Ultrafast Construction of Oxygen-Containing Scaffold over Graphite for Trapping Ni²⁺ into Single Atom Catalysts

Ultrafast construction of oxygen-containing scaffold over graphite for trapping Ni²⁺ into single atom catalysts (SACs) was developed and presented by a one-step electrochemical activation technique. The present method for Ni SACs starts with graphite foil and is capable of achieving ultrafast preparation (1.5 min) and mass production. The defective oxygen featuring the strong electronegativity enables primarily attracting Ni²⁺ ions and stabilizing Ni atoms via Ni-O₆ coordination instead of conventional metal-C or metal-N. In addition, the oxygen defects for trapping are tunable through altering the applied voltage or electrolyte, further altering the loading of Ni atoms, indicative of enhanced oxygen evolution activity. This simple and ultrafast electrochemical synthesis is promising for the mass and controllable production of oxygen-coordinated Ni SACs, which exhibit good performance for oxygen evolution reaction.