A Single‐Atom Iridium Heterogeneous Catalyst in Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Combining the advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, single‐atom catalysts (SACs) are bringing new opportunities to revolutionize ORR catalysis in terms of cost, activity and durability. However, the lack of high‐performance SACs as well as the fundamental understanding of their unique catalytic mechanisms call for serious advances in this field. Herein, for the first time, we develop an Ir‐N‐C single‐atom catalyst (Ir‐SAC) which mimics homogeneous iridium porphyrins for high‐efficiency ORR catalysis. In accordance with theoretical predictions, the as‐developed Ir‐SAC exhibits orders of magnitude higher ORR activity than iridium nanoparticles with a record‐high turnover frequency (TOF) of 24.3 e^? site^?1 s^?1 at 0.85 V vs. RHE) and an impressive mass activity of 12.2 A mg^?1_Ir, which far outperforms the previously reported SACs and commercial Pt/C. Atomic structural characterizations and density functional theory calculations reveal that the high activity of Ir‐SAC is attributed to the moderate adsorption energy of reaction intermediates on the mononuclear iridium ion coordinated with four nitrogen atom sites.     

One‐Pot Cooperation of Single‐Atom Rh and Ru Solid Catalysts for a Selective Tandem Olefin Isomerization‐Hydrosilylation Process

Realizing the full potential of oxide‐supported single‐atom metal catalysts (SACs) is key to successfully bridge the gap between the fields of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Here we show that the one‐pot combination of Ru₁/CeO₂ and Rh₁/CeO₂ SACs enables a highly selective olefin isomerization‐hydrosilylation tandem process, hitherto restricted to molecular catalysts in solution. Individually, monoatomic Ru and Rh sites show a remarkable reaction specificity for olefin double‐bond migration and anti‐Markovnikov α‐olefin hydrosilylation, respectively. First‐principles DFT calculations ascribe such selectivity to differences in the binding strength of the olefin substrate to the monoatomic metal centers. The single‐pot cooperation of the two SACs allows the production of terminal organosilane compounds with high regio‐selectivity (>95 %) even from industrially‐relevant complex mixtures of terminal and internal olefins, alongside a straightforward catalyst recycling and reuse. These results demonstrate the significance of oxide‐supported single‐atom metal catalysts in tandem catalytic reactions, which are central for the intensification of chemical processes.     

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‐Atom Catalysts for the Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrogen to Ammonia under Ambient Conditions

Powered by renewable electricity, the electrochemical reduction of nitrogen to ammonia is proposed as a promising alternative to the energy‐ and capital‐intensive Haber–Bosch process, and has thus attracted much attention from the scientific community. However, this process suffers from low NH₃ yields and Faradaic efficiency. The development of more effective electrocatalysts is of vital importance for the practical applications of this reaction. Of the reported catalysts, single‐atom catalysts (SACs) show the significant advantages of efficient atom utilization and unsaturated coordination configurations, which offer great scope for optimizing their catalytic performance. Herein, progress in state‐of‐the‐art SACs applied in the electrocatalytic N₂ reduction reaction (NRR) is discussed, and the main advantages and challenges for developing more efficient electrocatalysts are also highlighted.     

When Nanozymes Meet Single‐Atom Catalysis

Nanomaterials with enzyme‐like activities, coined nanozymes, have been researched widely as they offer unparalleled advantages in terms of low cost, superior activity, and high stability. The complex structure and composition of nanozymes has led to extensive investigation of their catalytic sites at an atomic scale, and to an in‐depth understanding of the biocatalysis occurring. Single‐atom catalysts (SACs), characterized by atomically dispersed active sites, have provided opportunities for mimicking metalloprotease and for bridging the gap between natural enzymes and nanozymes. In this Minireview, we illustrate the unique properties of nanozymes and we discuss recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, and applications of SACs. Subsequently, we outline the impressive progress made in single‐atom nanozymes and we discuss their applications in sensing, degradation of organic pollutants, and in therapeutic roles. Finally, we present the major challenges and opportunities remaining for a successful marriage of nanozymes and SACs.     

