Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Enhanced Activity of C2N-Supported Single Co Atom Catalyst by Single Atom Promoter
Wenhui Zhong1,2, Guozhen Zhang3, Yachao Zhang2
1School of Chemical Engineering , Guizhou Institute of Technology , Guiyang , Guizhou 550003 , China.
Abstract:
The remarkable chemical activity of metal single-atom catalysts (SACs) lies in their unique electronic states associated with the low-coordination nature of single-atom sites. Yet, electronic state manipulation normally requires direct contact with other atoms, which inevitably changes the low-coordination environment. Herein, we found by first-principle calculations that the activity of a Co SAC for HCOOH dehydrogenation is appreciably enhanced via electronic state manipulation by a noncontact single atom promoter. A Co atom and a Sn/Ge/Pb atom are anchored in the same cavity of a graphitic C2N monolayer. Surprisingly, the nonbonded promoter makes two far splitting spin states of Co almost degenerate via charge redistribution of C2N support. Further, the high-spin Co gives a remarkably low reaction barrier comparable to Pt or Pd catalysts. Our results demonstrate that the activity of a SAC can be tuned via a noncontact promoter, casting new insights into electronic state modulation of SACs on graphene-like support.
More Related Videos
08:40Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
10:19Synthesis and Testing of Supported Pt-Cu Solid Solution Nanoparticle Catalysts for Propane Dehydrogenation
Published on: July 18, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Catalysis
Enzymes
Enzyme deficiencies can often translate into life-threatening diseases. For example, a genetic abnormality resulting in the deficiency of the enzyme G6PD...
Catalytically Perfect Enzymes
Most enzymes...
Introduction to Mechanisms of Enzyme Catalysis
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Thermal Activation