A Universal Graphene Quantum Dot Tethering Design Strategy to Synthesize Single‐Atom Catalysts
Song Jin, Youxuan Ni, Zhimeng Hao, Kai Zhang, Yong Lü, Zhenhua Yan, Yajuan Wei, Ying‐Rui Lu, Ting‐Shan Chan, Jun Chen
Abstract
Abstract A general graphene quantum dot‐tethering design strategy to synthesize single‐atom catalysts (SACs) is presented. The strategy is applicable to different metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) and supports (0D carbon nanosphere, 1D carbon nanotube, 2D graphene nanosheet, and 3D graphite foam) with the metal loading of 3.0–4.5 wt %. The direct transmission electron microscopy imaging and X‐ray absorption spectra analyses confirm the atomic dispersed metal in carbon supports. Our study reveals that the abundant oxygenated groups for complexing metal ions and the rich defective sites for incorporating nitrogen are essential to realize the synthesis of SACs. Furthermore, the carbon nanotube supported Ni SACs exhibits high electrocatalytic activity for CO 2 reduction with nearly 100 % CO selectivity. This universal strategy is expected to open up new research avenues to produce SACs for diverse electrocatalytic applications.