Investigation of the Support Effect in Atomically Dispersed Pt on WO3−x for Utilization of Pt in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted growing attention because they maximize the number of active sites, with unpredictable catalytic activity. Despite numerous studies on SACs, there is little research on the support, which is essential to understanding SAC. Herein, we systematically investigated the influence of the support on the performance of the SAC by comparing with single‐atom Pt supported on carbon (Pt SA/C) and Pt nanoparticles supported on WO_3?x (Pt NP/WO_3?x). The results revealed that the support effect was maximized for atomically dispersed Pt supported on WO_3?x (Pt SA/WO_3?x). The Pt SA/WO_3?x exhibited a higher degree of hydrogen spillover from Pt atoms to WO_3?x at the interface, compared with Pt NP/WO_3?x, which drastically enhanced Pt mass activity for hydrogen evolution (up to 10 times). This strategy provides a new framework for enhancing catalytic activity for HER, by reducing noble metal usage in the field of SACs.     

Recent Advances of Single-atom Catalysts for Electro-catalysis

Single-atom catalysis is the “hot spot” in the field of catalysis due to the special geometries, electronic states, and their unique catalytic performance. Single-atom catalysts(SACs), isolated metal atoms dispersed on the support, show the highest atom efficiency, cutting down the potential cost in the industrial process. Consequently, this “homo-hetero” catalyst could be a promising candidate for the next-generation catalysts. The applications for the SACs are widely reported, like gas-solid reactions, organic reactions, and electro-catalysis. In this mini- review, we will focus on the recent work of SACs on electro-catalysis, including hydrogen evolution reaction(HER), oxygen reduction reaction(ORR), oxygen evolution reaction(OER), CO₂ reduction reaction(CO₂ RR), and nitrogen reduction reaction(NRR).     

单原子催化材料在电化学氢循环应用中的研究进展

单原子催化剂(SACs)是一类仅含有孤立的单个金属原子作为催化活性中心的催化材料. 由于其具有100%的原子利用率、 独特的化学结构及优异的催化活性等优点, 近年来在电化学催化和电能转换设备领域备受关注. 本文综合评述了单原子催化材料的设计理念、 合成方法和表征方法, 同时对其在氢电化学循环 (电解水制氢和氢燃料电池领域)的实际应用进行了系统介绍, 并对单原子催化材料的研究和应用前景进行了展望.     

Preparation and characterization of M1-Nx-Cy based single atom catalysts for environmental applications

Single atom catalysts(SACs) have become the frontier research fields in catalysis. The M1-Nx-Cybased SACs, wherein single metal atoms(M1) are stabilized by N-doped carbonaceous materials, have provided new opportunities for catalysis due to their high reactivity, maximized atomic utilization, and high selectivity. In this review, the fabrication methods of M1-Nx-Cybased SACs via support anchoring strategy and coordination design strategy are summarized to help the readers understand the interact...     

Liquid Fluxional Ga Single Atom Catalysts for Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Precise design and tuning of the micro-atomic structure of single atom catalysts (SACs) can help efficiently adapt complex catalytic systems. Herein, we inventively found that when the active center of the main group element gallium (Ga) is downsized to the atomic level, whose characteristic has significant differences from conventional bulk and rigid Ga catalysts. The Ga SACs with a P, S atomic coordination environment display specific flow properties, showing CO products with FE of ≈92 % at −0.3 V vs. RHE in electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR). Theoretical simulations demonstrate that the adaptive dynamic transition of Ga optimizes the adsorption energy of the *COOH intermediate and renews the active sites in time, leading to excellent CO₂RR selectivity and stability. This liquid single atom catalysts system with dynamic interfaces lays the foundation for future exploration of synthesis and catalysis.     

Controlling the Oxidation State of Pt Single Atoms for Maximizing Catalytic Activity

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as promising materials in heterogeneous catalysis. Previous studies reported controversial results about the relative level in activity for SACs and nanoparticles (NPs). These works have focused on the effect of metal atom arrangement, without considering the oxidation state of the SACs. Here, we immobilized Pt single atoms on defective ceria and controlled the oxidation state of Pt SACs, from highly oxidized (Pt⁰: 16.6 at %) to highly metallic states (Pt⁰: 83.8 at %). The Pt SACs with controlled oxidation states were then employed for oxidation of CO, CH₄, or NO, and their activities compared with those of Pt NPs. The highly oxidized Pt SACs presented poorer activities than Pt NPs, whereas metallic Pt SACs showed higher activities. The Pt SAC reduced at 300 °C showed the highest activity for all the oxidations. The Pt SACs with controlled oxidation states revealed a crucial missing link between activity and SACs.     

