Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2025
10:57
Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
18.1K
Breaking symmetry for better catalysis: insights into single-atom catalyst design
Pingping Cao1, Xueqin Mu1, Fanjiao Chen1
1School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China. liusl@njtech.edu.cn.
Chemical Society Reviews
|March 13, 2025
Summary
Breaking structural symmetry in single-atom catalysts (SACs) enhances electrocatalytic performance by optimizing electronic structure. This review explores atomic-level strategies for symmetry breaking to improve catalyst selectivity and activity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Conventional single-atom catalysts (SACs) with symmetric M-N4 configurations exhibit suboptimal electronic properties.
- Symmetric electron density in SACs limits the adsorption and activation of reaction intermediates, hindering catalytic efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review atomic-level symmetry-breaking strategies for fine-tuning catalyst electronic structures.
- To explore how modulated electronic distribution in SACs enhances selectivity and adsorption strength for key intermediates.
- To highlight the impact of symmetry breaking on electrocatalytic performance in oxidation, reduction, and bifunctional reactions.
Main Methods:
- Focus on atomic-level symmetry-breaking strategies: charge, coordination, and geometric breaking.
- Investigate modifications to the M-N4 framework, including unsaturated coordination (M-N_x), non-metallic doping (MX-N_x), and bimetallic doping (M1M2-N4).
- Utilize advanced characterization techniques and density functional theory (DFT) to analyze electronic structure and catalytic mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Symmetry breaking modulates the electronic distribution around the active center, improving selectivity and adsorption strength.
- Strategies like unsaturated coordination, non-metallic doping, and bimetallic doping effectively break M-N4 symmetry.
- Impact of these strategies on oxidation, reduction, and bifunctional catalytic reactions is elucidated.
Conclusions:
- Breaking structural symmetry is a powerful strategy for enhancing SAC electrocatalytic performance.
- Precise atomic-level control over symmetry breaking is crucial for optimizing catalyst design.
- Further research is needed to fully realize the potential of symmetry-breaking strategies in catalysis.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Introduction to Mechanisms of Enzyme Catalysis
7.8K
For many years, scientists thought that enzyme-substrate binding took place in a simple "lock-and-key" fashion. This model stated that the enzyme and substrate fit together perfectly in one instantaneous step. However, current research supports a more refined view scientists call induced fit. The induced-fit model expands upon the lock-and-key model by describing a more dynamic interaction between enzyme and substrate. As the enzyme and substrate come together, their interaction causes...
7.8K
02:50Catalysis
26.5K
The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.
26.5K
01:07Catalytically Perfect Enzymes
3.8K
The theory of catalytically perfect enzymes was first proposed by W.J. Albery and J. R. Knowles in 1976. These enzymes catalyze biochemical reactions at high-speed. Their catalytic efficiency values range from 108-109 M-1s-1. These enzymes are also called 'diffusion-controlled' as the only rate-limiting step in the catalysis is that of the substrate diffusion into the active site. Examples include triose phosphate isomerase, fumarase, and superoxide dismutase.
Most enzymes...
Most enzymes...
3.8K
02:17Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
3.2K
Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
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...
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...
3.2K
02:13Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
11.8K
Alkenes undergo reduction by the addition of molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. Because the process generally occurs in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, the reaction is called catalytic hydrogenation.
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
11.8K
02:24Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
7.6K
Introduction
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
7.6K