Atomic site electrocatalysts for water splitting, oxygen reduction and selective oxidation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Electrocatalysis is crucial for clean energy technologies.
• Atomic site electrocatalysts (ASCs) offer high atom efficiency and selectivity, presenting economical alternatives to noble-metal catalysts.
• ASCs include single-atomic site catalysts (SASCs) and diatomic site catalysts (DASCs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the fabrication routes of ASCs.
• To provide an overview of characterization methods for probing ASC atomic structures.
• To summarize advances in ASCs for clean energy reactions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of ASC fabrication.
• Overview of advanced characterization techniques for atomic structure analysis.
• Comprehensive summary of ASC performance in key electrocatalytic reactions.

Main Results:

• ASCs demonstrate high atom utilization efficiencies, well-defined active sites, and high selectivities.
• Detailed review of ASC applications in water splitting (HER, OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and selective electrooxidation of formic acid, methanol, and ethanol (FAOR, MOR, EOR).
• Discussion of new characterization methods for precise atomic structure probing.

Conclusions:

• ASCs are promising for various clean energy applications.
• Further development is needed for more selective, active, stable, and cost-effective ASCs.
• Challenges and opportunities in ASC research are highlighted.