单原子催化剂电子结构调控实现高效多相催化

过去十年见证了单原子催化领域的快速发展,其最高的原子利用效率和充分暴露的活性位点使得单原子催化剂对众多反应的催化活性具有显著提升。在单原子催化领域的早期发展阶段,研究者只是关注单原子催化剂催化活性与催化选择性的提高,而其内在的反应机理以及活性位点同催化性能之间的构效关系往往被忽视。关于单原子催化剂中金属-基底相互作用的深入探讨能够帮助我们理解催化机理,并进一步指导多相催化剂的理性设计。值得注意的是,由于单原子催化剂均一的活性位点及其几何构型,我们可以通过理论计算以及一些原位的表征技术,来揭示其中的金属-基底相互作用,继而进一步促进单原子催化领域的发展以及多相催化剂的理性设计。这篇综述总结了金属-基底相互作用的基本概念,其作用,以及其在一些重要多相催化中的应用,最后提出了金属-基底相互作用在单原子催化领域所面临的挑战与机遇。     

Single‐Atom Electrocatalysts

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.     

单原子催化:沟通均相催化与多相催化的桥梁（英文）

催化在现代化学工业中占据着极为重要的地位.催化剂是催化过程的核心.均相催化剂由于具有均一、孤立的活性位点,往往具有高活性与高选择性;但是分离困难限制了其实际应用.多相催化剂由于金属原子利用效率低、活性组分不均匀,活性与选择性相对较低;但其稳定易分离的特点使得目前大多数工业催化过程都是多相催化过程.近年来,单原子催化逐渐成为催化领域新的研究热点与前沿,受到相关研究人员的广泛关注.作为一种多相催化剂,单原子催化剂具有稳定易分离的优势.此外,单原子催化剂具有类似均相催化剂的孤立活性位点,可能具有高活性与高选择.因此单原子催化的概念一经提出,便被认为有望成为架起多相催化与均相催化的桥梁;但几年来并未从实验上得到证实.2016年开始,逐渐有单原子催化剂在经典均相催化反应过程中的应用报道,为该观点提供了实验上的证据.本综述概述了2016至2017年单原子催化剂在典型均相催化反应中的成功应用,包括:1)氢甲酰化反应.以烯烃和合成气为原料合成精细化学品醛类化合物的氢甲酰化反应是目前化工生产中典型的均相催化反应之一.2016年,张涛课题组和曾杰课题组先后报道了Rh/ZnO和Rh/CoO单原子催化剂在该反应中的成功应用.催化剂都表现出优异的催化性能,活性与经典均相Wilkinson’s催化剂相当;2)氢硅加成反应.作为合成有机硅产品的重要反应之一,工业上硅氢加成反应主要由Pt基均相催化剂催化.2016年Beller课题组首次报道了将Pt/Al_2O_3单原子催化剂用于烯烃硅氢加成反应中.该催化剂除表现出良好的催化活性和区域选择性外,还具有较高的稳定性和底物普适性;3)C–H键选择性氧化.烷烃部分氧化反应在学术研究和工业应用方面都有重要意义.刘文刚等将M-N-C单原子催化剂(其中M为Fe,Co等金属)成功应用于C–H键的活化反应中,并对催化剂的结构进行了深入剖析.以上实例表明通过调控金属与载体组合、设计开发合适的单原子催化剂,可以达到结合均相催化高活性、高选择性与多相催化稳定易分离的目的,为均相催化多相化提供了一条新途径,也证明单原子催化可望成为沟通均相催化与多相催化的桥梁.     

Single-atom catalysis for organic reactions

Metal-based catalysis, including homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, plays a significant role in the modern chemical industry. Heterogeneous catalysis is widely used due to the high efficiency, easy catalyst separation and recycling. However, the metal-utilization efficiency for conventional heterogeneous catalysts needs further improvement compared to homogeneous catalyst. To tackle this, the pursing of heterogenizing homogeneous catalysts has always been attractive but challenging. As a recently emerging class of catalytic material, single-atom catalysts (SACs) are expected to bridge homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic process in organic reactions and have arguably become the most active new frontier in catalysis field. In this review, a brief introduction and development history of single-atom catalysis and SACs involved organic reactions are documented. In addition, recent advances in SACs and their practical applications in organic reactions such as oxidation, reduction, addition, coupling reaction, and other organic reactions are thoroughly reviewed. To understand structure-property relationships of single-atom catalysis in organic reactions, active sites or coordination structure, metal atom-utilization efficiency (e.g., turnover frequency, TOF calculated based on active metal) and catalytic performance (e.g., conversion and selectivity) of SACs are comprehensively summarized. Furthermore, the application limitations, development trends, future challenges and perspective of SAC for organic reaction are discussed.     

