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Updated: Aug 13, 2025

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Asymmetric Coordination Environment Engineering of Atomic Catalysts for CO2 Reduction
Xianghua Hou1,2, Junyang Ding1, Wenxian Liu3
1Center for Electron Microscopy and Tianjin Key Lab of Advanced Functional Porous Materials, Institute for New Energy Materials & Low-Carbon Technologies, School of Materials, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China.
Abstract:
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as well-known catalysts in renewable energy storage and conversion systems. Several supports have been developed for stabilizing single-atom catalytic sites, e.g., organic-, metal-, and carbonaceous matrices. Noticeably, the metal species and their local atomic coordination environments have a strong influence on the electrocatalytic capabilities of metal atom active centers. In particular, asymmetric atom electrocatalysts exhibit unique properties and an unexpected carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) performance different from those of traditional metal-N4 sites. This review summarizes the recent development of asymmetric atom sites for the CO2RR with emphasis on the coordination structure regulation strategies and their effects on CO2RR performance. Ultimately, several scientific possibilities are proffered with the aim of further expanding and deepening the advancement of asymmetric atom electrocatalysts for the CO2RR.
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