Unlocking new frontiers: Boosting up electrochemical catalysis with metal clusters and single-atoms

Abstract

It is imperative to address pressing environmental and energy challenges, and to that end, the fabrication of effective catalysts with exceptional activity, selectivity, and stability for electrocatalytic processes is crucial. Various electrocatalytic methods, such as hydrogen evolution, oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, carbon dioxide reduction, and nitrogen reduction reactions, play central roles in overcoming these obstacles. In addition to being cost-effective, the unique structural configuration of single-atom catalysts (SACs) allows the maximum use of each atom and has garnered considerable interest. However, the simplicity of the SAC structure often leads to reduced metal content and elevated surface energy, thereby limiting its performance in real-life electrocatalytic applications, particularly those involving multi-step reactions. Thus, researchers have explored an array of designs for SACs that synergistically combine particles (including clusters) to enhance electrocatalytic performance with improved charge transfer and separation. This study comprehensively explores several synthetic strategies for SACs and highlights the synergistic effects achieved by combining SACs with particles, including clusters. Furthermore, it delves into the underlying mechanisms governing their interactions such as electron transfer, bifunctional effects, and tandem effects. Finally, particular issues that limit the efficiency of SACs are identified and possible suggestions are elucidated. This study explores different synthetic strategies for SACs, highlighting the synergistic effects achieved by combining SACs with particles (including clusters) to improve the activity and selectivity of the reaction. The research delves into the mechanisms that govern their interaction, including electron transfer, bifunctional effects, and tandem effects. • Single-atom metal catalysts optimize atom utilization but encounter practical challenges due to their inherent simplicity. • Insight into various preparation methods adopted for synthesizing SACs including top-down, bottom-up and other approach are elucidated. • This review describes the synergistic benefit derived, if SACs and nanoparticles including clusters are combined together. • Finally, the diverse applications of these synergy catalysts obtained from SACs and nanoparticles including clusters are summarized.

Topics & Concepts