Photocatalytic Free Radical-Controlled Synthesis of High-Performance Single-Atom Catalysts

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as crucial players in catalysis research, prompting extensive investigation and application. The precise control of metal atom nucleation and growth has garnered significant attention. In this study, we present a straightforward approach for preparing SACs utilizing a photocatalytic radical control strategy. Notably, we demonstrate for the first time that radicals generated during the photochemical process effectively hinder the aggregation of individual atoms. By leveraging the cooperative anchoring of nitrogen atoms and crystal lattice oxygen on the support, we successfully stabilize the single atom. Our Pd₁/TiO₂ catalysts exhibit remarkable catalytic activity and stability in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction, which was 43 times higher than Pd/C. Furthermore, we successfully depose Pd atoms onto various substrates, including TiO₂, CeO₂, and WO₃. The photocatalytic radical control strategy can be extended to other single-atom catalysts, such as Ir, Pt, Rh, and Ru, underscoring its broad applicability.     

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.     

Maximizing the Number of Interfacial Sites in Single‐Atom Catalysts for the Highly Selective,Solvent‐Free Oxidation of Primary Alcohols

The solvent‐free selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes with molecular oxygen is highly attractive yet challenging. Interfacial sites between a metal and an oxide support are crucial in determining the activity and selectivity of such heterogeneous catalysts. Herein, we demonstrate that the use of supported single‐atom catalysts (SACs) leads to high activity and selectivity in this reaction. The significantly increased number of interfacial sites, resulting from the presence of individually dispersed metal atoms on the support, renders SACs one or two orders of magnitude more active than the corresponding nanoparticle (NP) catalysts. Lattice oxygen atoms activated at interfacial sites were found to be more selective than O₂ activated on metal NPs in oxidizing the alcohol substrate. This work demonstrates for the first time that the number of interfacial sites is maximized in SACs, providing a new avenue for improving catalytic performance by developing appropriate SACs for alcohol oxidation and other reactions occurring at metal–support interfacial sites.     

Maximizing the Number of Interfacial Sites in Single‐Atom Catalysts for the Highly Selective,Solvent‐Free Oxidation of Primary Alcohols

The solvent‐free selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes with molecular oxygen is highly attractive yet challenging. Interfacial sites between a metal and an oxide support are crucial in determining the activity and selectivity of such heterogeneous catalysts. Herein, we demonstrate that the use of supported single‐atom catalysts (SACs) leads to high activity and selectivity in this reaction. The significantly increased number of interfacial sites, resulting from the presence of individually dispersed metal atoms on the support, renders SACs one or two orders of magnitude more active than the corresponding nanoparticle (NP) catalysts. Lattice oxygen atoms activated at interfacial sites were found to be more selective than O₂ activated on metal NPs in oxidizing the alcohol substrate. This work demonstrates for the first time that the number of interfacial sites is maximized in SACs, providing a new avenue for improving catalytic performance by developing appropriate SACs for alcohol oxidation and other reactions occurring at metal–support interfacial sites.     

Single-atom Catalysts Based on Layered Double Hydroxides

Single-atom catalysts(SACs) have attracted much attention for their superior catalytic performance in various fields. It has been widely accepted that the selection of appropriate substrates is crucial to the fabrication and application of SACs. Layered double hydroxides(LDHs) have been developed as one of the promising substrates for single-atoms due to their unique adjustable supramolecular structures. In this review, we comprehensively sort out the research of SACs based on LDHs. By analyzing the characteristics of LDHs and the single-atoms, respectively, the preparation strategies of SACs by using LDHs are summarized. Their applications as efficient catalysts in electrocatalysis, photocatalysis and thermal catalysis are then discussed. Finally, we summarize the opportunities and challenges for the rational design and application expansion of SACs based on LDHs in the future.