing non‐innocent molecular frameworks could be a general strategy for accessing efficient catalysts for activation of H₂O.     

Cross‐Linked Polyphosphazene Hollow Nanosphere‐Derived N/P‐Doped Porous Carbon with Single Nonprecious Metal Atoms for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Heteroatom‐doped polymers or carbon nanospheres have attracted broad research interest. However, rational synthesis of these nanospheres with controllable properties is still a great challenge. Herein, we develop a template‐free approach to construct cross‐linked polyphosphazene nanospheres with tunable hollow structures. As comonomers, hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene provides N and P atoms, tannic acid can coordinate with metal ions, and the replaceable third comonomer can endow the materials with various properties. After carbonization, N/P‐doped mesoporous carbon nanospheres were obtained with small particle size (≈50 nm) and high surface area (411.60 m² g^?1). Structural characterization confirmed uniform dispersion of the single atom transition metal sites (i.e., Co‐N₂P₂) with N and P dual coordination. Electrochemical measurements and theoretical simulations revealed the oxygen reduction reaction performance. This work provides a solution for fabricating diverse heteroatom‐containing polymer nanospheres and their derived single metal atom doped carbon catalysts.     

Ag10Ti28‐Oxo Cluster Containing Single‐Atom Silver Sites: Atomic Structure and Synergistic Electronic Properties

Supported single‐atom catalysts have been emerging as promising materials in a variety of energy catalysis applications. However, studying the role of metal–support interactions at the molecular level remains a major challenge, primarily due to the lack of precise atomic structures. In this work, by replacing the frequently used TiO₂ support with its molecular analogue, titanium‐oxo cluster (TOC), we successfully produced a new kind of Ti‐O material doped with single silver sites. The as‐obtained Ag₁₀Ti₂₈ cluster, containing four exposed and six embedded Ag sites, is the largest noble‐metal‐doped Ti‐O cluster reported to date. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the Ag₁₀Ti₂₈ core exhibits properties distinct from those of metallic Ag‐based materials. This Ti‐O material doped with single Ag sites presents a high ?_d and moderate CO binding capacity comparable to that of metallic Cu‐based catalysts, suggesting that it might display different catalytic performance from the common Ag‐based catalysts, for example, for CO₂ reduction. These results prove that the synergism of active surface metal atoms and the Ti‐O cluster support result in unique physical properties, which might open a new direction for single‐atom‐included catalysts.     

Single Cobalt Atoms with Precise N‐Coordination as Superior Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts

A new strategy for achieving stable Co single atoms (SAs) on nitrogen‐doped porous carbon with high metal loading over 4 wt % is reported. The strategy is based on a pyrolysis process of predesigned bimetallic Zn/Co metal–organic frameworks, during which Co can be reduced by carbonization of the organic linker and Zn is selectively evaporated away at high temperatures above 800 °C. The spherical aberration correction electron microscopy and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure measurements both confirm the atomic dispersion of Co atoms stabilized by as‐generated N‐doped porous carbon. Surprisingly, the obtained Co‐N_x single sites exhibit superior ORR performance with a half‐wave potential (0.881 V) that is more positive than commercial Pt/C (0.811 V) and most reported non‐precious metal catalysts. Durability tests revealed that the Co single atoms exhibit outstanding chemical stability during electrocatalysis and thermal stability that resists sintering at 900 °C. Our findings open up a new routine for general and practical synthesis of a variety of materials bearing single atoms, which could facilitate new discoveries at the atomic scale in condensed materials.